We are planning to visit the show in Sept but a few people have suggested that we should take out a stand as they do a marketplace where our craft stall wouldn't look out of place.  Not planning to do it this year as we simply don't have the money but apparantly you cover your costs if you can get a few wholesale orders ongoing?

Any thoughts into the melting pot would be interesting

I was thinking about it for the spring event

I'm doing a 4 day event with upper street events in Nov, won't be able to tell you how it is till I've done it though, mind you it's retail not wholesale. What sized events are you doing currently?

We exhibit at Top Drawer. Not trying to put you off but investigate the costs very thoroughly.

I don't have the figures to hand (Claire in the office books it) but for a Shell Scheme (that's a space on the floor with three walls, plus probably some lighting) is about £200 to £220 per metre square, plus VAT. So a simple 2 x 2m stand will cost around £1000. Then there are loads of hidden costs  - for instance if you want a pallet unloaded by forklift, it's about £50 per pallet. If you need storage for empty boxes (after you have merchandised your stand for example - you'll need somewhere to store your empties unless you can get them in your van), then that's another £200ish. Forgotten a table and need to hire one..........sheesh! It would have been cheaper to buy one (or three even!)

It all adds up very quickly indeed. You'll need hundreds of brochures and price lists as people will expect to take these on with them even if they don't place an order. If you live in London it's not too bad but if you have to travel in and stay in a hotel that costs a fortune!

Top Drawer is one of the "nicer" shows to do in my opinion. We have a regular stand slot but I've heard it is quite hard to get into as it is normally fully sold and they "choose" which brands can appear. It's quite an exclusive show and if I were to start a high end gift shop or home store it would be top of my list to visit as a buyer.

Our stand costs about £4000, plus accommodation for four nights for two people, plus van hire, damages to stock, forklift and storage etc etc. I reckon it costs between £6000 and £7000 (plus VAT) for us to do a show with 8 x 2m or 6 x 3m stand.  In terms of orders, we probably just about break even in terms of profit made but there is also the added value of PR etc and we hope that new customers will repeat.

Top Drawer is a good show, but just bear in mind that it's not as simple as you think to break even on the show when everything is taken into account. Just my advise from having done a TD for a few years.

Richard, did I see your name down for the RDS this year?

Eire

wow - I didn't think it would be THAT much. I think I leave this for another couple of years...

Thanks Richard. I would find this far too scary at this point in time and wouldn't be ready for it. I think I try something a bit smaller first.

Errr, maybe. Is that the show in Ireland?? In which case, we are kind of there - our Irish sales agents are representing us and they have a stand there with our products on.

If it's not the Irish one, I'd be interested to hear what the RDS show is? Not really heard of it before!:-)

Madpiano, if you think Top Drawer is expensive you should try the NEC Autumn/Spring Fair!

I reckon by the time we're all done with everything, the Autumn Fair will cost us £40,000 for our stand in Hall 5. But it is pretty mahoosive (about 80m2).

We've got another one in Hall 4 this year for our new candles. Just seen the stand that we're putting up and it looks lovely. But the floor space is 8m wide by 1m deep. So I think I'll have to breath in for most of the show as our displays are about 50cm deep on their own. Looks like we'll be standing in the aisles!

 :mwaha: you will have to go on a diet before the fair  :buttrf:

One day, I will have a stall there....

Jings! I've lived in flats that weren't 80m2 and they didn't cost £40,000  :mwaha:
BIG stuff
Makes my lowly 2 x1 look titchy, but it's a start 

To make matters worse, some bright spark in the office has decided that we will wear black shirts (which I very much approve of)  but they have done the BC logo in PINK!!!

And worse than that, the collars on the shirts look like something even Harry Hill would think twice about. Armani, they are not!

RDS - Royal Dublin Society, in Ballsbridge, Dubin. Yep, it's a show in Ireland.

Eire

I'm sure you'll look very fetching - just remember to co-ordinate your blusher and lippy with the pink on the shirt!

Hi Eire,

Yes, that's the one our Irish sales agents will be displaying our products at.

Lovely couple............husband and wife team!

Whoa that's alot of money Richard!!! Maybe one day eh?