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