Craft Show Attendance

I have been in deep discussion lately with family, friends, and colleagues about why exactly the general public attends a craft show.

I have to admit I very rarely attend an event unless I am either selling at it, or looking at it as a potential for future participation. This means I look at things from a completely different view point than 99% of the other people there. I am watching how many bags people are carrying, where the artisans park, how close the booths are to one another, the quality of the items being sold, the types of things being sold, the way the show is laid out, and even the porta potty situation.

I believe there are three types of shows. The first type typically takes place at historic houses, churches, and small parks. These shows attract a very local demographic. Sometimes even just the town the event is held in, or from just a few blocks from around the event, or in the case of religious buildings, possibly just the parishioners to that particular house of worship. People attend because they are loyal to the event and/or where it takes place. They are there to show their support of something. Most artisan participants are from nearby as well. Local example: Moravian Historical Society Craft Show

The second type of show is usually a little larger. It takes place in a little bigger city, on main street or the like, sometimes in a large park or social hall. This show gets a larger diversity of attendance. I think people may dive an hour or so to get there. They plan a day: a meal, the show, a relaxing drive. The artisans that participate are both from the vicinity and from a little farther away. You may get a few that come a long distance but more because they know the area somehow, through friends or family. Local example: Bethlehem Mother's Day Craft Show

Finally is the regional show. Artisans will come from several states away to participate. Customers come as part of bus tours and could plan vacations around the event taking place. They expect to see the best work from a larger area and even some from other regions of the US. Local example: Kutztown Folk Festival

So here is what we have been talking about: If a there is a show that falls into the second category above (mostly local talent exhibiting), do you as a customer go there to see and support this local talent? If they changed their format and you came to the show only to see your favorite local artisans were no longer there, would you stop coming?

In a society that has been trending toward buy fresh, buy local, buy small business, support your neighbors, do you care if an event stops supporting local and brings in more talent from far away? Or are you happy to see something fresh and new: they are still small artisans, it doesn't matter where they came from?

I think there are a few local shows that are trying to make the leap to becoming a regional level event but are pushing out local talent and are undermining their own customer base in the process. Other people think that competition is good, it keeps everyone striving for greatness.

Only time will tell.