Starting a gun show..?

[glowdotGlock]

I was just wondering if anyone has ever put on a gun show and knows of the legalities of doing so. I have a commercial building available for rent. It's air conditioned and around 6,800 square feet. I have been thinking of putting on a gun show but don't know if I can or what I would have to do. There are about 200 8ft tables at the facility for my use. So I guess my question is can I rent tables to vendors and advertise the heck out of it and pull it off? I would think around $75 per vendor and and extra $15 per table and something like $5 admission or along those lines. Any advice or am I just daydreaming?

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[hipower]

Do you own the building? Leasing It? Do you have insurance and liability coverage for the event? Would you need local permits to do this? Just a few questions that come to mind immediately.

And just my opinion here, not trying to be insulting. Just offering a little input. If you should put it all together; I think your projected vendor fee is a little high for an unknown quantity that a new show and promoter would be. And table fees as well? I've helped out with several shows and that's not usually done.

As for the admission fee, 5 dollars would probably get you a lot of traffic.

But after you find out what you need to get it running; by all means post about it. Im usually up for a gun show.

Edited July 10, 2012 by hipower

[vontar]

It would be interesting. I would think Insurance would be the big one. Also might want to set it up as a business at least a LLC if not a full Corp just to protect yourself from liabilities in the unforeseen event of trouble. Would have to have a complete set of rules. Hipower brings up a good point, might have to give the vendors a break on the first show or 2 to see how many vendors you can draw and what kind of buyers you can pull in. It could big a good business if all things come together. You would probably need some professional help in setting up all the correct licenses, insurance, etc. If I had a location I would consider it. I don't have a location.

Edited July 10, 2012 by vontar

[glowdotGlock]

Those are some of the same concerns I had. I would be renting the building at a pretty sweet deal. I don't want to give it away. I am sure going to do some more checking on it as far as liability and insurance issues. If I do get the wheel rolling and have one and it does well, I may try to make it like a semi-annual or quarterly event. I'm gonna do some homework.

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Edited July 10, 2012 by glowdotGlock

[Oh Shoot]

... I would think around $75 per vendor and and extra $15 per table ...

Tables are only a flat $56 each at the RK shows in Knoxville, which are about as big as any in the state as I understand it. I guess that would come out 'bout same as your pricing structure, but only with multiple tables.

- OS

Edited July 10, 2012 by OhShoot

[TGO David]

Yeah, been there and done that. I still think the area needs a different, better kind of gun show but I'm not convinced that the consumer realizes it or is capable of appreciating it.