Attention Furry Artists and Dealers! Question as a con-staff for a growing outdoor con:

[wolfwings]

This is an official query to any and all dealers as a staff member of an outdoor convention, Wild Nights, akin to Camp Feral or Oklacon. Especially if you've been to any of the above listed events in the past.

We're considering having an official dealers den and/or artist's alley, and wanted to know your thoughts as a dealer; I'm asking since I know quite a few dealers on my friends list. :-) Several of these may sound stupid, but they were asked by other staffers so I'm forwarding the questions, even though that I'm quite sure will have 100% a specific type of answer. Bear in mind this is in mid-to-late April in Oklahoma near Tulsa, weather is very temperate and mild historically, edging on the cooler side still.

1. Would any of you want a dealers den/artist's alley at all at a primarilly outdoor con?
2. Would it be acceptable to do this in a semi-permanent open-side tent?
3. Would it be acceptable to do this in a permanent but still open-sided structure?
4. Would it be acceptable to do this in a fully enclosed, but not climate-controlled building?
5. Would you rather it be dedicated event space for the entire weekend, or a one-shot event of 2-3 hours, with around an hour or setup before-hand and after-wards?

If it's a dedicated one-shot event:

6. Would you mind if we had other events going on during the dealers den event? I.E. Pred/Prey, or something like that?
7. Would you mind if we had other events going on during the setup OR teardown time, but not both?
8. Would you mind if we had other events going on during BOTH setup AND teardown?
9. Would you rather setup, or teardown butt up against a meal period? (Wild Nights includes fresh-cooked food for all meals.)

Comments

[animecat.livejournal.com]

Okay, if I were considering Wild Nights, here would be my answers from a dealer's perprective:

1. Would any of you want a dealers den/artist's alley at all at a primarilly outdoor con? Yes, it brings in business for artists and allows folks to have art done, so it's a good idea. It's also a draw for attendees.
2. Would it be acceptable to do this in a semi-permanent open-side tent? NO. Exposure to the elements is NOT a good idea for artists/dealers, as items can easily be blown away by winds, there's always the chance of rain, and an exposed venue encourages theft of items by providing an easy escape.
3. Would it be acceptable to do this in a permanent but still open-sided structure? No. Same reasons as above. Plus, you never know if someone is going to be allergic to certain types of insects, which cannot be excluded from an open-sided structure.
4. Would it be acceptable to do this in a fully enclosed, but not climate-controlled building? Perhaps, but you're gonna get complaints from most dealers due to the heat generated by bodies and the stench of unwashed fanboys.
5. Would you rather it be dedicated event space for the entire weekend, or a one-shot event of 2-3 hours, with around an hour or setup before-hand and after-wards? Permanent. It's not worth it as a dealer to attend a weekend gathering if there's only going to be a few hours' of work. most of us need an full weekend to generate a decent profit. Artists also need time and space to complete commissions, which is easier to do when you have a permanent space.

If it's a dedicated one-shot event:
6. Would you mind if we had other events going on during the dealers den event? I.E. Pred/Prey, or something like that? I wouldn't consider dealing there at all if it's a one-shot event.
7. Would you mind if we had other events going on during the setup OR teardown time, but not both? See above answer.
8. Would you mind if we had other events going on during BOTH setup AND teardown? Again, see #6.
9. Would you rather setup, or teardown butt up against a meal period? (Wild Nights includes fresh-cooked food for all meals.) Meals are always good for artists, as few people leave their tables during the day. FEED YOUR ARTISTS. ;)

[black-xander.livejournal.com]

1. Would any of you want a dealers den/artist's alley at all at a primarily outdoor con?

Certainly! A con doesn't seem to feel complete without some sort of art station, where people can collect memorabilia and meet new artists. I always love to peruse the art spots at a con, even if I'm not buying anything. It's just a really fun place to be.


2. Would it be acceptable to do this in a semi-permanent open-side tent?

Would have to be a permanent spot, because artists tend to take a long time to complete all their commissions and they need a comfy place to do so.


3. Would it be acceptable to do this in a permanent but still open-sided structure?

Not an open side tent. If this were to be done outdoors it would have to be in a closed tent. Bugs, strong winds and rain (rain can blow through the sides just as easy) could damage artwork and disturb the artists. And if the weather got humid at all, I wouldn't bother... x.x Would be yucky and everyone would be sweaty, and you don't want sweat coming into contact with paper and ink. Thing is, even a closed tent would get really humid. If this were to be done, it'd need some sort of climate control, even if it were just the use of a few giant fans. Seems to work out all right in the fursuit lounges.


3. Would it be acceptable to do this in a fully enclosed, but not climate-controlled building?

This could get REALLY uncomfortable for everyone involved... o.o


4. Would you rather it be dedicated event space for the entire weekend, or a one-shot event of 2-3 hours, with around an hour or setup before-hand and after-wards?

A full on dealer's den needs to stay up for the duration of a con. It's a lot of work for artists to get all their things (some of them have whole CARTS of stuff they need to bring with them) to the dealing location and back, and it just wouldn't be worth it for only a few hours. It also takes a while to complete all commissions garnered from the day. Not only that, but a lot of people like to browse the den for a while, sometimes an entire day or so, before they decide on what they want to buy or even if they want anything. Additionally you wouldn't want a huge explosion of people trying to squeeze into the dealer's den area hoping to get stuff (most people like to get annual con badges) before the place closes.


6. Would you mind if we had other events going on during the dealers den event? I.E. Pred/Prey, or something like that?

The dealer's den would be the main focus for people where there's extremely limited time involved. Nobody would attend the other panels, they would be rushing to get a badge done.


7. Would you mind if we had other events going on during the setup OR teardown time, but not both?

That would be sort of frustrating for the artists.


8. Would you mind if we had other events going on during BOTH setup AND teardown?

Same.


9. Would you rather setup, or teardown butt up against a meal period? (Wild Nights includes fresh-cooked food for all meals.)

Same! You don't want to be setting up and having to miss breakfast, or tearing down (possibly losing items in the process) quickly in an effort to get fed. And artists need to eat. Some of them just don't have the time to leave their places when they're working really hard to get their artwork done. I can't draw when I'm hungry, personally, and I'd get pretty snappy if mealtime comes around and I'd rather be eating than packing up. Artists in general are happiest and most productive when they're fed, and they don't have to leave their spots in the dealer's den to get stuff. Even just handing out muffins or sandwich wedges or something would be excellent.

Minor reply as I think there may be a bit of confusion on #9:

[wolfwings.livejournal.com]

By 'butt up' I meant 'food period ends at 1pm, setup period begins at 1pm' for example. Not overlapped, but touched.

Re: Minor reply as I think there may be a bit of confusion on #9:

[black-xander.livejournal.com]

I understood, that's what I meant. It can take a long time for artists to pack and unpack their things, and they'll definitely be late to any meal provided, or possibly miss out entirely (or miss out eating with their friends) if they happen to have a lot of stuff to handle right before food time.

[uplinktruck.livejournal.com]

Hey Wolfwings...

Not to be a stick in the mud here, but you do know that April is the start of wind, rain, hail and tornado season in that part of the country, right?

I can't see a dealer wanting to be exposed to any of the elements at that time of the year.