The last few
years I have noticed a growth of newcomers to the bird-exhibiting scene.
This is a very good thing and I see the future of our hobby being taken
over by enthusiastic younger folk. It has occurred to me that some of
these novices know very little about the intricacies of hosting a bird
show. Never fear… your ACS has a publication that will answer all your
concerns and questions about this rather involved procedure. This
booklet was composed by a number ACS exhibitors who are very versed in
various aspects of a successful show. It is available through our Sales
Store.
We do not
recommend any particular place to hold a show, but most exhibitors I
know prefer a motel with the show hall on the premises. This keeps
handling and moving the birds to minimum, of course there are other
factors involved in the site selection, and many times it is not
possible to have one’s first choice. Another important consideration is
the date of the show. We suggest you touch bases with other clubs in
your area and if they are hosting a show make sure you have chosen a
different date. The next step would be finding all of the personnel
necessary to contribute to a smooth running show. When, hopefully, you
have the bodies available, the site and date secure, your next step
should be contracting an ACS judge as early as possible.
When
communicating with other clubs regarding dates also inquire about their
judging choice, if they have picked the same judge you should try to
obtain a different judge. The host club pays the judge’s transportation,
lodging for the duration of the show and meals. It is a good practice to
have a signed contract with the judge well before the show. Many of our
judges are asked to judge more than one show a year and you should try
to contact the judge of your choice as soon as you have a firm show
date, if the judge has a previous commitment to judge on that date you
will have ample time to procure another judge. All active judge’s
addresses and phone numbers are listed in the magazine as well as on the
ACS web site. The judge will discuss with you what he expects from your
club and what arrangements he/she wants you to make.
Of special
interest to first-time exhibitors as well as novices are the pages on
directions to fill out a show tag and all our class schedules. There is
even a chart showing a suggested layout of the storage tables, top bench
and audience locations. There are pages explaining the how’s and why’s
of lighting the top bench as well as the bench size ACS recommends.
Next issue I
will discuss the extensive coverage, found in this little booklet, on
the duties of the stewards and the show secretary, two of the most
important but mainly unnoticed jobs at any bird show.
Again, this
booklet, "HOW TO HOST A SUCCESSFUL SHOW" is available through our sales
store.
