This coming Sunday I’m doing something I’ve never done before. I have rented table space at the Gratiot Valley Train Show. I would like you all to stop by and see my display which will be titled “Dream Layouts by Engineer Kyle”
I don’t exactly know what I’m doing, so I am asking you all for any advice you can give. Please take a moment to read my plan listed below, and share with me any ideas you might have that will lead to a successful and satisfying day.
1.) I’ve taken the 17 modules (structures and scenery) that are not glued down off my layout. I’ll display them on the table. I must come up with some type of lightweight shelf structure that I can put on the table so I can get the pieces on three levels. I have yards of black cloth I can use to dress things up.
2.) Each piece will be accompanied by a couple of 8x10 glossies that will show how they look on the layout.
I should have added I’ve been a visitor to this show several times. It seems there are thousands of people walking through, but you’d never know MR is a “Rich Man’s Hobby” based on most of the clientel I’ve seen there. Very few people seem to be buying anything, more like a cheap way to spend a sunday afternoon.
I have done a few craft shows and your basic concept sounds fine. Two concerns:
Keeping a 10 year old interested will be a challenge. I would arrange for a way for him/her to go home early if necesary. Fighting with an unhappy child does not add to the demonstration.
Sparying adhesive for the trees could be a polution problem. There will be people at the show alergic to the smell, what ever adhesive you choose. I do not know how I might solve that.
I do know that people will love to watch you work. Your simple tasks will look like magic to them. Good luck.
That is exactly the same impression I get at this show and others in our area. Many in the attendance are families looking for a day out. They want to take the kids to “see the trains”. If it generates interest in the hobby that is great, we need all the help we can get. But your right, few of these folks will buy much of anything. The stupid prices vendors are asking are also a part of it.
Make sure you have a sign that makes it clear that your items are for display only and not for sale. Even when I bring my whole layout to a show, at least 2 people per hour ask me how much I’m selling it for.
Make sure someone you know is watching the table at all times (so you can take potty/coffee breaks).
Be courteous and professional. By that I mean communicate clearly (speak a little more slowly than you would to your friends) and use a slightly exaggerated annunciation. Also, dress is important. I tend to be wary at a show of the model railroaders who dress like rodeo clowns with pins and vests and hats and such. I typically dress in an embroidered PRR shirt (long or short sleeve) and khakis, with an embroidered PRR hat and a nice name tag.
I did a train show with items for sale. It was a great experience and I sold tons of stuff, at bargain prices, that I had purchased at an estate sale. I made lots of money and the customers were thrilled. Everyone likes to think they got a deal, and they did.
The tier (table) approach would work great for you. It allows people to see without having to touch. People will want to touch. It is part of the whole trainshow/shopping thing. All you can do is keep it to a minimum. I found that milk crates (my wife happened to have a bunch) and wooden boards were perfect. They helped could carry things to the show and then become the tiers with the milkcrates as pillars and the boards spanning the gaps. You could also use cardboard boxes and boards. The boxes would be your pillars and span the gap with boards. The problem with the cardboard is that they are really light and easily bumped aside. On the other hand you could construct the boxes at the show and toss them afterwards. Either way would work well and no one would know because of your black cloth cover.
He is a very mature and helpful ten year old. He can bring his homework.
I’ve thought about the spray, and I think hairspray would be the least offensive. I’ll let people make them until somebody complains… and I’ll make sure I have lots of completed trees to give out if I get shut down.
I also think I’ll put price tags on the pieces after all.