Building a better small con: What vendors and organizers can do to engage more people
Smaller comic conventions do not have the crowds of the big three: San Diego, New York and Salt Lake. This means that vendors and artists have to work harder to earn more money, but the vendors do not have to work as hard to be seen since there are generally fewer vendors.
Opening to Everyone
Unfortunately, these smaller crowds can make sitting at a convention somewhat less than rewarding, and when it becomes unprofitable, vendors will pack up and leave. This is bad for people who like to buy there items at the end of a convention as choice diminishes and favorite vendors leave.
One way to help the vendors stay open is to open up the convention to the general public on the last day in the last two hours. If advertised correctly, this could lead to more shoppers on the convention floor, which should translate into more sales for vendors. Opening up at the end of a convention for everyone may also mean more people attending the next convention when those who come in for shopping realize a few of the things that cons have to offer.
Making the Best Booth
Vendors who want to attract the most people to their booths should have something of interest, and the booth should change throughout the convention. The Evermore group did a great job of this because they had actors in different costumes at different times – violet eyed women holding snakes during some hours, steampunk man during others and a large, talking bird statue at still later times.
Not every vendor can do this, but with a little planning every vendor can create an area that changes and generates interest from those who have been around the floor a couple of times. Not showing everything at once and switching the display around, announcing a big reveal of a new book or piece of art or creating something that changes on its own, or through a trick of the light could help generate more interest.
Vendors might also set up a place to do their art while at the convention. Creation is a powerful draw. By doing art during the convention, the artist will be able to continue to increase his or her inventory while generating interest for the booth. This will work best for those that can complete a piece of art in a day or sooner. It will also work best for those who have someone who can play the salesperson role.
In the end, every con wants its vendors to be successful. Most convention organizers are geeks with great recruitment skills who want to see the nerd life spread. Smaller cons offer local people the opportunity to show and sell their art, which enriches their communities.
Opening to Everyone
Unfortunately, these smaller crowds can make sitting at a convention somewhat less than rewarding, and when it becomes unprofitable, vendors will pack up and leave. This is bad for people who like to buy there items at the end of a convention as choice diminishes and favorite vendors leave.
One way to help the vendors stay open is to open up the convention to the general public on the last day in the last two hours. If advertised correctly, this could lead to more shoppers on the convention floor, which should translate into more sales for vendors. Opening up at the end of a convention for everyone may also mean more people attending the next convention when those who come in for shopping realize a few of the things that cons have to offer.
Making the Best Booth
Vendors who want to attract the most people to their booths should have something of interest, and the booth should change throughout the convention. The Evermore group did a great job of this because they had actors in different costumes at different times – violet eyed women holding snakes during some hours, steampunk man during others and a large, talking bird statue at still later times.
Not every vendor can do this, but with a little planning every vendor can create an area that changes and generates interest from those who have been around the floor a couple of times. Not showing everything at once and switching the display around, announcing a big reveal of a new book or piece of art or creating something that changes on its own, or through a trick of the light could help generate more interest.
Vendors might also set up a place to do their art while at the convention. Creation is a powerful draw. By doing art during the convention, the artist will be able to continue to increase his or her inventory while generating interest for the booth. This will work best for those that can complete a piece of art in a day or sooner. It will also work best for those who have someone who can play the salesperson role.
In the end, every con wants its vendors to be successful. Most convention organizers are geeks with great recruitment skills who want to see the nerd life spread. Smaller cons offer local people the opportunity to show and sell their art, which enriches their communities.