A question for dealers who travel to several coin shows

PhillyJoe

First, I can't wait for the World's Fair of Money in August. I hope you again enjoy visiting Philadelphia.

Curiously, I'm told that our city is an expensive place to set up a table for a convention/exhibition. I hear the expression that vendors are "nickled and dimed" when it comes to the mechanics of setting up shop. (I'm not talking about airfare, hotels, taxis or food.)

Any venue probably provides you with a list of services and what those services will cost, such as renting tables, overhead lighting, chairs; something as simple as how many extension cords you will need. How do the prices in Phila for such services compare to other larger events like Baltimore, Long Beach, FUN, etc?



Joe

WTCG

The cost of bourse tables, case rentals, lights rentals, extension chords, etc. are mostly controlled by show organizers. The costs that are controlled by the convention centers have to do with things like wifi, setup laborers (union vs non union, minimum hours required) and that type of stuff.

Show organizers can strike up individual agreements with the facility upon signing a contract so costs are often negotiable and can vary. I would think shows like Long Beach and Baltimore have those agreements.

I don't know if the Philadelphia Convention Center is particularly more expensive than other places or cities but the supply versus demand element is a factor. Popular facilities can and will charge more while less popular places are more willing to be flexible.

njcoincrank

I know from experience that Setting up at a show in Philly, while not really all that much more than any other major show in terms of costs, can be a real pain in the back side. You can't do anything; from moving your cart in to setting up your lights, can't be done without a union person handling the task. My experience was quite bad. Almost bad enough to keep me from ever setting up in Philly again.

njcc

silverchris

I don't like Philly because it smells like pee. To load and unload is a pain in the ass and the security there sucks so i wil never go back.

SmallTownCoins

@ Chris, Hahahahaaa, tell us how you really feel....

BillJones

Way back when when I lived in the New York - New Jersey area, Philly was not known to be a good coin show town. Very few regional shows were held there.

If I knew ahead of time that I would have to pay a union person to move my cart into the bourse, I pass on the the show right then and there. I've heard that if you have a light bulb go out at New York City show that you are supposed to have a union electrician replace it. It's not worth it.

CEOcoinshopcom

I've found that a lot of the eastern area of the US, is a tough place to to business...
Some states have weird tax laws, some apply to gold and silver, some don't, some apply to collector coins, some don't.
The comment on the union stuff, is very true. Have had to pay lots of extra money for some body to "set up" power for our table....(union guy came and plugged in an extension cord)... no really I'm not kidding, cost us like $25 at the Vegas show not long ago.
Philly is a great place, and we would love to come...... but will probably pass because of costs....
I'm just sayin