Hosting my first show next year..need input!

[Inam]

Okay, so I am planning on hosting my first show next year! North Florida Live is the name that I've been thinking about. Since I haven't been showing long myself, I'd love to get pro-showers input on some things that you'd like to see or things you'd like to change about shows you've been to.

I've already thought of prizes; let me know what you think!

1st - 6th place: Flat Ribbons
Champ/Reserve: Rosettes
Top 10: Metals
Overall Grand Champion: Crystal Trophy (laser etched "North Florida Live Grand Champion 2013")


so please....give me pointers!

[Inam]

crap...this was put into the wrong section. Can a Mod move it? sorry

[jjbreyer]

Well, you might want to look at the cost for all that first and figure out if you can afford it all without having a crazy high entry fee. You'll need to look at halls as well, which can vary from $200 to $1200 depending on where you are (that's just here in VT, not sure about your area). Make sure they include tables/chairs in the rental fee, not all places do and will get you on that end as well.

I personally like Hodges Badge company for the ribbons and such (and they do it ALL including trophies). Personally, I like rossetts over trophies, but I don't really have a good spot to set out trophies. And all my folks old horse showing trays and stuff were always stuck in the closet until mom brought them out for my prom dinner. =)

Go to www.regionxnation.com and at the bottom of the page there's an article on first time show holding and what to expect. My personal biggest advice, don't freak when you don't get a lot of enteries at first. It's been my experiance that most showers send in their entries at the last minute (read week before they are due). Which of course as a show holder totally freaks you out!

I personally wouldn't count on raffles to help cover your cost. That should be bonus money because you never know what you'll get for donations and what it will draw in.

Find out what the average show in your area totals for showers. Then figure out if it's a longer drive for most of those people, closer, in the middle? This will affect attendance averages. I don't know what the "average" distance for people to drive to shows down there, but here in Reg. X quite a few only have to drive a max of 2 hours (if that) to get to the main show location in our region. So shows outside of that area tend to have a much lower turn out. The desire to drive 4+ hours for a show here isn't as high. Not that people don't do it (I'm one that does, for 3 -4 shows a year and I know a few that do 6+ hours for the same number of shows), but some find it easier to skip a "further" show and just go to another local one later in the year.

Those would be some basic tips from my end.

OH - and around here we tend to do "paper flats" which can be a little cheaper the satin flats. Just the cost of paper, ink, and a night cutting away.

[bonnieboo12]

Come south!!! . I will help you.