Thinking about doing a gun show for business. Anyone ever done one?

Couldn't find any threads on it.

It would be for my small local town so it would be my clients.

In Texas gun shows usually have vendors that are non-gun for the ladies. Then vendors for everyone like beef jerky. However that jerky is expensive.

The non-venders are Handbags, belts, hats, clothes.

All these are also usually expensive say upwards of $200 for a bag.

Lots of bling. So there is some disposable income. The guy gets the gun the lady shops and gets her stuff.

So here is what I'm thinking. A table with specialty cakes in front like a Glock(gun), Duck dynasty, and a hot rod cake. Then in the back of the table I can have wedding cakes. The guys cakes can also double as groom cakes.

What are your thoughts...good idea?? Bad idea??

ASounds great sans the wedding cakes. I would suggest bringing photos of those but the specialty/carved cakes would be nice. It'll give them ideas for birthdays and stuff for gun enthusiasts. Will you be selling cakes/cupcakes too or are you coming at this more like a bridal show type event?

I agree with vgcea, I would nix the wedding cakes, and just have your portfolio. I would also be selling somethign small and easy to eat, like cupcakes.

I don't think setting up a booth like you would at a wedding fair will get you much, if any, business. People are going there to come home with something.

I was going to give out samples and business cards.. Wasn't thinking of selling cupcakes only because I don't know if that will sell? Since its a smaller gun show not sure people will be there as long. Not really looking at it as a bridal show more like "book your birthday" and if you need or know someone who has a wedding pass along my info. The idea of making them inter-changeable(grooms cakes) was more to balance the wedding cakes.
 

The only 'gun show' I have ever been to was massive, held in a trade center, there were food vendors, and entertainment, and cost about $40 to get in, so people were there for awhile. It was more like a gun fair, haha.

I've always just had it in my head they were all like that, lol.

I guess for a smaller one it would depend a lot on how much it would cost you.

This one is only $8 to get in its 45minutes from Fort Worth. Yes I have been to those big ones.

I'm still waiting on them to get back with me. For the gun shops its only $65 for a 100ft table. So yeah I'm not thinking its going to cost me a lot. The bridal fair in the same city is $300 and I doubt I would get near the traffic. Everyone knows somebody who is getting married right? I'll let you know when I get more info on price.

Anyone else been to a gun show or been a lady purchasing at one?
 

AIm sure the ladies would love to have cupcakes. As with any form of advertising, you need to be sure that the market you're reaching out to is actually your target market. I don't think it's wise to just cast a wide net and hope for the best. Bad advertising is worse than no advertising in my opinion-- hence why I suggested nixing the wedding cakes and asked about selling cupcakes. If I went to a gun show and saw someone handing out cards for future wedding cakes or celebration cakes, it would seem odd and out of place. Even desperate. But if she was there to sell cupcakes or pastries and then handed me a card it would make more sense.

I agree with vg above... sell me a snack, and I will see what a great baker you are!
 

AThe first thing I would ask myself is:

Do I really want myself, my business and my business name and reputation to be associated with the weapons industry?

A

A

Do your friends, by any chance, call you Bubba?

ADueling banjos.......

Annabakescakes you are my Shero

AKeep in mind that if you are a home baker, you will need to rent commercial kitchen time/space to make your samples or sales in. We can't give out samples at wedding shows made at home, so I would imagine the requirement is the same.

AOh my word! I almost died! I have a cold right now and every time I laugh I have a coughing fit.

  At first I thought it kind of crazy for the OP to consider...now I'm not so sure.  I kind of like the idea of the groom's cakes using camo and hunting themes.  It's a very popular theme for weddings around here.  What could it hurt to try?  You might create a niche market..."Guns 'n Buttercream"...could be profitable--especially in Texas!

 

AI was laughing at the exchange between Anna and Godot, not at the gun show idea. :) (I tried to edit my previous comment to make that clear but for some reason it won't let me.)

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In a place like Texas I don't think that would be an issue, unlike other areas in the US where people hate America.

AI'm actually surprised (and disappointed) at your post, Jason, unless, of course, you are using sarcasm! You're usually so dispassionate and logical - like a Vulcan.

One can absolutely be a patriot and still oppose the weapons industry (and the NRA!). Being proud to be American while opposing weapons is not mutually exclusive.

I couldn't think of anything worse then a gun show, but I'm from the UK and we don't roll like that.
 

I'm amazed at how many of you assume that women are there against their will...More and more women are carrying these days. I would make some gun cakes or cupcakes specifically targeted to women. Like the Lady Smith .38 hammerless with the pink grip... Or pink camo cakes

Really?  So if you support gun control you hate America?  That's a bit of an exaggeration!

I personally would NOT want my name or business associated with a gun show, but that is not the question.

I think the OP needs to consider what you are hoping to get out of the show.  I've read in a few places that expos in general don't always get you enough business to make the time and energy put in to it worth it.  I highly doubt you would get much wedding business, but certainly if you show off your gun carving skills and camo abilities you might get some orders for birthdays.  If you feel it is time and money well spent to get your name out to the gun community and get an order or two, then go for it! 

I also second the fact that you need to check licensing rules.  As a residential baker in my area you need a different kind of license to sell individual products, like cupcakes, at an event.

ASince you mentioned there are vendors for the women, you might want to have some non-gun/hunting cakes displayed. If not, people might think that is what you specialize in. If you don't have the time to make actually dummy cakes, perhaps you have some nice photos of other cakes you made (especially that neat ice cream cone one) and have them made into small posters, mount them onto foam core, and hang at the back of your display or stand them on plate stands. Places like Staples & Office Max will print out posters for a decent price. I prefer Office Max. They usually have a station where I can sit with one of their employees at the computer. I bring my photo or document on a memory stick, then we look at it on the comuter before printing. if their regular size poster is too big, you could always have two images printed out on one poster and cut in half. If there is a lot of background stuff going on in your photos, have it removed so you are only showing the cake. You can change the background to a solid color. You can also cut out the pic of the cake/foam core. Good luck!

But there are many women there shopping for guns, interested in guns and who like cupcakes/cakes. That was my point. Not to forget to target them with your products. Not here for political talk...strictly marketing strategies.

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My apologies, considering I'm from California I thought the sarcasm was obvious. ;)

I support both the second amendment and gun control...I think concealed carry should be legal everywhere but with a high bar to clear (safety classes, background checks, etc.) and regular renewals required.