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s long as there have been shows of any sort, there have
always been show promoters and show participants.
Both need the other, but the outcome is best when the

two parties can work together. If both parties can
acknowledge communication as the key to making a show
successful, then everyone wins.

The Promoter's Perspective

With so much money at stake, artists and show promoters
are all seeking a magic formula to bring more people into
their shows. Nancy Vince, founder and promoter of the
ACRE show in Las Vegas, believes her invitation for com-

munication and feedback will make her show different
from most shows currently available. "I want to make it
as easy and painless as possible for retailers to connect with
artists," she explained, "and artists to hook up with retailers
who would like to schedule an appointment." Vince has
instituted an in-advance, show planning system so the
artists and buyers can confirm a time when it would be best
to meet. "We are offering free WIFI throughout [the
venue], so that is easiest to find anyone at any time," she
said. "That way on the show floor, through kiosks, people
can check in to see who has arrived, and when they can
perhaps make a deal."

Vince also listened to the market. "We are all about

communication," she said. "We are always accessible; we
have community message boards we monitor, discussion
boards and webinars to pass along information and take
in suggestions." Vince, who is also the president of
Wholesalecrafts.com, has heard one message loud and
clear. "We are offering a booth package that will include
everything," she said. "Too many artists tell me they
would spend so much money for booth fees, only to find
out they owed more money when they got to the hall to
bring their inventory to the booth, and even more to
have electricity."

Christine Kloostra, show director for The Rosen

Group and The Buyer's Market of American Craft, also
stresses communication is the most important element of
the artist and promoter relationship. "We think of our

The Crafts Report · June 2007

by Amy Feinstein

Fiber decorative artist Mary Jackson, Johns Island, SC . Photo courtesy of
Bernadette Boyle, marketing and PR manager, American Craft Council.

Tsunami Glassworks of Windsor, Ontario. Their work is very popular and is sold in high-

profile places such as the giftshop in the Museum of Art & Design (www.madmuseum.org).
Photo courtesy of Daniel Waldman, PR manager, The Rosen Group.

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