8 Questions To Ask Before Paying For A Booth At Conventions
Let me please express that ALL conventions are not good to do and
that they really are a shot in the dark most of the time.
Here are questions that you want to ask of the people who put on
the conventions:
1. How many exhibitors will be attending the conference? If they
have below 50, I would not do it unless you didn't have to pay for
a hotel and if it were only like $25.
2. How many of these exhibitors will be giving away free and or
nominally priced goodies? If many of the booths give away freebees,
you won't be able to manage either because it will be expected of
you and that is what everyone ends up looking for.
3. How many will be having free or low cost activities? (ie. make
and take crafts) If they are doing activities in their booths, and
everything is more geared around children, then this might not be
a good type of convention for you. When parents are shopping with
their children, chances are the little ones will be whining at them
to get going and not hang around your booth. YOU then become the
inconvenience. (Not really, but you know how it goes. ;c})
4. How is the floor plan layed out? Is it well organized? Where
would you be placed? Sometimes it doesn't matter if you do a smaller
show. But in the LARGE ones, it makes a HUGE difference if you are
in the back. You need good visibility. If you are in the back, but
there are popular companies around you, that is fine.
5. Ask what kind of advertising is being done. If they don't have
at least 2 radio stations for small cities and 2 newspapers or other
periodicals, then DON't DO IT! I have been a part of too many like
this that fail. If they have advertised in 3 newspapers and on the
radio stations around them, they are a good shot.
6. I would want to know if there are Teamster issues as far as bringing
in our own products (I would want to avoid the extra cost). At some
shows, they hire unions to carry your things in. If so, it usually
is mandatory that you use them or you can't do the show. THEY cost
a LOT of money. MAKE SURE YOU CHECK ON THIS BEFORE DOING A LARGE
SHOW.
7. How many days will this convention last? If it is only a one
day convention and it has a large turnout, it is usually okay, but
if it is only a one day show and has less than I would venture to
guess 1500, then it might not be worth your while. Now, some may
turn out GREAT if the advertising is done correctly. There is no
way to judge this.
8. Do they have security to watch your products? If a show has good
security, it's not a problem. However, note that if you have to set
up the day before the convention, you might need to leave your expensive
products there overnight. There usually isn't enough time the next
morning to set up unless you do fine with sleep deprivation. I am
used to leaving my products overnight now. But it took me learning
the ropes before I'd leave anything.
9. Is it close to your home or do you have to pay for a hotel? Hotel
costs added with food costs can become overwhelming. Figure out how
much these costs will be. If you add everything up, it will help
you to judge if you can afford to do a large convention.
NOTE: If you do local conventions, trade shows, craft type shows,
or festivals, and you are a small company or working with a direct
sales company it's a little different. The booths are usually $25
- $250. You don't have to stay in a hotel or drive very far. You
can pack food to go with you easily. So make the above questions
applicable to YOUR situation. If you have any questions, feel free
to call 805-557-1220, The Busy Woman's Daily Planner and we will
try to help you.
Here is a list of things to remember...
1. Try to label everything VERY clearly, so that you won't have
so many of the same interupting questions, such as, "How much is
this?"
2. Have a candy or treat that is easy for them to suck on, not something
that will make them spit when you ask them a question. Little dumdum
suckers are always good because they can take them out of their mouth
to speak to you. ;c)
3. About the drawing bowl. Allow them to put a card & show what
you are giving away. Make a professional looking sign on your computer.
4. Make your booth pleasing to the eye. I get tons of people who
wouldn't normally be looking for my products otherwise. But after
they are in the booth looking at whatever it is that I put up to
catch their eye, they are happily surprised.
5. Have a tablet for people to sign to be on your mailing list.
6. Have munchies for yourself!!! A MUST!
7. Wear comfortable shoes! Or wear the gorgeous ones that hurt,
but take them off after a while. EVERYONE understands that!
8. Get containers that allow you to grap those order forms or whatever
you think you will need right away. I take a three drawer Sterilite
container. It is organized to my liking.
9. Take with you, tape (good tape!), lots of pens or pencils, extra
nylons if you are wearing any, paper, some fat sharpie markers for
those last minute unintended signs.
Copyright © 1999 - 2002 Susie Glennan
Susie Glennan has been happily married since 1982, is mom to 3 teenagers,
and is a Home Maker, Nurturer, Teacher, Author, Professional Speaker,
Toastmaster, President of The Busy Woman, Inc., DBA - The Busy Woman's Daily
Planner®. She teaches time management seminars, offers FREE consultations
with your order, and will help you set up a schedule that's right for you.
800-848-7715 www.thebusywoman.com
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