Good Advice for Doing Shows

[VSW]

This may seem a really obvious question, but as a novice can you tell me when you do shows - do you print on site or prepare stock beforehand? If beforehand, how easy is it to research ?

Many thanks!

[Stitch Up]

Not a dumb question at all!

We haven't done many shows at all but, from our limited experience, you definately need a good stock to show off on your stand - it's what attracts people.

We used to take oour embroidery machine with us but it was just to slow to make a profit! However, people did stand around it and watch it working so I supose it was an attraction.

We've just moved into DTG (direct to garment printing). We purchased a Neoflex http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwPd4Uxl ... annel_page we'll definately haul this around with us simply because it prints shirts quick.

John

[VSW]

Thanks John - much appreciated...

So, do you prepare your stock beforehand by researching the show and go ready stocked?

[AJLA]

Just back from a 3 day show, we had a blast and it was a successful 3 days so i'm just about to book 2 more (which i have never been to)
We take lots of stock in a long wheel base sprinter but unfortunately can't take everything as we have such a variety. We do have a catalogue which shows most of what we do so orders can then be taken.

We usually do country fairs and agricultural type shows but decided to give rallys a go this year, so far so good. If you havent been to a particular show not knowing what it's like you just have to fish around for info.
We always ask the organisers what the footfall was last year, how many traders etc but I do find that a lot of customers in my shop are familiar with many of the shows so I can pick thier brains.
From this Vintage Rally we have been asked if we would be interested in 4 more events so we will have to do some investigations there.