Attending Leather Trade Shows

Trade show - Attendee

This little post reflects my thoughts and experiences as a visitor to leather shows. I will address the vender viewpoint in an upcoming post. For several years, I have attended leather shows as an average visitor. I’ve been to Reno, Elko, Ventura, Wickenburg, and Sheridan as an attendee before we started selling at shows.

Where are these shows in the US?

Prescott AZ (February), Sheridan WY (May), Waco TX (August), Pendleton OR (November), and a new show coming up in Las Vegas NV next January. These shows are sponsored by The Leather Crafters Journal and Illume magazine. For a few reasons, most are in the western states. Historically these shows started small and grew. They have become a destination event for a lot of people, vacations planned around them, and hotel reservations made early. Which show to go to depends on your time availability and expectations. They are all good! The biggest and kind of hallmark show is the Rocky Mountain Leather show in Sheridan WY mid May. This coming show is the 30^th! You can spend several days in a historic area and neat town. The Don King museum is a half a day at least to see it well. The King’s reception party on the Thursday night before the show is great and appreciated by everyone. It is the biggest trade show and class lineup of the shows. The other shows offer many of the same instructors and classes.

What goes on?

Classes – I took classes at most of the shows. Some were classes to learn a skill set and not necessarily make a specific project. Some were project-based classes that we made something tangible to take home. Instructors were top of their game and prepared to teach. Most could “read the room’ and pace it for the student’s benefit and not necessarily their own timeline. I can honestly say I got my time and money’s worth out of each class I took. I made some good friends in those classes and we are still in contact nearly 20 years later. Now that we are venders at the shows it cuts into class time but my wife Rundi takes classes at nearly every show before the trade show starts. She has mostly done project classes. She took a men’s wallet class and women’s wallet classes at one of her first shows. She came away with the skills to make very nice wallets right out of the class. She has done purse and bag making classes and does well with those too. You can expand your horizon immensely with the classes.

Trade Show – From an attendee’s perspective it can be a bit overwhelming at the bigger shows. Venders are there with all kinds of leather, machines, tools and stamps, instructional books and pattern packs, hardware, etc. Some booths are going to be busy first thing and you can plan to dash there first or come back later after the rush. At the smaller shows people tend to start anywhere and are never really overcrowded. The best day to go to a show if you are going to browse and buy is always the first day. That morning will be busy no matter which show but some things do sell out. The second day it may not be there. Some venders have special show pricing or bargain tables. You can pick up and feel leather, handle a tool, and get some pointers and tips if things aren’t super busy. You can see something online but to actually hold and feel it gives you a much better idea if that is something you can use. The age old question is “How much money do I need to bring?” My answer is “That depends on what you are looking for”. I know in my case I seriously underestimated the first time I went to the Sheridan, and that was a few years of going to smaller shows. I found things I didn’t know I needed. The next year I went home with money left over.

Contests – Most of the shows have some kind of contest. You may not enter a project but it is amazing to see some of the work that is being done. It is worth the walk-through no matter which show.

Socializing – Every show has a social event. Anything from snacks and sitting around in small groups to 500 people eating a full blown meal with a marching band. Most everyone is approachable in the leather circle. I have met people in classes, rubbing elbows at the trade shows, and social events that have become good friends.