Bead Fest Philly PA Oct '06 is now not in Philly!

[JanMD]

It has moved to Reading PA, half way between Harrisburg and Philadelphia. Can it attract the same attendance there?

Here is the latest from them:
--------------------------------

March 14, 2006
To: Bead Fest Philadelphia Exhibitors
From: The Bead Fest Management Team
Subject: New Venue for Bead Fest Philadelphia

Dear Bead Fest Philadelphia Exhibitor:

Bead Fest Philadelphia will be moving to the Greater Reading Expo Center for the 2006 show this October 4-8 (Expo dates are October 6 to October 8th). The Greater Reading Expo Center is located just outside of Reading, PA, 40 minutes northwest of Fort Washington (and 40 miles from Philadelphia). We will be signing a contract for the facility this week. As you know, the Fort Washington Expo Center, former site of Bead Fest, will be closing this July.

The Reading Expo Center, formerly a manufacturing and office facility, is now undergoing complete refurbishing and is scheduled for opening this July.
In fact, some of the renovations are based on specific Bead Fest needs. It will feature over 250,000 square feet of exhibit space, over 30 individual class and meeting rooms, free parking for more than 3,000 cars, on-site cafeteria, and a non-union atmosphere. It is also easily accessible by several major highways and is part of the Philadelphia metro market encompassing southeastern PA, NJ, DE and MD.

Our search for an alternate facility for 2006 encompassed many sites in eastern Pennsylvania, but very few were able to provide the size and type of building we need while maintaining our October dates. The Reading, PA facility provides everything needed to put on a professional event, maintain our dates, stay within the metro market, and continue to draw a large crowd of buyers eager to see the beading products you have to offer.

You will receive additional details, including maps, directions, floor plan, etc., within the next few weeks. We are in the process of negotiating special hotel rates for Bead Fest exhibitors, teachers, students and attendees, and will give exhibitors and teachers advance notice of this information so you can make reservations before the general public. This should happen in the next two weeks, so watch your e-mail.

Thanks for being a continuing part of Bead Fest Philadelphia.


Sincerely,

Joseph Breck Karen Keegan John Iannucci
Group Publisher Events Manager Event Sales
Representative


Lapidary Journal / Step by Step Beads / Step by Step Wire Jewelry 300 Chesterfield Parkway, Suite 100, Malvern, PA 19355 / 610-232-5701

[Cosmo]

Hmm... I wonder if they will be doing lampworking classes at the new location. I know that was one of their concerns in looking for a new location.

[Juln]

It sounds like the facility will be great, especially with them being able to request specific features with Bead Fest in mind as it is being built.
I, too, am concerned that it's a little too far from Philadelphia, in the wrong direction! 40 miles Northeast would be much better than 40 miles Northwest.
But well, Bead and Button manages to draw a huge crowd in frickin' MIlwaukee, so hopefully Bead Fest will continue to grow.
It's too bad the event had to move, it always seems difficult for attendees to figure that out.

[Cosmo]

Yeah. The place being tailored to BeadFest's needs sounds good to me.

I applied to teach a glass class up there, but haven't heard back yet...

[thawkins]

It's 40 minutes shorter for me. I like it. Sounds great

[Cosmo]

Just got an e-mail letting me know that my class proposal for a boro pendant class was accepted. Hope to see some of you there!

[JanMD]

Update on Bead Fest (NOT) Philly (actually, Reading):

=======================

From: Keegan, Karen
Sent: Friday, April 07, 2006 10:19 AM
Subject: Bead Fest Phila Hotel Info
Dear Bead Fest Exhibitors and Teachers,

As promised, I want to give you hotel information prior to releasing it to the public for Bead Fest Philadelphia in Reading, PA. I've negotiated special Bead Fest rates with 6 Reading Hotels. Please check their individual information, as they have their own cancellation policies, some include breakfast, etc.

We have heard nothing but positive comments about holding the show in Reading. People say they're coming to Bead Fest wherever it is, because it's such a great show!

We will post the hotel information on our Web site on April 17, so you have over a week to take advantage of this head start hotel information!

Directions to the Greater Reading Expo Center can be found on the Berks County Convention and Visitors Bureau Web site:
www.readingberkspa.com/greatreading_directions.asp

The address is (street name may change to Expo Drive):
Greater Reading Expo Center
2525 North 12th Street
Reading, PA 19605

Hotels offering special rates for Bead Fest Exhibitors, Teachers, and Attendees (remember to ask for the special Bead Fest rates when making your
reservations):

Ramada Hotel & Conference Center
2545 N 5th Street Hwy, Reading, 19605; Call 1-888-929-9234 or 610-929-4741 to make reservation; www.ramadareading.com; Rate of $72 + tax = $79.92; free parking; free hot breakfast included; free internet access in rooms; double or king, same price; closest hotel to the Reading Expo Center - approx 1 mile; Legends Restaurant & Lounge onsite; Rooms held until September 8 - after this date rates/availability cannot be guaranteed; Mention Bead Fest Phila when making reservation.

The Inn at Reading
1040 Park Road, Wyomissing, PA 19610; Call 610-371-4463; www.innatreading.com; $99 single/double; $109 triple/quad - plus tax; free parking; free breakfast buffet, Tuesday through Sunday included; Approximately 10 minutes from the Reading Expo Center; Rooms will be held until Sept 3, 2006, then rates/availability cannot be guaranteed.

Abraham Lincoln Wyndham Reading Hotel
100 North Fifth Street; Reading, PA 19601; Call 610-372-3700; 800-372-3710; Approx 5 minutes from Reading Expo Center; Free continental breakfast, 6:30am to 11:30am on weekdays, & 7:00am - 11:30am Saturday & Sunday; parking $5.00/night in garage; Rooms will be held until Sept 3 - after this date rates/availability cannot be guaranteed; Mention Bead Fest Philadelphia;
Rates: $99 single/double or $109/Suite - plus tax; www.wyndham.com/hotels/RDGHT/main.wnt

Sheraton Reading Hotel
1741 Papermill Road; Reading, PA 19610; Call 610 376 3811; www.sheratonreadingpa.com; 5 miles from the Expo Center; $119/night plus tax; Free parking; Rooms held until September 3, 2006, after this date rates/availability cannot be guaranteed; Call 1-877-354-1011 and ask for the Bead Fest rate.

Hampton Inn
1800 Paper Mill Road, Wyomissing, PA. 19610; Phone: 610.374.8100; www.readinghampton.com; Group rate is $104.00 & tax. All rooms have micro/fridges, coffee makers and hairdryers. Free parking; Complimentary hot breakfast each morning, 24-hour beverages and evening snacks; Approximately 10 minutes from the Expo Center; complimentary high speed wireless Internet throughout the entire building. Rooms held until 9/11/06 - after this date rates/availability cannot be guaranteed.

Holiday Inn Morgantown
6170 Morgantown Road; Morgantown, PA 19543; www.holiday-inn.com/morgantownpa; To make reservations, call either (800)
339-0264 or (610) 286-3000 and ask for the Bead Fest rate: $94/night + tax; Free parking; restaurant onsite; Rooms held until September 12, 2006 - after this date rates/availability cannot be guaranteed; Location: 25 minutes from the Greater Reading Expo Center, directly off the Pennsylvania Turnpike at exit 298.

As more information becomes available, I'll be sending more updates! Thanks for being part of Bead Fest.


Karen Keegan
Event Manager
Karen.Keegan@Primedia.com
* Bead Fest
* Jewelry Arts Expo
* Wire Jewelry Fest
* Lapidary Journal, Step by Step Beads, Step by Step Wire
Jewelry
300 Chesterfield Parkway, Suite 100
Malvern, PA 19355
P: (610) 232-5718
F: (610) 232-5754
www.beadfest.com
www.jewelryartsexpo.com
www.wirejewelryfest.com

[JanMD]

The latest from the Bead Fest folks:

========
August 3, 2006
Dear Bead Fest Exhibitor:

Hello. I hope all is well. As you probably know, Bead Fest Philadelphia is
moving from Ft. Washington to the Greater Reading Expo Center for the 2006
show this October, due to the unexpected closing of the Ft. Washington site.
We're all excited about this move, especially with the newly renovated and
great facility, ample free parking, non-union work rules, and convenient
location off major highways.

In preparing for our floorplan meeting, I have noticed that we have not yet
received your renewal booth contract/payment for this year's Bead Fest
Philadelphia. (Contracts were distributed at last year's show, and several
emails have gone out since then.) I am writing in hopes to avoid forfeiture
of your booth and location.

If you are interested in returning, please complete the application and
return with the necessary payment by Monday, August 7, 2006 (please note
full payment is due August 4, 2006). On the morning of August 8, 2006, we
are having our floorplan meeting. As in the past, we will begin with last
year's exhibitors who have submitted their applications and payments,
assigning them their approximate 2005 location or better, where possible.
While our intention is to mirror the Fort Washington layout as closely as
possible, we believe it is only realistic to expect some changes due to the
new venue. After this initial "same or better" phase is complete, we will
assign booths to new vendors in chronological order of application/payment
receipt. (It is not possible to guarantee a booth location, nor booth
availability, prior to receipt of application/deposit and our booth
assignment meeting. This policy is the same as always. The ability to see
which booth spaces may be "open" prior to submitting an application/payment
is not be possible until after the initial booth assignment meeting, at
which time, all of the prime locations will be taken.)

If you are interested in returning to the show and taking advantage of the
"same space or better" phase, a contract can be obtained at
http://www.stepbystepbeads.com/beadfest/BFPhila06.pdf
<http://www.stepbystepbeads.com/beadfest/BFPhila06.pdf> (I can fax one to
you upon request.) Please complete the contract and submit it with full
payment, as August 4th is the balance deadline. Please note that if we do
not have your application and payment prior to the start of our floorplan
meeting, we cannot hold a booth for you and your location will be lost.
Should you decide at a later time to participate in Bead Fest Philadelphia
2006 or any future show, your application will be processed as a new vendor
and you will be assigned booth space based on when your application/payment
is received.

I hope to hear from you soon, as we appreciate your history with us.


Sincerely,

John Iannucci
Event Sales
Phone: 610-232-5723 Fax: 610-232-5750
300 Chesterfield Parkway, Suite 100, Malvern, PA 19355.