SPRING FAIR anyone ?

[topbrand]

I went on Tuesday as usual and thought it looked very quiet..Sad that Arquadia Demonfort. Wasington Green etc never turned out. I wonder how many years the Spring Fair has left?

[Grahame Case]

yes topbrand - we were saying things will be going the way of Meet Learn Celebrate of the Framers Forum Live - http://theframersforum.com/events.php


small tradeshows focused solely on framing

[Graysalchemy]

Exhibitors can't warrant the cost of those big shows with an ever decreasing footfall. Washington Green not exhibiting was the real start of the decline. Once they went 5emontford followed both having there own private exhibitions for partner galleries and invited guests.

With the collapse of the print market others went. With gallery clients not going the framing side doesn't warrant such a large expensive show. Unless they can entice the gallery trade back I think it is doomed. And I don't think ther is a cat in hells chance W&G and Demontford coming back.

I don' think arqadia will be loosing any sleep over not going. I think if Lion or Simons pull out then that will be it.

So I think it is up to FF live to carry the flag.

[misterdiy]

I went on Thursday as I wanted to speak with Lion and it was pretty quiet. There seemed to be far more at FF Live than Spring Fair. Last year I went to Focus on Imaging for the first time and that was like the old days. It was rammed.

I honestly think that Art & Framing has had its day at Spring Fair and as Alistair says if either of the other "big two" pulled out then that would be it.

[John Ranes II, CPF, GCF]

I went on Thursday as I wanted to speak with Lion and it was pretty quiet.

Actually Wednesdays and Thursdays (the final two days of the Spring Fair) have always been the quieter of the five day event, even when the Art & Framing section comprised the majority of one full hall in the late 1990's. Sadly this has shrunk to about 1/4 of a hall these past 3-4 years. (I've been to the Spring Fair at least 12 times)

...I honestly think that Art & Framing has had its day at Spring Fair and as Alistair says if either of the other "big two" pulled out then that would be it.

Although two major publishers that both had larger sized stands pullin out had visual impact, I'm not quite sure that it hurt the traffic or the benefits that badly this year. I honestly expected an even smaller fair from last year with less traffic and honestly if felt slightly increased on both accounts. Many smaller exhibitors might have a better result than a few larger players?

Although sad to see them depart, most of the attendees (floor traffic) at the Spring Fair were framers who did little or nothing with art sales, imho.

All trade fairs around the world have been diminishing in size and vanishing over the past decade, in many trades besides ours. As has been mentioned, they are expensive and less popular. Art & Framing typically requires 2-3 days whereas the marriage to Spring Fair and a five day event might be a questionable relationship. Sarah and I shop some International Gift Markets and some of these extend 6-8 days where this amount of time is required to sample and examine inventory that is stocked for the year - this is something that is typically not required in the art and framing trade.

Several successful trade fairs around the world have focused on education where this is a draw to attract retailers and shop owners. The FATG has offered this at the last 4-5 Spring Fairs and even offered the seminars at no charge. As long as the major framing and equipment suppliers are present and education is offered, I feel that the Spring Fair has a fighting chance in this market.

Let's hope it continues... As much as I see merit in local or regional tabletop events, the industry is seriously damaged when it's one and only major trade fair dissapears.

John

[Graysalchemy]

True words John. I have been going to spring fair for 18 yrs, this was the first year I missed. 10 yrs ago my family also had an art materials shop and we would primarily go for the Statindex halls. But that collapsed when the stationary trade with their massive stands and budgets pulled out. The craft and artmaterials fair resurfaced a few years later at Trentham Gardens.

It is true that most framers don't sell artwork especially in a recession the market has become more specialized and up market with the market precated by original sales and not prints. Having said all that the two markets are intrinsically linked, gallery owners still need to see trends in mouldings even if they don't frame themselves, and I for one are better for seing how frames look around good artwork.

W&G and Demontford are both having a tough time so I doubt they would come back to Spring fair.

What I think is needed is a smaller show over fewer days but still allows exhibitors to have large stands but obviously more cost effective, combined with education and a sense of social gathering. It also needs to encourage the art market back, galleries and publishers/art companies.

[DEEPJOY]

I went on Thursday and although quiet, people were quite up beat about the interest they had received. So it may be the people who were there were buyers?
John (Merlin) was raving about the interest of both actual and possible sales of the Valliani product, so I guess that must be good?

I was sad not to see the glitz and the glamour of Demonfort and Wasington Green, but for small fry like myself, in an area that is already represented by these big two, I am unable to buy from them anyway.

If nothing else, it is a tonic to visit for any framer. The training lectures, seeing everything under one roof and the encouragement, enthusiasm gained is all good for the spirit. Talking about new ideas, techniques and products starts you networking enthusiastically with your potential and actual customers, without you even realising you are in full sales mode.

Deepjoy

[Not your average framer]

This might be a generalisation, but if you compare the framing suppliers which have pulled out of the Spring fair with those which have stayed, there does appear to be a common factor which might explain how these things work.

The main moulding suppliers still exhibiting which I noticed were Lion, Simons and Wessex. All three of these were showing a considerable range of machinery and equipment. In fact machinery and equipment suppliers still appear to be represented as strongly as in previous years.

Perhaps this is the secret to success!

[Bagpuss]

I agree, I thought all three put on a very good display as usual and they're the only Suppliers I use, which was nice ...