Bring back CHA Summer!

And that's exactly why they canceled CHA Summer.   It would cost on average $10-20,000 for a booth and that was a small booth. Then, it would cost the store owners at least $1,000-2,000 to go. Plus store owners had to make sure the store employees could cover so they could go.

I honestly think they did it to themselves with manufacturers offering sneak peeks weeks before the show and allowing show specials to any order (not just stores who attended the show).

When I first started attending CHA shows for my store, you didn't see any of the new stuff until you went to the show. You could only get the show specials if you actually attended the show.

When CHA first announced they were going to cancel the CHA summer show, the paper arts vendors complained that the 4th quarter was their busiest time and how would they get their new products in the hands of store owners. But, when they announced Atlanta and it's high cost of hotel, airfare and it's clear across the country from where most of these companies are based, the vendors started polling their store owners to see if they were going to attend. Most store owners said no, and now there are only like 45 vendors there.

Lisa is right. It's INSANELY expensive for the vendors to exhibit at these shows. There are so many behind the scenes costs that it's not even funny. Back in the day, I used to attend when I had the storefront and taught classes, but since moving my page kit business online it hasn't been as critical for me to go.

Once you add up the costs for travel (usually to places that aren't very cheap to fly to), almost a week in a hotel, rental car, membership to the association to get into the show, costs for any classes that might be beneficial, expensive (and not very good) convention center food, that all adds up to a good sized chunk out of the average retailer's budget. Now that most of the vendors email the new catalogs via PDF prior to the show and give show specials to anybody placing an order, it really has become less and less necessary to attend either of the shows and that's more money that can go into new inventory.

Personally, I think it's better when the vendors have smaller releases more frequently throughout the year instead of a couple big pushes only twice a year. It used to drive me crazy when I'd go to the show and order stuff for the next six months based on when it was SUPPOSED to ship only to have half the stuff be postponed sometimes for months because most of it was stuck in containers coming from China. Not only would I not have the inventory in my store when my customers and I were expecting it and wanting it, but it would really screw up my budget too when a ton of stuff would end up all shipping at once. 

There is a smaller show that will happen in Utah later this month. I wish I could go but I don't have the budget for it right now.

From an attendee perspective, SLC is pretty expensive to fly into and the two times I was there the hotels were pretty pricey too. Airfare alone for me is anywhere between $600-$900 and I can buy a lot of inventory for that. There would have to be a lot of vendors participating and a lot of perks to make it worth the expense. At one point, someone was planning a virtual trade show which seemed to make a lot of sense, but that effort never got off the ground and it never happened.

Wow, I had no idea travel to Utah would be so expensive.  I just got a ticket from CA to Mass for $500 round trip.  But I see what you're saying - the costs add up.  There has to be enough ROI to make it worthwhile for attendees.  

I went to CHA-Anaheim this last time but only because it was within driving distance and I had friends to stay with.

I am planning to attend the show in Atlanta. I've scoped everything out, and although it won't have all the same perks/buzz that a regular CHA would have, I'm excited because this may be the closest I'll ever get. I live in Louisiana, which is not a short distance, but I will drive it. I think it will be fun to see many of the new products live and in person and see the projects that will be displayed using them. And I will take tons of pictures and notes so I can plan the next six months of buys for my buying club and workshop kits. And, of course, I plan to blog and/or Instagram it all.

The vendors that I talked with about the show in Salt Lake City were pretty excited about having something "local" to them. Big savings! I'm all for keeping them solvent.

My favorite memory from the Chicago CHAs -- literally running down the aisles to be among the first in line to place orders at the BasicGrey booth. What a hoot!

Yes! When we first started going in 2004, it was a packed show, with all kinds of wild and crazy stuff going on! I'm not sure what year I had my picture made with "Elvis," or what booth he belonged to. That was memorable!

Awesome, thanks! I'll have to check it out! 

I love this thread! It is a very interesting read

Debbie - Will you share the picture of you and 'Elvis'? I would love to see it!

kwitekreative - Thank you for posting the recap. I am looking forward to checking it out.