Make a plan!
Having a plan in place will better prepare you for a successful show. This will include your travel to and from the show, the show’s location, loading and set up times, show contact’s phone numbers, and a list of what you need to bring. Will you be staying at the Gold Coast Hotel & Casino? Make sure your room is booked in advance. This is Las Vegas, and there are always a number of shows and events happening throughout the city so rooms book up fast and increase in price therefore, please use our block code, IMOB25C
Secure your travel.
Make sure you book the proper dates for your travel, whether you are driving or flying. Booking in advance will ensure you the best rates and availability. There is not a shuttle service that runs back and forth from the airport to the Hotels so you will be responsible for transportation to the Hotel. We suggest Taxi, Uber, or Lyft for convenient transportation for under $20.
Pre-stage your table.
Staging your table ahead of time will allow you to see how you plan to set up your table. This will give you an idea of which items you will want to bring, how to best display them, and allow you to price your items accordingly. Are you plan on using lighting? Amazon and IKEA are two great resources for inexpensive table lighting. Deliver to the show for ease. Properly lighting your pieces on your table is not only helpful to customers admiring the details of your work, but it helps create interest to your table set up and contributes to the overall show experience. Also, make sure you have a clean table covering if we don’t provide one that will fit the size table you ordered. IMoMA may supply black table coverings for the show. Keep in mind you don’t need a jam packed table to make good $.
Packing your items.
Properly packing your items is extremely important. You want to make sure they are packed and ready for travel, easy to identify, and ready for display. Dealing with broken items is never fun, but it does happen. You may also want to bring a small repair kit in order to address any broken items. You can get free packing material from contacting local retail stores and letting the manager know that you are interested in their discarded packaging. This includes small boxes, paper, bubble wrap, foam peanuts, etc.
Get to know your neighbors!
Introduce yourself. Your neighbors/fellow vendors will be integral to helping answer any questions you may have while you are setting, up, and during the show. IMoMA will have volunteers walking around and assisting vendors and buyers alike, but we encourage everyone to get to know their neighbors. Especially if you are travelling alone without a helper.
Pricing your items.
Pricing items can be difficult for newcomers. Finding the sweet spot between pricing too low, or too high can be intimidating. The time and expense that goes into creating an item varies on the level of detail put into each piece. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us.
Bring a payment device.
There are several types of payment device you can use. PayPal, Square, Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, are the most popular. You will need to have an account set up to use these devices. You’re welcome to get/print a Table top QR code from any payment provider above for free so guests can easily scan to reach your payment page. Payment Machines work well in the room, and use either WiFi or your Cellular Data from your Mobile phone. You may also want to bring some cash in the form of smaller bills and some loose change. Many buyers prefer to use cash, but there are just as many who prefer to use credit cards.
Engage with your buyers.
This is really important, especially if you are new. This may be as simple as a smile, saying hello, or introducing yourself as the artisan. Many of the buyers are seasoned, and they are always looking for new items to collect. They are always excited to see new artisans/vendors, and enjoy asking questions about their work. These are how commissions are set up, and long lasting artisan/client relationships are born!
Lastly, HAVE FUN!