Question for Dealers/Show Vendors

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

I've promoted two shows. One a down and dirty little show at a fire hall that made a little money, the other one a large show at a resort in the Poconos with autograph guests that lost almost $7,000. The dealers and attendees were generally very happy so it wasn't a "failure" but man oh man...

I learned a ton from the one that lost money and think I could fix most of the problems, but it was so much work and would probably take at LEAST as long as the auction to become profitable. It definitely instilled in me a greater respect for the guys who promote really good shows!

[yanks87]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

I've promoted two shows. One a down and dirty little show at a fire hall that made a little money, the other one a large show at a resort in the Poconos with autograph guests that lost almost $7,000. The dealers and attendees were generally very happy so it wasn't a "failure" but man oh man...

I learned a ton from the one that lost money and think I could fix most of the problems, but it was so much work and would probably take at LEAST as long as the auction to become profitable. It definitely instilled in me a greater respect for the guys who promote really good shows!

Great insights, thanks for sharing!

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Not sure how insightful I was, just sharing a story. Good luck!

[yanks87]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Not sure how insightful I was, just sharing a story. Good luck!

Yours and the other post about signers at a show validate a bunch of things that I have been seeing in my research of everything. It certainly makes it easier to not have a show predicated on autographs. I have never enjoyed autographs (Mostly because Jim Eppard, my first pro signature, misspelled my name "To Brain"..... scarred for life), but I didn't want to project my personal feelings on this. I appreciate your candor.

thanks again

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

The big lesson I learned on autographs is don't count on sales to make your money, come with inventory to get signed and sell yourself later, that's the only way autograph guests are a money maker. We had a couple hundred photos to sell at the show that we got signed but it wasn't nearly enough to get to even. We simply didn't realize that the money is made on the after market, not at the show.

Now there's some insight!

[yanks87]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

The big lesson I learned on autographs is don't count on sales to make your money, come with inventory to get signed and sell yourself later, that's the only way autograph guests are a money maker. We had a couple hundred photos to sell at the show that we got signed but it wasn't nearly enough to get to even. We simply didn't realize that the money is made on the after market, not at the show.

Now there's some insight!

Golden, thank you Scott.

[JollyElm]

Lighting, lighting, lighting.
Almost every single show I've attended has very poor lighting. I don't know if it's the fluorescent bulbs thing, or the size of these pseudo-gymnasiums, or something else, but I'm constantly having to walk to an open door or a window to be able to examine a card fully in the sunlight. And my eyesight is fine, so it's not just me. It would be great going through the cards at someone's table and being able to see everything perfectly fine. Most larger venues are lit from (way up) above, so that's the origin of the problem. One show I went to was tantamount to being in an office building with light streaming in from everywhere via the windows. That was frickin' beautiful.

Gathering area.
If there's room, consider having an area dedicated to people chatting away and making trades or possibly casual sales. Not as a way to 'compete' with the paying vendors, but as a way to enhance the experience. People love to show off their acquisitions, so it would be a nice break from the show to sit down for a bit and have a good time talking with fellow collectors. (Oh, and make sure this 'Trade Zone' is separate from the dining area.)

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

Lighting, lighting, lighting.
Almost every single show I've attended has very poor lighting. I don't know if it's the fluorescent bulbs thing, or the size of these pseudo-gymnasiums, or something else, but I'm constantly having to walk to an open door or a window to be able to examine a card fully in the sunlight. And my eyesight is fine, so it's not just me. It would be great going through the cards at someone's table and being able to see everything perfectly fine. Most larger venues are lit from (way up) above, so that's the origin of the problem. One show I went to was tantamount to being in an office building with light streaming in from everywhere via the windows. That was frickin' beautiful.

TOO TRUE. It was the one major complaint with my big show. Never even thought about it when they showed me the room we were using until the day of the show and I kept asking them to turn the lights up!

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

TOO TRUE. It was the one major complaint with my big show. Never even thought about it when they showed me the room we were using until the day of the show and I kept asking them to turn the lights up!

Yes, you cannot underestimate the importance of this. I have bought cards at the National in which the surfaces looked perfect, even upon very close inspection. When I arrived back at the hotel, I could clearly see wrinkles/creases that were not evident at the show. A real pisser!

[yanks87]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

Lighting, lighting, lighting.
Almost every single show I've attended has very poor lighting. I don't know if it's the fluorescent bulbs thing, or the size of these pseudo-gymnasiums, or something else, but I'm constantly having to walk to an open door or a window to be able to examine a card fully in the sunlight. And my eyesight is fine, so it's not just me. It would be great going through the cards at someone's table and being able to see everything perfectly fine. Most larger venues are lit from (way up) above, so that's the origin of the problem. One show I went to was tantamount to being in an office building with light streaming in from everywhere via the windows. That was frickin' beautiful.

Gathering area.
If there's room, consider having an area dedicated to people chatting away and making trades or possibly casual sales. Not as a way to 'compete' with the paying vendors, but as a way to enhance the experience. People love to show off their acquisitions, so it would be a nice break from the show to sit down for a bit and have a good time talking with fellow collectors. (Oh, and make sure this 'Trade Zone' is separate from the dining area.)

Great call on the trading space. The venue we are locked in with has great lighting, and lots of space, so think we can address both of your call outs. Thank you!