My experience at the Paseo Arts and Holly Fest

I participated as a vendor in the Paseo Arts and Holly Fest, which happened December 17th and 18th at the Paseo Colorado outdoors mall in Pasadena. This mall has a lot of space in between the retail stores and the booths were located in this space. The promoter was very nice and he had volunteers to help vendors set up and to take down the booths.

The name of the show has the word "art" in it but the vendors did not match up to the title. There was a variety of vendors and some were artsy and some were not. It also seemed that the people at the mall were there as frequenters of the mall and not because they were interested in the Paseo Arts and Holly Fest. I didn’t have any customers that were interested in art.

I do not consider this place a good place for artists because the retail stores were offering high discounts and customers wanted discounts from me, which I could not afford to give. I cannot compete with retailers. This was not a good show for fiber art artist like me.

This experience helped remind me how much I have to research the shows I participate in before I sign up.

However, I met a great artist at this show and I am so happy that I met someone like her.

Pasadena Holiday Show was a SCAM!

The Pasadena Holiday Show promoted by IEM http://www.iem-events.com/ turned out to be a complete SCAM!
The sales representatives from the company promised us the following:

Plenty of free entertainment for all ages (There was an empty stage)

25,000- 35,000 shoppers and sold tickets (I believe a total of 28 tickets were sold)

Santa's village and photos (No Santa or Village)

Winter wonderland (None)

Games, rides, raffles (None)

Exotic petting zoo (None)

Pony rides (None)

Over 250 booths (We counted 104 and we were all charged different prices for the booths)

They said that exhibit hall A and C were full so we would have to go to hall B (The other exhibit halls did not exist)

They said KIIS FM and ABC would be there filming (They were not there)

The produceres of the show were nowhere to be found. Not on location nor through phone. They could not be contacted. The phone numbers that I had were no longer working when I attempted to call them. IEM basically rented out the hall and that was it. No promotions, not signs, not marketing, no customers.

There will be a news report airing this evenning at 5pm or later on Channel 2.

I want to reachout to all artists who participate in conventions to be very critical of the shows you sign up for.

This experience was a loss of energy, time, and money.

Pasadena Holiday Gift Show

Pasadena Holiday Gift Show

This show offers fun and entertainment for the entire family. Holiday shoppers can visit 100 exhibit booths filled with high-end jewelry, brand name apparel, souvenirs, home décor, fashion accessories, gourmet foods, novelties, electronics, and more. Enjoy surprise guest appearances and live cooking and martial arts demonstrations. The event also features door prizes, raffles and exciting activities for the whole family. Bring an unwrapped toy to the Toys for Tots drop-off area. A portion of the proceeds from admission will benefit Make-A-Wish Foundation’s Greater Los Angeles Chapter.

Friday 2 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m
Sunday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

$7, children 12 and under free with an adult

Pasadena Convention Center, 300 E. Green St.

iem-events.com