Naples Invitational 2007

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" background="05bfd5a3.jpg"> <div> <B>Naples Invitational Art Festival 2007</B></div> <div> <B>6260 N.W. 19 Street, Sunrise, Fl. 33313 Toll Free 1-877-512-3333    Email: </B><A HREF="mailto:mike@mikealbin.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:mike@mikealbin.com"><U><B>mike@mikealbin.com</B></U></A></div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFCC66" TEXT="#080000" background="05cd2043.jpg"> <bR> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mike Albin.Com "><U>Mike Albin.Com </U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="wd.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Web design"><U>Web design</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="ma.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Marketing Articles"><U>Marketing Articles</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="sr.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Show Reviews"><U>Show Reviews</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="mt.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Marketing Tools"><U>Marketing Tools</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="l.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links"><U>Links</U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#DDDDDD" TEXT="#080000"> <div> January 27-28, Naples Invitational Art Festival, Fleischmann Park, Naples, Fl. Contact: Jill Spanbauer, (cq) P.O. Box 955, Naples, Fl. 34106-0955. Email: naplesedenfest02@aol.com Ph. 239-263-1667. App. Fee: 35.00, booth fee: 395.00, space size 10x10 with 18 inches between tents. Admission: 3.00</div> <div> This show has more community support and involvement than any show we do.  The excitement and enthusiasm by the staff, volunteers and the patrons are obvious from the time you check in till the time you are packing up.  This is our second year for doing this show and its been awhile since we've gone to a show with this much anticipation.  </div> <div> Setup is the day before, well organized and laid back.  There's a parking lot close by with some dollying required for most booths.  This year we had a fantastic spot, a corner booth right at the entrance to the show!  </div> <div> Saturday the weather was perfect, sunny and temps in the upper 70's,  The forecast for Sunday was not as good so we were hoping to have a strong showing of sales on Saturday.  </div> <div> Sunday the weather didn't turn out as bad as was predicted, some minor rain in the morning but very windy all day.  Crowds were strong both days but buying was down for most artists we spoke with, including us.  We had had a well above average show here last year, this year we sold only two pieces and ended up with about half of what we totaled last year leaving us with a slightly below average sales total.  A glass artist reported sales about a third of what he had made last year for a well below average total.  One painter reported a slightly below average total, another painter reported getting shut out completely, a wood worker reported well below average sales and a metal worker also reported below average sales.  I spoke with two sculptors, one reported no sales for the two days, the other reported slightly below average totals.  </div> <div> Not sure what the problem with sales were this weekend but we will definitely be back again next year to try again.  The quality of art here is very good and treatment of the artists is tops.  The only complaint I heard from a few artists is the lay out is a bit confusing.  One artist commented that instead of passing out business cards to potential buyers, he was giving out boxes of bread crumbs so patrons could find his booth again!   </div> <div> Breakdown was fast and easy, the parking lot was a bit hectic but most managed ok.  Again a dolly was a necessity here so bring a good one.  </div> <div> Naples is an area with a very upscale crowd.  Most of the patrons here have multiple homes so be prepared to offer shipping.  Price is usually not a problem here with big expensive items going early and often.  The Naples Invitational Art fest is one of the premier art shows in the area and there are many art shows in this area.  This is one of only a few shows I would recommend to artists to drive across country to do.  The potential for sales, big sales are here!</div> </td> </tr></table></body>