Anyone have experience Hosting/Promoting a show?

[Southpaw21]

Looking for tips/insight on how to execute a successful show(s) that will get keep vendors and customers coming back. I have a space with uniform tables and chairs, snack bar, ATM,parking etc. Saturday mornings are available. There are roughly 80 tables and 250 chairs at my disposal. Roughly 30 minutes from downtown Chicago near two major highways.


Im just not sure where to get started.. as far as getting customers/vendors do I call up local card shops and go to shows and hand out fliers?

Create a business page and promote it on social media?

Also need to determine the best layout and fair table fees.

Entry cost for attendees I was thinking a buck or two.

How about getting other collectible communities involved like comics or coins to draw more people?

What makes a show one that you mark on your calendar every weekend/month?

[shayscards79]

You'd have to make sure it's not on the days of the Orland, Schaumburg and Rolling Meadows shows. Assuming all of those are going on still.

Honestly, the best word of mouth is hitting up LCS owners all over the Chicago Area... BB Card King, Chicagoland Sports Cards, Heroes, etc. If you aren't already in good with the owners, maybe stop by and drop a line. Chances are if you on good terms with them they'll tell their customers.

The business page and social media pages can't hurt if people are just googling for shows

[regionrat]

Get a website for your show.

Get a facebook page for your show.

Try not to run shows in the Chicago area on the same days as the Orland Park Show and the Schaumburg Hyatt Regency Show (which is the former Rolling Meadows show)

Don't Charge more than $1 for show admission.