Hi guys....I juried into the retail section of ACC Baltimore and they sent me a map of the arena and asked me where I want to be, apparently when you send in your payment (ouch, ouch, ouch) you get a choice. Has anyone done the retail section before or just knows the layout of the place to recommend why is a good spot there? All of those places have dead spots and it's hard to know just looking at a huge map ( the show is a monster it seems). Grateful that this website is a plethora of information and that someone might know. Thanks in advance.
You need to be a member of Art Fair Insiders to add comments!
Comments
I've done both twice and just retail twice. It is a much better retail show than wholesale for me, but that may have changed. The retail part is great--the people come on those days and they seem to walk the whole show. The whole long aisles to the right and some center of the entrance are basically all wearables and jewlery, so to the left where you will be isn't quite as overwhelmingly large if you think of it that way. Many more people come for the retail days--wholesale is much sparcer and I found that they were looking for lower price points. Again--this may have changed, it's bee 2 years since I did it.
Luckily, Connie, my work is encaustic and it jumps the line of being both fine art and fine craft (one of the few). I have done ACC Atlanta three times and have always done very well there, so I figured Baltimore would be good too....also St. Paul, which will be a first time for me. Cost is killer at these shows but they do bring in the crowds I suppose, or they wouldn't be on your list of the best shows... Let's face it, most of what we do is a gamble in this business, with rainouts and the flucuating economy, who can be sure of anything, we're all artists, hoping to make a living at what we are driven and love to do. I am thinking about this seriously and I thank you for the help. Lucia, thank you for your incredible insight, looking at the map, I can see where you are talking about, my gosh it's a big show. Do you do just retail or both? Is retail the kind of bastard child of the show or do people come to buy from that end also? Thanks again.....
I've done ACC Baltimore about 4 times and am currently taking a break from it. It can be a great show--lots of people looking for interesting art, but it is very big. The wholesale/retail booths are all right in the front grid as you come in and the retail only is off to one side--my favorite space I had once was when I got a corner end space right by the smaller food area. But I've also been in-line in the rows along there and I think they are all pretty good though personally I'd avoid the perimeters and stay as far towards the middle as you can. And as near to the main cross aisles as you can. Does that make sense?
But also, don't sweat it--when I first did it I just when with fate and was assigned a booth by the show and it still turned out OK :)
Hi Margie, what a big deal this is! What made you apply to this show? Do you know anyone else who has shown 2D work at the ACC show? I know this is a big layout of cash and the show is huge, with a lot of people who have honed their businesses doing retail/wholesale. I'm concerned about your return on investment. Sure you're up for this?
I'll round up some folks who can help you get the answer to your question about a space. I'd say get in the middle of things as much as possible offhand.