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A new force to be reckoned with... some have said. Arizona Antique Shows has come to the Valley of the Sun when they purchased the JackBlack shows under ArtLin Inc., produced by Arthur and Linda Schwartz. Bob and Wanda Jones who are the Promoters of Arizona Antique Shows had no idea that purchasing Acorn Antique Guild Promotions of Arizona five seasons ago would take them down a path that has now brought them to Phoenix, promoting 19 shows annually throughout the state says Wanda Jones. "We never looked far enough into the future to see where this adventure would take our family when we started promoting shows.
When we purchased shows from ArtLin Inc, the November 2002 Fairgrounds Antique Market held at the State Fairgrounds was approximately 25% filled." With only four weeks to produce, promote and deliver a sold out show, the Jones Family went to work. By the time set-up came for the show, the building had completely sold out and there a waiting list had formed. Word traveled fast and two weeks after the November show, the Agriculture One building had sold out for the January 2003 show. The Jones's were able to open Agriculture two for the Antique Show for the first time since January of 2000. There were 125 booths, (the largest dealer count since February (1999.) One year Later: The November 2003 show filled two buildings with 155 booths. The January 2004 show filled '3' buildings and exceeded 180 booths, (110,000 SF).
Speaking of her family and the TEAM they have built. "There are 6 of us in this adventure Bob, myself, Gramma, Bradley, James and Meghan. Our goal and journey was to bring Arizona back into the show circuit as a serious contender in the country."
Wanda was asked what she contributes to the turn-a-round of the Phoenix shows and the newfound success of Arizona Antique Shows? "I believe it helps that we are Antique Dealers ourselves and have worked shows around the state of Arizona as well as California, Colorado and New Mexico since 1988. We have the BEST of all worlds knowing what the Dealer, Buyer and Collector portions of ourselves think and feel." She said "It's not rocket science! If you advertise well, provide Superior Customer Service, Integrity, Sincerity, Generosity, a lot of energy, and what ever you do STAY HUMBLE, the success will follow. I always try to extend a theme to each show.
We work hard to create a festive show each time. You will find themes at every show, along with any one or more of the following... appraisal booths, silent auctions, workshops, free wine tasting, live entertainment, door prizes, or gift certificates.
We try hard to give something back to our communities. 10% of our Friday's gate proceeds from the July 2002 Payson show to the Victims of the Rodeo/Chadeski Fires. We are also an ongoing supporter of the Child Haven Nursery Crisis Center. We use several non-profit charities to contribute the proceeds of the Appraisal booths... including St. Mary's Food Bank and NAMI, (National Alliance of Mental Illness, Arizona Chapter). We are always giving to the Phoenix Rescue Mission or Kid's Cafe` (food for the homeless children).
My Mother once said to win a person over for life is to feed them, so that's what we do. At our shows, Dealers are provided with refreshments and/or snacks with no additional costs to them during set up or in the mornings prior to opening.
Everyone loves to come to the shows. Dealers, Collectors and Investors love to buy, trade and sell. You know the saying if we build it, they will come. Our pledge to the Antique Community we will continue to expand our already aggressive advertising campaign every season. We have broadened our horizons into cable, local television and several Antique publications, along with out of state show programs & newspapers throughout the country."
Raised in this business with a family of seven children, Wanda's parents had two Antique shops and an Auction. They managed to raise all 7 of their children, purchase and provide a home and sent her to college. She was President of a car club in California and organized several car shows through the 1980s. Her Car Club also worked for R.G. Canning who promotes the World of Wheels as well as the famous Rose Bowl market.
Phoenix has just moved into position as the 5th largest city on the nation and there isn't a reason in the world why there shouldn't be GREAT shows offered here. Once housing several hundreds of Dealers and thousands of Customers who anxiously awaited the shows in Phoenix, people flocked into Arizona from all over the U.S. as far away as New York, Florida, Texas, Oregon and even Canada. These loyal patrons also brought additional commerce to the state in many ways including additional revenues to the local Antique Community. The core of Buyers traveling into Arizona for the Antique Shows doesn't just spend their dollars at the shows. They will make the best of their trip by visiting the local shops, malls and both forms of tourism while staying and sharing the wealth.
Asking Wanda how she and her family feel about their great success, she replied "I have been humbled and stand in AWE of the wonderful support the Dealer and Customer Community has extended us since we started our venture five seasons ago. We have worked very diligently to Promote shows with Professionalism, Superior Service, and a great deal of Drive and Energy." Wanda also says Arizona Antique Shows has become successful with the help of a few people she would like to thank. "My sister Jo and Brother in Law Scott have been my biggest fans and supporters, exhibiting at the shows as well. My Graphic Designer, (Mary Walstrom of Jezac Design) is no less than a miracle worker, producing our ads, business cards, flyers, posters, banners and anything else I place on her desk. Jesse Walstrom is our Webmaster, creating and maintaining our terrific and user friendly website: www.azantiqueshow.com. I don't feel we would be experiencing this success without them. There is also a core of Dealers that have supported all our shows from the beginning that I would like to say THANK-YOU to."
Asking Wanda where she sees the shows and her family five years from now? "We honestly haven't had time to look that far into the future but feel confident we will stay strong as a Family and Team. I can tell you this we will continue to promote all our shows with the same Energy, Drive and Commitment we have provided over the past few years.
We are growing rapidly each season, acquiring additional shows. For April of 2004, we have brought back the prestigious 'Scottsdale's Premier Antique Show'. This Scottsdale show will only be offered twice yearly so will be a GRANG event to attend, bringing only the most pristine merchandise to the valley from all over the country, along with some local Arizona Exhibitors. Our venue and current calendar is available on our website http://www.azantiqueshow.com or by contacting us at 602.717.7337.
"So
hold onto the reins, as we are off on yet ANOTHER ADVENTURE.
Hope you will join the ride and we will have a great time".
Letters
from our dealers...