Locating Local Craft Shows

It's that time of year again! The weather is warmWhile this information might have been great for
and craft shows are starting to be scheduled. Areus being in Iowa, you might ask what good does
you ready to start looking for events?it do for the rest of you in different states. I'll tell
We all know how profitable a craft show can be.you - this booklet was free from our travel
Offline events are perfect for getting the wordinformation website. All we had to do is go online
out about your business and making newand request a free copy. Iowa has a very limited
contacts. What could be better than hundreds ofamount of sights to see, yet we still have a
shoppers walking right up to you and saying hello?travel website. This to me says other states
The most difficult part of a craft show is actuallyhave the same kind of information on website or
locating them before all the tables are booked. Ifwith local offices.
you have never attended an event before, beThere's a few ways to find out if your state has
prepared to spend several shows stuffed in theinformation like this:
very back at a last minute table. Many of us start- Check your state website
out like this, but as soon as you get on "the lists",Often times the travel and event information will
your table location WILL be better.be right on your government website.
The following idea for locating events is brand- Search online
new, and given to us by a "neighbor" at our lastUse terms like "travel" or "tourism" with your
craft show. While chatting with her, she pulls out astate to see if there's a specific website.
book and asked if we had this. It was titled "Iowa- Local offices
Calendar of Events", and was FULL of events forIf all else fails, contact your state government
all over the state. Granted there were manyoffices to see if anything in print is offered.
events that do not accept vendors (theaterEven in a small state like Iowa, we were able to
dates, car shows, etc), but the list of shows thatfind a list that will keep us booked every month
did accept vendors was amazing. All events werefor the entire craft fair season. Once you have
listed by date, complete with location and contactyour information, the easy part is contacting
information. Perfect!those on the list. Easy!