tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57263977790189161942023-11-15T09:44:49.937-08:00"Events Done Right!"Resources and articles for event plannersUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5726397779018916194.post-78581841444370761692013-02-26T20:09:00.000-08:002013-02-26T21:11:48.062-08:00Advantages of the "Shop Local" movement for Event Organizers<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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There has been a big push in recent years to support local
business. The small shopkeepers in the small towns and the big cities of America are struggling in the poor economy and have
taken definite steps to up the ante on Main Street. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From "<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cash-mob/344346892268544?ref=ts&fref=ts" target="_blank">Cash Mobs</a>" to "<a href="http://www.greenchange.org/downloads/How%20to%20start%20a%20buy%20local%20campaign.pdf" target="_blank">BuyLocal</a>" events the push to help keep our dollars in the local economy is
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.nmmainstreet.org/" target="_blank"><span class="irc_iis" id="irc_hd"></span></a><a class="irc_itl" data-ved="0CAQQjB0" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5726397779018916194" id="irc_hol"><span id="irc_ho">www.nmmainstreet.org</span></a><span id="irc_dim"></span></td></tr>
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People are very supportive of the idea and will bypass the
local big box stores to patronize the small shops owned and operated by their
neighbors, friends and families. This trend benefits everyone involved. It
keeps local money local. When you buy your Christmas gifts from a small shop or
your Mocha Latte from an independent coffee stand you are helping a local mom pay
for her kids' braces, or a person stay in business so they can provide entry
level jobs to local high school students during the busy season. You are
infusing your cash into your town and your neighbors. It is a win / win
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So what does this trend to support local business have to do with event organizers? A lot. Trying
to think of a new event venue, one that is a bit more socially responsive than
the tried and true "Arts in the Park" option? How about this: Get
together with the local Chamber of Commerce and pitch a "Buy Local
Festival" to take place on Main
Street. Suggest a day long street fair type event
with vendors, artists and music. Get the shopkeepers on board and emphasize the
benefits for them. Suggest they do sidewalk sales events and offer discounts or
specials on the big day. Get their ideas and be open to suggestions while
keeping your focus on the event and how you can all be of benefit to each other.</div>
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This sort of event lends itself well to a theme. The most obvious one is "Made in America"
- another huge trend right now. What could be better than a Buy Local/Made in America event
in July? Does your town plan events or fireworks around the 4th of July holiday already?
Great, there will be lots of folks in town! Get the shopkeepers to decorate
with flags and bunting, put it in your vendors contract that there will be a
prize for "most patriotic" booth. Create buzz in the weeks leading up
to the event by posting flyers in the businesses or supplying them with bag
stuffers detailing the event. You need to supply all the promo materials. Do
not expect that the shop keepers will do it for you, they won't and they
shouldn't.</div>
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Doing a Christmas fair? The same plan works at any time of
year. Find a local farm that does horse-drawn carriage rides and invite them to
participate (Hint: they can also do hay rides in July) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and talk to local schools and churches about
providing strolling groups of carolers. Hire a Santa Clause if none of the
shops have one.Talk to the local High School Booster Club about providing a kids area with games. They can charge a small fee and make money for the local sports team. Do a Trick or Treat Main Street Halloween Fair! Have a Harvest Festival. There are so many ways to make this work and lots of times these events turn into annual events and big draws for small towns. If your town doesn't have one - make it happen.</div>
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One area to be mindful of is food vendors - in a street fair
scenario they are just as welcome as any other event; just make sure you do not
assign them space in front of the local diner or burger joint! This applies to all of your
vendors. Select and place them with an eye to not be in direct competition with
the local businesses you are working with. No one will appreciate losing
business to some interloper selling the same thing they are, trust me. When you
pitch the idea to the locals it is a very, very good idea to make it abundantly
clear that you are there to enhance their businesses, not to compete with them.</div>
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Just as with any other fair you will need to contact local
law enforcement. They need to know what is going on. You need insurance. You
need helpers. You are also responsible for all the gritty details like trash
removal, porta-potties and parking. No town will thank you for making a mess for
their public works department to clean up. This is just as much your show as
any other type of event and you are responsible for everything from first to
last. Resign yourself to that fact at the start. Sweeping streets late at night
is a noble profession, you (or better yet a half dozen hired hands) will enjoy
it. Make that town happy to have worked with you - especially if you ever want
to do it again. Have a clear plan.</div>
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Just a word to the wise: When you are selecting your vendors you will obviously be giving preference to the locals. Once the roster is full up with artisans and vendors from the immediate area then - and only then - can you begin to offer space to those from outside the local areas. While I usually do not hold geography against any artisan this is one venue where you must. The whole point of the exercise is, after all: Buy Local!</div>
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If you plan it right and pitch it right the Shop Local Fair
concept can be very good business for everyone involved. It is fun and it helps boost local economies. That is a great thing.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5726397779018916194.post-8117504444069091802013-02-25T20:33:00.000-08:002013-02-25T20:50:40.389-08:00All that Green is not shamrocksGreen. The word evokes many things to many people. Ireland, money, trees, lush lawns. It is a simple little word that certainly gets a lot of use these days. It is the new buzzword for environmentally friendly. It stands for using less, recycling more, reducing the carbon footprint and making the planet a better place to hang out.<br />
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"Green" cars. "Green" energy. "Green" cleaners. "Green" clothes. "Green" food. You-name-it and someone is prefacing it with "Green." In the current environmentally conscious climate being green is the scene.<br />
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So how do you incorporate this trending mania for all things "green" into show promotion? How do you tap into the trend and reap some of the benefits of not just the movement, but the very real and beneficial ideas behind it? In this article we will explore a few ideas for making your next show an emerald extravaganza!<br />
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Start small: You need not go whole hog and revamp the entire format to incorporate some green in your shows. By taking baby steps you can get a feel for what works and what doesn't.<br />
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Instead of one trash can for everything use recycling stations: Put out trash cans, of course, but next to that put a recycle can. Take one large plastic trash bin and cut a can-size hole in the lid and stick an "Aluminum only" sign on it. Put these pairs at strategic locations around the show and make sure you have a way to haul it all to the recyclers after the show ends. Heavy duty bags and a pickup truck at minimum. Most places will pay you per pound for the aluminum. Bonus!<br />
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Plastic bags are a real problem in a lot of areas these days. In many places they have been outlawed, with more coming on board all the time. This is an area you can use to your advantage. Hand out re-usable shopping bags at the gate, these are fairly inexpensive bought in bulk and can even be imprinted with your show logo - great advertising for the next show! String bags are also available for even less cost. Charging admission and want to be really hip? Advertise an entry discount for anyone who brings their own bags. If that is not in the budget suggest to the vendors that they offer them for sale. If you offer a discount on their space for using these instead of plastic bags they will be much more likely to play along. While you could just say no plastic shopping bags allowed and police all your vendors all weekend I do not recommend it. Always try to go for cooperation over dictating. Make it a fun part of the show and it will work. <br />
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Recruit vendors based on the green theme. Put it in your promo materials. Choose vendors who are already espousing a green philosophy in their work. There are many, many artists out there who use only recycled, up-cycled or low impact materials in their wares. There are also those whose works "get the message out" even if their medium is not necessarily recycled - it's hard to recycle when you are a photographer, for instance. But this doesn't mean their work isn't "green." If it fits with the theme it works for your show.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 8.0pt;">Image © 2012 Susan Patch</span></div>
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If you are planning a new show this is much easier to do and can (should!) be a key part of your marketing strategy. Advertising an "All Green" arts fair would be tapping into the trend big time and is not really that hard to accomplish. It will require careful jurying and a few specific questions on the application, but it is totally doable and most of the artisans you want to attract will jump at the opportunity to be a part of a show that highlights their dedication to helping the planet thrive.<br />
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Talk to local environmental groups. Get their input and maybe even get one or two to come and do a presentation at your event. Most groups are very willing to share their message. Use common sense and make certain you know what they will be presenting before hand! Most groups are just fine, but you do not want to be blindsided by some radical eco-activist bunch - nor do your patrons. It does happen.<br />
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Highlight the green theme in your advertising, work with your artists and vendors - they probably have some great ideas. Encourage patrons to bring their own bags, look for ways to minimize the impact of trash and unnecessary printed materials and enjoy the feeling of doing your part to help save the planet.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5726397779018916194.post-91722322704440022782012-01-28T14:30:00.000-08:002012-01-28T14:31:25.838-08:00Events gone wrong<div style="color: black;">The event production business is all about fun. Providing an event where people can come, have a good time and let their hair down. Games, food, music, entertainment all contribute to this happy and special day of getting away from everyday cares. The event producers job is to make sure all of that happens. </div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;">It is also the producers responsibility to try very hard to make sure nothing <i>more</i> than that happens. What else could happen you ask?</div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;">Unfortunately.... <i>A lot!</i> When an event goes wrong it can go very wrong, very fast.</div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;">Take the sad tale of the Talkeetna Moose Dropping Festival as an example. When I used to attend this event it was great. A small town fair with games, food, entertainers and lots of fun. I took my five small children and we all had a wonderful time. It was small town Alaska at it's very best and we loved it.<br />
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But in 2009 it all came to a head. The festival went from family friendly to utter <b><a href="http://www.adn.com/2009/07/13/863142/talkeetna-moose-dropping-festival.html" target="_blank">mayhem</a>.</b> The happy times had been co-opted by that utterly worthless element of society who cannot seem to understand that drunkenness, damage, destruction and filth really are not welcome in most places. Including Alaska, although some will coo nostalgically about the "last frontier" and how "wild and free" they are. This exact attitude has unfortunately attracted a huge contingent of what I will restrainedly term "trouble makers." They envision a world with no rules, no boundaries and an anything goes mentality. They <i>think</i> that world is Alaska.</div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;">What could the producers have done to curb this sad ending? Probably not a thing, unfortunately. They had done what they should: they put on a consistently great event. Which is exactly what killed the event in the end. It became a victim of it's own popularity because it only takes so long for the lawless party crowd to decide to make it their own. Too broke and lazy to get to Sturgis, they got to Talkeetna instead.</div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;">So what can be done to prevent this? That all depends on the venue. If you can keep the event contained and control the attendants you stand a good chance of nipping trouble in the bud. Keep a sharp eye out and at the first sign of trouble eject the troublemakers. Are there minors hanging out in the parking area (or anywhere under your purview!) drinking? Call law enforcement. Right now, no warnings and no second chances. I know people who will consider that unnecessarily harsh but this is<i> your </i>business -<i> your</i> reputation, <i>your</i> money, <i>your</i> livelihood on the line! Setting a fierce no nonsense policy will stop 99% of trouble in it's tracks. The word gets around very fast that you are a jerk who will call the cops. You want that reputation.</div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;">Part of your planning should be a talk with local law enforcement. Make an appointment and sit down with them and explain exactly what and when your event is. Tell them your plans for internal security. Listen to their suggestions and ask for any ideas they may have about how to discourage the low-lifes. Invite them to stroll through the event a few times a day. If it is an appropriate venue offer them space for a public information booth at no cost. Do anything you can to foster a positive relationship with them and let them know right up front that you have and intend to enforce a Zero-Tolerance policy for under-age drinking, illegal drugs and weapons. Over-consumption is a huge problem as well and if you do not provide a beer garden on-site that you can absolutely control then your best option is No Alcohol Allowed. Period. Never forget that you can be held liable for damages caused by someone who was served at your establishment - even if it's a sponsored beer garden! <i>You</i> are the promoter and the buck stops with <u><i>you.</i></u></div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;">You cannot stop all trouble. But by employing security, working with local law enforcement and setting policies that you enforce - you can stop a lot of trouble dead in it's tracks.</div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;">Because worrying about trouble brewing is not why people go to events. </div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><span style="color: black;">Worrying about trouble brewing - and taking steps to head it off - is </span><i style="color: black;">your</i><span style="color: black;"> job.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5726397779018916194.post-70299300931041490912011-09-30T19:32:00.000-07:002011-09-30T19:33:18.956-07:00Everyone is making what I make!?<div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"> Have you ever booked in to a show where you are selling your beautiful beaded jewelry that you spent all winter painstakingly crafting; only to find that there are 10 others with almost exactly the SAME beaded jewelry? I think we all have. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but it is also darn annoying when it is your arts that are being imitated!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">It does not matter what your art or craft is, if someone is not doing it now they will be in short order. When I first started doing handcrafted soaps it was unheard of. It was 1984. I learned how from an old Readers Digest book called "Back to Basics" first printed in 1981. It had everything I needed to learn to make handcrafted soaps the old fashioned way. I still have that book. There was no such thing as "melt and pour" or kits or online (OK, granted: "online" was not even part of the language yet!) sellers of stock lines you could slap your own label on and sell as your own product. When I made soap and sold it at craft fairs it was soap that I had rendered beef suet I bought from the butcher at the D&A Shoprite in Wasilla, Alaska, and woodash I saved from our woodstove to make. Closest thing to a 'kit' was when I used commercial lye - Red Devil in a can which you cannot even find anymore, Red Devil changed their mix to keep meth labs from using it! I made my molds from wood scraps and old cookie trays. I could not have bought a kit if I wanted to!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">My soaps were unique, sought after and sold very well. I stopped making soap when they became the mainstream phenomenon they are now. I no longer had a unique and sought after product. When I see those insipid "melt and pour" kits in the crafts store I just smile and walk on by. Call me a snob but that is not real soap making.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I now specialize in fiber arts. Felting, weaving, knitting, silk painting, fabric arts. I studied fiber arts for two years at a University and apprenticed for another four years with a master fiber artist in Eastern Washington. It is an art form and it takes practice and skill to be good at it. I am still working on being good at it. But I see the kits for needle felting and silk painting creeping up on me just like the soap kits did, making it oh so easy to do this, too. Suddenly anyone with a JoAnn's discount coupon can pick up a pre-felted blank and be a fiber artist. I do not begrudge anyone learning a new craft. I teach my craft to others. But I do get irritable when I end up next to them at every fair. I do get irritable when my goods that are painstakingly crafted get passed over to buy the goods that came already 90% done in a kit.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So what can you do to insure that you are not one of twenty crafters all selling virtually the same things at the same show? To be honest; not much. There are a few options that will improve your odds and your potential for sales.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>Be The Very Best You Can Be:</u></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"> Sounds dumb, huh? Of course you are trying to be the best artist you can be! But are you being the very best salesman you can? Are you being the very best art fair participant you can? It is up to you to work hard on making your booth or displays as attractive as possible not only to your customers, but also to the show promoter. They want a nice attractive show. You want sales. Work on that display, improving it constantly. Keep your area clean. Stash the packing materials under a table. Toss the half a pizza. Be a professional. Do you spend a lot of time sitting in a chair talking on your cell with your SO, kids, BFF or anyone else? Hang up and pay attention to your customers, they probably will not interrupt you to pay for that $100.00 doodad - they will go buy something else. They will probably never come back. Same goes for the laptop, book or radio. Tune out of the distractions and tune in to your customers. Do not, however, get so tuned in that you keep them standing there, eyes glazing over while their pal looks pointedly at their watch while you babble on and on about whatever. Chat briefly and sincerely and know when to end it. Be a professional.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>Do only well-juried shows:</u></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"> A juried show is one where the artisan submits examples of their work in the form of photographs (used to be slides, but now it's usually a digital portfolio) to the show committee and a panel of jurists examine the work and choose the best examples of each category for inclusion in the show. This system has a lot of advantages for the artist. It insures that you will be, if not the only felted hat seller; at least you will be one of a select few with similar items. Rarely will a competent promoter allow two identical items into a show unless it is a huge show.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"> Jurying also instills confidence in the buying public. They will look forward to going to such a show because the ads have touted it as an exclusive, high quality selection of wares that are pre-screened for quality and variety. People value their time and will be more likely to go to a show they perceive as being worth that time.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>Do only shows that limit categories:</u></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"> No artist wants to set up at a show that has 30 potters. Especially not if they are also a potter! With too many similar styles of craft, the buyers get too involved in comparison shopping, going from booth to booth trying to decide which bowl they love the best and end up getting confused and frustrated. Ever stood in a video store trying to pick a movie? Way too much variety is overwhelming! More often than not this ends with the customer eventually just giving up and buying nothing. Having a limited selection of very high quality goods from which to choose simplifies the buying decision and makes that purchase much more likely.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>Stick to Arts Fairs:</u></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"> This means that if you want to sell your arts you must sell it at art fairs. The broad category shows are death on sales. These are the shows that let in anyone who has a product to sell. I have said it before but it bears repeating: If there are vendors selling goods they bought at wholesale, or selling Avon, Mary Kay or Tupperware (or any of the "Home Party" goods) then it is NOT an Arts Fair. It is a flea market and you will rarely see a serious buyer wandering around looking to invest in a one of a kind antler carving or unique piece of handwork. Leave the flea market scene to the re-sellers. You are an artist.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"> These tactics are all proven ways to increase your sales potential. Keep in mind that you also must be prepared to cry "Foul!" if a show producer fails to live up to their end of the deal. If you book into a show that is promoted as juried, with no buy/sell goods allowed and then you set up only to find yourself next to a guy with silk shirts from India - go find the promoter and say something! Always make certain you have a contract and bring that contract with you the day of the show. The terms in that contract are binding not just on you, but also on the producers. It is their job to tell Mr. Silk Shirts to pack it up.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"> If the producers do not live up to their end of the deal then you are completely justified in packing up and leaving or asking for a portion of your fees back. They misrepresented their show to all of the artists and that costs each artist money. Money that most artists do not have to waste. Stick to your end of that contract and hold your show producers to their end of it as well.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Good luck and Happy Selling!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5726397779018916194.post-46792747874860801342011-08-31T23:14:00.000-07:002011-08-31T23:45:35.954-07:00The Various types of Vendors and Artisans<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;"> The variety of vendors and artists/artisans out there is as limitless as the variety of goods to be sold. If it can be made, found, grown, or built - someone is selling it! For our purposes vendors can be categorized in three main groups:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;">1. Artists / Crafters</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;">2. Food Merchants</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;">3. Re-sellers</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;"> There are multiple sub-groups and cross-overs, but let's keep it simple.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iyNaxTwcHc8/Tl8iEuaMUfI/AAAAAAAAABo/62k9iF1_6D0/s1600/AggieIceCream_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iyNaxTwcHc8/Tl8iEuaMUfI/AAAAAAAAABo/62k9iF1_6D0/s320/AggieIceCream_m.jpg" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Public domain. Photo by A. E. Crane</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;"> Let's look at the first group, the artists and craftspersons. These are the people almost everyone thinks of when you say "Arts & Crafts Fair" - of course they are because this is what that venue is all about; hand made and original works of art, jewelry, crafts and other merchandise. One-of-a-kind items you cannot buy at the local mega-store . Their wares cover the broad spectrum from beaded earrings to soaps, from quilts to handcrafted birch log settee's and everything imaginable in between. They make their own goods and they market them from booths they man themselves. They generally prefer to be referred to as "artisans" or "crafters" rather than "vendors."</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;"> The sub-set here is "Artists." These are the fine arts purveyors. They are at the upper end of the spectrum and generally only do the more upscale Fine Arts Shows although there are exceptions. They usually have a very dedicated following of collectors.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;"> The second group is the Food Merchants. They do not mind being called "vendors." I love these guys. Here we find a few categories within the category. There are pre-made merchants; they make their product ahead of time and sell it on-site. Candy vendors. Jerky, hot sauce, ice cream, pickles. You name it. They also include the franchise folks. Pizza Hut, Pepsi, Quiznos, etc.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;"> The other category is the cook-on-site crowd. These guys grill ribs, dogs and burgers. They cook teriyaki chicken, kabobs, noodles and pulled pork. They can add a tremendous appeal to an outdoor show. Mmm, just smell that? Nothing like it. I was one of them; I made, baked and sold fresh sourdough bread and other baked goods on-site. I did Philly CheeseSteaks for a time, too. Sold out nearly every day.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;"> Sidelines for all food vendors can include their own varieties of marinades, BBQ sauce and herb or spice mixtures. A good show will feature a food court with a good balance of food vendors. Food vendors typically will pay more for their space. They also have unique needs and requirements such as water, electric, more space for tables, supply trailers, etc.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;"> Take care of these guys. They keep your customers from leaving site to find lunch. Once they leave they will not usually come back. Happy well-fed customers buy more, which makes happy, well-fed artisans and crafters!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;"> Love and treat your food vendors as the assets they are.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;"> The third group is the re-sellers. They sell stuff they have purchased. They did not make it themselves. This runs the gamut from rubber swords to T-shirts and sunglasses, day-glo hats and printed blankets. You name it, they are probably selling it.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;"> These vendors have their place. It is up to you to decide if that place is your show.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;"> I do not believe they are appropriate in a show billed as an Arts & Crafts Fair. If you promote your show as a bazaar or flea market, fine. If it is a state or county fair, fine. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;">But what they sell is neither an art nor a craft and as such has no place in such a show. It is also worth noting that there are re-sellers out there who are actually selling hand-made crafts. They buy them in huge lots and re-sell them. I am not a fan of this approach, either. My rule is if you yourself did not make it with your own hands - you cannot sell it at my Crafts Show. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;">You will find that your customers - the buying public - greatly appreciate that. When they see an arts and crafts fair advertised they have an expectation - a perfectly reasonable one! - that the goods offered for sale will in fact BE arts and crafts. Items made locally, not imported from Honduras or China. They are coming to find unique hand-crafted items, not mass-produced ones. The vendors also appreciate it, too. Not just the genuine craftspeople but also the re-sellers themselves. They know when they are out of place at a show and they do not appreciate it. I know, I was one of them once, too. I do not look down on them, they definitely have their place. At the right type of show.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;">So do everyone a favor and decide early on what sort of show you are producing, plan a theme and set a tone for your show and adhere to it strictly. You will have far, far more successful shows if you do.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5726397779018916194.post-55866923575172509462011-08-31T21:56:00.000-07:002011-08-31T21:56:07.826-07:00Finding your artists<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14pt;">T</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;">his is easier than you might think. Dedicated craftspeople are
serious businesspersons who are always on the look out for new venues in which
to market their wares. They have their favorite shows they do year after year,
but inevitably they have empty weekends to fill. This might be because a long
running show ended, because they had a bad experience and want a new venue, or
simply because your show just sounds so much more promising. In my experience
getting artists applications is not the problem - narrowing them down is. I
have never produced a show where I did not have to turn away several artisans -
not because they were no good, but because my capacity was maxed out! This is
why we must have wait lists.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hD6lVSK0f-k/Tl8PHRGts2I/AAAAAAAAABc/rlCKmnh7o58/s1600/Public+domain.+Photo+by+Peoria+RiverFront+Association%252C+courtesy+of+National+scenic+Byways+Online+%2528www.byways.org%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hD6lVSK0f-k/Tl8PHRGts2I/AAAAAAAAABc/rlCKmnh7o58/s200/Public+domain.+Photo+by+Peoria+RiverFront+Association%252C+courtesy+of+National+scenic+Byways+Online+%2528www.byways.org%2529.jpg" width="164" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Public Domain photo courtesy Byways.org</td></tr>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;">So where do you
find these artists? One method is by trolling. Attend a few shows and scope out
the artists you like. Pick up a flyer or business card from them. Then mail
them an application packet for your show. This method has a distinct advantage:
you have already "juried" their wares! So you have a pretty good
notion that your prospects are mostly in line with what you are looking for.
You must still vette their wares and get a list of what they will be selling in
the application. You'd be surprised how often things can change from one show
to the next. That nice lady selling violet soap last week just might show up
with stick-on tattoos this week. Always get a firm list of what will be sold at
your show and hold them to it.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;">Other ways to
attract artists is to place ads in the paper, notices in local crafts
publications, Craigslist, flyers in crafts and fabric stores, radio ads,
posters, listings on online newsgroups and trade sites for fairs, festivals and
carnivals and of course you can ask - never hurts to ask - other producers if
you can rent their mailing list. Maybe they will, maybe they won't.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;">You can also
utilize social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace. Do a search for
local crafts persons in your area. This is easy: Google keywords related to
crafts styles with your area in the search. "fiber arts Denver" for instance. Works great, you
may have to sort through some unrelated hits, but you will get viable leads.
Then you just contact them and pitch your show.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;">You will
inevitably get inquiries from the home-party sellers. Avon,
Party-Lite, Mary Kay, etc. If you are doing an arts and crafts fair the answer
for them is a solid "No, sorry, handcrafted goods only." If you want
to do a trade show, then do a trade show and allow them in, but do not call it
a arts or crafts fair because it is not. Their very presence makes it a trade
show by definition. They are "vendors" not "artisans."</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;"><span> </span>There is a huge difference between
"Artists" and "Vendors." </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;">"Vendors"
do not belong in an arts and crafts fair unless they are selling food. Period.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;">So go forth, find
those artisans and put on that awesome show!</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5726397779018916194.post-40937506576714240362011-08-30T23:41:00.000-07:002011-09-01T17:12:54.776-07:00Keeping the Artisans Happy<br />
<br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14pt;"> T</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;">he artisans are the bread and meat of your operation. Without them you have no show. It is to your benefit to go the extra effort to give them what they want. This doesn't mean you must cater to their every whim and outrageous request, that is the last trap you want to fall into! It simply means that you must recognize the fact that as the show promoter <i>they</i> are your primary customers. You are promising to provide the venue for them to shine and in doing so your other audience - the buying public - will also be happy customers by extension.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zPystCt2Ae8/Tl3XURNmiFI/AAAAAAAAABY/h7mp2QTMq0g/s1600/folk-art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zPystCt2Ae8/Tl3XURNmiFI/AAAAAAAAABY/h7mp2QTMq0g/s1600/folk-art.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;"> Far too many show promoters fail this basic concept. They treat their artisans like second-class citizens who should be grateful to even be allowed in this show and couldn't care less if they are unhappy. "Someone else will take your spot next year if you don't like it" has been heard all too often. This is a huge mistake on the promoters part. The artist circuit is a close-knit bunch and word gets around. It should also be obvious that happy artisans are, well, HAPPY! That happiness is transmitted to the buying public. If someone greets you with a smile and is obviously enjoying themselves that is infectious. By the same token a bunch of grouchy, disgruntled artisans muttering under their breath about the ineptitude of Cruella De Promoter is also infectious. Do yourself a huge favor and do not alienate your artisans - it is the surest ingredient for success or failure in your show.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;"> So how do you alienate them? Let me give you an example from personal experience: I once did a Christmas Crafts show. It seemed like a really good one that I really wanted to do. I had heard of it in years prior, had even gone to it as a customer and had a good time. It seemed like a great opportunity and I was thrilled when I was selected. I received no advance information beyond a phone call saying I was accepted and my booth would be 8x10. I waited in vain for a pre-show packet with info on parking, loading, set-up times, advertising, etc. One week before the show I got worried and called the contact number. Answering machine. My call was never returned. I spoke with another artist who said last year set-up was 3 hours before opening. So I showed up on time. We were not even let in until two hours before opening, so everyone was scrambling to get unloaded. Trying to find a staff member was useless. My 8x10 booth was reduced to 6x10 by the artist next to me who had a huge site-built faux-barn thing. Trying to find a staff member to address this was useless. My 8' front table had to be turned sideways, thus throwing my whole carefully planned display into disarray. I tried to make the best of it, rearranging my wares into the new lay-out, but halfway through setting up customers started showing up. "What, opening is not for another hour, we're not ready!" The show promoter was letting people in early. Suffice it to say the day was miserable after that. I lost money on that show. Other artisans lost money. Many of us vowed to never do it again and didn't. That show lasted another two years and degenerated into a schlocky flea market before finally folding altogether. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;"> How could it have been better? Either include a simple letter stating the answers to basic questions in your contract or send it out on acceptance. If you list a contact number - return the calls. If set-up starts at 6 am, make certain you unlock the doors at 6 am. Have a few staff on hand to assist and answer questions. Make absolutely certain no one is infringing on anyone else's space! They paid for their space - they do not have to move over to accommodate booth hogs. Never, ever, ever let the public in until the stated opening time. Ever. Announce 10 minutes ahead of opening that the doors will open at x o'clock and everyone should be ready - then open them on the dot and not one minute sooner.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;">Pay attention to the needs of your artisans. They can make you or break you.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5726397779018916194.post-46811786587959870222011-08-30T22:40:00.000-07:002011-08-31T20:57:21.628-07:00Targeting your market<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia;"> F</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;">iguring out who your target market is will be one of the most important steps in your initial planning. This target market encompasses two groups - the vendors and the buyers.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3d7VhTociLA/Tl3KjHzzvcI/AAAAAAAAABI/zyfpzupXDrs/s1600/FirstFriday_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3d7VhTociLA/Tl3KjHzzvcI/AAAAAAAAABI/zyfpzupXDrs/s320/FirstFriday_m.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visitors peruse works of art amid the sights and sounds of the Las Vegas Arts District,<br />
which lies along the Las Vegas Strip. Public domain. Las Vegas City Files Courtesy ByWays.org</td></tr>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;"> For your research to pay off you must first decide what sort of show you intend to produce. Lets try an example: You want to produce an upscale juried arts and crafts fair.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;"> Your target vendor segment is hand-crafted items and artworks of a fairly high quality produced by experienced craftspeople. You will be very selective about who you accept and will limit your categories so as to not have a glut of any type of goods.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;"> Your target buying segment is the reasonably affluent customer who appreciates quality, is looking for unique handcrafted items and has money to spend.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;"> A suitable venue for this market could be either an outdoor or indoor space, but it needs to be a nice space. A community center or well kept city park would work well. A large bare parking lot would not be a good choice. Atmosphere is everything. Make it a pleasant experience for all.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;">You can expand on the theme by targeting the Indie market. These artisans are on the cutting edge, producing fun, funky, usually recycled or "green" works and have an avid following especially in urban areas. They tend to charge a bit more for their work and they expect to pay a bit for good space at a well run show.College towns are excellent venues for this and if you can work with the student arts group and score space in the commons area - BINGO!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;">Another segment not to be ignored is the Primitive and Country crowd. While not as red hot as a few years ago they are still wildly popular with a dedicated following. This sort of show works well in almost any setting, but suburban markets are still pretty into this style.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;">In between these two styles is a whole world of variations. From the cutesy to the bizarre, from yard art made from recycled cars to hand thrown pottery one of the greatest things about a crafts fair is the magnificent diversity of artforms people come up with.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;"> One thing that should absolutely be avoided at all costs is having an "Arts Fair" or a "Crafters Fair" and then accepting any sort of buy/sell vendors. These include Avon, Mary Kay, Cookie Lee, Tupperware, et al. It also includes those who buy "handcrafts" from foreign countries and re-sell them as their own. Jury your shows and weed these all out. If you miss one and they show up, or have lied about their wares - remove them immediately with no refunds. Put it in the contract and enforce it. Allowing them is tantamount to lying - to your customers, your artisans and yourself. It is not a crafts fair nor an arts fair if the goods being sold are not made by the artisans selling them.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;">Selecting just the right mix for your intended market can be a daunting challenge, but it certainly is a beautiful lesson in the lush landscape of human creativity.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5726397779018916194.post-53270912679388085672011-08-17T10:44:00.000-07:002011-08-31T21:02:12.674-07:00What makes a great show?<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;">So what constitutes a great show? What makes one more memorable than another?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: xx-small;"> Public domain photo (www.byways.org)</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;">From the buying public's point of view maybe it is a lovely setting. Not many things are more pleasant than spending a warm summers day strolling along lines of clean, orderly and attractive booths, seeing beautiful items well displayed and chatting with friendly artisans who are selling their own wares. Not being jostled and pushed in a crush of people in too narrow aisles. Perhaps grabbing a bite to eat from the inviting, clean and well run food vendors, sitting down at a clean picnic table to enjoy your meal. No trash, no dust blowing up, plenty of shady places to sit on the green grass and rest a bit while enjoying the entertainment and clean, convenient restrooms - maybe they are only blue plastic portables, but at least they are clean. When it is time to leave you do not have too far to walk because the parking is nearby and getting out onto the highway is easy thanks to the courteous lot attendants who show you the way to the alternate exit.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;">Who wouldn't enjoy a day like that?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;">Did you notice how many times the word "clean" appeared in that narrative? It is amazing to me how many show producers fail that simple test. A trashy atmosphere casts an aura of seediness over even the best run show. Keep it clean. Hire high school kids to clean.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;">Now obviously that is a best case scenario. If anyone knows how to achieve that every time I would love to talk with them! The reality is somewhere nearer the middle simply because you cannot control everything it takes to create that ambiance - like the weather, for instance. Our idyllic scene will come off quite differently in a pouring rain or sudden windstorm. So we control what we can. Like the clean, for instance, no excuse for letting that one slip past you.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;">Everything mentioned above works for the vendors enjoyment, too. But they also appreciate having a full day before opening to set up (especially true at outdoor shows) and just love it that the space they contracted is exactly as promised. They enjoy the time each morning to set up, to enjoy the coffee and donuts at the vendor hospitality tent and get ready for a great day of selling, trusting in the fact that the producer doesn't let the public in early. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;">Since many of them are working solo they genuinely are grateful that the producer was thoughtful enough to send around attendants who can spell them for lunch and potty breaks, or offer to get change or bring a bottle of water. When the last day comes they wait until closing to start tearing down as the contract says, and appreciate that the show ended well enough before dark to allow them to tear down in daylight. The squad of polite, strong young helpers who offer to help load boxes, guide backing trailers and drop unwieldy tents is a nice touch, too.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;">Who wouldn't enjoy a day like that?</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5726397779018916194.post-28493904657367185852011-08-17T00:09:00.000-07:002011-08-31T21:03:51.295-07:00A lifetime of events<div class="MsoNormal">
I have had a love affair with fairs, festivals, events and shows for over 30 years. My fascination with the industry started at the age of 16 when I got my first ever job - a ride operator at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Saugus, CA. This was a kids summer dream job!</div>
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I fell in love with the fun, the lights, the excitement, laughter and magic of being a part of a place where people could come to relax, have fun and spend time with family and friends. What a wonderful thing to be paid to do! I figured I had the best job in the world. Too bad I graduated high school and became an adult.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Scots dance, Public Domain, A. Crane (www.byways.org) </span></div>
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It took a few years, but after several mundane career choices it occurred to me that I should get back to the job that had made me happiest. Starting as a jewelry merchant at Renaissance Faires and music festivals, where I also did the occasional belly dance routine. I raised my five children while supporting the family working the fairs. Eventually I moved up to state fairs, and other ever larger events. I did several years as a food vendor with an on-site bakery and a few more working fair security. I worked the parking lots, the ticket booths and the souvenir stands. I did a stint as a Carny barker on the midway. It all gave me an in-depth understanding of the industry that few people ever attain.</div>
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Gradually I became involved in the behind the scenes organizing and management and in the past 25 years have worked in virtually all levels of the industry. I have been on the committees for charity fundraisers, civic organization conventions, school carnivals and county fairs. I have organized everything from a themed cocktail party for 100 to a base-wide celebration luncheon commemorating the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force for 1,700 personnel! I have planned weddings and catered numerous functions large and small and loved every aspect of them all.</div>
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They say to be happy and successful you should follow your joy. You should build your work around what makes you happy. Being in charge of the organization, planning and execution of events is what makes me happy. Being an Event Producer is my joy.</div>
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It is a lot of work, it takes a great deal of organizing and it has it's fair share of headaches and pitfalls. I do not recommend it for anyone who is not happy working under pressure!</div>
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It is all totally worth it when you stand in the midst of your happy crowd on a sunny Saturday and know that you made their fun possible!</div>
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