MARKETING HANDBOOK
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WELCOME TO THE SPECTRUM CHICAGO MARKETING HANDBOOK Congratulations on joining the inaugural edition of Spectrum Chicago. At Redwood Art Group, we’re committed to creating the visibility, excitement, and momentum that make a successful art fair. In the months leading up to the fair, our team will launch an extensive marketing campaign designed to introduce Spectrum Chicago to the region and beyond. Through public relations, digital advertising, email marketing, social media, partnerships, influencer outreach, and collector engagement, we’ll be working every day to build awareness and drive attendance.
your work. A personal invitation from you gives them a reason to attend—and a reason to visit your booth. When every exhibitor actively promotes their participation, the impact grows exponentially, creating more excitement, more qualified visitors, and more opportunities for everyone. This handbook is designed to make marketing your participation simple. Inside you’ll find ready-to-use graphics, social media suggestions, email ideas, digital assets, and promotional tools that make it easy to spread the word before, during, and after the fair.
But the most powerful invitation often comes directly from the artist or gallery.
The stronger we market together, the stronger Spectrum Chicago becomes.
Your collectors, clients, followers, friends, and professional network already know and appreciate
Let’s make Chicago’s newest contemporary art fair a success—together.
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YOUR MARKETING INVESTMENT AT WORK Every Spectrum Chicago exhibitor contributes to a cooperative marketing program designed to build awareness, attract qualified collectors and art enthusiasts, and maximize attendance throughout the fair. Your required Marketing Package investment helps support a comprehensive promotional campaign that includes: • Regional and national advertising • Public relations and media outreach • Social media marketing and digital advertising • Email marketing campaigns • Street banners and outdoor promotion • Exhibitor Directory • Digital Collector ePasses • The Spectrum Chicago Online Catalog* • Additional promotional initiatives before, during, and after the fair
This cooperative approach allows every exhibitor to benefit from a unified marketing campaign that no individual gallery or artist could achieve alone. By combining our resources and your own promotional efforts, we create greater visibility, stronger attendance, and more opportunities to connect with collectors. You need to participate by: • Distributing your personalized electronic invitations/complimentary passes (provided to you by show management and outlined below) to your collectors. • Promoting your participation in the Fair on your website, in your email campaigns, on your social media channels, in press releases, etc.
THINK OF IT THIS WAY: WE BUILD THE AUDIENCE—YOU INVITE YOUR AUDIENCE. TOGETHER, WE CREATE THE STRONGEST POSSIBLE FAIR. *Inclusion in the Online Catalog is dependent upon the timely submission of exhibitor information and artwork by the published deadlines. R
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PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES
ART ON VIEW
Spectrum Chicago encourages exhibitors to create engaging experiences that attract visitors and showcase their work. Special events, giveaways, demonstrations, and other promotional activities are welcome, provided they take place within your contracted booth space.
Exclusive for In-Person Exhibitors. Amplify your presence—showcase your artwork on 13+ screens across the fair floor all show days.
If you observe unauthorized solicitation by another exhibitor or attendee, please notify Show Management.
Sign Up
PLANNING SOMETHING SPECIAL?
RAFFLES & GIVEAWAYS Please provide a brief description of your If you are considering any of the following activities, promotion, including how it complies with all please contact Linda Mariano, Managing Director of applicable laws and regulations. Marketing, for approval before the fair: ART DEMONSTRATIONS Live demonstrations are encouraged in the Art SPECIAL EVENTS Theater. Demonstrations or audience participation Private receptions are welcome. The public within your booth space require advance approval distribution of food or alcoholic beverages from from Show Management. exhibitor booths is not permitted. _____________________ MUSIC & VIDEO Audio or video presentations may be approved provided the volume remains low and does not interfere with neighboring exhibitors. Show Management reserves the right to reduce or discontinue audio that becomes disruptive.
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FOR APPROVAL OR QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT: Linda Mariano Managing Director of Marketing linda@redwoodartgroup.
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Exhibitor Dashboard Need a ticket link? Looking for a signage vendor? The Dashboard is your Resource Center. (password: schi26dash)
Booth Layout
Hanging Guidelines
Exhibitors must follow the fair’s Booth Display Requirements.
The way you hang your booth contributes significantly to your success at the fair. Check the Guidelines.
Want help curating your booth? Simply send questions and/or a booth layout diagram and artwork images to Linda Mariano for review and assistance: linda@ redwoodartgroup.com
Dashboard
PROPOSALS DUE BY SEPTEMBER 4, 2026
Want to do a live art demonstration? Let people see you create your next masterwork! It’s 45 minutes on the Art Theater stage. Submit your proposal today. Send to Linda Mariano
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Your booth includes unlimited digital tickets—invite your collectors, clients, friends, and followers, because the most effective way to grow attendance is through our exhibitors.
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Photography & Video Services
Suggested copy and designed graphics are here:
Tell your story! Engage our photographer and videographer to capture your booth and exhibition. MAC Motions, Marco Curiel | Owner, Director (619) 957-3278
Copy
Pricing
https://bit.ly/schi26exhibitor-collector
Guide O
Submit Images
Here’s the link to share in emails, social posts, and newsletters:
Follow the Social Media Guide. Suggested posting: Weekly starting now, twice weekly 4 weeks before the Fair and daily during the Fair.
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To maximize your marketing exposure, submit your Image Submission Form at least six weeks before the fair to be included in the Online Catalog, cooperative advertising, and social media promotions.
Invitations
Social Media
Email Linda
DUE BY AUGUST 26, 2026
Guidelines
Requirements
Art Theater
Promo Images
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PHOTOS OF BOOTHS
4 x 12 sq ft
10 x 15 sq ft
10 x 10 sq ft
4 x 10 sq ft
Booth examples from previous fairs at The Mart Chicago.
Mary Johnston Studio R
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MCP2 D
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Lori McLaughlin Fine Art R
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COHART — OUR PARTNER IN HELPING YOU SELL AND MANAGE YOUR ARTWORK Cohart is an all-in-one platform built for the art world - combining inventory management, collector tools, payment processing, and online presence in one place (think Artsy, Artlogic, Instagram, and Square, all in one platform).
To get started or learn more, reach out to Cohart at hello@cohart.com, or book a demo with Cohart.
During the fair, exhibitors can use the Cohart mobile app to accept credit card payments via Tap-to-Pay — no card reader or additional hardware needed, just your phone. While you do have to submit our Sales Tax form regardless of your participation with Cohart, it’s good to know that Cohart handles collecting and filing sales tax on your behalf. It’s one of the ways Cohart makes selling easier.
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QUESTIONS? CONTACT US: Linda Mariano Managing Director of Marketing linda@redwoodartgroup.com
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