By ERIC C. RODENBERG
AntiqueWeek Associate Editor INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — They just might be onto something that could really blossom in the future, the organizers of the Indianapolis Art and Antiques Show believe.
And, that’s incorporating online shopping into next year’s venue.
“For the first time around with something like this, I think we did well,” said Lisa Breall, co-chairman of the event. “We had a lot of inquiries, and people thought it was a great idea.”
Although fewer than 10 people actively participated, at least one item sold – a set of political memorabilia went to an out of state buyer.
Breall said the potential is there to “offer a real service to sellers and buyers.” Each participant (and many that inquired about the online shopping service) “thought it a great service to offer. Next year, it’s something that we’re really going to market. We didn’t really expect too much from the first show, but we now think this thing could really go.”
The service worked something like this: anyone with a computer, smart phone or other Internet connection can contact a “personal shopper” on site at the show. The potential buyer tells their onsite shopper what, in general, they are seeking. The personal shopper, one of the volunteers from the show, scours the show and with the help of the show promoters locates the desired item or items. From there, the shopper will send photos, dimensions and other information to the potential buyer.
Should the prospective buyer express some interest, the personal shopper will pass on the dealer’s contact information, and the prospect can personally speak with the buyer at the show and even haggle over the price.
A professional shipper was also on the sales floor, enabling the potential buyer to determine the final price entailed in making any buy.
The personal shopper working the three-day show kept busy enough, according to Breall, seeking items, taking photos, obtaining dimensions and acting as a “go-between.”
Credit card sales were also available, either through the vendor or the show’s main office.
Sales and attendance were reported as being good, according to Breall. Overall, floor attendance was up, especially during the middle day – Saturday – showing a 20 percent boost over last year’s attendance, Breall said. And not all of those were “tire kickers.”
“One vendor told me he paid for his booth rental during preview night,” Breall said.
Held at the Indiana State Fairground, the Indianapolis Art & Antiques Show – in its 24th year – is one of the top fund raisers for Methodist Hospital. The show – which perennially brings in vendors from across the country – consistently features museum-quality antiques in addition to fine and contemporary art. The mixture of antiques with contemporary art is designed to draw in a younger crowd.
Breall, who will be the chairman of the antiques and art show next year – its quarter century landmark – said organizers will definitely highlight the Internet shopping option more aggressively in 2012.
“I think it’s something that could fly,” she said.
For more information, call 812-951-3454 or visit www.indyartandantiques.com |
