I have never been to the Paducah Quilt Show but hope to maybe next year. I think it is so successful because the community is so involved. There is transportation to and from many locations to the convention center. Different organizations offer meals so it is easy to find a place to eat outside of the center. And it's held in spring time!
There seems to be so much to see and do in Paducah which is what makes it so successful, it seems. Other shows just don't have this and may be why people don't want to invest the time and money to attend and why vendors don't see the sales to make it worth their time and money.

In Paducah you aren't confined to one big arena. The town is the quilt show. It's easy to drive, no traffic jams. LOL Easy to get around if you don't drive using the shuttle buses. Remember to tip the drivers! Many are using their day off to drive the buses.

One thing that bugs me: Went to a local show in Vicksburg MS and at least HALF of the quilts were ones I had seen at another MS show the year before. They were great quilts, but if I had known, I would have saved my money and my day. Don't shows have rules about 'previously shown' quilts?

ha-ha-ha-ha

A question for the Paducah show attendees: Are there any great "show specials" on fabric, thread, batting, or other essential supplies? I went once, back in the mid 1990's and there were vendors with good deals on fat quarters and charm packs. From what I am understanding now, most vendors have their items at regular price at the show? I know there are sales at Hancock's and other locations, but what about the quilt show vendors? Thank you for any information or advice!

I feel the same way.

I'm in a guild is involved in 2 shows--one is our own, local show that we've done for 32 years--we do get a couple of vendors, but due to size, we don't get many. When we ask, most are unwilling to vend due to expense of dragging all their items and manning it (and maybe a store too)even though the rental is only $25! The other show is the Kansas City REgional Quilt Fest which is held every other year (our 2nd one is THIS June 15-17 in Overland Park KS). The KCRQF was conceived by 14 area guilds that joined together to host a big regional show as many guilds are finding hosting local shows rather draining. KCRQF sponsoring guilds decided that a large show, hosted at a very nice facility with lots of amenities, many quilts and 135+ vendors (at a stall rate that makes sense--$600 for a double space, plus electrical and Wifi charge) would be a draw to those wanting a good quilt show in the MidWest. And since the guilds provide ALL the workers (we do pay to have a company set up and provide the quilt standards and drapes--but my guild will be hanging all the quilts with the exception of one of the 3 special displays), costs are held to a minimum. this is lots of work--with guilds participating in profit sharing based on volunteer hours--but we'll have 135 vendors, 14 opportunity quilt raffles, demos, 3 days of classes of all types, 3 special displays, guild display quilts, and judged quilts. So while it's possible for there to be great vendor participation, the show has to work to draw them in and make it worth their while.

I went last year and plan to go back this year. From what I saw, most vendors at the show charge retail. A few had bolts of fabric for $6 a yard... or a good price on several fat quarters. But most are not there offering bargains. There are better deals to be had OUTSIDE the actual show, like at the Hinkle (Finkel?) building and the local stores like QIAD and Hancocks and the pop up shops around town. I still like to look at everything the show vendors have, tho I don't buy much from them.

There were people selling heated seat cushions everywhere I went. Or maybe they were vibrating cushions... :confused: I thought that was the dumbest thing ever. So much vendor space just to sell seat cushions. :D

There are bargains in Paducah if you pay attention. Like others have said, much is retail, but you have to take into conside4ration that If you ordered on line, you'd have to pay shipping...and there is such a variety of items, you always end up with stuff you didn't know you needed. Then, there are the 'outside sales' I know of 2 semi-local quilt shops that simply move their whole store to Paducah...one super sale is right across the street from the Museum...the Murray Sewing Center has deeply discounted fabric...there's a wide range of selection and the whole warehouse is packed with shoppers all day. Eleanor Burns runs deep discounts on fabric too. (her tools are retail, but much of her fabric is $5 a yard) There are show specials on some equipment like irons and ironing boards, but the sheer volume of vendors in Paducah is astounding. Like others have noted, the whole town is the show. Vendors set up in any empty space and you'll find lots of things you want. The old Finkles building has the book sale...$5 for thousands of titles of quilting books. Many of them were retail at over $20, so that's a huge bargain. Here's a few pictures of some of the offerings.

Oh, and there are perks like if you've lost the little 'washer' for your Olfa rotary cutter, the Olfa folks will just hand you one. I think they cost about $10 with the shipping added if you have to request one to be mailed to you, but the Olfa folks will give them for the asking at the show.