I went for my podcast and not as a vendor selling anything, I was so sad for all the vendors. We interviewed most of the guests and vendors and have 82 interviews total, if that tells you anything about turnout. We went out to interview the “line” Saturday before the doors opened, there were about 20 people. I just want to echo so much of what Yelena said. A lot of contest entries were mislabeled, a Caucasian baby won 2nd place ethnic, a prototype baby was labeled beginner reborn and I recognized several from social media as well. The Yophi children won several of the categories. The best babies had no tags and one had the artists logo on a prop, her baby won first place and her booth was near the contest table so you could clearly see her logo on both. Communication was non-existent and sales were very bad. The show was pretty much totally empty on Sunday and I got a chance to talk to a lot of vendors, the vast majority had not sold a single baby all weekend. Several had listed their show babies online Saturday afternoon and sold a few that way. A few had sold to other vendors. The only tables that seemed to do really well were ones selling reborn supplies to vendors. There was no mic system so you couldn’t hear announcements, raffles, etc… and as Yelena said all the babies and people looked yellow/orange. In talking to vendors only 2 said they might come back next year. I had a good time meeting people and seeing friends, but would have been devastated had I gone as a vendor for selling instead of documenting and networking.
I want to thank everyone that came on here and shared with transparency. It helps those of us make informed decisions about what we want to participate in.
It was nice to meet you in person, Emma.
You too!
From what I understand about shows, they have to sell out their room blocks to fulfill part of their show contracts to get the show discounted rates. I don’t know what happens if they don’t sell them all. Then there is the revenue they get from selling tickets to all the events as well as the show itself. With such low attendance they could have suffered there. While they may have made money on the booth cancellations that paid and did not get refunded, I wonder how they could have made enough money to cover the show otherwise? It takes a lot of revenue to even break even on a doll show for those putting it on. Certainly a lot of vendors lost money this year it seems. It is too sad that things were not well attended.
Mostly negative things to say unfortunately…and all are show organization related. The lack of communication and blame of everything on the hotel and personal issues was so unprofessional.
I was reached out to by the host to be apart of the team not long after registrations opened. They loved all I could bring to the show with my ideas and games. I agreed to be of assistance and take a role as an Ambassador to communicate and promote. When it came down to discussing things, and providing with information to help they barely responded… I made many advances to be a team player and help where I can with providing answers and directing guests questions. I would reach out notifying them of concerns or issues that would arise. When I would get a response it was with blame of something or someone else. Basic questions and needs that should have been addressed during venue contract agreement, could not be answered. I would be inboxed by vendors and guests asking for help as they too can not get a response from host or a clear answer to things.
Months of this went on…we as vendors were not given proper guidance, information or anything of importance on time. Getting information or our banners to promote the show, and help our guests was frustrating, the show floor map was a total mess and vendors numbers were incorrect or missing in total, even after the host asking us several times to fill out forms (after contract*) providing them with our vendor information and table numbers this went on up until 1-2 weeks before show…
During arrival there was major confusion for vendors to set-up. No communication or response to the many pleas for help in navigating the venue for drop off of booth displays and items. It took some over 2hrs with the help of each other to figure out and get set up in time. When asking the hotel for assistance, most of the time they couldn’t provide us with the information needed. One MAJOR issue for the show was the lighting… The whole showroom was orange or areas super dark, making booths look uninviting with the black curtains surrounding. All dolls appeared to have a mild spray tan…
Most vendors are in agreement to not return to such treatment. While I understand sales are always never guareteed, the attendance was very low, but as always the show was beautiful BECAUSE of the vendors. I enjoyed my time with the few guests we had, and fellow artists. One thing hosts need to remember is the vendors are the reason shows are spectacular, it’s their hard work and dedication through the B.S to still turn up and wow people. No amount of love or care is ever set aside due to inconveniences or inkling of low turn out. Things go wrong with any event. It is to be expected, but there was a lack of consideration for basic vendor needs, shipping information to be an example or where/when to send vendor donations is hard to overlook. We tried our best to support the show, but our hands were tied, as we were restricted on timely information.
The respect and preparation vendors put into each and every show, should be acknowledged and their happiness should be a priority, because without our vendors dedication we have no shows to enjoy.
It saddens me at the thought of possibly losing yet another show, but I don’t know how we can come back from this experience, and trust in participating in another event. Unless a professional organizer gets involved, or a hired communications persons, it’s going to take a lot of good friends in attendance for me to go back.
Our support for each other and community will always be worth the headaches for me.
I 100% agree with everything you said with the exception of the hotel assistance. That hotel is HUGE, Conference floor is GIGANTIC, and there are so many big corporate conferences going on at the same time every day. Hotel people can’t possibly know and assist with all of that and they should not.
It’s the responsibility of the organizers.
Oh I definitely agree with you. To clarify, the statement was never to blame the hotel or staff. Just to address how they could not help us with event information.