V - S T Y L E

“On with the Show!”

The Smiles Behind the Southern Shows

by Chris Wilmer, V Style Editor

H

ave you ever visited a web site and thought, “Hmm, what is it that these people are doing to make their way in this world?” Well, next time you go online, take a moment to look at www.southernshows. com. At first glance you might see that these folks are putting together shows across the country, and when they bring one to a location near

you, you might spend a nice, leisurely afternoon sampling just what the showroom has to offer. But what you don’t see from the web site or even by visiting a show is just what these folks are really all about. Priding themselves on being a family-founded and still a family-run business,

Southern Shows has been around since 1959—that’s over 50 years. When you have been kicking for so long that you start measuring your existence in decades or in this case half a century, you probably have seen what my grandmother used to say was “It All.” However, if my dear grandmother were still here with us today, I would

remind her and you that you are never too old to see something new. It is with that attitude we need to take a good look at just what these people at the Southern Shows down in Charlotte, North Carolina are all about. In looking at the statistics, over 600,000 people attend these shows per year—WHAT? That’s like NASCAR! But

without the noise. They are in 11 markets across the country, and don’t let the “Southern” thing fool you. With current ventures into Cleveland and Michigan, even General Grant might raise a Yankee brow. They produce 19 individual shows a year, featuring over 10,000 various and diversified exhibitors annually. WOW! Who are these people? That is a very good question. Have you ever visited someone’s home for the first time and left there with the feeling that there was much more

going on than what first hit your eye? I’m not talking about the Addams family kind of stuff, but more like you left thinking, “Hmm, I really need to hang out more with these people, they’re kind of interesting.” So you pay them a visit from time to time and they visit you. You may even see one another in other towns along the way, and you might even travel together. Now that’s when you really get to know somebody! Know what I mean? So over the years you start to build a friendship that means something. Mutually beneficial time spent together. Now that’s how one gets to know more about folks than just that first initial visit that left you wanting more. I have had the pleasure of getting to know the Southern Shows people over the past five years. The first time I

met anyone was actually when they visited me in Richmond, Virginia. From that first contact, I knew that the person I was dealing with was special. She greeted me with a kind smile and a sweet disposition and that’s how it all got started. I remember my own mother saying, “Now that’s a nice girl, son.” Whew, glad someone passed that test! The years have moved along, as we all know they do, and my relationship with the Southern Shows people has

expanded. Heck, that first nice lady even came back with a younger version of herself and took us all to lunch! Never mind she picked a bad restaurant—it’s my town, not hers, and she made up for it in the end anyway. By the way folks, The Spotted Goat is no longer in business. Baaaah! As your Style and Fashion Editor at V Magazine for Women, I currently am in the middle of a year-long venture

that will find me on the various fashion stages across the country, producing fashion shows for these fine people. In any relationship there has to be good communication, the kind of conversation that allows you to really get to know one another. That being said, I have to say that it sure is nice to get a “Thank you kindly” at the end of an e-mail. Or how about my personal favorite, “Thank you, my friend, and I’ll speak to you soon,” at the end of a phone call. It sure is nice to be greeted with a smile and a hug. Who does that anymore? These people sure do. From the sweet voice that answers the main number in the head office to the multiple show organizers, the Southern

Shows people are really a very tight-knit business. Trust me, from seeing these people on the road it is a Big Business. Don’t get me wrong—it’s not smiles and sweetness all the time. What relationship have you ever had that was? But not to worry, it’s all about how you handle your business in life. From set-up to tear-down this is a well-oiled machine that is

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APRIL 2010 • Vmagazine for women www•myVmagazine.com