Back in Feb I sent an email to find out the prices for the Cowal Gathering (http://www.cowalgathering.com/) Touted as the biggest Highland Games in Scotland, over 3 days in August. I got an email this week saying they were prepared to offer me a stall, provide own gazebo etc.
The cost is £300 + VAT, so £345, then there's travel, we can get there each day but it would be another £45 for petrol so it's now £390 or £130 per day before I sell anything. I'm pretty sure I can make more than that per day, I have on several occasions but really do I want to?
I'm sure the footfall at this HG is massive but what happens if I pays the money and I get another awful pitch like at the last show?
Is doing high profile shows worth the money?
Anyone got opinions?

Obviously I have no first hand experience but I know Keilly does some quite hefty events - maybe she'll spot this and be able to offer some pearls of wisdom 

It's difficult to say if it would be good or not but you will have to consider  what the turn out is like and also the demographics, the problem with big investments is the fear of it would go well or not.  just to share a little bit, i did awhile back  and sales from it were not that great as it was more of a 'consciousness'  show, the majority of attendants came for info on greener living etc, however i met a lady who loved my stuff  so much and  took me for her schools fun raiser which has turned great with other projects and also met a journo who is doing some nice things for me. hope this helps with the decision.

Oh Corrie - I think it's one of those things where you may just have to bite the bullet and have a go!! My very first big show was £300+ for 3 days but it was fairly local (about half an hour away) I didn't make that much money but it gave me a buzz and I loved doing the show. I do all the craft events with Living Heritage (12 this year) and they are all at least £300 per show, some of them are 2 hours away and have to camp/B&B so the costs are quite a lot - but I love doing the big shows - they do get the people in the gates and I'd say there are probably between 5,000 upto 20,000 people at some shows - I do sell well at these events but it has taken me 2 years of doing them to suss out what stock to make for these shows, what people buy the most of during what season, an average amount of money taken during the shows, etc. I would much rather do one or two big shows a month now than doing lots of small events and small markets every weekend - I take the same amount of money over 1/2 shows than working lots of small events - and making life a bit easier so I am not so busy making stuff and having the odd weekend off makes a difference.
Corrie - I would go for it, this time of the year people like single items (eg-pots of cream, soaps, lip balms, shower stuff - but from September my table is 70% gift box stuff) I think once you have done a big show and got the buzz you will do lots more and not worry about the table cost - go for it girl

oops - forgot to say aswell - people love offers at these shows - I do 'a buy 4 bars for a tenner, buy 2 bath bags and get a free soap (thats a good one) buy 3 pots of cream for £15'....so if people see a bargain, especially if they have paid quite a bit to get into the show they really appreciate it!!

Go on, have a go... :buttrf:

Keilly, thank you so much for your thoughts/input, I was hoping to hear from you  I will give it some more serious consideration and see if there's any money left in the bank
Great tips there too, thanks 

I have no experience to offer other than a customer - but I agree with Keilly, the special offers sound like a very good marketing tool and in these recessionary times, probably very timely.  I know I love to feel like I'm getting a bargain. 

It might also be good exposure you know? Get more people to know about your brand sort of thing?

If you do decide to go with it, best of luck!

Is it possible to ask the organiser if you can pay a deposit and then pay the remainder on the weekend (after you've taken some cash) I like Living heritage for that - because I've been doing them a while I have got to know the organiser and I just give her a cheque on the weekend - she has that arrangement with quite a few of the crafts people - just incase it's too much money to fork out beforehand?

Definately Honey - I do find I give out hundreds of cards at these events and alot of my internet customers are from these shows - the website stats go right up after one of these big shows - so it does work in lots of ways!! Just check to see if any other soapies there though and ask where you will be in relation to them and the gate - sorry I keep rambling!!

Again, purely as a customer, I agree Keilly - a good position is worth it's weight in gold (not literally unfortunately!) especially if it's a very large show... people will be tired and not want to walk the whole way round so if you get stuck in a place where it's too far from the main stalls, then it could be you'd get less footfall.  I know when I go to these things, we might go off and have a break and maybe not look at every stall.

I was talking to the husband of the lady who makes these soaps on their stand at the sunday Quayside mart in Newcastle. He said they were trying the market as a new venture this season (if you look at the page where the retailers of their soaps are listed you'll see that they have quite a few goodly ones).

However he did say that they have found that when the travel to shows that they get a better turnover from the larger venues (£300ish stall fees) than the smaller ones and often travel to Scottish shows.

Maybe a bit late in replying Corrie - but I would go for it. If you don't do it you won't know what could've been. If it turns out to be rubbish then put it down to experience.

I know it's a lot of money but if I were in your shoes I would try and stretch to it. you never know what contacts you might make whilst your there as well.

I have just done Edale Country day. It was a wash out but I did well. I had two ladies interested in having me at fayres and ladies nights they were organising so it was very worth it for me. I would still have been pleased to go even if I hadn't done very well on my stall. For me it is about networking as well as selling the soaps I love making.

Go out there and show thousands of people what you make and I'll bet you'll get a good return AND make some contacts at the same time!!

Good luck

You know, regarding the expense of some stalls, what about teaming up with someone and sharing a stall?  Maybe not someone who makes similar things to you but I would guess as you get to know other regulars who sell complimentery items, it could open up bigger doors for less money?

Some organisers don't allow shared stalls.