As the largest promoter of Civil War shows in the country, Mike Kent and Associates has been an integral part of the Civil War collecting community for the past twenty years.  Sponsoring 4 Civil War shows and 18 modern gun and knife shows annually is a full time job for Mike Kent and Associates and one that most dealers and attendees do not fully understand or appreciate.  While shows are business opportunities for some dealers, hobbies for others and social events for a few,  they are a serious undertaking for promoters with tens of thousands of dollars at stake every time the doors open for the public.  With so much riding on the outcome of a show, every detail has to be worked out well in advance with very little room for error.

Planning starts 2 -3 years in advance with dates being nailed down at various venues, contracts being signed and deposits paid. 

Advertising is the most critical component of a successful show and begins a year in advance for maximum exposure.  This means large display ads in all national Civil War publications in every issue year round, with all shows listed.  This ensures the shows and dates are in front of the collecting public months in advance.  As an event draws near, local advertising becomes more important with ads in newspapers, on radio and TV stations, on billboards as well as a direct mail campaign with thousands of postcards and e-mails sent to past show attendees.  To handle this multitude of tasks, Mike Kent and Associates depends on a full service ad agency to make sure everything is handled in a timely and efficient manner.

Dealers are the heart of any show and it requires a promoter to be accessible to them 24/7 via cell phone and e-mail.  Table reservations must be processed, special requests considered and confirmations returned in a timely manner.  Layouts must be prepared, approved by the facility and local Fire Department and updated daily to ensure all dealers are in the proper location year to year. 

As a show draws near, even more details have to be handled including hiring security, obtaining insurance, ordering awards, making badges for every participant, arranging for the rental of tables and chairs,  arranging concessions, making hotel reservations for show personnel, obtaining cash for box office change and handling last minute table cancellations and additions.   

The job of a promoter is definitely a labor of love and a job that gets little publicity or recognition.  The next time you attend a Civil War show or participate as a vendor,  take a minute to let the promoter know you enjoyed the show and had a good time.  It will really make our day! 

If you would like to find out more about participating in our Civil War shows, please visit- www.mikekentshows.net