Reptile Expo in the Eau Claire, Wisconsin area

[tjones]

Im looking to start a reptile expo in the Chippewa Valley if there is anyone that is interested in helping to find vendors or to avdertise or anything like that just send me a reply.
Thanks

 

[icyshadowz]

hello

I want to start one too in my area is there any requirements to this or can u just get a big building and start one if you werent so far away i would start one with you

 

[tjones]

It takes alot more planning then that, you have to advertise ALOT and it takes alot of money to do that well, you need to find sponsors, so its just not finding a building and starting one just like that, i have talked to peoe that are trying to start others up in there area and they said that they would be lucky to be ready by August 2010.

Here read this, this is there thread that i posted about trying to start a reptile expo. I was surprised at how much work really goes into these things, where do you live by the way. I live in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin so if you live close and you really wanted to do this i could help alittle but im still in highschool so i dont really have that much time to dedicate to this, but i will sure help.

http://wireptiles.com/forums/index.php?topic=2982.0

 

[tjones]

Never mind about helping you live in MA so sorry i couldnt probably do anything to help, sorry i just seen that.

 

[icyshadowz]

I live in michigan i just moved and haven't changed my profile yet

 

[icyshadowz]

I seen you are going to the Chicago ones I'm about an hour and 1/2 from chi town in michigan. I looked it up I'm about 7 hrs from Eau Claire

 

[tjones]

I could probably help with some stuff but not alot

 

[icyshadowz]

I just received this from a person running a NY reptile expo

Your main limit is in terms of demographics- are there enough people in the immediate area WITH MONEY to support both your new large show as well as the existing shows. IF shows in your area were drawing huge crowds, the organizers of the other MI shows would probably also have expanded.



I would be cautious about starting a new show, especially now with the economy the way it is. You could very easily end up losing money, especially when factoring in such things as advertising, insurance- very expensive, staff/security/ facility and table rental, etc.



If you do go ahead, best of luck



Bruce Lowder

NY Reptile Expo



From: Dallas Bartholomew
Sent: Friday, March 06, 2009 12:25 AM
To: bruce
Subject: Hello I have a question about reptile expos



Hi Bruce,
I am currently living in michigan Ive been to a couple reptile expos around her but they are rather small i would like to start my own reptile expo on a bigger scale can i do this or is there some kinda limit to these things thanks
Dallas

 

[icyshadowz]

hope this helps you a little bit too

 

[GottaLuvHerps]

I have to agree with Bruce (who, btw is AWESOME) - starting a new show is TOUGH, believe me. There are so many things to consider, and just when you think you have them all figured out, something else comes along.
One thing that was not mentioned was checking the laws in the area you want to have a show. You have to think of state laws, county laws, township laws (or however your area is divided), and then call the police station to make sure they aren't going to shut you down for something stupid, your local branch of the Fish and Game department (or whomever handles reptiles)...then you also need to think about getting a business license through your state (and filing a fictious name application), filing with the IRS for a tax id number, finding a good accountant to help figure out the tax stuff involved, paying for a domain name and getting a website designed, finding a good print shop for fliers, finding every reptile forum imaginable to post about your show (as well as paid advertising on these sites), figure out your advertising budget for things like print ads (i.e., Reptiles Magazine, local newspapers, non-local newspapers, etc), rounding up vendors, advertising some more, making sure your payments are in on time to the venue, not to mention HOW to pay for the venue and all this advertising while the show is growing and not paying for itself....Be ready to lose every penny you put into doing this for at least a year, if not more.
I could list a million other things as well. This should get you started. Like Bruce said, there are a lot of downfalls to starting a new show in this economy unless you can really figure out a way to get the people in the door that have money to spend (browsers do your vendors no good, and when they aren't making money, they don't stick around). It's a ton of hard work and almost a full-time job in itself. BUT if you can make all the right things happen at the right time at the right place, I do have to say, starting a show is a VERY rewarding experience (except in the pocketbook for awhile!)

 

[Tim Cole]

Wisconsin also requires a health certificate and permit purchase from out of state vendors which can deter some.

 

[icyshadowz]

I was reading over this

I have to agree with Bruce (who, btw is AWESOME) - starting a new show is TOUGH, believe me. There are so many things to consider, and just when you think you have them all figured out, something else comes along.

I already figured all of this \/

One thing that was not mentioned was checking the laws in the area you want to have a show. You have to think of state laws, county laws, township laws (or however your area is divided), and then call the police station to make sure they aren't going to shut you down for something stupid, your local branch of the Fish and Game department (or whomever handles reptiles)...then you also need to think about getting a business license through your state (and filing a fictions name application), filing with the IRS for a tax id number, finding a good accountant to help figure out the tax stuff involved,

and 95% of this is really easy to take care of most of it i already do on a daily basis

paying for a domain name and getting a website designed, finding a good print shop for fliers, finding every reptile forum imaginable to post about your show (as well as paid advertising on these sites), figure out your advertising budget for things like print ads (i.e., Reptiles Magazine, local newspapers, non-local newspapers, etc), rounding up vendors, advertising some more, making sure your payments are in on time to the venue, not to mention HOW to pay for the venue and all this advertising while the show is growing and not paying for itself....Be ready to lose every penny you put into doing this for at least a year, if not more.
I could list a million other things as well. This should get you started. Like Bruce said, there are a lot of downfalls to starting a new show in this economy unless you can really figure out a way to get the people in the door that have money to spend (browsers do your vendors no good, and when they aren't making money, they don't stick around). It's a ton of hard work and almost a full-time job in itself. BUT if you can make all the right things happen at the right time at the right place, I do have to say, starting a show is a VERY rewarding experience (except in the pocketbook for awhile!)

But honestly after reading all of that just makes me not want to do it that much more no with the bad economy so thanks for the information.

Do you run your own show as is already?

 

[GottaLuvHerps]

I run the Central PA Reptile Expo, and we are heading into our 3rd show ever this March 21st. I believe Tim also runs a show in Texas.

 

[tiny]

WOW Did you hit it on the head I have been helping run the All Animal Expo in Wheaton for 3 years and it is always something. You did get one thing wrong. It is a FULL time job. " but I love it"


Scott Smith


www.Allanimalexpo.com