Show Management

“I made a conscious effort from Day One to treat my dealers as business partners and customers as family,” says Barry M. Cohen, founder and manager of b4rTIME, Inc.

After a decade of producing a range of high quality events with vendor and consumer in mind, it is not surprising that he is a well-known and well-regarded member of the international antiques and arts collecting community.

According to Cohen, “Every dealer has a personal style of displaying antiques and art, as well as a distinctive approach to selling them. So it is my mission to provide the best possible environment in which everyone can do business. All b4rTIME shows — regardless of genre or price point — are designed to offer enjoyable, educational, and profitable experiences for exhibitors and collectors alike.”

Barry grew up collecting folk and outsider art in Central Pennsylvania, where he honed his eye for country antiques and Americana at many of the best shows and auctions in the country. In college, he studied painting and stage direction, later adding an advanced degree in the helping professions.

“When I turned forty, I wanted to do something new and exciting. Because bungee jumping was not for me, I decided to became a show promoter. Since I already had many years of experience as a therapist, manager, and impresario of a large international training conference, I decided to apply my skills and experience to the world of antiques and art shows,” says Cohen.

Over the years, he has assembled an effective team comprised of dynamic staff, efficient suppliers, and respectful porters that is frequently acknowledged to be the best — and friendliest — in the business.

While producing a show in New York City in 2002, Cohen was approached by a small group of dealers to develop his first specialty show of Native American and ethnographic material. After three years, the New York Times called his high-end Historic Indian & World Tribal Arts: Santa Fe show “superb.”

What people say about b4rTIME shows:

“Spectacular...everyone’s jaw dropped when they walked in...”

“...he treats you like a prince...”

“If you can’t find it here, then it probably doesn’t exist!”

“At Barry’s show, all the i’s are dotted and the t’s are crossed...(he) is a pleasure to deal with.”

“ Your shows are always the most fun for us to do — nice dealers, easy set up, knowledgeable and enthusiastic crowd.”

“...a plethora of fabulous material offered, exhibited by some of the world’s top dealers.”

“Barry is a great promoter who does all the right things.”