The Great American Cake Show in Westminister Md was 1/2 the size of last year. Tis is my frst year as a vendor but that is what everyone is saying. Wilton backed out, IcingImages didn't show and another vendor as well.

The Tidewater Va's show was cancelled this year due to low participation.

What's going on?

All in all I am satisfied. I sold a couple of cake stands and had a lot of interest. ANd the fees were low. I just hope this is not a trend.

i think it's just plain economics.

even though 'they' say the economy is getting better, do you really think it is? i think it's just that we are all trying to live smarter and more efficiently--and cake shows are an extravagance imo--

and wilton, etc. goes where the bucks will flow and that simply verifies that they're not making the money on the cake shows--so  imo 'they' are flat wrong about the economy--case in point here is the random cake show plus other conventions are smaller where companies are realizing there's not enough return for their investment.

i'm glad that even though it was a partly cloudy cake show you found a few rays of sunshine.

AI think the economy stinks! I have seen no signs of improvement. I'm sure that's what it is. Just hoping for more. Annondale(sp?) will be better

I agree that the economy is getting worse, not better!!! Most big time companies have moved to China or overseas and nothing has been done to bring them back to create new jobs for people in the USA!!!  I guess it is the American way as far as the big time companies are concerned because they now have slave labor and more profit for them!!! 

On another note, batterupcakes, your cake stands are so neat!!! I feel that you will sell a lot of them because they are really cute!!! Hopefully, the next cake show that you go to will be better!!! We have to keep thinking positive and keep having the faith!!!! Christmas will soon be here and maybe some of the people at the cake show will end up ordering your cake plates for people!!! I think your business will pick up soon!!!!

AThank u. You are so right about the big corporations. That is why I vowed thru the holiday season to only got shop and eat at locally owned businesses

OMIGOODNESS! Collette Peters just stopped by and she LOVES my stands! She recommended I send pictures to Martha Stwart mag and use her name...

AYes and she is said she would be in contact with me.

AAnd she sought out ME!! Someone told her she had to come see them!

AWoo hoo! I love Colette. She's a doll.

AVery sweet lady

AThe economy is getting better as a whole, annual US GDP growth is back up to ~2% after the 2005-2009 recession. Of course this doesn't mean that every single sector of the economy is improving, but companies that are adapting to the new reality of globalization are doing quite well (leveraging the strengths of different countries such as manufacturing in China and IP creation in the US).

GDP growth by year: http://www.google.com/publicdata/explore?ds=d5bncppjof8f9_&ctype=l&strail=false&bcs=d&nselm=h&met_y=ny_gdp_mktp_kd_zg&scale_y=lin&ind_y=false&rdim=region&idim=country:USA&ifdim=region&tstart=1066633200000&tend=1350716400000&hl=en&dl=en&ind=false

I'm not surprised attendance at cake shows is dropping, the availability of online resources means there is less of a reason to go to a cake show in person, and large vendors like Wilton are getting a higher ROI focusing on online marketing instead of sending reps to all but the largest markets.

AJason stop peeing on my parade.

AJust providing an alternative explanation for the drop in attendance at the cake show. In your case you would benefit from being there in person due to the nature of your product, and since attendance is not likely to pick up in the future you can use this information as leverage to negotiate lower fees next time.

You're welcome. :D

ADana the winner from season 1of Next Great Baker wants me to custom make him one in cherry

ADana Herbert seal. 1 winner wants a custom made cherry stand!!

Congratulations Batterup!  Crappy economy or not, you are making some good connections!

That's terrific and you deserve it! Your stands are beautiful and well made.

I also admire your turntables on your website. I think you could charge more for the low ones.

AJeanne can I use your pics to send in? Can't wait to see your next!

AYeah that one and whatever you do with one of the othe stands

That's so great, who cares if attendance was low when you got this kind of attention! 

I think it's true that the economy is picking up in part because people are being less extravagant with their spending. Which sucks in part for those selling what is essentially a luxury item of course 

AJust reread other post. Dana Herbert season 1 winner of The Next Great Baker....

A

Omg!!!!!!!!!!! How exciting for you!!!

That's awesome!

 I am spending less, not due to the economy, but due to the fact I am a SAHM.  It's very difficult!