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Hey all,
I've been invited to display my instruments at a guitar show this summer.
They are lining up performers and time spots to demonstrate my instruments' capabilities.

Having never done this before, I wonder if anyone could comment on what I might expect.
It is a two day show Saturday-Sunday in August.
Concert following the show on Sunday.

Given those parameters, what might be a better time spot? Friday? Sat? Early? Afternoon?

I have no idea what to expect.

Thanks,
Dave

FWIW -
I have attended a few shows, never exhibited....I work during the week at the day job, so Saturday would be the day I would attend a show, and probably in the afternoon after chores and such are done. The few local shows I've been to seemed to follow that pattern and got busier from say lunch to 3:00 and then fell off a bit....

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Mitch

Mitch, I messed up
It is a Saturday/Sunday thing
Time spots run until 3PM

I still go on Saturday - Sunday is for family - or golf....

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Mitch

I have worked at home and garden, car, fashion and other shows, and predicting attendance is near impossible. Everything from sporting and other events to the weather forecast can influence it. there is no good way of telling far in advance, and even a few days before can be tricky because you just never know what may ensue. Even the events within the show and how it is advertised can dictate who shows up when and for what.

Sunday is when your wife makes you do what you put off on Saturday. You may have less spending money on Sunday after splurging on Saturday. If you spaced going on Saturday, you can always still go on Sunday. You didn't know there was a show, but found out late on Saturday, so you go on Sunday See what I mean, just no way to tell.

If the instruments will be judged, then at least your chances are the same for that part, and I wish you the best.

3 pm, may just be when people really start showing up on both days! Many musicians are night folk.

It may help to pick the brains of others who have worked that show in years past, what their experience is, and you may just find news clippings from past years for comparison. Attendance is almost always reported.

Good luck!

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If what you see is what you get, then Stevie Wonder ain't got nothin'!

You will meet some interesting people who are curious about how things work, some eccentric science-minded folks who are fun to talk to, and you might even meet a potential customer (but don't count on it).
You will also meet a few weird people who will say things that will make you want to physically hurt them. Don't. It will all be over soon and they will go somewhere else and drive someone else crazy. Pretend you are playing poker, don't show any emotion.

Good luck Dave. I had planned to do that show too but a family reunion got in the way. Looks like a great event and I think Tim Reede has done a very professional job putting it together.
Terry

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It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

I try to take one of my good sounding used guitars for a playing sample, and a beautiful new one for looking at.
Either that, or expect to have scratched up new guitars by the end of the weekend.

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https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008907949110

At the Northwest Musical Instrument Exhibit, the past four years seemed to have had the best attendance early/mid afternoon on Saturday (thought this show opens to the public at noon). Demo attendance seems to drop off around 3 PM. Sunday is slower, fortunately, more time to chat and visit, plus a bit quieter.

Good luck, and have fun!

Pat

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formerly known around here as burbank
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

That is always of big concern. It is not uncommon to see signs stating: No belt buckles, finger rings, bracelets...hard items of any kind near the instruments please!

Pretty sad when you have to tell someone to remove their belt to try out your source of income, and you get lip for it.

I have seen belt guards for sale somewhere, and little fabric covers for finger rings (cut up some old gloves).

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If what you see is what you get, then Stevie Wonder ain't got nothin'!

I think it may be useful to bring along a couple aprons for use trying out an instrument. Maybe a simple stool as well. Depending on how much junk you want to tote - you may also think of a floor mat or two. Especially if someone drops an instrument of sets it down hard.

I would also bring along unscented baby wipes and some soft cloths for wipe downs... It's not unheard of that someone has terrible technique and ends up breaking a nail or cutting a finger somehow. Not to mention super sweaty people in muscle shirts. You want provision to quickly wipe that up and get it clean/sanitized if needed.

I think the idea of used instruments for playing samples is a good one.... Not everyone there is exceptionally careful with playing technique. It doesnt hurt so bad if it's already got a few dings on it.