SHOW SCHEDULE
Dec. 2 Setup
Dec. 3 Show 10am-6pm
Dec. 4 Show 10am-6pm
Dec. 5 Show 10am-4pm
Breakdown and Load Out 4:00 until 9:45

LOCATION
Sarasota Bradenton International Convention Center

MARKETING PLANS
I am in the process of acquiring the necessary information that will impact the marketing initiatives that I will be taking for Sarasota. What the ACC has done in the past will be taken into consideration. In addition to the various print advertising, radio and TV opportunities, my plan is to introduce numerous promotional initiatives that were heretofore not included. We will seek community sponsorships, media partners, launch an extensive poster campaign and distribute 40,000 color postcards. Since so many of you have extensive mailing lists I wil be supplied with color post cards or labels for your own card to mail to your customers. I have been in touch with the PR firm that handled the show last year. The media coverage was quite good. Last years show was hurt by the economy and this must be taken into consideration. I will say their PR efforts did bring some excellent results. In talking to several other firms, I have found that there are numerous marketing opportunties that have been overlooked. A show of about 150 exhibitors is a good size. We will also use half the facility which will cut those costs in half and I have re-negotiated the rates as well. I plan to keep the amenities in place: carpeting, drapery, two set up days etc.

Booth fees have been cut appropriately yet are sufficient to support a workable budget yet making your participation more viable. The bottom line will be the results. As one artist aptly put it " the devil is in the details".

As the director my focus will be on creating buying incentives. Something that I like is a refundable admission program. I will provide details on how this works and the many benefits at a later date. Getting through this year successfully will give us the momentum and an understanding of what can be accomplished when we all work together toward a common goal.

THE DIRECTORS: RICHARD AND JOANNA ROTHBARD
Exhibitors are selected by Richard & Joanna Rothbard, owners of An American Craftsman Galleries located in NYC, Stockbridge, MA and Savannah, Georgia. The galleries which opened in Manhattan in 1983 have been a Top 10 Niche Award winner numerous times. They are the producers of the 8th Berkshires Arts Festival. Past successes are the Westfield Artist Market (1983-1997), the Arts Festival at Rockefeller Center (2003-2005) and the first alternative wholesale market in Rhinebeck, NY and West Springfield, MA (1980-1993). Richard has exhibited his woodworking (Boxology.com) in over 400 art events since 1978.

STANDARDS AND RULES

• An application is a commitment to participate. Refunds will be made according to specific guidelines found under deposits & refunds.
  
• Artists may only exhibit in the category for which they were accepted. If you wish to apply in more than one category you must submit a second set of slides, a separate application an additional SASE, and a separate application fee MUST be submitted for each additional category.
  
• Booth Sharing is not permitted.
  
• Work from molds, kits, imports, manufactured goods or ready made products which have been embellished, painted or decorated, dyed or batiked will not be accepted.
  
• Jewelry may only be shown if the artist has been accepted in the jewelry category
  
• No sale signs are permitted. All signs must have a professional look. No hand written signs are permitted.
  
• Any willful violation or misrepresentation regarding the work as defined in our rules will result in the forfeiture of space immediately.
  
• All booths must be enclosed on three sides (except corners). Minimum height is 6 ft. This is a requirement. No exceptions.
  

Slides & CDs (Artist Application ONLY)

• Four slides or Digital Images on CD are required for each category entered, plus a booth slide, photo or sketch. Digital images must be submitted in a JPEG or TIF format with a resolution of 300 dpi or higher.
  
• Slides should be labeled with the artist's name, a number (corresponding to the slide descriptions), and the medium. Digital images should be similarly labeled.

• A non-refundable application fee of must accompany each application with the exception of invited artists.
  
• A separate, currently dated commitment check must also accompany each application.
  This check will be deposited only if you are accepted.
  
• The balance of your booth fee must be returned with your invoice and signed contract by the due date in order
  to finalize your acceptance.
  
• A $35 handling fee will be charged for all returned checks.
  Deposits & Refunds
  All cancellations must be made in writing. Your $100 commitment check secures your booth and is your commitment to exhibit. This deposit is not refundable.

Booth Fee Refund Schedule
Until Sept. 20: 50%
Sept. 21 - Oct. 15: 25%
After Oct. 15 no refunds
A $35 handling fee will be charged for all returned checks

QUESTIONS & COMMENTS?
Call 800 834 9437
Fax 845 355 2444
Email aam@warwick.net
Write American Art Marketing PO Box 480, Slate Hill, NY 10973