Interesting marketing differences

[DeadBishop]

So, I was poking around different Mid-America festival websites, and came across a few curious things.  One of which was the Michigan fest, which runs the exact same time as ours.  Their weekend themes seem to be what we want/make more sense (they have TWO pirate weekends?), and they seem to run weekend specials (this weekend all food is $5 or less).  But the one thing that caught my attention was that their Festival Friday is not the last weekend of the run, AND their ticket prices are only $10 for that day!  I wonder why there are inconsistencies like this between these sister faires?  You'd think they'd be more alike in these aspects...

[groomporter]

Maybe the higher unemployment rate in Michigan hits them harder?

[Marietta Graziella]

Very interesting differences!   It seems our numbers are falling off instead of increasing.  Perhaps it's the choice of themes and not offering something new to check out.   When speaking with people who don't go to fest they usually say...  I haven't been in YEARS because it was always the same.  Hmmm, sounds like people are making their voices heard thru the deafening silence of their absence.

[groomporter]

I'm assuming part of the difference is Peterson has a bigger day-to-day hand in running MNRF. I have to admit at the prices I'd probably only go every other year if I was a patron. In general t is pretty much the same from year to year, but then so is the State Fair. I think it's time to invest in getting a couple nationally known acts to appear at least for one weekend like Blackmore's Night, or the Medieval Baebes.

With the fortieth anniversary coming, they should beg and plead to get MNRF veterans like Penn & Teller, and The Flying Karamazov Brothers, to make cameo appearances.

Heck is there anyway we could get the Mythbusters to do an episode on knights and jousting and film on site.

[Will Gamwell]

Michigan is quite a bit smaller of a faire compared to ours.  The street cast alone is roughly 1/3 the size of ours.  MNRF is one of the top 3 in the country last I checked.  From all that I heard, MNRF is the cash-cow.

[groomporter]

Just sent this to the marketing dept

Rather than the health and wellness weekend, what if fest had an SCA weekend and let the local SCA kingdom take over the new special events area outside "B" gate for their demos and recruiting purposes?

Or combine the SCA with the historic-themed LARP (Live Action Role Playing) game crowd, and the local Amtgard foam weapon fighting groups like http://www.mistsofdawn.com/ to network and play together for a weekend and a discount ticket into fest?

These are people who not only would fit in better with the Renaissance theme, but would also be more likely to patronize our crafters for their props and costumes.

[Noble Dreg]

I have to admit that's a pretty good idea (as much as I dislike the SCA).  Not sure if it would have a mass-market appeal but it would be good for many of the crafters.

[Charlotte Rowan]

Very interesting differences!   It seems our numbers are falling off instead of increasing. 

I don't think so.... didn't we break attendance records every day for the first couple of weekends? I don't know about the later weekends, but weekends 1 & 2 which are usually pretty dead seemed much busier to me this year...

[groomporter]

I have to admit that's a pretty good idea (as much as I dislike the SCA).  Not sure if it would have a mass-market appeal but it would be good for many of the crafters.

I figured if they do some of their fighting it could provide some entertainment to the general public (although the problem is some people might want to try it out), and I can't imagine the runners in the races for Health and Wellness weekend are going to stay on site long spending money very long after they are don running.

[KeithR]

I don't think so.... didn't we break attendance records every day for the first couple of weekends? I don't know about the later weekends, but weekends 1 & 2 which are usually pretty dead seemed much busier to me this year...

So did the state fair. I'd have to put it that the nicer, cooler, less humid weather was a major factor in attendance for those first two weekends.

[Ren Jen]

Honestly as much as my family loves the ren fair I don't think you can compare it to the state fair.  They are two such completely different entities.

The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. 

[Phelyp, Lord Maydestone]

I have to admit that's a pretty good idea (as much as I dislike the SCA).  Not sure if it would have a mass-market appeal but it would be good for many of the crafters.

I agree with Noble Dreg - SCA is full of authenticity snobs who often ridicule Faires for said reason.  The crafter connection might be a good hook for them though.

[tcindie]

It seems our numbers are falling off instead of increasing.

I would disagree.. we've been having a large number of people come through the fencing booth each weekend, even on the really hot oppressive "is it closing cannon yet?" weekends.  Don't know if we've broken any records -- I am not privvy to such info -- but from what I see things are doing very well.  People need entertainment, and even if admission is somewhat high priced, it's still a lot cheaper than flying the fam to orlando for a week at Disney or something..

[groomporter]

I have to admit that's a pretty good idea (as much as I dislike the SCA).  Not sure if it would have a mass-market appeal but it would be good for many of the crafters.

I agree with Noble Dreg - SCA is full of authenticity snobs who often ridicule Faires for said reason.  The crafter connection might be a good hook for them though.

I think a lot of SCA people have a love/hate relationship with fair, there's certain amount of healthy crossover. For example, Felix Needleworthy is fairly well known as a clothier among the local SCA kingdom and has been a "merchantocrat" -running the merchants' room in local SCA indoor events we've attended as merchants. There are a number of participants who are SCA members and there has to be a way to capitalize on that to improve the relationship.

[Will Gamwell]

It seems our numbers are falling off instead of increasing.

I would disagree.. we've been having a large number of people come through the fencing booth each weekend, even on the really hot oppressive "is it closing cannon yet?" weekends.  Don't know if we've broken any records -- I am not privvy to such info -- but from what I see things are doing very well.  People need entertainment, and even if admission is somewhat high priced, it's still a lot cheaper than flying the fam to orlando for a week at Disney or something..

As of Saturday morning cast call, it was announced that we are roughly 12,000 up in attendance in comparison to last year.  After this busy weekend . . . who knows.

[groomporter]

Yeah, a lot of people have been wondering if the increase in attendance is doe to "Stay-cations" People staying in town to do things locally due to the economy.

Unfortunately at the Masters' Dinner most of the artists said their sales were down by a significant amount. We're holding our own but I think it's partially because we did an earlybird special the first two weekends.

[Charlotte Rowan]

Evidently, beer sales are up...

[Will Gamwell]

Unfortunately at the Masters' Dinner most of the artists said their sales were down by a significant amount. We're holding our own but I think it's partially because we did an earlybird special the first two weekends.

I've heard this said a lot from different merchants/vendors.  It was also mentioned by Carr on the first weekend that it is what everyone is experiencing at the other Faires across the country.  It seems like people are staying home to save money, but when they do go out locally to an event, they are spending the bare minimum.  I've noticed that a few shoppes here and there have lowered their prices on items.  Perhaps to make the purchase a little more enticing.  

The other thing that was mentioned is that it seems "hat-pass" is up!!  It would almost seem that people are more greatful for the laughs they are given.  The small moments where they can forget their woes outside of the gates.

[Noble Dreg]

I think a lot of SCA people have a love/hate relationship with fair...There are a number of participants who are SCA members and there has to be a way to capitalize on that to improve the relationship.

Not jumping on my ars for "improper garb" while they themselves are wearing "civies" and are attending MY Renaissance Fair would be a good start.  The few interactions I have had with SCA have been meetings by accident, with them taking the innitiative, none have been positive experiences.  Likely a vocal minority, but an irritating one.

[groomporter]

As someone pointed out to me elsewhere, the real problem would be getting sponsors who would kick in some money towards the event the way Vitaminwater and the Minnesota Wellness Alliance are helping sponsor the "Royal Rumble", -so maybe the LARP and historic RPG groups would be a better fit than the SCA to get some RPG game store or gaming industry sponsors

It might suffer from the same lack of sponsorship problem as having the SCA in the special events area, but what if it was offered to various local historical reenacting groups? Last year Bristol had a little weekend for reenactors to promote the Chicago Reenactorfest Convention.

If it was done last weekend and billed as a "Timeline of History" it could add lots of educational value to Festival Friday. Although one problem with doing it last weekend would be the overlap with the Big Island Rendezvous when fest runs to the first weekend of October.

[Leyla]

RPG gaming store/industry involvement sounds like a great idea. I know quite a few people who would love to attend a "Magic the Gathering" tourney out at ren fest.
That B gate area would be a nice place to showcase various games too.

[groomporter]

And there's a big overlap between gamers and Renfair participants so there should be connections that could easily be made.

[Noble Dreg]

LARP and gamers...there's a group that could have good returns for MAF and the crafters.  MAF marketing really should look at that one.

[ladydiwinter]

Isn't Game Informer based out of MN? I'm not sure if they deal with the LARP, but many people who LARP also play MMORPGs, or perhaps the production company of Magic or D&D could get involved if they have any ties in MN. Also, any large comic book stores in Minneapolis could sponsor something. Just spit balling here.