Party Plan Expo's - the merits??

indicolina replied:

I have been to a few as a customer type person.  Always loved it.

One I went to years ago was one I want to mention.  They had HUGE advertising, even local TV.  But when people turned up, they hadent mentioned the $10 entry fee.  People were leaving in the droves.  Was a shame because they had done a great job with workshops in different things, the range of displays was HUGE.  was very good.  But not many came.

I think they are very worth while for the networking and seeing what else is out there.  Plus can give you a boost knowing how your company and products compares to others.

I have always thought you could run a cent auction at the same time.  Prizes are on the displayers tables, and they buy their tickets at the front, then as they go around they put their tickets in the boxes of the prizes they want to win.  If at the table they buy something, they get an extra few tickets.

If you ran it with a big fundraising event, shave for a cure??  something like that, its like holding the event in conjunction with something else to share the "bring in the people"

Or have another event running with it somehow.

sorry was all that way off topic?   I'll leave now

SaucyKath replied:

Expo's always do seem to be a very mixed bag.     And of course I'm first to admit that our one back in October didn't actually see people knocking themselves down in the rush to enter the door.

But having said that, the Consultants there that went that little extra than most definitely all walked away from it with good results.    And as with a lot of these events its always the months that follow that you see the results.

So for those that took the time to give out plenty of flyers, catalogues, held a FREE entry draw, etc. etc.  did walk away with results.    And considering the advertising that was meant to be organised never happened - thats not bad!

Those that didn't seem to make much effort with giving out info etc - were the first to have comments such as "dismal day" etc.     These ones were the ones to pack up early & leave before the event finished as well & then missed out on more public coming through the doors.     One things for sure if you make a committment to represent your Company at these events you should also have the Committment to stay there for the whole time advertised.   Many of the late comers to our Expo said that they delibrately left it until later in the day to visit as they thought we would be there until the advertised finishing time.     If your Committed for the whole day - stay for the whole day.   Don't just act like sheep after seeing the first person pack up.

Out of the October expo I ended up getting 2 new recruits, my PPer got 1 booking (which then in turn got further bookings) plus approx. $200 worth of sales.    None of this actually  happened on THE day but followed through over the next couple of months.   So to me it was quite successful.

I'm definitely interested in organising Saucy Fish Jewellery to be represented at any Expo Events!    Just let me know details!!    I also just LOVE the idea about it being held in conjunction with another event such as Shave For A Cure

Kath

Zammy replied:

I find expos are a great way to get exposure for your business, but it's all about the follow up, very rarely will Party Planners get a response on the day, it's in the follow up phone calls (a free draw is a great way to get phone numbers, I do recommend having a small questionaire asking if they're interested in hearing from you) and getting your information out there. I know many party planners who've gotten parties and recruits months after doing an expo because they handed out their info.
Hope that helps :)

ExMember148 replied:

Thanks, I just am asking for people's opinions.  As I said, the last two I have been to, have been quite poor, in attendance and in organisation.  So I just want to see what other people have experienced.  (I paid over $100 to exhibit at one and only 2 people came through the door - the organisers didn't think of advertising in papers/radio!!!)  Though I still got networking with some others and it was a good day.  Just not profitable!!

ExMember148 replied:

scentedcandlelady replied:

Julie I agree with you.. but are there too many around at the moment.

There are women's expos, fetes, fairs, etc...

are we over saturating the market and people just go oh... no....

Not sure... I love expos but we need to have the people through the door so that we can make the phone calls etc as follow up...

is there something we are missing....

I have been to some which also give you the data base of who comes through the door these help as well..

take care and I wonder if anyone has any answers to the expo riddles...

downunder replied:

While I have never had the opportunity to do an expo as such, I have done fairs, shows and markets for years. The biggest riddle is that you can do the same show at the same venue, and have wildly different results every time. There are so many other things that can effect a show. What else is on that day, the weather, lay-out, number of displays, proximity to payday/pension day, advertising, feature attraction/cause and entry fees.

One event I attended was a classic. New event, heavily advertised with a huge turnout. But get this, many stall holder prospects decided to "wait and see" before booking a stall. Opening day was huge but the number of displays was dismal. Next time every man and his dog booked in, but the damage was done. The place was packed with exhibiters but no public came back after being disappointed the first time.

Julie

kim025 replied:

I really think it comes down to pot luck and advirtising.  I know myself I wouldn attend an expo if I saw it advirtised, so I really think it's hard getting people (customers) to attend them.  Having said that I'm really happy with the last two we've attended as we've gotten new leads and workshops booked from them. 

I think there is a lot of factors that go into Party Plan Expos.   You need to trust the organisers.  The location needs to be easily accessable, advirtising needs to be extensive and appealing. And you just have to hope people turn up.  I think anyone who takes on the organisation of an expo needs to be commended as in pulling it off, they are then responsible and the ones who cops the blame when people aren't happy with the result or the organisation. 

richaky replied:

Hello lovelies!!!

I myself do them for company exposure mainly!!

I think they are great fun anyway, I always have a laugh even if they are a complete blowout!!!!!!!