ACRE -- Las Vegas

We just recently did the ACRE show in Las Vegas. This wholesale crafts event was a first time show; there were a lot of uncertainies going into it. The show lived up to its hype--the quality of exhibitors was fantastic. Buyers who did not attend missed a great opportunity to see crafts up close and personal. ACRE was produced by WholesaleCrafts.com; an online web site where retailers can view and buy crafts.

For us, the trip was a renewal of road trips to a show. We had not driven to a show for some time. I have to admit, the trip down I-5 is not too interesting after 20+ previous trip. (we often travel to the desert of So. California to visit Bill's Mother.) But traveling east from Bakersfied, and seeing the sky filled with wind turbines was a view we enjoyed. We also enjoyed a side trip to Hoover Dam.

The ACRE show did not draw the number of buyers to be a Great Show. It was still fantastic, and as the show ages, I feel buyers will realize it is a premier show for American Crafts. It offers west coast exhibitors and buyers an great opportunity to display/see proffessional crafts in their own territory, and doesn't mean a cross-continent trip. And those from the Midwest and East Coast found it an easy plane trip to Las Vegas.

The show promotor, Nancy Vince, and her wonderful staff did a super job in staging this show. The show decorarator, Champion, was also great to work with. If I were to hand out report cards, they would all have A's and be on the Dean's list.

One of the thoughts we had while making our way to the show was that we probable wouldn't know many people. But we were wrong--old friends were everywhere--in the hotel, in the restaurants, at the show. Bill Frasier from DSA was there to expedite freight movement for many of his clients. Michael Nurot (glassblower) brought us a "spare" vase to display on a pedestal. We saw buyers we had seen in Feburary in Philadelphia and also many who we had not seen for some time--like Bob from Moonstones in Cambria CA. And we made numerous new friends and received orders from galleries in areas we had no current customers. Overall, the show was a success!

Our trip home was via Nevada City CA. We had made arrangements with Mowen Solinsky Gallery to leave a vast majority of our samples at their gallery. Nevada City was charming; the gallery was beautiful; our tables and boxes found a wonderful new home. We drove the rest of the way home with an almost empty van.

I hope the word gets out--ACRE was a great show! We've reserved our spot for next year. And I'm going to see if I can make WholesaleCrafts.com a better selling tool for us.