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"Happiness is an Antique Show!" -Part III

© Barbara Nicholson Bell

You've polished, priced and packed. The van, station wagon or tiny sports car (in my case) is loaded to the gills with boxes, shelves, table covers, and, if you're smart, a folding handcart to transport everything from the parking lot. It's Showtime!

Every promoter provides a set-up period that ranges from a full day to a few hours, sometimes the day before the show, and sometimes the very morning of the show. (Woe to the dealer who oversleeps!) As soon as you arrive, you'll see that the dealers have jockeyed their vehicles into the closest possible spot to the unloading area. You will not be able to leave your vehicle here, of course. There will be assigned parking elsewhere, so that customers can park conveniently. The exception is the outdoor show, where sometimes your vehicle is part of your booth, or can be parked nearby. Be sure you find out in advance.

Some promoters also provide "porters", who will assist you in unloading and getting your stuff into the building in as fast and efficient manner as possible. Expect to tip these helpers for their time - they have earned it. Most dealers have a handcart, dolly, or trolley to move their own things. This saves time waiting for an available porter, and money.

Get your badge, your booth sign, and pay the balance of the booth rent to the promoter.

Once you have arranged your booth (and rearranged it, no doubt, at least once) step back and eyeball the overall look. Is it eye-catching? Easy to navigate? Well-lit? Have you reserved a space where you, the dealer, can sit and make out sales slips and make change, without interfering with the display?

If there is time before the opening, walk around the show and look at the other dealers' displays. Try to pick up some ideas for your booth, but also stop to chat with dealers - make yourself known, and invite them to stop by your booth when they have time. Drop off business cards if you have them. And this is your best opportunity to buy, before the crowd arrives. Most dealers love to buy in this brief period when every display is fresh, every booth is perfect.

Often the opening of the show is preceded by the "early bird" hour, when some customers pay a premium to get in before the crowd. These are often other dealers, who zoom through the show eyeballing the choicest items, whiz into your booth to buy with little time wasted, and fly out the door and on to the next show!