zozee

My first expo ever is tomorrow in Hunt Valley, MD. It's Thursday thru Sat.) I'm so excited, but also feel I could be easily overwhelmed. I am going with a friend and her 3 month old grandbaby.

What tips do you have for this newbie?

Prism99

Bring a camera. I always seem to forget mine, then wish I had one! Just don't take a picture of every quilt or you'll spend the day looking through a viewfinder; take photos of just the very special quilts that appeal to you.

Wear your most comfortable shoes! My feet always start complaining before I am done.

Slip a thin notebook and pen into your handbag so you can jot down notes about vendors. It's easy to overspend on vendor items while you're at a show. Sometimes it's better to jot down the vendor's name and the item you're interested in (especially if it is a specialty ruler or other specialty sewing item), then get online at home to read reviews before purchasing. I have a few specialty items purchased at shows that have never seen the outside of a drawer at home.

Set aside some money for drinks and snacks; helps me last longer at shows.

Oh, and *make sure* that strollers are allowed at the show before you go! They are usually fine at smaller shows, but large shows sometimes ban them.

PaperPrincess

You should check first. Some quilt shows will not allow wheeled items including bags and strollers. It's going to be a long day with a 3 month old.

Skratchie

Or a very short one ...

Jan in VA

Can not EVEN imagine.

I do hope you get as much out of it as you are hoping, though.
Jan in VA

dunster

I hope that you have a wonderful time at this show, but I agree with the others in that I would not advise going with a child that young. I'm afraid that the baby will not be happy, the other visitors will not be happy, and ultimately you and the baby's grandmother will not be happy. The aisles can be very, very crowded at times, people frequently back up to see the quilts better or to take pictures, and as a result people are always bumping into each other, and there's a very real possibility that someone could fall over the stroller, not expecting it to be there. There aren't usually a lot of places for you and the grandmother to sit down and take care of the baby, the bathrooms can have long lines at times...

I did find online that strollers "filled with children" are allowed at this particular show, but the FAQ adds "Please be courteous to others if you have a stroller!" That probably means not going down the more crowded aisles at all. You might call the show to ask when they expect the crowds to be heaviest, and avoid those times.

bearisgray

Hire a sitter for the baby.

quiltingcandy

I have no experience with your expo, buy I have been to the Road to California, and there is no room for a stroller. I go on Thursday and Friday, because the weekend there isn't even elbow room, let alone a place to sit down.
Maybe, if they have an area for eating you could take turns tending to the baby.

One rule I do go by when I go to shows - never buy anything the first time through. Bags tend to gain weight as you carry them along and possible to set it down and forget it. So I make notes and go back - if I can't remember the item then I didn't need it after all.

Zinda

I like using a back pack to put small purchases in because I still have my hands free. Usually will keep my charge card in a small pocket around my neck. Good Luck

zozee

The grandmother IS the sitter. I would prefer not to go with the baby, but I can't go Friday, and can't imagine dealing with the Saturday crowd.