Exhibiting Benefits


2013 EXHIBITING OPPORTUNITIES
The One of a Kind Show invites artists with high quality, handmade, original work to apply to be a part of the One of a Kind experience in Chicago! Eligible work ranges from giftable craft to premium fine art. Artist will be juried and chosen based on uniqueness, craftsmanship and attention to detail.

For booth options and acceptance criteria, click here.

Apply via www.zapplication.org by June 3, 2013 to be considered by final jury.

For details on exhibiting, please contact Kim Runner at 312.527.7642, krunner@mmart.com or Erin Hartz at 312.527.7757, ehartz@mmart.com.

The only indoor fine art show in Sunshine Artist's Top 20.
In 2012, the One of a Kind Show Chicago ranked 8th among the 200 best shows.

There's Nothing Like It!

The One of a Kind Show is an extraordinary holiday shopping event featuring fine art and craft from a juried selection of North America’s most talented artists. The 4-day show provides an outstanding opportunity for exhibiting artists to sell to thousands of highly qualified and enthusiastic shoppers in an ideal location and premium environment.

Launched in Toronto in 1975, the One of a Kind Show was born out of a desire to create the consummate venue for artists to sell their work during the holidays and for shoppers to buy that work. Today, the show is a wildly popular annual event in Toronto, Vancouver, New York and Chicago. Shoppers love the One of a Kind Show because it is the best place for them to find unique handmade work they won’t find anywhere else. They relish the opportunity to meet each artist and buy from them directly. And they enjoy the fun and easy indoor shopping experience featuring gourmet cafes, artist demonstrations, craft workshops, fashion shows, live music, coat and package check, and gift wrap and shipping services.

Artists love the One of a Kind Show because it is an unparalleled opportunity to sell to thousands of targeted affluent consumers who are ready to shop!

They understand the tremendous value in being a part of an established and respected show brand and presenting their work in a high quality, hard wall booth environment.

They appreciate the ease of show operations and the professionalism and attentiveness of show staff.

And they benefit from substantial show marketing and exceptional artist promotional opportunities.


Premier Timing and Location

The 13th annual One of a Kind Show Chicago is scheduled during one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year. Located in downtown Chicago at The Merchandise Mart, the show is considered “Chicago’s Holiday Shopping Show” and is an annual must attend event for over 60,000 Chicagoans who love to shop.

Located at the heart of the most economically viable and highly trafficked area of Chicago, The Merchandise Mart, the world’s leading design center, delivers an audience of designers, gallery owners and trade representatives, as well as affluent visitors and collectors from across the Chicagoland region. The sophisticated hard-wall booth configuration showcases work to its best advantage.
 

Marketing That Truly Is One of a Kind

The show’s comprehensive multi-media campaign includes:

  • Over $500,000 in print and online advertising reaching more than 26 million
  • More than 100,000 show brochures and tickets offers mailed and distributed to targeted shoppers in the Chicago area
  • Wide reaching e-mail campaign with 25 htmls culminating in over 600,000 e-mail receipts
  • Major promotional outreach via strong show partnerships within the art/craft industry
  • Media partnership with the Chicago Tribune and its affiliates
  • Outdoor advertising including street banners in prime city shopping locations
  • Media hits generating over 10 million impressions and featuring TV interviews on major networks
  • Full-color Show Guide with floor plan, show highlights and exhibiting artist information

 

Unparalleled Promotional Support For Artists

Unique, pre-event and on-site visibility opportunities, including exposure in show promotional and advertising material are offered to promote the sale of your art and create interest and excitement among the show’s visitors.

Exhibiting artists are equipped with generous materials and exceptional opportunities to promote their presence at the show:

  • Listings in online directory, online artist locator featuring artist images and link, and on-site Show Guide
  • Marketing materials for artist use including postcards, brochures, complimentary tickets, posters, banner ads and customizable e-mails
  • PR exposure via the show’s extensive media relations efforts
  • Opportunities for on-site promotion in displays, fashion shows, and artist demonstrations

 

Unique Partnerships

One of a Kind Show partners elevate the show by providing valuable programming and promotional support. Partners have included, The Chicago Tribune, Nissan, NBC, ClearChannel Communications, Etsy, ReadyMade Magazine, Daily Candy, Pebeo, the American Crafts Council, Gallery 37/After School Matters, The Chicago Department of Tourism, Vecco, Illinois Artisans Program and Andersonville Galleria. Special events held on the show floor, benefiting such groups as Children's Memorial Hospital, Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Chicago Loop Alliance, I-Go, Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association, The Chicago Art Foundation, Pediatric AIDS Chicago and The Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust introduce the show to key buying and collecting audiences.


Hear What Artists Have to Say

”Every person that comes here is doing the best of their craft; it’s an honor to be here. This is the best show I do all year!”
—Heather Haase, Heather Hasse Designs

“One of a Kind Show has become a major part of the backbone of my yearly business plan.”
—Jill Kerttula, jill2day

“The One of a Kind Show Chicago is hands down one of our best shows of the year. The location is spectacular, it is well run and attended and sales are consistently strong.”
—Mark Stepper, Sculptures by Stepper

“The One of a Kind Show ran like a well-oiled machine. Everyone was kind, courteous and very professional and made me feel at home even as a first-time artist. I can’t wait for next year!”
—Megan Owdom-Weitz

“Whether it is the Chicago show or the New York show the marketing that they have for the individual artists and the way that they treat you is exceptional.”
—Suellen Parker, Case Island Glass, LCC


Hear What Attendees Have to Say

One of a Kind Show is the ideal was to start the Christmas season! 
—Valerie Stodden

It was a great “girls’ day out”! We plan to make it a tradition. 
—Mary Ellen

Fantastic way to shop for the person who has everything!
—Liz Corry

Best show of its kind in town and suburbs, all year! It has quality, huge selection, variety, and is just so fun.
—Marianne Trotter

Forget “Black Friday”! The One of a Kind Show at the Mart is the grown-up version of Santa’s Workshop!
—Maria Cooper

Attending the One of a Kind Show is one of my favorite rituals of the holiday season.
—Linda M. Phillips

I rely on this show every year to find beautiful and special gifts for everyone on my Christmas list. The quality and variety makes it an ideal “one-stop-shop” for those of us who like to give unique and interesting gifts.
—Catherine Federici

If looking for an original gift item that is high quality and made in the U.S., here is where to shop.
—Karen Lukac

The One of a Kind Show is a great place to find beautiful, unique gifts for yourself and others and to see the work of many creative and excellent artists.
—Helen Kessler