Well, I’m back from vacation and I’ve come to the sudden realization that the New York International Gift Fair is a little more than a month away! How did that happen?
Since I know many of you are curious as to what goes into prepping for a trade show, I thought I would share a little behind the scenes video of my prep for the gift fair. I’m planning on doing this on a semi-regular basis from now until the gift fair in August. (Because I thought it might be fun for you to see me get increasingly more stressed prepared as the show gets closer…)
Gift Fair Prep – a little more than a month to go! from megan auman on Vimeo.
If you’re interested in learning more about prepping for a trade show, you can also check out my ebook, The Crafting an MBA Guide to Wholesale and Trade Shows.
Megan Auman is a designer, maker, educator, and entrepreneur who has built a multi-faceted business around her passion for great design and sustainable business. Her 
Thanks for this. I’m prepping for my first (small) trade show in September, and your e-book is already a huge help – this will be even more help!
Nice tan! Thanks for another great idea. Look forward to watching and learning.
[...] mentioned in yesterday’s video that I’m working on postcard designs to send out before the gift [...]
good stuff. so a question (or three) – who exactly do you send your postcards to? stores you want to be in with? how do you know if they are even going to the gift fair? (or does everybody go really?) Do you only target NY/east coast shops? obviously you send to stores you have some kind of relationship with, but what about the ones who don’t know you? are scouring the internet looking for stores you want to be in and sending to them?
karen – yes, yes, and yes!
i send to stores i’m currently with, stores who have given me their cards at previous shows (but haven’t yet ordered), and stores i’m interested in (that i find by wandering around online). i don’t worry about whether or not they’ll be at the show, because the card also directs them to my website and gives them a way to contact me if they won’t be at the show.
awesome. thanks. this is a little off topic I guess – but have you done a post about the best strategies for approaching stores – both online and in person? (sorry if you did and I just missed it!) I’ve heard lots of stories about great ways and not-so-great ways to do it. Do you know any store owners that might be willing to share their “what to do and what not to do” stories?
great info – I have your ebook and it is full of great info…doing my first wholesale show in Baltimore this August for my knit wire jewelry line and your trade show guide is helping me stay calm and plan for the show – thanks so much!!!
Hi Megan!
I found you through Tara Gentile and wanted to stop by to say HI!
I feel like we’re kindred spirits – I’ve been writing over at The Mogul Mom since 2007 and have covered a lot of ground when it comes to product development. It was really nice to see Crafting An MBA and see a different side of product development – crafting and homemade.
Anyway, here’s a post I wrote about prepping for trade shows. Hope it helps! http://www.themogulmom.com/2010/07/trade-shows-101/
I look forward to reading more here and getting to know you!
Best regards,
Heather
Thanks Megan! I, too, am prepping for my first wholesale show in Baltimore (3 weeks away!)…with Amy (oblinaknit) and we are so excited!! Can’t wait to see more details of your prep and hopefully get a few pointers. Will you be visiting the BMAC Show in Baltimore in a few weeks? I contacted Tara (Scoutie Girl) and she’s stopping by our Booth (#1521)…maybe we’ll see you too?