What makes a great show?

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

As a fledgling promoter this is a very interesting and important topic to me.

Show attendees: What gets you through the door? Is it autograph guests; dealers you know; dealers with a national reputation; door prizes; free admission?

Dealers: what attracts you to a show? Location; an admission charge; low booth rates; autograph guests; good customer service?

I'd love to hear thoughts from both sides of the table as my answers may be different. Part of the reason we are doing our show is a reaction to numerous unsatisfying show experiences as a dealer. I can correct the things that bothered me, but I can't do anything about things I never thought of!

[Laxcat]

Something that I like: space.

Being able to easily maneuver through the aisles is a big plus.

[conor912]

Originally Posted by Laxcat

Something that I like: space.

Being able to easily maneuver through the aisles is a big plus.

I totally agree that space is nice, but if the material is good enough, I really don't see tight aisles being enough of a turnoff to keep people at home....

[pokerplyr80]

As a collector if there is good material I will come back. I like to see a good variety. Prewar, postwar, and modern. I'm not as concerned with door prizes or autograph guests but they will probably help attract other customers. I don't have a problem paying an admission as long as there's some good stuff inside.

[KCRfan1]

+1 Jesse.

I want quality and variety. With that comes a certain price tag, but as long as the prices are reasonable and "in line" I am good with that.

Don't necessarily need a player to do a signing. There's usually a price for that and it may carry over to an admission fee to attend the card show. Rather spend the money on cards.

[quitcrab]

Good lighting.

[conor912]

I wish I had the time and energy to type the long-winded response that this question requires. At the end of the day, the majority of attendees want quality material at rock bottom prices, while dealers want to make enough of a profit to make setting up worth while. I can't say I blame either, but the difference between the two is what suppresses turnout on both sides of the tables. From what I've seen, it's getting harder for dealers to buy good stuff cheap enough to keep prices as low as buyers want. We live in a world where anyone who walks into a commercial setting can take out their phone and find "it" cheaper somewhere else.

That said, as a promotor of two shows/year myself, I'd also love to hear what input people have.

[CurtisFlood]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

As a fledgling promoter this is a very interesting and important topic to me.

Show attendees: What gets you through the door? Is it autograph guests; dealers you know; dealers with a national reputation; door prizes; free admission?

Dealers: what attracts you to a show? Location; an admission charge; low booth rates; autograph guests; good customer service?

I'd love to hear thoughts from both sides of the table as my answers may be different. Part of the reason we are doing our show is a reaction to numerous unsatisfying show experiences as a dealer. I can correct the things that bothered me, but I can't do anything about things I never thought of!

As a dealer I like to see the show costs kept down for customers. Admissions are not something I like, neither are autograph guests, although they can attract some folks. Being a card guy, that doesn't help my bottom line. Many of the autograph seekers are not going to buy cards, but some do both.

Location as in table placement at shows can be important at Mall shows, not so much at big shows like Fanatics and the Nationals. People will find you there regardless of where you are.

I don't mind paying more for booth space at a good show, but some shows that squeeze as many tables into a tiny space just to max profits to subsidize autograph guest costs irritate me greatly. I won't name the show, but there is one that I set up at that you don't have room for backup at all. For that reason I am considering dropping that one from my schedule.