Hello cake people,
I am in need of your collective wisdom.
As an outlet for my and mom's creativity, I wanted to plan and participate in an event where we could sell our baking, make some $$, and a portion of the proceeds would go to charity. (we are NOT professionals, we bake out of our home kitchen) Someone that I pitched the idea to wants to incorporate it into a trade show to promote local (small / home based) businesses. Her idea is to charge a big table fee, let's take $100 for a figure: part goes to the room rental, part to the chosen charity, and then whatever we sell we keep it all.
Now for the problem. My mom doesn't think we can sell enough to break even. She wants to inflate all the prices for cookies and cakes (25-50%)to "cover the extra expense", including individual wrapping, but then anything sold outside of the event would be at the "regular" prices. Or we'd have two classes of customers, those from the show and others we bake for, and two different price schedules. My experience at trade shows in other industries is that the opposite happens: the "show special" price is *lower* than the regular price. I believe we should keep the same price no matter who is buying or where the purchase takes place.
It also bears noting that i have been named the Assistant Organizer, so backing out of the event may not be an option. I also put my foot down about "free samples".
Your thoughts, kind and sweet bakers.... Sorry if I have confused anyone. I'm a bit muddled myself.
p.s. if anyone has done a trade show like this, does the location let you store baking there (in a cool and secure place) the day before? Two people on public transit can only carry so much...
I see no one has answered you. I haven't done anything like this but I have muddled with the idea.
I wouldn't up the $$ if you don't break even at the event the future business will more than make up for it.
And no free samples is fine too, shows you are already confident with the taste of your products.
Oh, I do feel for you having to take public trans. Anyway you could get someone to drive you...maybe pay them in ..mmmm cake! Maybe once you get a line up of other businesses you will be able to work something out.
Good luck!! and be sure and post all about the show and include pictures.
An update: Good news and bad news.
The good news is that the other organizers suddenly realized that we aren't a business, and are therefore willing to waive most if not all of the table fees by us becoming the "snack bar".
The bad news is that collective agreements prevent us from booking a hotel meeting room and bringing in "outside food." All food items must be prepared and served by the hotel employees -- wedding cakes (served at weddings) are the only exception. All hotels in the city abide by the same collective agreement. Drat!
So we're still sniffing out a suitable location.
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