Attracting Orchid Show Vendors

[Keysguy]

Lowell???????? OMG!!!!!!

I grew up in "Lynn, Lynn the City of sin, you never come out the way you went in".

And Lowell might be even worse!

[Ray]

As a former show vendor, I have a few takeaways.

1) ALLOW vendors to do displays, but don't require it.

2) Advertise to gain a big attendance. The more people attending, the more attracted vendors will be to participating.

3) Don't be greedy about entry fees or commissions. Shows are a major source of income for a lot of vendors. I've been selling online for a long time, but a decent 2- or 3-day show has often resulted in as much income as a few weeks of sales.

4) Have society members available to help unload/set up/and break down after the show.

5) Provide coffee and donuts or the like.

[Fairorchids]

@ Keysguy
I have been invited, and I plan to come (I have the show up on my show schedule on my web site).

One key to a successful show, is to have vendors that are not in direct competition with each other. 3 Cattleya vendors in the same show is not in the best interests of anyone.

Secondly, do not invite too many of the 'overseas' vendors. There are multiple reasons for this request:
1. Their official price level undercuts US based growers.
2. Experienced hobby growers have no problem with bare root plants, but casual buyers likely will have less success.
3. They discount on Sundays, undercutting US based growers further.
4. They do not do a display (or at best, a poor one). I am forced to set aside 20% of the space in my van for display plants.

I have reached the point, where I can tolerate one such vendor. If two are booked, I have to reconsider my participation in the show.