Quilt Shows for Fun and Profit
Part I

Ask any guild holding a regular quilt show what their objective is and they will first tell you of their desire to share their love of the art form with others. But probe a bit further and a monetary factor will likely appear. While some guilds say they hope to break even, others rely heavily on the financial success of their show. Sheila Green, member of the Lincoln Quilters Guild in Nebraska, says, "Our quilt show is our primary source of income for two years. We use the revenues to pay for speakers, programs, and the start-up costs of our next show." The San Joaquin Valley Quilters Guild of California holds a highly successful show every other year, usually generating nearly $8,000 in revenues for the group.

To evaluate the proper steps to a financially successful show, part one of this article will cover planning and preparation, while part two (next issue) will discuss specific ideas for filling your guild's coffers through your quilt show.

Identify what is "do-able"

There are many factors to consider in planning a financially successful show. Guilds vary in the events they employ, but a good piece of advice is not to take on too much. Initial show planning needs to include brainstorming the variety of fund-raising opportunities available, followed by a frank discussion of the interest and available manpower for specific endeavors. Then... and here is often the most difficult part... let the rest go. "You don’t have to try to do everything," Sheila Green advises. "Have your members list features of other shows they have visited, choose the best features, and tailor them to suit your needs." Pick a few events and do them well; you'll have a better result and more fun doing it.

Continued...

(The rest of this story can be found in your issue of The Quilting Quarterly. Not an NQA member? Click here!)