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Bridal Shows, Inc. Newsletter August Edition
August 21, 2007

Greetings!

Fall is fast approaching, although the weather may sometimes tell us otherwise, and it is a good time to begin assessing ways to improve your business in 2008. Begin your marketing plan for the new year before the holidays hit and time is scarce. By developing a strong plan you will be able to see increased results a year from now.

We would love to help you, or continue to help you, grow in this endeavor. Our goal is to help bridal business whether you currently exhibit with us or not. Please feel free to contact us anytime if there is anyway we can help.

in this issue
  • Testimonials and Tips
  • New Photos are Up!
  • Congratulations!
  • 96.7 The Twister's Wedding Giveaway
  • Star Community Newspaper Partners with Plano Bridal Show
  • The Urban Blossom Takes Top National Honors
  • Naomi's Notes: "Weather the Storms"
    by:Naomi Hulme
  • Paul Salos, DFW's very own "Frank Sinatra"
  • Plano Bridal Show Marketing Campaign

  • New Photos are Up!

    Thank you for your patience, we now have the updated photos from the Dallas Bridal Show and Fort Worth Bridal Show last month on the following websites:

    Our thanks goes out once again to Roe & White Photography for supplying the photos. We will update the Plano Bridal Show website after the September 16th show.


    Congratulations!

    The tallies are in and we have the winners from the coupon contest at the Dallas Bridal Show, (Prizes will be awarded on the Dallas Bridal Show in January of 2008) and the Fort Worth Bridal Show, (Prizes will be awarded on the Fort Worth Bridal Show in February of 2008).

    Dallas Bridal Show

  • First place: -- FREE 10 x 10 -- Perfect Wedding Guide
  • Second Place: -- $300 off -- United Party Rental
  • Third Place: -- $150 off -- Saleplace
  • Fort Worth Bridal Show

  • First place: -- FREE 10 x 10 -- Perfect Wedding Guide
  • Second Place: -- $300 off -- Bride & Groom Magazine
  • Third Place: -- $150 off -- Heavenly Touch Floral Design
  • Thanks to everyone who participated in this contest. You are all winners because you helped bring more brides to your booth at the show!


    96.7 The Twister's Wedding Giveaway

    96.7 "The Texas Twister" and the Plano Bridal Show want to help one lucky listener "Tie the Knot" and give them the wedding they've always dreamed of. Vendors from the Plano Bridal Show that would like to be involved with the promotion will be accepted on a first come first serve basis to receive on-air and interactive exposure on 96.7 for donating to the wedding giveaway. These vendors will be included in 30-second commercials the week leading up to the Plano Bridal Show (18 total- rotating the vendors 50%) and have their business listed on 967TheTwister.com. This meands that each participating company will be mentioned in 9 of the 18 promos that run the week of the show.

    Listeners will have one last chance to register on Sunday, September 16th at the Plano Bridal Show, and the winner will be announced that afternoon.

    This is such an amazing opportunity for the Plano Bridal Show and we are proud to have opportunities such as this come our way due to our relationships with media partners and reputation as an established bridal show.

    Tune in to 96.7 The Twister to hear which vendors end up participating. We will also list them in the next newsletter.


    Star Community Newspaper Partners with Plano Bridal Show

    Another great opportunity for the vendors at the Plano Bridal Show is being provided by Star Community Newspapers. A special supplemental Plano Bridal Show Directory will be included in the Star Community Newspapers the week leading up to the event to over 100,000 residents of Collin County. Exhibitors of the Plano Bridal Show are able to purchase ad space in the directory for a discounted rate of $100 for a 1/4 page.

    The directory will also be distributed the day of the show, Sunday, September 16, to those in attendance.

    We are so excited to offer our Plano Bridal Show exhibitors this additional tool to the already overwhelming value of the show.


    The Urban Blossom Takes Top National Honors

    The Urban Blossom is honored to announce their success at the New York International Gift Show Retailer Excellence Awards on August 12, 2007. Awarded with the gold in store design and the silver in web design, The Urban Blossom was the only retailer to be nominated and win in two categories.

    Tavern on the Green in Central Park was the setting for Gifts & Decorative Accessories' annual Retailer Excellence Awards, which honor the best manufacturers, reps and retailers in the gift industry. For more than 50 years, Gifts & Decorative Accessories (and its predecessor magazines) has had the honor of rewarding national gift industry achievement with Retail Excellence Awards, the REAs. The awards were presented at a gala cosponsored by George Little Management, during New York International Gift Show.

    The Urban Blossom was selected as a national finalist in two categories, Store Design and Web Design in July 2007. Marcella Vantarakis, Owner, and Shana Thomas, Co-Owner/Partner, traveled to New York City this past week to attend the gala and participate in the New York International Gift Fair.

    View Full Press Release


    Naomi's Notes: "Weather the Storms"
    by:Naomi Hulme
    Naomi

    Any successful business, no matter where it is located, has to make it through some tough times. Being in Texas means that we may have to deal with many real weather situations--rain, wind, hail, heat, cold, ice, maybe even tornadoes and hurricanes.

    A business may have non-weather storms as well-- lack of product or service sales, changes within the industry, staff challenges, lawsuits, rising costs, the unknown.

    Have you planned ahead for every aspect of your business? Be prepared and reduce your risks as much as possible.

    Planning takes time and is something that is necessary for you to review and re-evaluate constantly. This will help tremendously when the storms happen.

    Don't let the business storms take you by surprise.


    Paul Salos, DFW's very own "Frank Sinatra"

    Those of you in attendance at the last AWP meeting were lucky enough to experience an impromptu serenade by our friend and fellow member Paul Salos.

    Paul Salos and his 8 piece "Let's Dance Band" has been delighting audiences singing songs by Frank Sinatra for years. His wife and agent, Jane Salos, of Palace Productions and An Elegant and Royal Wedding, was also in attendance and announced some very exciting news regarding some of Paul's past and future events. Read the press releases below for more information.

    • "Magic of Sinatra" to be performed by Paul Salos at the Bellagio and Ceaser's Palace in Las Vegas, NV. read more...


    • Paul Salos and the "Let's Dance Band" perform for Rudy Giuliani during his stay in Dallas. read more...


    • Paul Salos performs in Dubai, UAE at Royal Wedding. read more...

    Congratulations Paul!


    Plano Bridal Show Marketing Campaign

    Plano Bridal Show
    September 16, 2007
    Plano Centre

    At Bridal Shows, Inc. we are very diligent and consistent with advertising more than any other bridal show in the Metroplex. Below is a list of the current advertising mediums being used to bring the brides to our exhibitors at the Plano Bridal Show.

    Radio:106.1 Kiss FM, KVIL 103.7, 96.7 The Twister

    TV: WFAA 8, NBC 5

    Newspaper:Dallas Morning News, Star Community Newspapers, Plano Insider

    Billboards: Lamar--One (1) Location for 30 days, Dallas Daily--Three (3) Locations (11 total days)

    Wedding Publications: Bride & Groom Magazine, DWeddings, Fort Worth Texas Magazine, Modern Bride, Perfect Wedding Guide, Premier Bride, Wedding & Party Guide

    Website: bridalshowsinc.com, TheKnot.com, GettingMarried.com, Many other vendor and industry websites

    Others: Posters throughout the city at wedding business locations, Email campaigns to registered brides, Various Calendar Listings


    Testimonials and Tips

    We are so pleased that our customers enjoy giving us testimonials to encourage other vendors in the industry. Please take the time to read how the bridal shows have worked for the following companies.

    Dear Naomi and Leah,

    Just wanted to tell you guys how much we enjoyed working with you and the rest of the Bridal Shows, Inc. staff. You are a fun and very well-organized group, and the show generated some great buzz - and users - for our new web site. And the chance to meet other vendors we can work with has been very exciting. We are looking forward to working with you in the future!

    ~Porter Bayne
    Founder, Nearlyweds!, Inc

    "The Dallas Bridal Show has provided businesses with the perfect opportunity to connect with brides. Not only do we get immediate bookings but months later we continue to get bookings from brides who saw us at the previous show. The staff from Bridal Shows, Inc also enhances the overall experience with their continual support and helpfulness throughout the show."

    ~Amy Warner
    Faces Photography

    Thank you and your staff for helping make my first show a success! Participating in your bride show not only got my name out there, my primary objective, but I was able to obtain enough orders already to cover all costs associated with the show. I can't wait until the next opportunity to participate in your show. Thank you for including me.

    ~Sherri Correa
    Your Invited

    In addition to her testimonial, Sherri Correa with Your Invited had some insightful things to say about having a successful show. Her words echo much of what we have already shared with you, but sometimes it is helpful to hear tips from a colleague as well.

    "Please add the suggestion that the vendors work the brides that come by their booth. My sister and I spent a great deal of time explaining options, different products we offer and explaining how and when to order and send invitations. I noticed several vendors standing at the entrance to their booth, waiting for the brides to approach them, and then later stated that this was not working for them (the bridal show). The drawing that I conducted allowed me to get specific information from the brides, and rate them A for very hot and B for hot and so on and what they needed before the formal list was ready. I was able to continue working the list up to now following the show. It has proven a successful tip for me.


    Other Prizes at the Plano Bridal Show

    Brides attending the Plano Bridal Show on September 16 will be able to register to win the following prizes:

    • Beautiful Diamond Ring from Dallas Gold & Silver
    • Alfred Angelo bridal gown (gown up to $599 value)
    • "One-Song Serenade" Live with Jazz Recording Artist, David Carr, Jr. within the Dallas/Fort Worth are (value $200).


    Please keep in your thoughts and prayers...

    Our dear friend Jill Odle, with Wedding and Party Guide, has had a trying summer tending to her daughter Keira's medical needs. Just under two years old, Keira has undergone two open heart surgeries in the last few weeks and continues to fight to regain full health. Please keep Keira and her family in your thoughts and prayers.


    We are currently booking all 2008 Bridal Shows with some categories already closed out.

    Due to the high volume of repeat exhibitors we are already 50% on both the January Dallas Bridal Show and the February Fort Worth Bridal Show.

    Please call us today to reserve your booth before more categories close. Ask to speak with your Account Executive at 972-713- 9920.


    Bridal Show Schedule

    Plano Bridal Show
    September 16, 2007
    Plano Centre

    Dallas Bridal Show
    January 26-27, 2008
    Dallas Market Hall

    Fort Worth Bridal Show
    February 23-24, 2008
    Amon Carter Exhibit Hall

    Plano Bridal Show
    March 9, 2008
    Plano Centre

    Dallas Bridal Show
    July 12-13, 2008
    Dallas Market Hall

    Fort Worth Bridal Show
    July 19-20, 2008
    Amon Carter Exhibit Hall

    Plano Bridal Show
    September 14, 2008
    Plano Centre


    New Posters Coming Soon!

    If you would like to display our 2007-2008 Schedule Poster, email [email protected] with the following information:

    Your Name:
    Company Name:
    Street Address:
    City, State, Zip:
    How Many Posters Needed:

    A sample picture of the poster is below.



    Motivational Messages

    "A mediocre salesman tells. A good salesman explains. A superior salesman demonstrates. Great salesmen inspire buyers to see the benefits as their own."

    ~Carolyn Shamis

    "If you want to eliminate sales resistance, treat your prospects the way you'd like to be treated--as peers."

    ~Gill W. Wagner

    "When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen."

    ~Ernest Hemingway

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    June Wedding, Inc. (JWI)



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    phone: (972) 713-9920