Category Archives: Relationship Marketing

You Don’t Do Bridal Shows Because They Cost Too Much? Really?

Bridal shows have been a staple for increasing  client base for wedding professionals for many years. Engaged couples from all walks of life planning Las Vegas weddings have been attending The Bridal Spectacular since 1991.  Perhaps you have considered joining a bridal show but have felt they were too expensive. Today we are taking on these objections and hopefully we can give you some new insights as to why you should add exhibiting at a bridal show to your marketing plans.

Bridal shows are too expensive!

Compared to what?  What other forms of marketing do you do?   Radio, TV, Print Ads, and Billboards are all more expensive than the cost of a booth in a bridal show and they won’t get you in front of the engaged couple.  Face to face is where you can have their attention and tell them more about what you have to offer.  This is your chance to start building a relationship with them which is vital to the millennial couple in making a final decision.  Internet advertising might seem more affordable or easier to do, but it does not put you in front of the couple which is a must before they will make a decision.

How are you coming to the conclusion bridal shows are too expensive? How much will it cost you to do nothing?

Make sure you have talked to the show producers about all possible options for participating in their show.  Most show producers have different sized booth options and payment plans depending on how far out you book.  Is your competition at the show?  That gives them the opportunity to meet the couple before you if you are not there.Talk to friends in the industry who ARE at the show (not the ones who don’t do it) find out how much it helps build their business each year.  Find out what you are missing out on if you are not there. Making your decision based on people who don’t do shows (no matter how good of friends they are) could be a costly mistake for you.

If you absolutely don’t have the budget this time, perhaps there is a program where your information can be put in a “shopping bag” the couple receives.

The best marketing products are often more expensive! But setting the price aside, if you have 100 couples in front of you asking questions about your product, how many of them can you get an appointment with? How many of those can you close?

Ask yourself these important questions, multiply the number you can close by your average sale and that will give you some idea of what you might be leaving on the table.  Don’t let price keep you from getting what you really want, to build your business right? 

The Bridal Spectacular is located in Las Vegas, NV and has been the largest bridal show in Nevada since 1991.  For more information, please call 702-368-0088

 

 

 

 

 

Event Sponsorships are on the Rise in 2016 as Brands are Looking for Innovative Ways to Reach Consumers

Now becoming an advertising staple for both big and small brands alike, experimental marketing and live events, such as the Winter Bridal Spectacular Show, are becoming bigger than ever when it comes to making a meaningful connection with your customers. In fact, Advertising Age reported that in 2015 U.S. promotion-agency revenue (which including events and experiential marketing) increased 5.8 percent over the prior year.

With online ad blocking rapidly on the rise and television viewership drastically diminishing, brands are looking for new and innovative ways to reach consumers. In an article published by Westwood One, one of the key findings they shared was that event sponsorships is the fastest growing marketing services segment for the third year in a row. The report projects event sponsorship is to grow 7.4 percent in 2016 to a projected $35 billion.

Event Sponsorships are on the Rise in 2016 1

A great example the article shared of how brands are utilizing live events and sponsorships to create innovative experiences and build lasting relationships with consumers was a special backstage event created for the Academy of Country Music Awards. Sponsors were immersed in all aspects of the event, including Advance Auto Parts, which provided a photo booth with music stars that brought in more than 4.4 million total social media impressions:

Event Sponsorships are on the Rise in 2016 2

Another sponsor of the event was the popular candy bar, Twix. The brand integrated its product in a fun and engaging way, which not only achieved direct product placement in the hands of its consumers, but it also attained a great deal of organic media reach and word-of-mouth via social media:

Event Sponsorships are on the Rise in 2016 3

With the Winter Bridal Spectacular Show coming up this weekend, think of ways that you can also better integrate your brand in an effort to create lasting connections with the brides and grooms. Whether it is holding a social media contest where you ask attendees to post photos at your booth using a special hashtag; creating a memorable handout, like wedding planner, that standouts and brides will continue using after the show; or perhaps it is an engaging demo that brides will want to share on social media because they had such a wonderful time — the possibilities are endless!

Keep in mind that couples will remember the companies who leave a lasting impression with them, so take a chance and try something new. After all, that is why it is called “experimental” marketing.

If you would like to read even more tips for how to create a successful bridal show, please read our blog: Get Ready for the 25th Anniversary Bridal Spectacular Show. Good luck and we look forward to seeing you all this weekend!

Photo Credits: Westwood One

 

Wedding Industry Professionals Share Their Tips & Secrets for a Successful Bridal Show!

With one of our most successful bridal shows to date in the books, it’s time to begin planning our autumn show! So we ask ourselves, how can we enhance the next show? What did we miss? How can we better reach wedding planning couples? These are things that not only we at Bridal Spectacular always consider, but also vendors should regularly think of to help improve the bridal show experience for your own company.

So, to help all the Las Vegas wedding professionals with ideas and tips, we spoke with a few of Bridal Spectacular’s seasoned vendors to learn about their experience and what their secrets are for a successful bridal show!

Memory Lane Video

John Sanchez and Ricky Gulati from Memory Lane Video participate in both the winter and autumn Bridal Spectacular shows. They said exhibiting at a show has been beneficial because it allows them to better connect with couples and build relationships, “I like to observe physical cues to help me better read what a couple is looking for and make a personal connection with them,” said Ricky.

In addition, they said being at both shows provides a great opportunity to network with other wedding professionals, build more brand awareness, and it also gives them a chance to see couples again when they come back to another show to get even more ideas. And, the proof is in the pudding — the Memory Lane team met a lovely couple, Dan and Veron at a Bridal Spectacular Show and was able turn a casual conversation into a wonderful client. Take a look at their wedding video here:

http://mlvnv.com/hilton-lake-las-vegas-veron-daniel-las-vegas-wedding-videographers/

The Memory Lane Video  Team

John, Ricky & the Memory Lane Team

 

Makeup in the 702

Megan, Owner of Makeup in the 702 participates in all Bridal Spectacular bridal shows. She said taking full advantage of all the promotional opportunities has really helped them gain more exposure and it’s very important to the livelihood of her business, “We take advantage of every opportunity Bridal Spectacular offers, from advertising in Spectacular Bride magazine to participating in the fashion show,” Megan said. “Having a booth and also doing the fashion show has been the best thing for us because it regenerates my girls and solidifies everything we love about working with brides.” She also mentioned that each vendor has their own special secret for a successful bridal show, but one of her favorite things about exhibiting is being able to meet so many brides face-to-face and build great partnerships with the other vendors.

The Ladies of Makeup in the 702

The Ladies of Makeup in the 702

 

Enchanted Florist

Michelle from Enchanted Florist said the winter show is their favorite and always the busiest for them, “A lot of engagements happen during the holidays and brides are more excited and prepared to speak with us in January.” They also do the August show to continue the reach to Las Vegas couples. Michelle added that she prefers to speak to couples in person because they book with the people, “Being able to talk to a couple face-to-face is always better because you are able read them and provide better ideas than you could do over the phone or in a email.” Michelle’s biggest tips for a successful show is to include signage and get good people to staff your booth, as the couples will end up booking off of personality more than anything else. She also mentioned that they implemented an interactive display at this past show, which was tremendously successful for them!

Michelle and Cat from Enchanted Florist

Michelle and Cat from Enchanted Florist

 

Reflection Bay Golf Club

Justine Jackson, the Event Sales Director for Reflection Bay Golf Club said they also participate in all shows. In addition, she said Reflection Bay advertises on the Bridal Spectacular website and in Spectacular Bride Magazine because it’s been worth the investment. “We advertise in all places and do all shows because people are visual and we’ve seen a better ROI doing so.” Justine’s tip for vendors at the show is to use your resources, “This is a great community and everyone is willing to help you,” she said. “My favorite part is the camaraderie with the other vendors. Just because you don’t get the client, doesn’t mean you don’t get to refer them to another company.”

Justine Jackson from Reflection Bay Golf Club

Justine Jackson from Reflection Bay Golf Club

 

Moxie Studios Photography

Lisa, Owner of Moxie Studio Photography, participates in both the winter and autumn bridal shows and is also an advertiser on the Bridal Spectacular website and Spectacular Bride Magazine. She said her favorite part of participating in the shows is being able to speak with couples face-to-face, as she gets better results in person. Her biggest tip for a successful show (especially for vendors that are exhibiting for the first time) is to “make a wow” and leave a really great first impression!

Lisa, Owner of Moxie Studio Photography

Lisa, Owner of Moxie Studio Photography

 

Thank you to all the amazing wedding professionals for sharing your great tips and personal experience with us and with your fellow vendors!