GARAGE SALE ART FAIR ARTIST'S INFORMATION SHEET
Kalamazoo
Fairgrounds & Expo Center on Sat Feb 25 –
9:30 to 4:00
We’re
working hard to make this both fun and profitable for you so here’s some
information you need to know!
If
you ordered postcards they will be
coming soon by mail.
Your
booth number and a map of all the booth locations will be up on the website
soon.
Set-up will be
Saturday from 7 am to 9 am only. Sorry but there is no early set-up
available. When you arrive at the
Fairgrounds, follow the signs to the NEW
entrance. You MUST check in with us
in case there have been any changes. We will have a table there with
information and a show map by 7 am. Load in will be in totally different
locations this year due to the new building.
We
encourage you to keep your display
simple so that it can be easily set-up in the 2 hours. Remember, this is a garage sale! The show is scheduled to open at
9:30 but if there are the normal crowds, we will open by 9:15.
If
you ordered electricity make sure you
have a 3 prong grounded plug or plug strip.
Tables: If you ordered
them, they will be in your booth. YOU
MAY NOT REMOVE TABLES FROM ANY BOOTH. Your fellow artists have paid to rent those
tables and your removing them means they may be without tables.
Reminder:
You cannot hang anything from the walls
or use any tape on the walls of the Expo Center.
Promotion
Recommendations:
- Mail postcards
by February 10 (Kalamazoo ZIP codes start with 490--, Grand Rapids with
495--)
- Remember your
e-mail lists
- Word-of-mouth – please, tell everyone! We know people
have driven from 8 hours away to shop the show!
- We are trying to
encourage cash sales since it’s
a garage sale. Pass the word to your customers!
- Post on your
Facebook page, our Facebook page, tweet about it and use any other form of
social media to get the word out.
You
are responsible for collecting and paying your own Michigan Sales Tax. www.michigan.gov has the forms.
If you find you
cannot do the show,
call us immediately. We have a waiting
list of people wanting to do the show.
If
you have any questions, please feel
free to contact either Michael Kifer at 269-629-0800 or Bonnie Blandford at
We
want to encourage people to come throughout the day so we are promoting “better buys in the afternoon”. You
might want to bring a big marker to slash prices after 1:00pm. We’ll be
stamping hands at the door for those who want to come back for free, later in
the day. Let your customers know “Best selection in the morning, best buys in
the afternoon”.
We
make announcements for you after 12:00 advertising a “special sale” or “special
anything”. Lots of fun things will happen with this!
Just
a reminder that you’re welcome to bring those “artist made” things that you’ve
traded for over the years!
TIPS: Over the years we’ve
noticed that very identifiable markdown
signs help make a successful booth. At a normal art fair, you can’t do this
but here – we encourage big, bold signs! Let
customers know you’re offering great deals. Things like “50% off” or “was
$100, now $25. Try neon stickers on your items. The best tip – show the
original price, use a red pen to slash through that and mark the sale price.
Highlight the good deals! If you really don’t want to take it home, mark it
down as the day goes on. Have fun with it! Take advantage of our announced
specials as well (more info at the show).
GPS: Kalamazoo Expo
Center and Fairgrounds 2900 Lake Street, Kalamazoo MI – there are maps on our
website.
There
will be food available through the new concession operator. We’re trying to
make sure there are vegetarian options.
Hotel information: See below
Self Promotion: This is your chance.
Go on our Facebook page and promote yourself and your work. Get people to want
to come see your work first! Post pictures of what you’ll have. Send your
customers to the show page as well.
Consider
tweeting about the show to all your followers both before the show and during.
Promote the GSAF’s Facebook page to your customers and then tweet about what
you’ll be bringing or what deals you’ll be offering. Make it fun!
Remember
that the years without perfect weather have brought some of our biggest crowds!
Glad you’re joining us for the selling
fun!
Bonnie & Michael
Hotel- Looking for a hotel room for the show? Our show hotel is the Fairfield Inn, Kalamazoo East
(269-344-8300) which is really close to the show location and right off I-94. A room
with one King bed is $65, 2 doubles is $74. Both include breakfast and
free internet access. Just mention that you're with the Garage Sale Art
Fair for these rates!
Other hotels close to I-94 at the Sprinkle Road exit:
·
Candlewood Suites – 800-230-4134
·
Quality Inn – 800-230-4134
·
Red Roof Inn – 800-997-5148
·
Best Western – 800-997-5149
·
Holiday Inn Express – 800-230-4134
