tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20970837.post4774174632062470389..comments2024-02-08T23:16:25.363-07:00Comments on Life Incarnate: The One Show Movement, AKA The American Made Show or ACRE Philly?Brenda Griffithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05374974615956745242noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20970837.post-88568841176865362632017-09-06T08:17:01.842-06:002017-09-06T08:17:01.842-06:00someone just added a new comment so I got a messag...someone just added a new comment so I got a message and reviewed everything again... with new eyes. While I haven't read this in quite a while, it seems the one show movement has finally happened... Emerald now owns just about everything. I watched the GLM shows when they were managed by a family owned business transition to venture capital and now to IPO and publicly traded on the stock exchange. It will take time to see the total impact of the changes... but usually, short term profits aren't good for convention and trade show managers who use 20-year calendars to plan their lives, and the future of your business. <br /><br />What I have realized in the last year is that I really still love what I do, and those who need me are still calling for help... the one on one coaching and consulting services that I now offer provide better results and give me more satisfaction than trying to make 1,600 exhibitors and 5,000 buyers happy by pushing a square peg into a round hole. <br /><br />I now have a much more rewarding life... no regrets about what happened... I still wish I had "the" solution back in 2008. But looking back, I don't think any industry leader had a clear view of how fast things were changing. <br /><br />Today retailers have many options for buying... many focus on a few "stores" that are individual role models for success. Retailers now spend time online... looking at the websites of stores carrying their favorite brands and spidering their way through the web to finding new products.<br /><br />What we do now.. with Best in American Made provides them with more confidence about those new lines they are considering. The trade show platform doesn't provide the referrals, success stories and multichannel marketing competition analysis that we now provide. And today, that information must be provided before that first order ever gets written. <br /> <br />Our online marketing and eBlasts can help tradeshow exhibitors achieve a better return on that big investment. Our new consulting servies help artists find those important "niche" markets beyond the general gift category where perceived value is high and competition with imports from China is greatly reduced. I do still love every day... don't ever doubt it. --WendyArtsymomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14804010271668705928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20970837.post-9324947430309576392017-09-06T07:02:59.187-06:002017-09-06T07:02:59.187-06:00I'm a new Buyer and have attended many shows, ...I'm a new Buyer and have attended many shows, but most of them public art shows. Because I'm new I had no idea where to find artists that were dedicated to their craft not retail. Because I believe their priority will be their own work first. So I google wholesale american made art and crafts. <br />One show stood out, so I attended and will again every year. However, this is my third consecutive show and I see the same artists. Let's face it, if I've seen your work at a show and like it. I either place an order or grab your card for review later in the year. While I'm at the gallery I shop on the show sites, first looking for those artist I met and finding artists I might want to meet. Then I inquire as to what shows they'll be doing. <br /><br />I've been to a couple wholesale shows and wish that the producers offered a guarantee that 1/3 would be new artist, or non returning artist within a 3 year period. Even if it meant giving the new artist a price break. Now that's a challenge. And the same could be said for Buyers, right. How many new galleries will open? <br /><br /> I've watched many of the galleries that I loved go out of business. I'm near Boston and the cost of rent has forced most shops out of business. But that's not the only issue. The way people shop and what they buy has changed. Most shop owners are also learning the internet and social media, so that can be costly in available time. Not only the learning curve but perpetuity. I'm determined to be something different. I come from a family of artists and I owe it to them to cater to who's buying. <br /><br /> I started my business knowing what I was up against. I know people that love my gallery are going to be regular buying clients, so I need to change my material frequently to keep them happy. I need to have at least 1/3 of my gallery become new artist, or look like new artists.<br /><br />Artists should focus on creativity and new ideas. So that the show itself changes to be 1/3 new art, even if it's the same artist. <br /><br />Meanwhile, I'll be attending as many art shows both public and private as I can find.<br /><br /><br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05426239449720129007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20970837.post-49634105067663689192015-03-02T08:21:41.339-07:002015-03-02T08:21:41.339-07:00I did both shows with acceptable sales and new cus...I did both shows with acceptable sales and new customers in both shows. I don't agree with the one show theory as I have watched wholesale gift shows go through enormous changes over many decades due to chnges in the market. The market will decide which show will survive. We have no ownership in either Wendy or Nancy's show so it is not for us to dtermine if there should be only one show or not. We have hard decisions to make regarding attendance next year but in the end, market forces and not petitions will decide which show will survive. I have great respect for both of these shows and appreciate the substantial risks they are both taking to produce these shows.jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00990474229345443864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20970837.post-49308761690290945202015-02-24T14:49:42.240-07:002015-02-24T14:49:42.240-07:00Well said! I am Behind Wendy because of her track ...Well said! I am Behind Wendy because of her track Record! She is Classy all the way!Catherine Miller Designshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09446071466993829518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20970837.post-52664431776401677772015-02-17T23:39:59.352-07:002015-02-17T23:39:59.352-07:00Well, will the better promoter please Stand Up.......Well, will the better promoter please Stand Up.... location, dates, hall size etc are only part of the equation. Outside of the ready established buyer's data base information that the promoters have what efforts are put forth in getting new, local, disgruntled and or disappointed buyers to the show? What type of advertising and amount of money spent and time run is a question I'd like to know. More questions to come. Darrelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17663618512082841163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20970837.post-18425638018459447212015-02-17T22:55:01.284-07:002015-02-17T22:55:01.284-07:00What a terrific analysis of the situation! Wow, B...What a terrific analysis of the situation! Wow, Brenda...Billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09847809855534845145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20970837.post-79472847810681257662015-02-17T16:40:17.795-07:002015-02-17T16:40:17.795-07:00Barnum & Bailey comes to town every year. But ...Barnum & Bailey comes to town every year. But when you want to go to the zoo it's always in the same place. So when you want to see the clowns you know where they will be...This was not my analogy but my husbands...he was very quick to make this comparison while I was relating this story to him. I have not ever done a wholesale show before but have been focused on building my business to be able to just that in 2016...this article and insight Brenda has voiced has been extremely informative and has indeed aided in my decision to move into the wholesale arena and to what venue...thank you.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00855659641412582543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20970837.post-43890899274861143152015-02-17T15:47:22.886-07:002015-02-17T15:47:22.886-07:00I should disclose that Brenda Griffith serves on t...I should disclose that Brenda Griffith serves on the American Made Show advisory board. She receives NO COMPENSATION for her work and advice. No freebie... hotel rooms, booth discounts or any other kind of compensation.Artsymomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14804010271668705928noreply@blogger.com