Looking to Do a Booth? Here Are Ideas on Where to Find Them!

[AJPratt]

Great thread!!!

 

[etteluap70PC]

Thanks Anne, Now If we could keep it at the top It would be sooooo much easier for everyone!

 

[NooraK]

Bumping...

Greg, can you make this a sticky, please?

 

[esavvymom]

Thank you DebPC for making this a sticky!

 

[esavvymom]

A few additional websites:
Craft Shows, Music Festivals, Craft Fairs, Fine Art Fairs (Festival Net)
Craft Shows, Street Fairs, Art & Craft Festivals and More (Arts Craft Show Business)and one you've seen before, but I'll post again:
http://www.craftlister.com/ (Craft Lister / Event Lister)

 

[Tamzin1020]

Craft fairs seem like a great idea. I'm not starting until October...should I wait until next year to do holiday fairs?

 

[Tropicalburstqt2]

If you take the training courses, I think you'd do just fine. Also, there's a cd (maybe even an MP3 now) with tips on having a booth.

 

[Tropicalburstqt2]

Yep... there's an MP3 you can listen to once you become a consultant. The consultant you are signing under may have a CD you can borrow until then tho.

 

[esavvymom]

Craft fairs seem like a great idea. I'm not starting until October...should I wait until next year to do holiday fairs?

If you are able to get a booth at a fair, why not do it this year? It's a great way to get some fresh leads and bookings. Read through a few of the Booth Threads on here for ideas. Here are a few of my favorites:http://www.chefsuccess.com/f52/booth-photos-feel-free-post-your-photos-too-58011/
http://www.chefsuccess.com/f52/things-ive-learned-doing-booth-table-51121/

 

[JackieB999]

Many craft fairs don't allow DS companies, they want "crafts only". I've had better luck with church fund raisers, vendor markets or community events.

 

[esavvymom]

Many craft fairs don't allow DS companies, they want "crafts only". I've had better luck with church fund raisers, vendor markets or community events.

It varies. Yes- some are picky...but there are alot out there...if you keep looking. I've done several of them.

 

[kprice12]

Do you seem to get a good response from craft shows? Are there normally other pampered chef vendors there? I'm looking at doing one near my area. It's 60 but I know that there is normally a good turn out.

 

[imcooking]

Doing a booth? Need ideas for my table...Hi. I'm a vendor at an upcoming event, and I'm not sure that what I had planned for my table is "enough". I could use some input on how to set up my table and whether freebies are always necessary. Also, I had only planned on bringing salad greens, carrots and celery to demo the food chopper, classic batter bowl, cutting boards and santuko knife. Although I'll certainly be bringing other products to set out, I have not been asked to bring prepared food items, since the event is a dinner, and there are food restrictions. I also plan to set out catalogs, opportunity brochures, business cards, and host packets. I hope not only to get some orders that night, but to get some new business. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!

 

[Jmioni]

Online: Disclaimer... Be very careful when signing up for these sites! You CAN NOT list Pampered Chef in ANY WAY!!



Can you elaborate on this? How would I sign up...just my name? I'd LOVE LOVE LOVE to start doing some of these - just had no clue where to start before reading this wonderful sticky!! :love:

 

[etteluap70PC]

Online: Disclaimer... Be very careful when signing up for these sites! You CAN NOT list Pampered Chef in ANY WAY!!
Can you elaborate on this? How would I sign up...just my name? I'd LOVE LOVE LOVE to start doing some of these - just had no clue where to start before reading this wonderful sticky!! :love:

First if you have not taken the online classes regarding social networking etc, do so as it will help. Also read the Policy guide the info regarding this is in the advertising section I believe. You can sign up for these sites you just can not enter yourself as "pampered chef" or as a Pampered Chef cons. You will have better luck if you check these sites regularly vs. waiting for someone to contact you.

 

[etteluap70PC]

Hi. I'm a vendor at an upcoming event, and I'm not sure that what I had planned for my table is "enough". I could use some input on how to set up my table and whether freebies are always necessary. Also, I had only planned on bringing salad greens, carrots and celery to demo the food chopper, classic batter bowl, cutting boards and santuko knife. Although I'll certainly be bringing other products to set out, I have not been asked to bring prepared food items, since the event is a dinner, and there are food restrictions. I also plan to set out catalogs, opportunity brochures, business cards, and host packets. I hope not only to get some orders that night, but to get some new business. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!

Everyone will differ on this but I do not demo anything sharp and often will not have knives out on my able. I will keep 1-2 knives behind my demo area so if someone asks I can show them. For me food just makes a mess and I get distracted and have cut myself (badly) at events. I can air demo the chopper and mandoline pretty well.

A good rule of thumb if you are just getting into booths is to keep it simple. Bring the cons kit and a few seasonable items if you have them.

Do you seem to get a good response from craft shows? Are there normally other pampered chef vendors there? I'm looking at doing one near my area. It's 60 but I know that there is normally a good turn out.

Key questions to ask when signing up to do a booth:
How long has the event been going on?
What is the historical avg. attendance?
What kind of advertising?
Will there be signs on the roads directing people to the sale.
Ask for the name of another DS cons. who has done the event with them more than 1 year in a row. Call them and ask them how the event worked for them. (yes I have done this many times).

 

[winklermom]

Art and Craft Shows, Festivals, Fairs, Expos, Concerts - Event Directory of 50,000 FREE Online Listings!

It keeps prompting me pay for a subscription. Is this correct? I was under the impression that it was free. What am I doing wrong?

 

[ChefAmandaWason]

How come you cant list Pampered Chef?

 

[etteluap70PC]

How come you cant list Pampered Chef?

If you do the2 things below it should answer your questions. It is a rule that Pampered Chef has given us.

First if you have not taken the online classes regarding social networking etc, do so as it will help. Also read the Policy guide the info regarding this is in the advertising section I believe.

 

[minjoe_bri]

New to all the lingo here...
When I look at these site there is a section that says "Juried" What does that mean?

 

[kcook]

When I left my husband on 9/4 (day after labor day) i went right to work looking for hosts (shows) and boutique for the fall /holiday season...

I printed out Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec calendars from word (templates - full page 1 month per page) and then printed out my list of P3 contacts.

I called everyone looking to see who wanted to host a show and if they could keep an "eye" out in for PTA fundraisers, church parking lot fairs, etc. To help me provide an income for my child & I.

I also called up my direct sales buddies and asked then to keep an eye out for banners that might be announcing events, so I can get into those as well...

As I called, I was writing down things on the calendar and then figuring out a schedule form there. After 3 hours of being on the phone I had nearly filled my November, 1/2 filled my October and I was relieved enough to take a break. The next couple of days I got return phone calls and a few I just saw as I was driving down the street...

So if you put the word out.. or put your feeliers out (is what I say) you would be surprised with the outcome...

Almost every night I go to...

criagslist.org
Art and Craft Shows, Festivals, Fairs, Expos, Concerts - Event Directory of 50,000 FREE Online Listings!
my local newspaper (OC reigster.com)
and yahoo direct sales groups

looking for events

Here is another tip...

on Craig's List I don't just look for events using the key word of Pampered Chef...

When people post events they always mention who they already have... Tupperware, Arbonne, Creative Memories, etc... and so when i search PC it will bring up ads with the words PC in them. but if I search Arbonne, it will give me things with the words Arbonne in them, and if i see PC is NOT listed I'll contact the poster asking if they have a PC person yet, and if i can be the PC person for the event (i'm using PC for this post - I write out the whole words for the emails) and then the other thing I do is IF i see a that PC is listed, and I have that date available in my calendar I'll send a friendly email to the poster saying, "Sometimes things come up at the last minute and people have to back out or cancel their booth, if you PC person can't do their booth, can I be on the waiting list?

Be really friendly, don't use the words flake or inconsiderate nothing negative

I always get a friendly response of, "How nice of you to offer, but.... and then just keep their contact info; I always try to email after the event date asking how it went and if there is going to be another event in 6 or 12 months, and if I could be on the list to receive the invite to be a vendor.

I got an event this past summer by offering to be on the waiting list and not 1 hour previously the other PC person had backed out, left the event planner stunned 1 week before the event. before she could panic my email came in and she told me to mail over the money and I can have the booth... She liked my booth and my helpfulness so much, she offered me the holiday boutique first, before offering it to the other PC lady - I paid on the spot because I had such good sales at the summer event.

So I hope these ideas help, but you really have to plan things out 3 months in advance.

I am already getting invites to work booths May of 09

I've never done a booth before and I am wondering how you set yours up and what exactly you do at your booth, aside from book shows. I am looking for some ideas, so that when I am ready to do this, I won't look like an idiot trying to piece everything together. Thanks for you help!

 

[esavvymom]

I've never done a booth before and I am wondering how you set yours up and what exactly you do at your booth, aside from book shows. I am looking for some ideas, so that when I am ready to do this, I won't look like an idiot trying to piece everything together. Thanks for you help!

plain and simply...keep reading this forum (the Booths, Fairs, and Festivals threads). The questions have been asked and answered.

I would start with these two:
http://www.chefsuccess.com/f52/things-ive-learned-doing-booth-table-51121/
http://www.chefsuccess.com/f52/booth-photos-feel-free-post-your-photos-too-58011/

They will answer A LOT of your questions. There really is no right or wrong way. Find what works for YOU.

 

[esavvymom]

This is the time of year for street fairs.....bumping this thread to inspire ideas on where and how to get a booth or table. As we move out of the SUMMER season, you move right into the CHRISTMAS season for craft fairs and such too. It's a bit of work, but remember to K.I.S.S - Keep It Super Simple! A nice display and information.... you'll get some new contacts that you didn't have otherwise!

 

[Linda Weikle]

On Facebook, search for Direct Sales or Vendor Shows, add the name of your area or state and it will bring up some options.

 

[Jessica Kidd]

Yes Farmers markets are great. You are lucky to be able to get into one. Arround here they only allow selling of Minnesota grown or made from MN grown products.

What are you doi g at the Farmers Markets? Our Farmers Market responded back to my mass of emails to local businesses when I first started at end of March and she had a show. Unfortunately only 2 of the 25 showed and only 1 of the 2 guests ordered.

 

[Jessica Kidd]

Our town is located at the Home of the B2 Bombers. Knob Noster, MO. We have a street flea market 1st Saturday of month May-Oct. As well as vendors for our Summer Fair aka carnival really. The elementary PTO holds a vendor affair too, to raise $$ at beginning of school year. And we also just started a Spring Fest this Spring which also intertwines with when the street flea market begins each spring.

 

[Jessica Kidd]

I've never done a booth before and I am wondering how you set yours up and what exactly you do at your booth, aside from book shows. I am looking for some ideas, so that when I am ready to do this, I won't look like an idiot trying to piece everything together. Thanks for you help!

I google google google. And there's pinterest as well. Alot of ideas there for how to setup as well as ideas on promoting.