Saturday, September 14, 2014, was a great day. My first card show as a promoter was awesome! The room was terrific. The hotel placed table cloths and skirts on all the tables which gave a level of class to my rustic old sports memorabilia. I had five 8-foot tables to myself. I brought out more stuff than I ever have before and filled up all that space. The only problem was that it took me forever to set up and forever to take everything down. Mark Smith also had five 8-foots. Willie Shabas had two tables, Scott Prodzinski had two, Jim and Scott Ziegert had two, Nelson Rodriguez had one, and Bill Concair from Peoria, Illinois, had one table. The room looked really good. Customers commented on the nice selection of items.
I was hoping to create a relaxed atmosphere were collectors could peruse through all the items at their leisure. Goal achieved. The lighting was nice and bright. We had no distractions. There were plenty of comfortable chairs for customers to sit at the tables and relax. Many customers commented that they were grateful that there was no admission fee. The hotel provided a dozen pitchers of water with what looked like wine glasses. All made for a really pleasant event.
We had a nice number of customers in attendance. All my regular guys came out like Jim, Jeff, Jason, Mark, Jack and more. Some guys who didn't come out all summer at Gonzaga came out for my show on Saturday. Thanks guys! You are the best!! Mark's regulars came out as well. The other dealers seemed to have action at their tables. Though, admittedly, most of the customers came out to see me and Mark. So after the show, Mark and I decided to spend some money on advertising to get more customers for the other dealers. Since it was my first show as a promoter, I learned there are other things I need to think about like making sure the other dealers have as many customers as I do. Man, I had a terrific day! There were people at my tables from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Another thing I learned is that I need to make some signs so folks can find the room. The Clarion is a maze of banquet, conference and meeting rooms. I entered the hotel in the back by the Cork & Cleaver restaurant and had to wind my way through to the Rembrandt Room, which is at the very end of the hotel. So, I'm going get some signs made before the October 18 show giving directions to the room.
While sales were good, it definitely was a learning experience. I think we had a good start on Saturday and created something to build on. Mark and I decided that we are going to really make an effort to create a Saturday destination card show in Milwaukee. We appreciated everyone who came out and we appreciated all the suggestions -- keep 'em coming!
I was hoping to create a relaxed atmosphere were collectors could peruse through all the items at their leisure. Goal achieved. The lighting was nice and bright. We had no distractions. There were plenty of comfortable chairs for customers to sit at the tables and relax. Many customers commented that they were grateful that there was no admission fee. The hotel provided a dozen pitchers of water with what looked like wine glasses. All made for a really pleasant event.
We had a nice number of customers in attendance. All my regular guys came out like Jim, Jeff, Jason, Mark, Jack and more. Some guys who didn't come out all summer at Gonzaga came out for my show on Saturday. Thanks guys! You are the best!! Mark's regulars came out as well. The other dealers seemed to have action at their tables. Though, admittedly, most of the customers came out to see me and Mark. So after the show, Mark and I decided to spend some money on advertising to get more customers for the other dealers. Since it was my first show as a promoter, I learned there are other things I need to think about like making sure the other dealers have as many customers as I do. Man, I had a terrific day! There were people at my tables from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Another thing I learned is that I need to make some signs so folks can find the room. The Clarion is a maze of banquet, conference and meeting rooms. I entered the hotel in the back by the Cork & Cleaver restaurant and had to wind my way through to the Rembrandt Room, which is at the very end of the hotel. So, I'm going get some signs made before the October 18 show giving directions to the room.
While sales were good, it definitely was a learning experience. I think we had a good start on Saturday and created something to build on. Mark and I decided that we are going to really make an effort to create a Saturday destination card show in Milwaukee. We appreciated everyone who came out and we appreciated all the suggestions -- keep 'em coming!
One thing I did not anticipate and which was a pleasant surprise was the guys who brought cards in to sell to the dealers. I picked up a nice group of early 1950s Bowman football while Mark picked up a near-set of 1965 Topps baseball. The '65 cards were the seller's childhood collection. We were all amazed he kept the cards in such nice condition for nearly 50 years. This just may turn into a great show for buying as well! Woot!!
A big shout out goes to Scott Prodzinski who greeted me with breakfast in the morning and after the show treated me, Mark and Willie to an awesome burger place near the hotel. Thanks Scott!! You're the best!!
Another bonus was the fact that Saturday highway traffic is nothing compared to horror of Sunday. I had a quick drive home. I can't wait until the next show on October 18!!
Next weekend, on Sunday, September 21, I will be setting up at the Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale, IL. I have been having real nice shows in Bloomingdale lately and am looking forward to another one on Sunday. I hope a lot of my Orland regulars make the drive to Bloomingdale because I am no longer setting up in Orland. This Milwaukee show has driven Orland promoter John Leary batty and he was calling up everyone and their mothers claiming I was stealing all of his dealers for a show 150 miles away! For the record, I did not "steal" any Orland dealers -- what nonsense! There is no way I am ever setting up with John Leary again. Actually, Mark and I are going to take our road show to Orland and create our own show in the Orland area. I think John is driving his show into the ground. My Orland sales have been on a steady decline for the last two-years. I am going to start looking into venues. Mark and I hope to create an Orland show with NO admission fee, we want a concession stand, inexpensive table fee, no limitation on dealers and more. Did you know that John only allows a certain number of wax dealers? Mark and I won't place limits on what types of dealers can set up. Our show will be open to anybody and everybody. I'll keep you posted as to my progress. In the meantime, I hope to see a lot of friendly faces in Bloomingdale next weekend!!
A big shout out goes to Scott Prodzinski who greeted me with breakfast in the morning and after the show treated me, Mark and Willie to an awesome burger place near the hotel. Thanks Scott!! You're the best!!
Another bonus was the fact that Saturday highway traffic is nothing compared to horror of Sunday. I had a quick drive home. I can't wait until the next show on October 18!!
Next weekend, on Sunday, September 21, I will be setting up at the Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale, IL. I have been having real nice shows in Bloomingdale lately and am looking forward to another one on Sunday. I hope a lot of my Orland regulars make the drive to Bloomingdale because I am no longer setting up in Orland. This Milwaukee show has driven Orland promoter John Leary batty and he was calling up everyone and their mothers claiming I was stealing all of his dealers for a show 150 miles away! For the record, I did not "steal" any Orland dealers -- what nonsense! There is no way I am ever setting up with John Leary again. Actually, Mark and I are going to take our road show to Orland and create our own show in the Orland area. I think John is driving his show into the ground. My Orland sales have been on a steady decline for the last two-years. I am going to start looking into venues. Mark and I hope to create an Orland show with NO admission fee, we want a concession stand, inexpensive table fee, no limitation on dealers and more. Did you know that John only allows a certain number of wax dealers? Mark and I won't place limits on what types of dealers can set up. Our show will be open to anybody and everybody. I'll keep you posted as to my progress. In the meantime, I hope to see a lot of friendly faces in Bloomingdale next weekend!!
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