Wanart at AmericasMart Atlanta July 18, 2009 02:01 1 Comment
Just got back this week from the Atlanta Gift Show - I was not originally planning to do this show this year but my friend Meredith Lee of The Rare Orchid (www.therareorchid.com) was going to do the show and asked me if I wanted to share with her. She is one of the hardest working people that I know and has a passion for her work that I admire and can relate to. I met her on the tradeshow circuit about a year ago and since then we have become good friends. I found an amazing deal on Orbitz and we stayed in Buckhead at the Atlanta Buckhead Hotel for like 60 bucks a night! It was only like a 4 minute walk to the MARTA station and then a 20 minute MARTA ride downtown to the convention center. The hotel was in the middle of being renovated but the room was new and clean and even included complementary wi-fi - something an entrepreneur on the road always appreciates!
We used Meredith's booth display since her stuff had to be shipped from California and eventually end up at the New York show in August. We ran into a lot of little bumps when setting up as this was the first time this booth was ever constructed. We even stayed up till 3 in the morning the night before the show started - but the booth turned out beautiful.
The show was just ok for me - I'm not sure if my products really fit the market down there - i saw a lot of flowers, bows and swirls - and TONS of green and pink. I do better at the New York shows in terms of actual sales taken at the show. People who have been doing the show for years say that the January show in Atlanta is MUCH better. I did pick up a bunch of leads and some new customers so we'll see how that all goes. It's a HUGE show - three-buildings large with multiple floors in each building - so it's a bit overwhelming! This was just our building!
Although tradeshows can be exhausting - we did manage to fit in some fun time. I met up with a childhood friend of mine who now happens to live in Atlanta. I've known this girl since the 4th grade and we hadn't seen each other in 5 years! But we got to catch up and also reminisce about old times - we all had a good time - thanks Jackie!
Geisha House in Atlantic Station in Atlanta. Fun decor, creative sushi and good sake selection. Ask for Will (third from left) he is one of Jackie's friends and one of the nicest guys and best waitors ever!
Meredith and I also went out to dinner one night with the guys from Viz Art Glass (www.vizartglass.com)
Atlanta Fish Market in Buckhead
Overall, it was a great trip. Despite a slow show - one thing I do love about tradeshows is that I always get to meet so many creative and passionate people - exhibitors and buyers alike. I am always inspired by the creativity that surrounds me at these shows, from the booth displays to the products, and I always learn so much. It motivates me to keep creating.
We used Meredith's booth display since her stuff had to be shipped from California and eventually end up at the New York show in August. We ran into a lot of little bumps when setting up as this was the first time this booth was ever constructed. We even stayed up till 3 in the morning the night before the show started - but the booth turned out beautiful.
The show was just ok for me - I'm not sure if my products really fit the market down there - i saw a lot of flowers, bows and swirls - and TONS of green and pink. I do better at the New York shows in terms of actual sales taken at the show. People who have been doing the show for years say that the January show in Atlanta is MUCH better. I did pick up a bunch of leads and some new customers so we'll see how that all goes. It's a HUGE show - three-buildings large with multiple floors in each building - so it's a bit overwhelming! This was just our building!
Although tradeshows can be exhausting - we did manage to fit in some fun time. I met up with a childhood friend of mine who now happens to live in Atlanta. I've known this girl since the 4th grade and we hadn't seen each other in 5 years! But we got to catch up and also reminisce about old times - we all had a good time - thanks Jackie!
Geisha House in Atlantic Station in Atlanta. Fun decor, creative sushi and good sake selection. Ask for Will (third from left) he is one of Jackie's friends and one of the nicest guys and best waitors ever!
Meredith and I also went out to dinner one night with the guys from Viz Art Glass (www.vizartglass.com)
Atlanta Fish Market in Buckhead
Overall, it was a great trip. Despite a slow show - one thing I do love about tradeshows is that I always get to meet so many creative and passionate people - exhibitors and buyers alike. I am always inspired by the creativity that surrounds me at these shows, from the booth displays to the products, and I always learn so much. It motivates me to keep creating.
Comments
Joanne on January 5, 2015 15:35
cool! great update!