Over the weekend I had the pleasure of attending the Sacred Journey Metaphysical Market held at the holiday inn in Cincinnati Ohio. This event is done twice a year from what I found out once in march and once in August. The entry fee to go to this event is $7.00 for the day and $10.00 for the weekend, and part of the door money went to Women Helping Women. Great cause by the way if you haven't heard of it. To vend at this event is $125.00 for the two-day event and they provide tables and chairs for the vendors. During this event, they had multiple guest speakers who unfortunately I was unable to watch. I'll make sure to include a link and photos of this year's lineup. I know they have hotel rates available as well but since this show landed in my lap I did not stay.
This event just fell into my lap from a business networker who couldn't attend the show and wanted the spot used. So when I got the chance I hopped on the chance to share in a new location and event. The communication between myself and the event organizers was amazing all the way. The event was held at the holiday inn and I must say the place was gorgeous and the staff was beyond friendly. Upon entering the event location we saw one sign that was small promoting the event to hotel goers. When we got to the checkout desk they informed us it was around the building. To which we saw one more little sign and found a parking spot and made our way to the doors. The doors didn't have any promotion about the event and not sure if it was just hotel policy or missed opportunity. We made our way to the table before the entryway into the convention spot and we saw a sea of other vendors all tired in preparation for the big day ahead. Each one was perfectly setting up their booths as we made the way to our booth for the day. As we talked and laughed with the organizers the vibrations for the day seemed amazing.
Once we got situated and the time had arrived it was a slow process as many events tend to be as many sleep-ins during the weekends. But slowly people came in here and there one at a time and as the hours passed it felt like time slowed down. Because the crowd wasn't really matching what we had initially projected based on the Facebook going vrs. interested. As a fellow event organizer, I know the pain of what can be and cant be. Things happen people change their minds. But I was amazed that there wasn't much traction for an event in such a big city. All the customers we got had mentioned to us that they didn't know this existed and that they only knew because they follow us. To the credit of the organizers, I saw the Facebook ads popping up on my feed and the information. But for some reason, the surrounding areas that should have been a target of the ads just didn't happen. As the hours went on we had some good and some negative interactions with fellow vendors that just left a bad taste in our mouths. We do not blame the organizers for the actions of others, it's beyond their control.
The first issue we had was when a customer was looking at merch and the vendor who was beside us, was behind us getting a reading. But got up to get something from their booth and bumped into our customer. Which got the customer to leave the area and I honestly don't blame them. The next interaction I had was with an individual who was selling crystals and decided to stop at our booth. Upon coming up I greeted them as anyone would and remained courteous. But as they looked upon our items made they gave a look of disgust and walked away mumbling to themselves. But that wasn't before giving me a look like I was the most horrible thing that they have seen. Which threw me off since I had just spoken to them at their booth while browsing their vast crystal collection. My goal was to buy some pieces, but after the display, they proceeded with it made me grateful I hadn't. Crystals trap energy and store energetic memory and in my opinion, I wouldn't want that for my crystals.
The last reaction experience made me double-think this event and nothing that the owners had done. One of the readers who was an older gentleman kept walking past our booth and giving us looks. At one point I said Hello, and he just turned his head in the air and walked away. At this point, I just wanted to cry, because we are all here to make money and make networking opportunities. All the items I had for sale were handcrafted and I had spent countless hours on in preparation for this show. It was at this point that I personally needed to leave, my energy was low and it had hit a point of no return.
Now before you think it was all bad let me tell you about some of the amazing Now with all this said I want to point out a few things before ending this blog. During this event I meet two wonderful souls one was a soul journey reader and the other was with a lady from Georgia. These two ladies made the experience so much fun. They were easy to talk to and you felt like you could relax around them. I just want to say thank you to those girls, because you made a bad day turn amazing for me. I do not blame Sacred Journey Market at all they were amazing hosts and you could tell they do what they can for anyone who attends. The second thing is I wanted to make this post so that more people can know about The event. Just because this is my experience doesn't mean it's always this way. Vendors change and so do the crowds and all this is based solely on my experience. Would I suggest this event for you to go in and check out? Yes of course. There were many vendors who were nice and engaging and friendly to be around and make the experience a wonderland. If I had any feedback to give on the event based on my experience. I'd say cut down on the reiki readers to a minimum of two and tarot readers as well that way it opens space for other vendors. Place bigger signs with an arrow to follow where to go and on the doors of the entryway if possible. Along with posting in surrounding groups that fit the demographic, you are trying to reach. Cincinnati has a huge pagan/metaphysical market and I feel like if it got out more this be a hit.
For anyone reading this and thinking of not giving it a shot next march, try it and then make a decision. Events are painstaking to plan and to get out there and why so many have trouble staying afloat. There are many hours behind the scenes and things can happen when you get people together. The calls and craziness don't end once the doors open either and when you pour your heart into something it shows. These ladies have done that and they need to be seen and become of value to the community. To those, I had negative experiences with I don't know what you are going through in your life. Maybe something happened and I just picked up on the fact. Just remember we are all people and we enter these spaces to have fun and to keep living in a day and age of inflation. Everything is a teachable moment and I too will be doing better myself and trying to get more sleep before events.
The Devine Witch
Comentários