My One of a Kind Spring Show: Chicago Experience
When I received the email that I was accepted into the One of a Kind Show (OOAK), I was over the moon! I couldn’t wait to be part of this amazing 3-Day event. But then I remember the hefty fee. So I was nervous. This would be the biggest show I’d ever done, and it was out of town, too. The drive was about 4.5 hours from St. Louis, which felt both manageable and a little daunting.
Preparing
I practiced setting up my booth in my basement to make sure everything would fit in my space. The only thing I couldn’t truly account for was the wall space for hanging my framed work. I prepped a lot of inventory and printed out a limited number of business cards specifically for this event, with my booth number. I even made a checklist of everything I was bringing. By the time it was time to pack the car, everything was ready to go.
Setting Up
My fiancé and I got there on Thursday to set up and hang everything on the wall. This part was super smooth. The helpers moved everything up while we parked the car, and it all went off without a hitch. Here’s a photo of my setup:
Money
Now, for the financial side: I did well overall and made a profit! However, there are a few things to keep in mind. The hotel and parking fees added up, so those need to be factored into the costs. Not to mention, getting gas for the 4.5 hour there and then back. While I made decent sales, it was slower than I anticipated. I definitely had crazy high expectations, which was unfair. As a 2D artist with prints and greeting cards, there were definitely slow times. One of my neighbors made zero sales, another didn’t cover the booth fee, and a few others had similar struggles. But then there was someone who did as well as I did, and I was extremely grateful for that. We spoke with a couple of woodworkers who did amazing, and two sculptors who unfortunately had zero sales. It was definitely a mixed bag.
The Highlight of the Experience
The best part was meeting the people, the crowd, and getting to know my neighbors. It’s great to chat with others who are in the same boat. Even if they aren’t having a great sales day, it’s a good way to connect about the event or just have someone to chat with during the slower hours.
My Recommendations
Have a helper: Having my fiancé there was a lifesaver. It’s nice to have someone to do food runs, watch your booth, and help out when you need a break.
Bring snacks/pick up food: The food at the café was subpar and overpriced. Things can get pretty expensive if you rely on venue food every day, and most of the food vendors were snacks and treats like cookies, candy, and popcorn.
Manage your expectations: There are a lot of factors that affect sales. Lowering your expectations can help keep things in perspective and allow you to focus on the positives.
I'm not sure if I am ready to do this event again anytime soon. Maybe if I lived closer and didn't need to add on the hotel or parking fee. Overall, I had a great time, and I'm so glad I was a part of it.
