Need Info -- Bead Shows
This past weekend I attended a small bead/jewelry show on the gulf
coast. While it was small, it whetted my appetite for another bigger
show.
Can any of you suggest more well known shows that would be worthwile? I
do have a sales tax license and all that jazz in order to get into a
wholesale show.
Any information on what's good to bring to a show of this kind would
also be great. I'm not sure if vendors still require minimum purchases
at these sort of shows. In fact, I don't know anything about these
types of shows.
You didn't say where on the Gulf Coast you were, but the International
Gem and Jewelry shows have dates in Houston, New Orleans and Ft. Lauderdale.
They usually advertise in Lapidary Journal, or ck out their site at
www.intergem.net.
They usually have a retail section and a wholesale section, admission is $5-6,
but if you put your name on the vendors' mailing lists, (as well as Intergem's)
you end up w/ free passes. (I usually have about 8!) For the wholesale
section, bring your tax cert (not just the number, the certificate or a Xerox)
and a biz card or some other biz paperwork - letterhead, etc.
How big this show is depends on the city -not every vendor does every show -
but plan on at least 3 hours to see everything - more if you want to shop
seriously. This is the only show of this type I attend, but have never had
anyone mention a minimum purchase. Usually you can't buy just one bead, but
even that is not written in stone.