Hey Paula! Great to see you after so long!
We folks from Illinois were extremely happy with our show results. At first, the impression of the cavernous, dusty venue was odd, but when the folks started pouring in and dropping the cash, it was truly a pleasant surprise
!
We made it a point to ask several folks their impression of the show. Oddly, there were quite a few random folks I asked that said it was their first experience at BF Philly, so they had nothing to compare it to, but they wide smiles and happy eyes indicated they were completely thrilled
.
I did hear one complaint of toilets and food. We were by a bathroom that had more than a half dozen stalls, so I don't know where the problem was in that respect. Food, well, we as vendors know that it's generally better to bring your own to things like these....... There are so many places to eat well in the area, that a nice side trip for lunch could not hurt anyone.
We stayed at the Fairmont that included for $109 double room, free breakfast. The breakfast frankly, tied us over for the most part of the day. Yogurt, hot fresh waffles, cereal, egg breakfast sandwiches, granola bars, fresh fruit, juices, coffee, pastries, bagels.....let me tell you, a little napkin packs a nice lunch took
.
We also learned that this funky looking "Expo" center is host to many other events for the locals, so it was well known to them and how to find it.
I hope that with proper time of planning, they return the lampwork classes. One important thing though, will be good ventillation. There was a torched on enamel workshop happening by the entrance that really stunk, this coming from me who is generally the test canary in a group. I know if I was a student there, I'd have run out of there with a tremendous headach
. Hope this aspect of the show is well planned out for next year.
The paying public was very, VERY supportive
! I really liked us all on one level.
BeadFest Philly Booth Numbers - Roll Call
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