Quilt Show Admission... $$

Some great ideas there! Thanks much!

--
Kate in MI
http://community.webshots.com/user/K_Groves


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"Polly Esther" wrote in message
...
I'm wondering if you could increase interest and attendance by involving
other groups. One quilt show in a small college town in south Mississippi
has a special division for the 4-H clubs. We're always delighted to see
these beginners and I know getting a ribbon at a 'real' quilt show is a
big deal; not to mention the families that come to see their quilts and
the others, of course.
Would the local Methodist Church like to do a food booth? They are
always good cooks and have a project that needs funding. What about the
Kiwanians or Shriners? [ too funny here. Spell Check substituted Iranians
for Kiwanians. Mercy.]
What about a ribbon for a Quilts of Valor or Wounded Warriors patriotic
gift quilt? Is there an American Legion or VFW Post active in your
community? Perhaps some of them would like to receive the quilt or award
the ribbons or something?
I don't know if any of these are good ideas or not; just off the top of
my tired little head, Polly

"Mary in Rock Island IL" wrote in message
...
Another question to consider is what, if anyhting, members will be
charged to attend the show? At a time when they are working the show?
At a time when they are not working the show?

Mary

I'd love to do a raffle quilt -- but I'm not sure what the rules are. We
are a "club" -- not an official non-profit 501(C)3 organization (never
filed... don't have by-laws...etc). I'd need to do my homework to see about
the gaming permit. But I agree -- sure would be a worthwhile venture!

I don't know if there is a way to do it that you can "advertise" without
"selling" tickets.... ask for a donation maybe? But then you have to give
tickets away if someone doesn't want to pay -- don't you? There has to be
some way to do it!!

--
Kate in MI
http://community.webshots.com/user/K_Groves


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"Julia Altshuler" wrote in message
...
Kate G. wrote:
What do you think is a reasonable admission fee to a one day quilt show
that has approximately 100 quilts, 4 or 5 vendors, a small quilt
auction... your basic quilt show.


I formed an opinion in my head before reading the other responses. The
number that came to me was $4.00. I've now read the others and see that
we're basically in sync.


My reasoning goes like this. If I see a sign for a quilt show, I'm going
to pull over. That's true whether or not I've seen any advance
advertising or know anything about it. If the price is high, in the over
$8.00 range, and if the show turns out to be nothing special, I'm left
with a bad taste in my mouth. I not going to do anything about it or
complain, but I will remember the name of the guild and associate bad
feelings with it.


On the other hand, if there are quilts on the walls, I'm going to find
something to enjoy about the show. With a hundred quilts, one of them is
going to make an impression on me even if it's just applying cool colors
to a familiar pattern. That alone is worth $4.00. If you charge less,
you're giving away money.


There are other ways people don't mind parting with their money once they
get to the show. Can you get a coffee urn and have self-serve coffee with
a big tip jar in front of it? That's easy to maintain, and most people
will put a dollar in the jar. (Someone has to go by the jar regularly and
empty the money. In a largish group of anonymous people, there's the
chance that one of them will steal.)


Can you include a bake sale? I know I'm often enticed to buy homemade
cookies or brownies that are attractively displayed. I usually don't want
a lot, but I will buy a little something. I suggest having a big plate
with all the varieties of cookies, bars and cupcakes on it. When people
have pointed to what they'd like, they get handed a small baggie from the
tray on the table with the goodies already packed in it. That's easy and
sanitary. You can charge $2.00 for about 5 cookies.


Unless I utterly hate the raffle quilt, I always buy a ticket. Any bed
quilt, even in colors that don't appeal to me, is a bargain for a dollar.
I'm more choosy about buying tickets for smaller art pieces. With those,
it might not be worth even a buck to me. If you can pull together a
bedsize raffle quilt, do so. It's bound to be a money maker.


--Lia

Network, Kate. Talk to the Sheriff or the County Attorney or the Exalted
Ruler of some organization. You probably won't need a fleet of corporate
lawyers; there's probably someone who knows and will be qualified to guide.
Polly


"Kate G." wrote in message
. ..
I'd love to do a raffle quilt -- but I'm not sure what the rules are. We
are a "club" -- not an official non-profit 501(C)3 organization (never
filed... don't have by-laws...etc). I'd need to do my homework to see
about the gaming permit. But I agree -- sure would be a worthwhile
venture!

I don't know if there is a way to do it that you can "advertise" without
"selling" tickets.... ask for a donation maybe? But then you have to
give tickets away if someone doesn't want to pay -- don't you? There has
to be some way to do it!!

--
Kate in MI
http://community.webshots.com/user/K_Groves


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"Julia Altshuler" wrote in message
...
Kate G. wrote:
What do you think is a reasonable admission fee to a one day quilt show
that has approximately 100 quilts, 4 or 5 vendors, a small quilt
auction... your basic quilt show.


I formed an opinion in my head before reading the other responses. The
number that came to me was $4.00. I've now read the others and see that
we're basically in sync.


My reasoning goes like this. If I see a sign for a quilt show, I'm going
to pull over. That's true whether or not I've seen any advance
advertising or know anything about it. If the price is high, in the over
$8.00 range, and if the show turns out to be nothing special, I'm left
with a bad taste in my mouth. I not going to do anything about it or
complain, but I will remember the name of the guild and associate bad
feelings with it.


On the other hand, if there are quilts on the walls, I'm going to find
something to enjoy about the show. With a hundred quilts, one of them is
going to make an impression on me even if it's just applying cool colors
to a familiar pattern. That alone is worth $4.00. If you charge less,
you're giving away money.


There are other ways people don't mind parting with their money once they
get to the show. Can you get a coffee urn and have self-serve coffee
with a big tip jar in front of it? That's easy to maintain, and most
people will put a dollar in the jar. (Someone has to go by the jar
regularly and empty the money. In a largish group of anonymous people,
there's the chance that one of them will steal.)


Can you include a bake sale? I know I'm often enticed to buy homemade
cookies or brownies that are attractively displayed. I usually don't
want a lot, but I will buy a little something. I suggest having a big
plate with all the varieties of cookies, bars and cupcakes on it. When
people have pointed to what they'd like, they get handed a small baggie
from the tray on the table with the goodies already packed in it. That's
easy and sanitary. You can charge $2.00 for about 5 cookies.


Unless I utterly hate the raffle quilt, I always buy a ticket. Any bed
quilt, even in colors that don't appeal to me, is a bargain for a dollar.
I'm more choosy about buying tickets for smaller art pieces. With those,
it might not be worth even a buck to me. If you can pull together a
bedsize raffle quilt, do so. It's bound to be a money maker.


--Lia

Howdy!

Ours is $6, and well worth every bit of it! g
And, it's next weekend, here in Arlington:
http://qgoa.org/
I'll be there, Friday, at the handquilting demo, for 4 hours.

Cheers!
R/Sandy


Kate G. wrote:
What do you think is a reasonable admission fee to a one day quilt show that
has approximately 100 quilts, 4 or 5 vendors, a small quilt auction... your
basic quilt show.

*snipped to make more room to hang quilts*

Charge $3-5, maybe number the tickets and use for door prize drawings.
Roberta in D

"Kate G." schrieb im Newsbeitrag
. ..
What do you think is a reasonable admission fee to a one day quilt show
that has approximately 100 quilts, 4 or 5 vendors, a small quilt
auction... your basic quilt show.

I've been searching and searching the web -- and see things from $2 to $10
(which seems really high to me!)

We have our first planning meeting for our very first quilt show on
Saturday morning and I'm trying to get some information pulled together.
One is a budget.

Not ever having had one before -- I have NO IDEA how you go about
estimating how many people you might expect?

This will be a real learning experience.

Any other ideas you might want to share with me to help me prep for this
first meeting would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks in advance!!!!

--
Kate in MI
http://community.webshots.com/user/K_Groves


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We charge $5 for ours over 200 quilts and two days....
Everyone loves the door prizes, free demos that are offered on Sundays
covering everything from prairie points, to free motion quilting, and
we also have a booth set up for guild members to sell items to the
public (the guild takes a percentage of the sale price). Another BIG
moneymaker for us is our raffle quilt, in our state you have to apply
for a license as a nonprofit org. but sometimes another organization
will take you under their wing......
For years we had our show at the church of one of our members,and
their youth group sold lunch.....Now we are in middle school which
costs LOTS and so we have started charging more. We have in the past
done afabric challenge, local shop donated fabric and we made up kits
that we sold from $3-$5, some years were more successful than others.
WE also award handmade ribbons for first, second, and third place
winners, THESE are treasured and coveted by the winners, they are
little works of art....
Last year we offered, Walk in classes, no pre registration, Make and
Take classes taught by guild members that were $10 each and you came
away with a project and a new technique. Penstitch applique, beginning
quilting, hand applique, hand quilting, three dimensional applique.
These were quite successful. all supplies were donated by local
vendors and so they got a plug in all our advertising....This takes
some organization and forethought, if you are interested, it is best
to have one person in charge of this alone so all suppplies and tools
are on hand....
Mauvice in central WI

Any other ideas you might want to share with me to help me prep for this
first meeting would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks in advance!!!!

--
Kate in MIhttp://community.webshots.com/user/K_Groves

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We just had our 2 day show this past weekend. We don't charge admission
but have a quilt and a basket of donated quilting goodies to raffle off.
We make enough money from that to pay for the hall rental and other
costs and still have money to give to a charity.
Allison

Kate G. wrote:
What do you think is a reasonable admission fee to a one day quilt show that
has approximately 100 quilts, 4 or 5 vendors, a small quilt auction... your
basic quilt show.

I've been searching and searching the web -- and see things from $2 to $10
(which seems really high to me!)

We have our first planning meeting for our very first quilt show on Saturday
morning and I'm trying to get some information pulled together. One is a
budget.

Not ever having had one before -- I have NO IDEA how you go about estimating
how many people you might expect?

This will be a real learning experience.

Any other ideas you might want to share with me to help me prep for this
first meeting would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks in advance!!!!

Just curious (and I'll bet that someone else already suggested it, but I
didn't get that post!), but does your area have any tourist-y type events or
attractions??

I ask because for next year's quilt show, we're thinking of pairing it up
with a boat show or fishing tourney (our version of local tourist-y type
stuff) ... that way, the wives can hit the QShow and the menfolk can hit the
fishing or boat show -- men are more likely to drive an hour or two if they
know that there'll be something for THEM to do and see and more wives are
likely to come if they can leave the driving to the hubbies!!

We did this a few years shy with another guild I belonged to ... in our
case, we paired it up with a local crab-eating event ... we brought in three
times as many people as we had in prior years!!

--
Connie :-)
FREE patterns n' FREE eZine at my blog:
http://sewverycreative.blogspot.com

"Kate G." wrote in message
. ..
What do you think is a reasonable admission fee to a one day quilt show
that
has approximately 100 quilts, 4 or 5 vendors, a small quilt auction...
your
basic quilt show.

I've been searching and searching the web -- and see things from $2 to $10
(which seems really high to me!)

We have our first planning meeting for our very first quilt show on
Saturday
morning and I'm trying to get some information pulled together. One is a
budget.

Not ever having had one before -- I have NO IDEA how you go about
estimating
how many people you might expect?

This will be a real learning experience.

Any other ideas you might want to share with me to help me prep for this
first meeting would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks in advance!!!!

--
Kate in MI
http://community.webshots.com/user/K_Groves


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On May 2, 10:44*am, "Kate G." wrote:
Some great ideas there! *Thanks much!

When my guild runs a quilt show (every few years) we do it at a church
where we have many of our functions (pot luck, classes, quilt show --
this church is not our regular meeting place, but we use their
facility about 2-3 times a year). We charge $5. admission for our
quilt show. Even members volunteering and working at the show pay
admission fee.
We put the quilts draped over the pews in the sanctuary and hanging
from the balcony. It looks very pretty that way, and we save the
expense of renting quilt frames for hanging.
The church hall is used for the vendors and the food service. The
ladies from the church womens organization organize a lovely lunch
(soup, salad, sandwiches, snacky things, deserts and coffee/tea/
soda). They serve the food and clean up the kitchen afterwards. THEY
Make the profit from the food service (they benefit and so do we).
Vendors pay for the space they utilize (we provide 2 or 3 chairs and
tables and electricity for them), somthing like $50 or $75. They
also are asked to give a $20-$25 value door prize. We've only once
ever had a vendor NOT be willing to provide a door prize (and we have
not asked them to return as a result).
We also have a teacup auction. We have members donate stuff, both
quilty and non-quilty for the teacup auction. A commitee works
together ahead of time and they make baskets of these goodies and wrap
them. Each basket is put on display with a coffee can next to it.
People buy tickets (I think we do 20 tickets for $5?) and they put
those tickets from the roll into the can of the prizes they would like
to win. At the specified time (half hour before the end of the event,
usually) the tickets for the prizes are pulled. Winners that are not
present are notified to pick up later. At our last event, the teacup
auction cleared over $600.

Our quilt show had about 200 quilts and 10-15 vendors and we charged $5 and
over 80 got in free. The parking was free and guild members got in free.

--
Donna in NE La.
"Kate G." wrote in message
. ..
What do you think is a reasonable admission fee to a one day quilt show
that has approximately 100 quilts, 4 or 5 vendors, a small quilt
auction... your basic quilt show.

I've been searching and searching the web -- and see things from $2 to $10
(which seems really high to me!)

We have our first planning meeting for our very first quilt show on
Saturday morning and I'm trying to get some information pulled together.
One is a budget.

Not ever having had one before -- I have NO IDEA how you go about
estimating how many people you might expect?

This will be a real learning experience.

Any other ideas you might want to share with me to help me prep for this
first meeting would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks in advance!!!!

--
Kate in MI
http://community.webshots.com/user/K_Groves


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