If you have someone who can sketch in AutoCad, that is very helpful in layouts. Everyone laughs and calls me names (no reindeer games for me
), but it tells you what is there. That;s not to say it will be that way when you set it all up, but it gives a good idea. I tried to give vendors abotu 4'x4' (2' table and ~2' of space between the table and wall. I also tried to keep at least 6' between tables that face each other. This helps with flow and congestion. Both of our last two swap were still a little cramped, but I think the last one was better. Get as big a space as you can for the price range you have. It never hurts to have too much, but too little and the room heats up quickly and people get grumbly.
Access is important (many more people are bringing set ups these days for display). Electricity is important, too (for the same reason). Sometimes, you have to give and take, though, so you don't always give everyone what they want (but they usually end up with what they need).
The trick is getting the word out. I posted in every forumwithin about 5-7 hours from the location and subscribed to the threads to keep track if someone posted asking questions (this is a great task to farm out to someone). We also lucked into a newspaper article the year before last that brought a lot of people in, as well. Anyway to get the word out. We printed posted both years (Richard had them done the first year) and posted them in vet offices, Petco's, PetSmart's, etc., as well as LFS'. A lot goes into swaps. I'm glad to see one coming to Memphis
. I had always wanted to see swaps aroud the state at given intervals (just wish I was still in state...). Crack for everyone
.
HTH