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The Association of Collecting Clubs (ACC) and National Association of
Collectors (NAC) consider antique and collectibles shows a very special
partnership group.
The primary purpose of this program is to strengthen the relationship
between major shows and the collecting clubs and serious collectors who
comprise the memberships of ACC and NAC. We consider this special
partnership program to be equally significant to all parties involved: 1)
collecting clubs and their memberships, 2) individual NAC collectors and
investors, 3) antique shows and their dealers and customers, and 4) both
the ACC and NAC associations.
Perhaps no two of these partnerships will be exactly the same. ACC/NAC
takes the word "partnership" seriously - an "active partnership" on both
sides; not simply a partnership on paper.
About ACC and NAC
The Association of Collecting Clubs works with the leadership of over
5,000 collecting groups with a combined membership of over 10 million
collectors on six continents. ACC assists and supports collecting clubs -
their leadership and memberships - through a variety of programs and
services. Further, the ACC assists collectors wishing to establish new
clubs in areas where none now exist, and helps all clubs desiring to
network for mutual goals and objectives.
The National Association of Collectors, established in 1995, is for
individual collectors. NAC identifies and addresses those needs and
concerns common to all collectors. Some of these areas include: appraisals,
security, insurance, conservation and restoration, displaying techniques,
collection management, dispersal and estate planning, and educational
opportunities for collectors.
Both associations use the http:Collectors.Org website as their
official home on the Internet. More information about both associations can
be found online.
Why a Partnership?
Obviously, serious collectors make up a key target audience for
antique shows. As a show manager, you want ACC/NAC collectors to know of
your existence, to visit your show on a regular basis.
One of the key objectives of shows beyond recruiting dealers,
recruiting potential customers, and having high sales should be that of
education... educating your show visitors; educating your dealers. You can
receive help in doing this from both the individual collecting clubs as
well as directly from ACC/NAC.
Regarding the individual collectors who are members of NAC, antique
and collectibles shows are (or should be) a regular resource for making
additions to their collections, at least for many collecting areas. For
clubs, shows can be a resource for promoting their clubs & the collecting
area their club serves... and for recruiting new members into their club.
Ways ACC/NAC can help Shows
- By being a continuing resource. The leadership of the 5000 collecting
clubs with which ACC works is just a contact away. The ACC Collecting Clubs
Directory provides a data bank of information on practically every
collecting area. http://collectingclubs.com
In addition to the Club Directory, Collectors.Org is a tremendous free
information website for other kinds of directories and schedules,
information on restoring, flea markets, collector glossaries, appraisals,
reproductions and thefts, Collectors Trade Show and much more.
- Partnering shows will be given a booth in the Shows or Flea Markets
Aisles of the virtual Collectors Trade Show at half price, plus the booth
will be developed at no cost, based on your show website. The $100/year
booth space will cost shows participating in the Show Program only $50. for
the first year.
The Collectors Trade Show is a growing source of information on
supplies & services for ACC & NAC members, plus all other guest visitors to
the Collectors.Org website. Many collecting clubs are placing direct links
to the Trade Show on their own websites.
- In addition to the Collectors Trade Show, NAC & ACC will provide
continuing visibility to our show program partners. You will be listed in
the Partners Section on the Collectors.Org website. You will also receive
the ACC/NAC Update electronic newsletter twice monthly, as well as the
Partners newsletter.
- A number of ACC-member collecting clubs may have an interest in working
directly with our partnering shows supporting special features or events
that the show has planned. They can possibly provide speakers, appraisers,
demonstrations and displays for a special day event - a great addition to
any local media publicity. By using the Club Directory, you can find the
contact persons for most of the collecting groups.
- Showing that you as a show manager are ACC & NAC partners conveys a
strong positive message to your customers and visitors and to your
dealers... as well as to the memberships of both ACC and NAC.
Ways Shows can help ACC/NAC
- Actively promote collecting clubs by providing a visible area
w/appropriate pockets for holding club rack cards or brochures and rack
cards from ACC/NAC.
- Consider dedicating a display case or booth to featuring a "collecting
area feature of the show" sponsored by collecting clubs. This is an
exceptional way to make good will with individual collecting clubs, plus
becoming a featured "come on" for bringing in show visitors (potential
buyers). Over 75 percent of the ACC clubs are local clubs, some probably in
your area.
You may want to invite your show dealers to participate in the display
by providing items, or simply have it be a club-provided display.
Undoubtedly, many of your dealers may be members of an ACC member club that
could be considered.
By promoting a featured collecting area at an upcoming show, the clubs
(and their dealer/member) which support that collecting area may be
interested in having booths at the show.
- Promote collecting club membership by participating in the ACC Join A
Club program - a membership recruitment program for collecting clubs.
Complete kits of Join A Club materials including posters and rack cards are
available to antique shows by contacting ACC.
- Promote the Collectors Trade Show - a major feature of NAC on the
Collectors.Org website. Providing hundreds of booths in aisles representing
vendors offering everything from collector supplies to collector computer
software, from replacement services to training course, and security
systems to antiquing tours. The Collectors Trade Show is a tremendous
resource for both your customers and your dealers. Access directly to the
Trade Show is: http://tradeshow.collectors.org
- Promote membership in the National Association of Collectors to your
show visitors. Serious collectors need to be educated collectors.
Membership in NAC can help any collector. NAC is the association for all
collectors... if you collect, you need NAC. Individual membership in NAC
only costs $5/year! An NAC logo window display will be provided for your
show registration desk or office.
Quantities of NAC rack cards can be provided to participating shows.
Show managers are encouraged to provide membership in NAC for all of
their dealers. Group memberships are available on the website at:
http://collectors.org/Forms/Application_NAC.ASP Instead of the $5/year
individual membership fee, group memberships are: Up to 10 members is $25;
11 to 150 members is $2 per member; Over 150 members is $1.50 per member.
Names & e-mail addresses of group members must be provided if the members
desire to receive the NAC electronic newsletter.
- Promote the National Association of Collectors collector insurance
program. Developed by collectors for collectors, this insurance is provided
by Association Insurance Administrators, the same company which provides
the ACDA antique & collectibles dealer insurance program.
- Quantities of the NAC collector insurance brochures can be provided
for countertop display, with a holder. An excellent resource for helping
your show customers who currently need, but do not have insurance on their
collections.
- Show your partnership with NAC and ACC by providing direct links and/or
banners on your show's website as an NAC Partner and ACC Partner. Direct
links are also available for the Collectors Trade Show, Join A Club, ACC
News Service, and Collectors.Org Go to: http://collectors.org/Media for the
links.
Again, it is emphasized that the Antiques & Collectibles Show Program
is considered a hands-on continuing partnership between the participating
show managers and ACC/NAC. We consider you an important resource for ACC &
NAC and our members, and feel likewise that we can be an important resource
for you.
There is no cost for joining the ACC/NAC Antique Show Program, but
naturally we welcome show managers becoming an ACC/NAC affiliate which
costs $25/year. Visit http://Collectors.Org/ACC/Affiliates.asp
We look forward to hearing from you and answering any questions you
may have about ACC/NAC or the show program.
Larry Krug & Rick Moses
Association of Collecting Clubs
National Association of Collectors
18222 Flower Hill Way #299
Gaithersburg, MD 20879
301.926.8663
info@collectors.org
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