Question about Vendor Area Access at Shows

[BrianBay9]

There seems to be a new trend, at least in the western US, requiring attendees of shows to register/pay admission to access the vendor areas and shop. When I started out in this hobby access to vendors was always free. I've never run a show or exhibit and can't comment on what it takes to recoup costs. But it seems that this trend would reduce the number of people shopping, and reduce the amount of money they're willing to spend. I would assume vendors would not be pleased with this. Is this the future everywhere, or a trend just in my corner of the world?

 

[John7429]

Normal in other industries.
Bonsai has been such a small niche hobby that "free" was the only way to get new people in.

There is enough growth and interest now to warrant paid events - even for just shopping.

I spent the last weekend vending at the Reptile Super Show in Pomona. For attendees/visitors, it is $20 to park and $15/person to enter. Nobody bats an eye and there were approximately 25k visitors over the 2 day show.

It just depends on what event, location, cost, etc.
Don't be shocked that when demand grows, $ go up. Its basic economics.
This is not a bad thing.

Some botanical gardens are free. Most charge admission.
The more metropolitan, the more $.

 

[leatherback]

There seems to be a new trend, at least in the western US, requiring attendees of shows to register/pay admission to access the vendor areas and shop. When I started out in this hobby access to vendors was always free. I've never run a show or exhibit and can't comment on what it takes to recoup costs. But it seems that this trend would reduce the number of people shopping, and reduce the amount of money they're willing to spend. I would assume vendors would not be pleased with this. Is this the future everywhere, or a trend just in my corner of the world?

All shows I have been to here are one access fee for show and vendors area.
There is no separate entrance to vendors for free.

The biggest show in europe is too full and vendors would welcome less people.

 

[Paradox]

MABS has always charged a smaller fee to access just the vendor room, typically $10 or $20
At least in the 10 or so years Ive been going

 

[BrianBay9]

MABS has always charged a smaller fee to access just the vendor room, typically $10 or $20
At least in the 10 or so years Ive been going

They also charge vendors a table fee too?

 

[Paradox]

They also charge vendors a table fee too?

I believe so but since I have never been a vendor, I cant say for sure.
Perhaps @penumbra, @Pitoon or others that I can't remember right now who have been vendors can answer.

The thing is, the society has to pay for the hotel space to hold the show and hotel space is not cheap.
They cant end up at the end of the weekend in the hole or their ability to continue to do the show every year becomes difficult to impossible

 

[River's Edge]

There seems to be a new trend, at least in the western US, requiring attendees of shows to register/pay admission to access the vendor areas and shop. When I started out in this hobby access to vendors was always free. I've never run a show or exhibit and can't comment on what it takes to recoup costs. But it seems that this trend would reduce the number of people shopping, and reduce the amount of money they're willing to spend. I would assume vendors would not be pleased with this. Is this the future everywhere, or a trend just in my corner of the world?

I belie ve it is a way to balance the costs amongst those who benefit from the activity. The number and quality of vendors is affected by the table charge. If every visitor to the vendor area helps to defray the cost then the table charges can remain reasonable and more vendors are encouraged to participate. Vendors have a high cost incurred with participation particularly with distance, shipping and inventory management. If there are more vendors the pricing tends to be more competitive. I think their is a good rationale for charging reasonable entry fees to the vendor area.

In reality it is very difficult to break even on Conventions, Workshops and Vendor sales with all the associated costs to organize and hold these events. Organizers must maximize revenue streams including sponsorship to make it work.

 

[BrianBay9]

I believe so but since I have never been a vendor, I cant say for sure.
Perhaps @penumbra, @Pitoon or others that I can't remember right now who have been vendors can answer.

The thing is, the society has to pay for the hotel space to hold the show and hotel space is not cheap.
They cant end up at the end of the weekend in the hole or their ability to continue to do the show every year becomes difficult to impossible

Yeah, you can't lose money on the show. Vendors are a draw, as much as a display and workshops. For some people it's their major bonsai shopping experience for the year. So you don't want to increase costs to vendors and lose some of them. So, pass some of the cost on to shoppers, hoping that it doesn't reduce their numbers or spending enough to tick off the vendors, thereby losing vendors. Glad I'm not responsible for a major show.

It's funny, I don't often get in on the workshops but do like demos and to see good trees. My wife is not into bonsai per se but will tag along to shop for pots, etc. (maybe a gift for me or friends) She will not pay a registration or entrance just to get to shop.

 

[Paradox]

Yeah, you can't lose money on the show. Vendors are a draw, as much as a display and workshops. For some people it's their major bonsai shopping experience for the year. So you don't want to increase costs to vendors and lose some of them. So, pass some of the cost on to shoppers, hoping that it doesn't reduce their numbers or spending enough to tick off the vendors, thereby losing vendors. Glad I'm not responsible for a major show.

It's funny, I don't often get in on the workshops but do like demos and to see good trees. My wife is not into bonsai per se but will tag along to shop for pots, etc. (maybe a gift for me or friends) She will not pay a registration or entrance just to get to shop.

From what I see from the shows, most of the vendors make their table fee and hotel costs back in sales and then some.
Most of the time, if you didnt buy the thing you wanted by mid day-early afternoon on Saturday, it was gone.

Also the reality probably is most people in the vendor area are attending the overall show in some capacity so the vendor room entrance is included
If I recall correctly the fee for the vendor room also includes seeing the trees on display in the exhibit room. It just doesnt include the demos. etc

 

[Carol 83]

The show I went to in May was only $10 because I was local. It was for access to the exhibition room as well as the vendor area.

 

[stewarjm192]

I believe so but since I have never been a vendor, I cant say for sure.
Perhaps @penumbra, @Pitoon or others that I can't remember right now who have been vendors can answer.

The thing is, the society has to pay for the hotel space to hold the show and hotel space is not cheap.
They cant end up at the end of the weekend in the hole or their ability to continue to do the show every year becomes difficult to impossible

Yes vendors pay a table fee for MABS. I’ve been selling stands the last three years.

 

[Paradox]

Yes vendors pay a table fee for MABS. I’ve been selling stands the last three years.

Ive seen your table. I assume you build them yourself?
Nice work

 

[Pitoon]

They also charge vendors a table fee too?

For MABS if you want access to buy as an attendee it's like $20.

If you want to vend you pay for each table....... if you can get a table.

If you want access to the demos for that weekend that's a separate price.

 

[Paradox]

For MABS if you want access to buy as an attendee it's like $20.

If you want to vend you pay for each table....... if you can get a table.

If you want access to the demos for that weekend that's a separate price.

If you register for the full program (ie the demos) or for 2 days (Fri/Sat or Sat/Sun), access to the vendor room is included.
Not sure about the single day registration but I think its also included with that too.

 

[stewarjm192]

Ive seen your table. I assume you build them yourself?
Nice work

Yes! All hand made, I do wish I had some elves or gremlins, or maybe goblins to lock in my shop and help the work happen a little quicker lol

 

[stewarjm192]

If you register for the full program (ie the demos) or for 2 days (Fri/Sat or Sat/Sun), access to the vendor room is included.
Not sure about the single day registration but I think it’s also included with that too.

There is a full registration that covers the whole weekend of demonstrations and includes vending access. The Per Diem registration fees also are for demos and vending, just for one day. There then is the cost of workshops with the artists(that include material) and exhibit critiques which are both in addition to registration.

 

[penumbra]

They also charge vendors a table fee too?

I think its $309 for the vendor space at MABS. Unfortunately I was informed they are full and I could not get in.
But to get back to the original concern, I see them charging more, not less or free in the future. Nobody that goes cares, they are all in a shopping zone that doesn't exist otherwise. Stuff flies out of these shows.
An exception is the Winter Silhouette Show which is free admission to all parts of the show for everyone including the vendors. I was there the past three shows as a customer and a vendor. UNFORTUNATELY, I am not in it for 2025. It is first come basis with no regard to loyalty (at least in my case) and though I registered the day registration opened, I was a bit too late and lost my spot. Apparently people started at midnight. It is a huge disappointment to me, but that's the way the cookie crumbles. It is too far for me to go if I am not going to sell.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

For the Winter Show in Charlotte, attendance is free, and vendor tables do not have a table fee. Instead, vendors are asked to donate something to the auction. This last year vendors were extremely generous with their auction items, and the auction was so successful so that it not only covered costs for the show, but left a little extra to improve next year's show. It is one reason, in my opinion, that competition for the tables is as fierce as it is.

I think "free" entrance is hugely important to attract a broad audience.

 

[stewarjm192]

I think its $309 for the vendor space at MABS. Unfortunately I was informed they are full and I could not get in.
But to get back to the original concern, I see them charging more, not less or free in the future. Nobody that goes cares, they are all in a shopping zone that doesn't exist otherwise. Stuff flies out of these shows.
An exception is the Winter Silhouette Show which is free admission to all parts of the show for everyone including the vendors. I was there the past three shows as a customer and a vendor. UNFORTUNATELY, I am not in it for 2025. It is first come basis with no regard to loyalty (at least in my case) and though I registered the day registration opened, I was a bit too late and lost my spot. Apparently people started at midnight. It is a huge disappointment to me, but that's the way the cookie crumbles. It is too far for me to go if I am not going to sell.

What do you sell? I can’t tell who you are from your bnut name. That sucks you didn’t get in this year.

 

[stewarjm192]

For the Winter Show in Charlotte, attendance is free, and vendor tables do not have a table fee. Instead, vendors are asked to donate something to the auction. This last year vendors were extremely generous with their auction items, and the auction was so successful so that it not only covered costs for the show, but left a little extra to improve next year's show. It is one reason, in my opinion, that competition for the tables is as fierce as it is.

I think "free" entrance is hugely important to attract a broad audience.

I agree, the economic concept of “barrier to entry” certainly plays a role here. Having things be free opens the door to the public and introduces more ppl to bonsai. However I think the goal of the MABS festival is to cater to bonsai practitioners that already have a foot in the door, whether just beginning, or seasoned. The reason there is so much money going around is that it all ends up going back to the clubs involved to help support them in their local endevors. Our club, Mohawk Hudson Bonsai Society works the registration aspect of the show, and based on the number of club members that we have in attendance, we get a check from MABS based on that number in attendance. This check is substantial, and helps us fund our activities throughout the year.

So I guess you have to ask yourself, what is the goal of the event? Is it to bring in new people from the public to the hobby? Or is it to support the groups and current practitioners who choose to attend?