| Show News |
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THE BALTIMORE CRAFT SHOW |
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Location: Baltimore Hyatt Regency at Inner Harbor, Harbor View Room and Maryland Suite (second floor) Show dates and hours: The show promoters are still accepting applications. For more information: |
New Name, New Management, but Baltimore Alternative Show Is Back
After the organizers of the Baltimore Alternative Show (which ran alongside the American Craft Council's (ACC) Winter market in Baltimore, Md.) decided to make the winter 1999 show their last, many artists understood their reasons, but were none-the-less disappointed. Organizers Lauren Schott, a jeweler, and Genevieve Flynn, a metalsmith, told exhibitors and buyers that they felt they had taken the show as far as they could, and that they wanted to spend less time promoting and more time in their studios.
The Baltimore Alternative Show began 10 years ago as a wholesale venue for those people who either couldn't get into the ACC Show or were wait-listed. Over the years, it developed its own identity as a funky, edgy show with a casual attitude. Buyers found it a welcome respite from the other, much larger shows. Exhibitors enjoyed crossover traffic from the ACC show.
One exhibitor wanted to see the show continue so much that she decided to organize it herself. Olga Ganoudis, a jeweler from Wilmington, Del., had only done the show for two years, but she had done well and really liked the show's intimate, relaxed atmosphere.
She was disappointed to see it end, and she knew there were other exhibitors and buyers who felt the same way. Gallery buyers said they liked the show because it was small and manageable, and they didn't feel rushed or overwhelmed. "I did as well there as I did at the [Buyers Market of American Craft] in Philadelphia," said Ganoudis, "and everyone I spoke with said they would want to do it again."
So Ganoudis called the Baltimore Hyatt Regency where the show was originally held and reserved the space for February 2000. Then she set about looking for a partner. She found one in Silvi Goldmark, a New Mexico metal artist who creates decorative accessories for the home. Goldmark had done the show for 10 years, and shared Ganoudis' interest in keeping it going.
Since they were prohibited from using the name "Baltimore Alternative" by the former promoters, Ganoudis and Goldmark decided to simply call it "The Baltimore Craft Show."
"I liked the name when I was doing the show, but I'm glad we've changed it. The show has really grown into a successful venue on its own merit, and is no longer an 'alternative' to the ACC show," said Ganoudis. "It has its own flavor, and its own exhibitors, and I think the new name fits it."
Never having planned a show before, Ganoudis admits she wasn't sure what she was getting herself into. She knew that planning the show would take up a lot of her studio and business time. But so far, she says things have fallen into place quite nicely.
The "new" show will have 86 exhibitors, roughly the same number it has had in previous years. Most are artists who have exhibited there before, some are new exhibitors that Ganoudis and Goldmark came in contact with through other shows.
Because it was their first time planning a show, the partners decided not to go through the jury process. "We felt that if the exhibitors had done the show before, then they should be able to do it again," said Ganoudis. Most of the people she and Goldmark contacted from last year's show quickly committed to doing it again in 2000. "Several of them even offered to send their money in early to help us get started," said Ganoudis. "Many have even sent us their mailing lists to help promote it. It's amazing how helpful everyone has been. Everyone just really wants to see the show do well. And since the Hyatt was accustomed to the show already, they have really helped us through the whole thing. We expect a smooth transition."
Postcards will be mailed to buyers in early January.
GEORGE LITTLE MANAGEMENT NEWS
FOR MORE INFORMATION |
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Contact GLM at: 10 Bank St., White Plains, NY 10606; (914) 421-3200; www.glmshows.com. |
GLM Launches"Rep Finder"
George Little Management's (GLM) Web site, GLMmarketplace.com, has a new "Rep Find" feature which allows manufacturers to post requests for product representation, and reps to post requests for product information. In the future, this feature will be further enhanced to allow manufacturers and representatives to automatically receive posted requests according to their registered profiles.
New Show Dates for New York Gift Fair
The dates for the New York International Gift Fair's August market have been changed. The show will run Aug. 19-23, one week later than originally scheduled. The change is due to the unavailability of The Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 and 94, which house part of the show, during the original show dates.
New Handmade Section at Dallas Gift Show
Handmade, a juried craft section, will be introduced to the Dallas National Gift & Home Accessories Show, Jan. 8-11, at the Dallas Market Center.
GLM and Decorex USA Ltd. to Run Show Concurrently
George Little Management (GLM) and Decorex USA Ltd. have announced plans to co-locate GLM's International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) and Decorex USA at New York City's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, beginning May 20-23.
Open-badge policies and a series of complementary programs and events are among the cooperative efforts that ICFF and Decorex USA will use to promote crossover buying and selling opportunities.
JANUARY 2000: TABLE OF CONTENTS