[Hamfest] New to the list needing suggestions

Mon, 22 Mar 2004 21:47:44 -0600

> Hello list, We have a local swapmeet that I'm involved in and we just had
> our 6th annual.> We hold it once a year and it >seems that its doing good,
but I think it> could be better.> If any other members of the list here have
some sugestions I >would appreciate them. ...............
----------------------------------------
Here are my ideas listed, more-or-less, in order of importance:

1. Pick the right Date: Do lots of homework to have as little overlap as
possible with other Hamfest's in your area. I.E.: Don't have your hamfest on
the same weekend, as Dallas or the next big town down the road from you!
(not even the weekend before, or the one after).

2. Have a Hamfest rather than a swapmeet: Comercial vendors and Forums are
the difference in a "Hamfest" and a "Swapmeet". If you want a "Hamfest" you
must have Comercial Vendors and a Forum or two.

3. Advertise: E-mail to local lists, Flyers mailed to surrounding area
clubs, QST mag.(must be ARRL affiliated to advertise in QST I think),
request for your local ARRL section manager to post your hamfest on YOUR
ARRL web site.

4. Don't be greedy--
4A. Don't charge more for tables / spaces OR Entry Tickets than necessary.
It is nice to make a profit for your local club but do it with Quantity, not
high prices.
4B. Don't be skimpy on the door prizes. Usually the Comercial vendors will
either donate door prizes or trade them for their table/space rent. ( Great
advertising for the Vendors when you announce: "This hour's door prize was
donated by XYZ Radio Shop, Thanks Tom...".   (only you and "Tom" have to
know that he traded the door prize for half of his tables))

4C. If Lottery laws are not too strict in your area sell prize tickets.
Either extra chances to win the regular door prizes or Chances to win
seperate door prizes.

4D. Don't cram 100 tables into a room large enough for 80. If there isn't
room to move/shop/visit people aren't happy. Unhappy people don't spend
money. (Besides, if the Fire Dept. or the local ADA Gestapo catch you, you'l
l be changing everything at the last minute anyway.)

4E. Don't have too many of the same type vendor. If you rent spaces to 3
different guys 'printing Call Signs on hats' none of them will make enough
$$$ to want to come back the next year.

5. V.E. Testing: Get a nearby club to handle V.E. testing for you. Maybe
trade the service with them for their Hamfest. (Your  V.E.s will be your
best volunteers  at your Hamfest - You cannot manage a hamfest and handle
V.E. testing at the same time).

6. Have plenty of volunteers to handle the various responsibilities: 3 or 4
old men CANNOT put on a successful hamfest! You need lots of help and some
youth thrown it with it. If there is not enough local help, team up with the
closest nearby club to put on a collective effort. Encourage everyone
working to be friendly! (In Texas that shouldn't be much of a problem.)

7. Have some sort of Consession Stand: Hungry people leave to get lunch and
never make it back. If you can offer them a Sandwich and a Soda they might
stay all day. Even if you have to let a local vending trailer guy park
outside the door for free.

8. Have a P.A. system that can be heard in the whole building: BUT HAVE A CW
MAN FOR AN ANNOUNCER... SSB guys talk way too much.....

Well, I could ramble on and on and on and on....  But these seem to be the
things that come to my mind first and most often.
-------

Agree? Disagree? Got a better / different idea?  Let's hear it..........

73, J. Setcer, N5QJ

----- Original Message -----
From: "Brian K. Gaskamp" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 22, 2004 7:50 PM
Subject: [Hamfest] New to the list needing suggestions

> Hello list, We have a local swapmeet that I'm involved in and we just had
> our 6th annual.
> We hold it once a year and it seems that its doing good, but I think it
> could be better.
>
> If any other members of the list here have some suggestions I would
> appreciate them.
>
> Maybe I can swap ideas with some of you and get some better ideas.
>
> Thanks and 73
>
> Brian
>
> KA5BKG
>
>
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>
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