Sportsfest 2008..Anyone attend?

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Posted By: Jodi Birkholm

Barry--Don't forget all the shows that are in the city's surrounding area. It seems as though there is at least one a month, if not more. I do have to say that they all are terribly disappointing from my perspective. Perhaps they're better for vintage cardboard; I don't really pay attention.


And I wholeheartedly agree with the original poster's viewpoints. I refuse to lug my inventory across the country, paying exorbitant show fees, not to mention the litany of travel expenses. For dealers such as myself, who specialize in niche markets, setting up at shows is tantamount to simply throwing your money in the garbage. Dealers in my position can't afford to shell out $800 for a table. It's not smart business sense.

This is how I see a part of the problem, and (hopefully) how it might be averted:

1. The crowds at these shows are thinning out because the same dealers are always sitting there with inventories that change little from show to show, year to year. The people are getting tired of the repetition.

2. This, combined with the present-day economy, obviously causes a severe lag in sales.

3. Dealers, wary of plunking down another $800+expenses, are simply not going out as much anymore. Customers, due to the economy and lack of new material, just aren't bothered to drive to the shows anymore. eBay has also taken a hit, whereas things appear to be looking up again for the major auction houses after a not-so-great previous fiscal year.

These issues might benefit from the following, if at all feasable:

1. On the show promoters' websites and in the usual trade rags, offer dealers a few more free table draws--but make the contest open only to new dealers.

2. If not already implemented, offer a reduced rate to dealers for purchasing table space at multiple shows.

3. Find some way of giving back to the faithful dealers in an effort to have them keep coming back.

4. Offer first-time dealers a one-time discount (perhaps 30% off, or thereabouts).


As previously stated, these shows would fare better if only the customers could see some fresh faces/new stock behind/on the tables. These ideas won't solve everything, but could be a good starting point.