By Mayra Etayo
There are many items that go into a well-rounded marketing plan. Aside from advertising, promotions, public relations, and now the ever present social media, there is one form of marketing that has been around since the mid-Evil Europe days – trade fairs (business fairs, tradeshows).
Participating in a trade show can be a costly marketing investment for businesses. There’s a cost for production of collateral, promotional literature, giveaways, the display, travel/accommodations, participation fees including fees incurred at the show for electricity, booth clean up, internet service, shipping and staff. And we better not leave post marketing costs on that list.
It’s a laborious endeavor and it can be exhausting. But it can be highly beneficial in a way that many other aspects of your marketing plan are not.
Here are just a few benefits:
1.) Tradeshows often pull highly targeted audiences
2.) They offer the unique opportunity for face time with your customers or potential customers.
3.) They help build excitement for your products or services.
4.) They help produce leads
Most businesses shy away from tradeshows. Costs for tradeshows seem to have skyrocketed over the last decade. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t find one that you can fit into your budget.
If you live in the East Orange County area, you may want to look into a new business fair coming to town (see details below) – the Avalon Park Ladies Night Event. Not your typical name for a business fair, but when event producer Erin Elise Moore came up with the idea to help promote area businesses, she adopted a few fun ways to make her business fair different from the rest.
“This is a going to be a fun way to start off a girls’ night out.” said Erin, an It Works! distributor. “There will be a D.J. playing music and taking song requests. A professional photographer, Joanne McCurry, will be there taking pictures of our patrons in a photo booth at no charge! In Style Salon will be providing complimentary massages, and makeup.. We also will have three food trucks parked right on the curb next to the event. There will be a variety of vendors, including, skinny wraps, nail wraps, jewelry, purses, organizational bags, and so much more!”
“I especially want to recognize our local storefront businesses who have stepped up to the plate in many ways. The local bars and restaurants (Milano’s, Margarita’s Grill, Eastside Bistro, Davis Bakery, and Mulberry St.) have all agreed to offer special incentives for ladies who are wearing a wristband from the event on the night of September 12th.” continued Erin.
I’m a big fan of tradeshows. If executed correctly, the benefits far out weight the cost and labor. But Erin’s event is also creating an opportunity to support local businesses – something East Orlando area residents definitely like to do.
“I love living in here.” says Avalon Park resident Rebecca Escalante. Everything I need is between here and Waterford. I rarely have to drive outside of this area. And whenever I can, I prefer to keep my purchasing dollars local.”
The Avalon Park Ladies Night will be held:
Thursday, September 12, 2013
5:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Avalon Park Founders Square
CONTACT: Erin Elise Moore avalonparkladiesnightevent@yahoo.com
