Next General Meeting:
November 15th, 2023 at 7:00pm in the Country Kitchen Building at the Fair Grounds
Wingo at MontaVino Winery
December 13th
6:00pm - 8:00pm
2024 Election Nominations
President - Ashley Bishop
Vice President - Christie Williams
Recording Secretary - Shannon Longfield
Treasurer - Sharon Askelson
Membership Secretary - Sheryl Soderstrom, Marcie Irwin
Show Committee - Shannon Longfield, Beth Anderson, Sheryl Soderstrom, Mimi O’Neill, Pam Hutton, John Holler, Tiffany Krushensky, Pam Bondesen, Kristin Sandson
Social Media Admin - Sabrina Orr, Gayle Emberstone,
Web Admin - Lindsay Mena
Publicity Admin - Jenny Reed
・ 2023 Board ・
Ashley Bishop, President ・ 406-210-6885
Pam Bondesen, Vice President & Show Committee
Sharon Askelson, Treasurer
Pilar Ogier, Recording Secretary & Show Committee
Lynn Krutzler, Membership Secretary
Gayle Emberstone, Social Media Admin
Lindsay Mena,Web Admin
Jenny Reed, Publicity Admin
Christina Williams, Outreach Chair
Amy Doyle, Show Committee
Motions to be voted on...
Members of the ACF Board have proposed 4 motions to be put to vote by the General Membership. They will be presented in full and open for discussion at the November General Meeting. They will be included for vote on the Ballot that will be provided to all members at or after the November General Meeting.
The proposed motions include the following topics:
Motion 1:
TO ADD THE WRITTEN “DRIVE IN SET UP” RULE TO ACF’S SHOW RULES
Motion #2
TO CREATE A “FAIR COMMITTEE” AND ADD THE DETAILS TO ACF’S HANDBOOK
Motion #3
TO PURSUE THE POSSIBILITY OF HOSTING AN EVENING WEEK-NIGHT MARKET AT THE NORTH END OF DEPOT PARK IN KALISPELL IN JULY & AUGUST
Motion #4:
TO UPDATE SHOW BOOTH PRICING
2024 General Meeting Dates
Mark your calendars!
- January 17, 2024,
- April 17, 2024,
- June 12, 2024,
- September 18, 2024
- November 20, 2024
Summer Show 2024
More details to come...
Don’t forget to vote for Summer Show Poster by November 17, 2023
Submit votes here - https://artistsandcraftsmen.org/pages/vote
Nine Tips for Being a Vendor at Holiday Markets
Featured ARTICLE written by Pilar Ogier
- THINK SMALL FOR BIGGER SALES Your craft show booth is NOT a department store. Be a master of your products; theme your products; and group them together for better sales.
- CREATE A DISPLAY, NOT A STOCK ROOM Keep in mind, you are creating a display. You want to display your products on a table, not a stock table that is overcrowded. Showcase your products and group like items together.
- ENCOURAGE AFTER-EVENT SALES Most shoppers are discovering your business for the first time. They may not be prepared to buy that day but you can offer ways for them to connect or see your full line of items for after the show.
- FOLLOW A COLOR STORY This goes with having a theme for your booth. Color is a big part of any display. When used properly, you will catch a shopper’s eye, create organization, evoke a feeling, and even tell a story.
- TELL A STORY Every good display tells a story. This can be achieved with a few props that can help shoppers understand how a product is used/worn/consumed, etc., and help shoppers imagine the products will be used in their lives. What’s your brand’s story? What’s the story of your products? Are your items used for Christmas gifts, parties, stocking stuffers? Tell that story.
- DRESS THE PART Yes, we are all tired on the mornings of the shows. We have spent weeks prepping, days setting up our booths, and now we have to dress up? Yes! Put away those comfy sweat pants and dress up for Christmas or something that goes with your theme- your story. You are your biggest billboard for your products.
- DON’T OVERCROWD Having a good set up makes your products look more expensive and exclusive. Not overcrowding helps detour theft and offers quicker check out.
- ENCOURAGE INTERACTION Have samples. Let shoppers sniff candles or soaps. Let them touch (if possible). Shoppers are more likely to buy an item they have touched.
- HAVE FUN Having a positive attitude and engaging with your customers helps create a great shopping environment and show. This helps them remember you.
See you all at the November General Meeting - 11/15/23
--Ashley Bishop