AmericasMart License & Design

If you’re heading to Atlanta, CHA, SURTEX or the Licensing Expo – it’s time to book your hotels

Some big Art Licensing Trade Shows are coming up – are you ready to get there and do you have a place to stay? All the shows negotiate some pretty sweet rates on hotels during the show as well so be sure to hop over and make your reservations now before your choices dwindle. Here is the run-down:

AmericasMart – Atlanta – January 12 – 19, 2011

The whole show isn’t that long but those are the beginning and end dates for both the temporary and permanent showrooms for the Home Furnishings Market.
Show website: http://AmericasMart.com/markets/gift
Book travel: http://AmericasMart.com/travel/reservation

Craft & Hobby Association – Los Angeles – January 29 – February 1, 2011

Show website: http://hobby.org/
Book travel: https://resweb.passkey.com/Resweb.do?mode=welcome_ei_new&eventID=2588346 (if that doesn’t work, look for the Hotel Reservations link on the main website)

SURTEX – New York City – May 16 – 18, 2011

Show website: www.SURTEX.com
Book travel: www.myglmtravel.com

Licensing Expo – Las Vegas – June 14 – 16, 2011

Show website: www.LicensingExpo.com
Book travel: http://exhibitor.licensingexpo.com/index.php/travel-housing/book-my-travel-2/

Now that your bags are packed…

Are you ready? Do you need tools to help you get your booth, your game plan, your game face, every ready? Don’t forget we have lots of options – eBooks, audios, coaching special from Paul Brent through December 23, 2010 and more at www.ArtLicensingInfo.com/shows.html Click on over and see what might help you put your best art-foot forward!

Here’s to a great show season!

– Tara Reed

The Art Licensing Trade Show Season is about to begin…

It’s that time of year again folks! I want to mount my virtual horse and ride through the cyber-streets shouting like Paul Revere, “The art licensing trade shows are coming! The art licensing trade shows are coming!”

SO… are you going?

Here’s what is coming up and links to the sites:

Atlanta Gift Show – License & Design Section Jan. 8 – 12, 2010 Atlanta, GA

CHA – License & Design January 24 – 27, 2010 Anaheim, CA

SURTEX May 16 – 18, 2010 New York, NY

Licensing Expo June 8-10, 2010 Las Vegas, NV

All four of these shows are catering to artists who license their art, at different times, in different ways and different locations. Only you can decide which will be the best fit for you and your business.

I am sticking with SURTEX again this year (this will be my 6th year here, 7th year exhibiting anywhere) and as I sent off my second payment installment this week I reflected on how scary year 1 was.

I had no idea if what I was doing was the right thing to do. There weren’t any blogs (that I’m aware of) to turn to for help. My friend and I just ponied up cash, took our best guess and jumped in.

Did I make back the money I spent from deals I got at that first show? Absolutely not. But I went into it with the intention to be committed to investing in exhibiting for at least 2-3 years before deciding if I’d continue or stop. (Obviously I’ve continued.)

I’ve learned a thing or two along the way…

Like, don’t put so much on the walls of your booth that a person can’t see the trees for the forest. Bigger is better. The goal of your walls is to get manufacturers to pause so you can strike up a conversation.

And don’t eat or talk on your cell phone in your booth if at all possible. And if you HAVE to, duck and hide and eat quickly!

If you are exhibiting at a show and want to learn more detailed information to make your investment in exhibiting pay off, check out my eBook and the Trade Show Tactics teleseminar replay from a live call I did last year. The cost is minimal compared to the cost of a booth and travel – I’m told it’s well worth every penny! But just like the shows, only you can decide if it is for you… CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Here’s to a successful and low-stress show season!

– Tara

5 ways to keep your trade show costs down…

It is amazing how your costs can add up when you exhibit at a trade show.
Here are some things I do to keep my expenses low and my money in my pocket.

1.Carry your booth with you. It is possible to design a booth that you can pack in your suitcase or carry on. There is no need to have art in heavy frames.

2.Ship things to your hotel. Most hotels will accept packages about a week before you arrive – you need to tip the person who brings them to your room, of course. But, a $5 tip is a lot less than you will pay for storage and drayage at the show site. So if you just don’t want to carry a box of brochures or drapes for your walls with you, ship ahead. And plan far enough ahead to ship it by ground and avoid overnight charges.

3.Pay for a “trade show” suitcase when you fly. If what you need to get to a show is heavy, but under 50 lbs, you might consider paying the $25-50 for an extra checked bag and bring it on the plane with you. That is often cheaper than shipping ahead to your hotel. Weigh your options.

4.Buy water and snacks at a local drug store. When I do a show in New York, my first stop is Duane Reade, a drug store that seems to be on every corner. I stock up on bottles of water to take to the show, as well as a gallon or 2 for the room. Ditto for some snacks. Water can run $3+ at a show so I suggest you plan ahead! Of course, check the show rules before trying to bring water in by the case, you might only be allowed one or two that you can put in a bag.

5.Book your hotel, usually through the show site, as early as possible. Most trade shows negotiate better rates than you will find on your own, and often at very nice hotels. But make your reservation early as there are limited numbers of rooms at the show rate. I usually book for the following year while I’m working the show. Another upside to booking through the show travel planners – you can usually change your hotel, dates, etc. without fees that you would incur on most online travel sites.

Have a great show and keep some of your hard-earned cash in your pocket!