Wedding exhibition any ideas

[winton50]

I'm looking at possibly putting on a wedding exhibition in the not too distant future.
Does anyone have any experiences of running an exhibition type event?

Pitfalls etc????? :idea:

[kyber]

You might find it helpful to also ask on The Sewing Forum (http://www.TheSewingForum.co.uk) as many members there take part in wedding fairs.

Stuart

[websage]

Hiya

Just wondered, you must have seen this but maybe has some ideas about what to include...if you haven't:

http://www.nationalweddingshow.co.uk/

and is this something you've seen? I don't know if it would be any help...I just found it:

http://www.smartdraw.com/examples/seating-special/index.htm

I am not, nor can I be, an affiliate...as I am not in this line of business...but the software loked useful.

Kind wishes

Ruth

[weddingcrafter]

Hi,

I assume that you are thinking of something a bit smaller in scale than the national shows??

Can't help with organising tips but as an exhibitor the things I want to see are:

- effective advertising (I once attended a fair where in the whole day the number of visitors rarely got into double figures. All the exhibitors demanded their money back!)

- (assuming you attract lots of visitors) - enough space around each stand for people to browse and chat.

- a range of different suppliers with a limit on the number of exhibitors supplying the same service.

and of course competitively priced stands!

Hope this helps

Alison

[winton50]

Thanks for all comments

Alison - I once did a show where the organisers had done loads of ads and posters etc but forgot to put the address in!

to- all we've done a fair few shows as exhibitors but this will be our first as organisers. It's practical advice I need, what would you like to see, what not etc. and yes it will be locally focussed

All advice very welcome

stu

[clairemackaness]

Hi,

There easy enough to do, I've organised networking events, weddings, craft fairs etc. The most important factor is advertising. You need to go all out with flyers, leaflets, posters, radio etc and even when you do all that you cant guarentee people. ANotuher really important thing is venue. Choose somewhere with a good footfall and good parking.

Good luck, I'm up for a stand if you go ahead with it

Claire

[bitsnstuff]

Where are you thinking of holding it?

Kate :lol:

[winton50]

In the Bournemouth Area

I have a high profile venue that I think will be free Loads of parking and pretty easy to get to.

Thanks for your support claire- what have you found to be the most effective advertising for this kind of thing?

[clairemackaness]

If I'm honest Winton word of mouth is best, but you cant rely on that alone.

[LindseyMHC]

Stuart,

I've PM'd you - hope you got it. If not, get back to me and I'll add what I said in this posting.

Regards,

Lindsey.

[winton50]

Lindsey,
Thank you very much your info is very much appreciated.
I'm still in the very early stages at the moment but currently am struggling with budgeting for marketing.
There is no point in doing this if we only get 1 man and a dog through the door!

stu

[bitsnstuff]

One idea would be to offer flyers to your exhibitors to send out their customers, as well as getting them to put a link on their websites with some interesting creative, as then you may get hits and interest from their site visitors.

Kate :lol:

[winton50]

Good idea bitsn

I don't understand 'creative' though?

[bitsnstuff]

Creative is things like banners, offer banners etc.

Kate :lol: