04 Oct Important Show News

Thank you to everyone who attended our dealer meeting this morning. Some of the topics were serious and directly related to the future of the show, but they were conversations we needed to have.

For those who were unable to attend, the message is simple:

The show cannot continue operating with the current level of cancellations and no-shows. This year alone, cancellations and no-shows have cost the show approximately $55,000.

This is not about any one dealer. Many of you are here month after month and are an important part of what makes this event successful. But collectively, cancellations and no-shows create empty spaces, lost revenue and significant operational problems for the show.

At the same time, there is a tremendous amount to be positive about. The West Palm Beach Antique Festival is growing at a remarkable pace, with increasing attendance, more new customers and demand for dealer space that is now exceeding our capacity during many months.

That growth does not happen without you. Our dealers are the heart of this show. You bring the merchandise, the knowledge, the personality and the variety that keep customers coming back and bring thousands of new buyers through the doors. We appreciate the role each of you has played in rebuilding and growing this event.

To protect that growth and make sure the show remains financially and operationally strong, beginning with the November show, all spaces must be prepaid.

This is not a price increase. It is simply a change in the way booth rent is paid.

We want to sincerely thank those dealers who have already been operating on a prepaid model, as well as everyone who came in and paid today following the meeting. We appreciate your understanding and your willingness to help us make this transition.

The overwhelming majority of our cancellations and no-shows have come from spaces that were not prepaid. We understand that moving to prepayment creates a one-time cash-flow adjustment, but it is a change we have to make.

Beginning at 5:00 p.m. today, any November space that has not been paid for will become available for rent.

We expect to be sold out for the next several months and are currently projecting that demand for February could exceed available space by as many as 100 booths. We already have a waiting list of new and returning dealers ready to fill openings.

Our goal is not to replace our existing dealers. Our goal is to keep the dealers who helped us build this growth, while creating a system that allows the show to continue growing successfully.

We genuinely hope every one of you can make this one-time adjustment and remain part of what we are building together.

Thank you for your understanding, your support and, most importantly, thank you for being such an important part of the West Palm Beach Antique Festival.