Sales at Kentucky Crafted: The Market Reported as Strong

July 15, 2009 - PRLog -- FRANKFORT, KY — The Kentucky Arts Council reports sales at over a half-million dollars from the state-sponsored wholesale/retail show, Kentucky Crafted: The Market, held this past February 20-22 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville. In spite of the weak economy, the award winning event attracted 577 buyers from 298 businesses and there were over 6,500 in attendance on the public days.

“Kentucky Crafted:The Market gives artists and craftspeople from all across the state a venue to sell to wholesale and retail customers alike in Kentucky's largest market region," said Lori Meadows, executive director of the Kentucky Arts Council.

Out of the 243 exhibitors of fine art, craft, books and specialty food products, 209 reported wholesale sales of $276,999 and retail sales of $315,353. With an average income of $2,818 per reporting exhibitor, the combined total sales for the market are estimated as $684,774.

Surveys from wholesale buyers indicated that Kentucky Crafted: The Market was very valuable as a resource for locating quality products. Of the buyers that responded to the survey, 86% went into the show with decreased or level buying budgets and yet 68% -placed first time orders with exhibitors.

Kentucky Crafted: The Market for 2010 is scheduled for March 4-7 at the Kentucky Exposition Center, South Wing B, Louisville.

Kentucky Crafted:The Market is produced by the Kentucky Arts Council , a state agency in the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet that creates opportunities for Kentuckians to value, participate in and benefit from the arts. Funding for the Kentucky Arts Council is provided by the Kentucky General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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Contact: Ed Lawrence
Communications Director
(502) 564-3757 ext. 473
ed.lawrence@ky.gov

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