Hello Everyone,

I have some questions here. I'm looking for feedback from Show Promoters, Vendors, or anyone that has paid for a table at any Slot Show and sold stuff. But if anyone else wants to chime in please feel free.

1. With the slowing economy, has the attendance been affected?


2. Do the show promoters provide Coffee, Milk, Juice, Doughnuts, Soda, and Candybars?


3. Do any of the promoters provide carts to move merchandise for the vendors?


4. If the Hotel, Hall, or Building hosting the show sells food, does the Promoter give Vendors coupons for a discount on lunch. And that discount is paid by the Promoter?


5. Does the Promoter hand out surveys to the Vendors to get feedback from them?


The reason I ask these questions is because the Model Railroad Club I belong to puts on a Train Show in March. Questions 2, 4, and 5 we provide for our vendors. Thanks in advance for your responses. Randy.

I've been setting up at slot car only shows for over 25 years now...answers are below in red.

Hello Everyone,

I have some questions here. I'm looking for feedback from Show Promoters, Vendors, or anyone that has paid for a table at any Slot Show and sold stuff. But if anyone else wants to chime in please feel free.

1. With the slowing economy, has the attendance been affected?
Well organized, been around for years...."Good" shows are getting better, some of the smaller not well attended or if the promoter went to the well one to many times are dying off (Thank goodness)!

2. Do the show promoters provide Coffee, Milk, Juice, Doughnuts, Soda, and Candybars?
For free? one show WAY back when, but this show is no longer around........but for a fee all do in one form or another, I can even get a beer at Slotmania in Germany!


3. Do any of the promoters provide carts to move merchandise for the vendors?
No, but it would be a great idea IMHO......maybe a local boy scout troop for tips or something, this may even spur new interest into our little hobby!?! However, I think the fear something being broken out ways the providing help thought though.


4. If the Hotel, Hall, or Building hosting the show sells food, does the Promoter give Vendors coupons for a discount on lunch. And that discount is paid by the Promoter?
NO!


5. Does the Promoter hand out surveys to the Vendors to get feedback from them?
Verbal comments yes, hard copy NO!


The reason I ask these questions is because the Model Railroad Club I belong to puts on a Train Show in March. Questions 2, 4, and 5 we provider our vendors. Thanks in advance for your responses. Randy.

I can say I've never been to a train, toy or general antique show (even though I do set up at them from time to time) that has provided this either.

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www.SlotCarJohnnies.com (http://www.SlotCarJohnnies.com)

Hi Johnnie,

The Coffee, Milk, Orange Juice, Doughnuts, Candybars, and Soda are FREE to the vendors. Our Railroad Club makes the coffee, (Regular and Decaf) then loads the coffee, milk, OJ, and doughnuts onto a cart as the Vendors are setting up and goes to each one and offer them something.

Then as the Vendors are packing up to leave we load the cart up with the soda and candybars, and go to all of the Vendors and offer them a candybar and soda.

Our club only charges $15.00 per table, $17.00 dollars after January 15th. I have some thoughts for next year's Train Show and I wanted some knowledge and feedback. Thanks for the feedback. Anyone else? Please comment. Randy.

AFX,

I have been to some of the same SCJ does and the same answers he has is most of the slot show. The same goes for model show/sale and for 1:1 auto performance shows. You do get a Discount rate for show vendors at some of the show but thats about it. No FRENCH benefits ( French maids, French massages, ect) that I have seen.:(

SCJ,
That would be a great idea for the boy scouts or some orginazation to make some extra $$. That is what people do in Carlisle Car shows. Some of thos parts Im glad to pay a Helper to tote some of it with the wagon..:thumbsup:

Thanks Gear Buster,

I'm finding this very helpful. My thinking is we are going way above what we need to do for our vendors. Don't get me wrong, we NEED the Vendors or we have no show. But I'm trying to find that point where enough is enough. This means effort and cost.

We got most of the surveys back and a couple of Vendors want smaller carts. The Hall has carts but, no small ones. Now the president of the club wants to make 4 or 5 small carts.

That means the club pays for the material to build them, ( naturally ) , then we have to store them, someone has to get them to the show, and we'll only be using them once a year. This issue will be settled next buisness meeting.

I'm not going to ask any Promoter how much they take in for each show they do nor will I give an amount for ours. But I will say it allows us to do things we need for our club. This is with the addition of club dues.

Randy.

I have set up at many shows and never received these from any of them. That said, I will answer the questions

Hello Everyone,

I have some questions here. I'm looking for feedback from Show Promoters, Vendors, or anyone that has paid for a table at any Slot Show and sold stuff. But if anyone else wants to chime in please feel free.

1. With the slowing economy, has the attendance been affected?
Not that I have seen too much.


2. Do the show promoters provide Coffee, Milk, Juice, Doughnuts, Soda, and Candybars?
Not so much during the show, but in the evening when everyone gets together


3. Do any of the promoters provide carts to move merchandise for the vendors?
Usually the hotel has carts. I also have been known to lend mine to people in need.


4. If the Hotel, Hall, or Building hosting the show sells food, does the Promoter give Vendors coupons for a discount on lunch. And that discount is paid by the Promoter?
Not that I have seen


5. Does the Promoter hand out surveys to the Vendors to get feedback from them?
No

The reason I ask these questions is because the Model Railroad Club I belong to puts on a Train Show in March. Questions 2, 4, and 5 we provide for our vendors. Thanks in advance for your responses. Randy.


I will point out however, that the show I am most closely associated with AutoFest has not charged for tables nor do they charge for entry to the show.

Not too bad, eh?

Randy,

You might be able to get a local restaurant to donate some coupons or give you a group discount on food. If you mention to them about the show and that it is within walking distance, then it could be a win/win. Give the people at the show a good place to eat at a discount and give the restaurant a chance to earn some extra business.

Best regards,
Brian

Bob Beers,Danny Esposito and I go to shows all over the place.About 20 a year.The only place that has carts that you can actually count on to be there is the show in Parsippany N.J. on May 18.This is a PAL hall.Some hotels have baggage carts available but they seem to dissapear the night before.Everyone tries to get one and hide it in their room for the show the next day.I know we do.I bought a folding dolly this past weekend in Indiana.Much easier.$59.00.I put it together in the store.Home Depot.Parsippany also has donuts and coffee in the morning.The only other place was Bob Beer's show when Harrison Woodrow from MODEL MOTORING would buy breakfast for the vendors.Nothing else was given to us.You're lucky if the show provides a place to buy something.The rest is like SCJ said.
Thanks Tom Stumpf

Hello Everyone,

I have some questions here. I'm looking for feedback from Show Promoters, Vendors, or anyone that has paid for a table at any Slot Show and sold stuff. But if anyone else wants to chime in please feel free.

1. With the slowing economy, has the attendance been affected?
I think yes. People have commented that gas prices were preventing them from attending.

2. Do the show promoters provide Coffee, Milk, Juice, Doughnuts, Soda, and Candybars?
The collectable & Antique Show in Dayton had coffe and doughnuts for vendors before the show.

3. Do any of the promoters provide carts to move merchandise for the vendors?
Shows held at convention centers and/or fairgrounds had carts. The only drawback is the selfish vendors that have to told to share.

4. If the Hotel, Hall, or Building hosting the show sells food, does the Promoter give Vendors coupons for a discount on lunch. And that discount is paid by the Promoter?
I wish!!

5. Does the Promoter hand out surveys to the Vendors to get feedback from them?
I did when I put on my Automotive Memoribilia Show.

The reason I ask these questions is because the Model Railroad Club I belong to puts on a Train Show in March. Questions 2, 4, and 5 we provide for our vendors. Thanks in advance for your responses. Randy.

I hope this helps.

Marty

Thanks for the information.

Macs_Little_Car,
I was at the AutoFest last year. Got a table through Mark and displayed some of my custom slots. I've also been a Vendor at the Midwest Show. But I don't have anything I want to sell or trade except a Cab Over GMC Ryder Semi Truck and Trailer. Not worth buying a table for that.

BRS Hobbies,
The place we hold our train show at does have a cafe. They provide a menu for the Train Show. But the 10% discount on the noon meal is paid for by our club. I forgot to mention that two of our club members go around and take the orders from the Vendors and bring their meals to them so they don't have to leave their table.

Tom,
The place we hold our show at does have some carts. They are 8 foot long and kind of hard to negotiate through the tables.
But I can't see the Train Club buying material and building 4 to 5 small carts to accommodate a couple of people just once a year and, someone has to haul them to the show which is about 15 miles from the club.

Thanks, Randy.

I forgot to mention that I attended a craft show with my wife. (payback for the toy shows I take her to) It was held at a middle school. The 8th grade dance class assisted vendors with bringing in their items, for tips of course to help pay for a trip. They also went to the tables and took food orders. This was especially helpful for vendors that were by themslves. There was a small kitchen in the school that made food and again the money went to the dance class trip.

Marty

[QUOTE=A/FX Nut;2354538]
For the Toronto slot car show

1. With the slowing economy, has the attendance been affected?
This show is only once a years and has been well attended last couple of years.

2. Do the show promoters provide Coffee, Milk, Juice, Doughnuts, Soda, and Candybars? No

3. Do any of the promoters provide carts to move merchandise for the vendors? NO


4. If the Hotel, Hall, or Building hosting the show sells food, does the Promoter give Vendors coupons for a discount on lunch. And that discount is paid by the Promoter? No but the food sold helps keep the cost of rental hall down. So that's o.k. The promotor does not charge admission at the door so more will atttend.

5. Does the Promoter hand out surveys to the Vendors to get feedback from them? No but if there is a problem the promoter is excellent to deal with.

I went to a slot show last weekend and it was crowded with people spending money. I have found when the econmy is bad ,like in the 80s less expensive hobbies like slotcars do good,hobbies that are more expensive like motorcycles ,boats and hot rods do not.

Brownie ,
it was good to see you and John at the show ! I think your right on about the size of purchases. I did reasonably well despite the economy and think others did as well. I know when i finally got a chance to wander a bit later i spent a part of my earnings. So buyer became seller became buyer again . Hope to be able to drop in and the next race and have a few more new bodies alongside. Still working on the lexan pulls to get em right !

Later Dennis

Well I've learned quite a bit. It's great that so many of you have posted on this. This as really helped alot. If anyone else has something to say or add, pleases do. Randy.