The promise of Vermont’s fall foliage in addition to the state’s largest indoor Antique Show, made Essex Junction, Vermont a great weekend destination on October 8th and 9th. Sited in the comfortable and recently enlarged Miller Expo Center, 200 high quality dealers at the Champlain Valley Antiques Festival-—40 of them in elegant room settings—-welcomed a national and international crowd which promoter, Marvin Getman, reported to be 14% larger than last year. Gray skies and some rain dominated the weekend weather, but seemed to have no impact on the enthusiasm of buyers and sellers.

Marvin Getman, of New England Antiques Shows in Lexington, Massachusetts, was managing the show for the second year in co-sponsorship with the Champlain Valley Chamber of Commerce. Getman is a seasoned promoter with 26 years experience in the business. His expertise was evident in all aspects of the show: comprehensive and strategically placed advertising, a consumer friendly parking and admissions policy, a credit card charge program, and food venues with a variety of fresh offerings. Live piano music during both days of selling added to the ambience. This attention to detail, and to the needs of both customers and dealers, created a positive energy which fueled both days of selling.

The gate on Saturday started off very strong and continued throughout the day after a slow early preview. Getman reported he will not repeat the preview after seeing the results. A strong gate on Sunday included many return customers. (Saturday customers were given passes to return the next day.) Several dealers reported significant sales to shoppers who returned on day two.

The show featured a variety of well chosen dealers from Vermont, New England, and other parts of the US. “In spite of the naysayers,” said Getman, “I knew from my research that a large show with an eclectic selection would work in Vermont at this time of year.” That selection included 18th and 19th century American and Continental furniture, Americana and Country Primitives, Adirondack furniture and accessories, vintage baskets, Glass, Pottery and China, textiles and linens, and prints and paintings. Karen Young, a textile dealer from Brimfield, Massachusetts noted that the variety of dealers had produced a “visually stunning” show.

Tom and Valerie Smith of Antique Expressions in West Springfield, Massachusetts, were at the show for the first time. Their room setting booth featured American furniture and accessories. They reported good first day traffic and were very pleased with the advertising that had been done for the show. Also in a room setting, Rick Linehan and Bob Voss of Yesterday’s Luxuries in Hamden, Connecticut, featured decorative arts. They displayed several elegant early 20th century crystal chandeliers, one of which sold quickly on the first day. Rick and Bob were back this year after a “great show” in 2004. They said they had dealt with “sophisticated and knowledgeable” customers from both the US and Canada.

Susan Benjamin had a similar experience. Her business is Heirloom Linens located in East Hardwick, Vermont. She had many customers returning from last year. Her booth was centered around a table full of lovely pieces of Victorian and 20th century silverplate. She specializes in tabletop linens including damasks and silverplate appropriate for gift giving. She noted strong retail sales as well as strong sales to designers from Montreal.

A unique note was struck by Sir Alasdair Munro of Alba antiques. Sir Alasdair is easily recognizable in his Scottish Kilt. He and his wife are specialists in Scottish antiques. His booth displayed items of Scottish origin. He had a large collection of unusual Mauchlineware and Tartanware. He also had an interesting collection of jewelry that is worn as part of Scottish regalia. He is happy to answer questions and educate potential customers about “all things Scottish.” Ann and Carl Smith, general antique dealers from Lunenburg, Massachusetts, also enjoyed their interactions with their customers. Carl said that people were “interested and approachable” and that they had strong sales from their vintage clothing collection.

In the present uncertain economy, evidenced in the antique business by the shrinking size of most shows and the worried constituency of antique dealers, Marvin Getman continues to demonstrate positive and energetic leadership. He communicates his belief that even in this economy we NEED strong and interesting antique venues. In 2 years he has grown the Champlain Valley Antique Show from 40 dealers to 200 Dealers, this year seeing the show picked as one of Vermont’s Top Ten Fall Events by the state Department of Tourism. He universally gets high points from his dealers for his management, his responsiveness, and his proven ability to bring in big crowds. Commenting on the increased size and the larger crowd at this year’s show one of the returning dealers said, “You know from the results that he is doing something right!”

Getman’s dealers have come to know him as a promoter who values communication with them. Post-show surveys have become something dealers expect. This year’s survey produced an impressive 73% return. Dealers who did not complete the paper survey during the show were given the opportunity to do it online. 47% of the dealers reported good to excellent sales and those who reported “0.K.” sales brought that total to 85%. 94% of all dealers on the survey answered they were likely to return to the show next year. Those are impressive results by anyone’s count.

For information about next year’s Champlain Valley Antiques Show which will take place Oct 7-8, 2006 and other shows managed by New England Antique Shows, call 781-862-4039 or go to www.neantiqueshows.com.