Greetings!
Well it's been a crazy and fast paced start to 2011 and it is hard to believe that we are already three months in! The year began with a bang with our largest bridal show of the year, the Dallas Bridal Show on January 29-30, 2011. Thank you to all of the wonderful vendors that participated to make this show a success!
The Plano Bridal Show is just around the corner on Sunday, March 13th at the Plano Centre, and rounding out our Spring 2011 Bridal Show season the Fort Worth Bridal Show will take place on April 2-3, 2011.
This is a great time of year for gathering new leads with many new couples that popped the question over the holidays or Valentine's Day and are planning that perfect dream wedding. Meeting these brides face to face at a bridal show is the best way to create a professional relationship that will lead them through the wedding planning process. Call us today to find out how we can help build your business and introduce you to thousands of brides!! 972-713-9920
Dallas Bridal Show: Review |
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Once again we had another great Dallas Bridal Show, sponsored by The Knot, on January 29-30 at the Dallas Market Hall. Thousands of brides met with hundreds of bridal businesses creating the first step in a successful professional relationship. For all the exhibitors that participated in January's show, we hope and trust that you are continually following up with every contact made at the event in order to grow your business! (If you need assistance in finding the best methods for keeping in touch with your leads, contact your Account Executive at Bridal Shows, Inc.! We are happy to help you.)

Celebrity guests at the Dallas Bridal Show included the following:
Celebrity Wedding Planner
W. Donnie Brown of Style Network's Whose Wedding is it Anyway? spoke each day on "Planning Your Wedding in Today's Economy."
Peter Merry, national author of the book The Best Wedding Reception... Ever! spoke both days on "Make It FUN!"
World Famous Wedding Gown Designer "Demetrios" appeared both days for the Brides by Demetrios fashion shows. Brides had a chance to informally meet Demetrios for photos, autographs, and questions at the "Brides by Demetrios" display booth.
Tonia Tomlin is the Founder and President of Sorted Out (TM) and Sorted Out Publishing. Tonia is an author, publisher, speaker, and mother of twin girls. She has been featured on HGTV's Mission: Organization, and is the author of the book Chaos 2 Calm. She is also a regular expert on Good Morning Texas. She spoke both days on "7 Savvy Tips for Merging Households."
Just a few of the wonderful prizes given away to lucky brides at the Dallas Bridal Show (not including the countless giveaways by exhibitors at the show) were:
- Diamond Ring, from Dallas Gold & Silver
- Sorted Out and Closet Factory giveaway including a Closet Makeover/Organization
- Bed Bath & Beyond gift cards
- and more!
Brides and attendees also enjoyed beatiful fashion shows each day by Brides by Demetrios, Bliss Bridal Salon, and Distinct Elegance Bridal Boutique.
At each bridal show exhibitors have the option to participate in a coupon contest to see which company can bring in the most brides turning in their dollar off admission coupon. Winners receive discounted prices off their booth in the July Dallas Bridal Show!
Congratulations to our Coupon Contest winners:
- First Place: (FREE 10 x 10 booth) The Saleplace
- Second Place: ($300 off booth price) Bliss Bridal Salon
- Third Place: ($150 off booth price) **TIE** Sheraton Dallas North and Amarillo Rose
Thank you to everyone that had a part in this amazing event! Enjoy reading some of the statistics gathered from brides in attendance below, and we hope to see you all again at the Dallas Bridal Show on July 30-31, 2011.
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Bride Statistics from Dallas Bridal Show |
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Brides attending the Dallas Bridal Show on January 29-30, 2011 had the option to register at the front door and answer questions that resulted in valuable information for companies targeting the Metroplex bride. Take a look at some of the information gathered from registered brides at this event.
Age of registered brides in attendance:
- 18-24 years --- 34%
- 25-34 years --- 47%
- 35-44 years --- 8%
- 45+ years --- 2%
- Unknown --- 9%
County of Residence:
- Dallas County -- 42%
- Tarrant County -- 15%
- Collin County -- 12%
- Denton County -- 11%
- Surrounding Dallas Counties -- 7%
- Out of Area -- 12%
- Out of State -- 1%
Estimated wedding budget:
(Of course, most brides do not know the true costs until they are well into the planning process.)
- $0-$5,000 --- 7%
- $5,001-$10,000 --- 15%
- $10,001-$20,000 --- 17%
- $20,001-$30,000 --- 6%
- $30,001-$40,000 --- 1%
- $40,001-$50,000 --- 1%
- $50,001 and up --- 1%
- Unknown --- 52%
How registered brides heard about the show:
- Internet -- 46%
- Word of Mouth -- 19%
- Television -- 9%
- Newsflash on The Knot -- 9%
- Radio -- 7%
- Magazine -- 4%
- Newspaper -- 4%
- Billboard -- 2%
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Plano Bridal Show: Marketing Campaign |
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TV: Fox 4, WFAA 8
Radio: KISS FM, The Wolf
Newspaper:
Dallas Morning News
Billboards:
Clear Channel Outdoor (5 Boards up for 4 Weeks)
Social Media:
myspace.com/planobridalshow
facebook.com/BridalShowsInc
Internet:bridalshowsinc.com, brideandgroom.com, Brides of North Texas Blog, theknot.com, upcoming.yahoo.com, 995thewolf.com, Online Banner Ad, dallasnews.com, craigslist.com, weddingchannel.com, projecthusband.com, about.com, google, Various other Websites
Wedding Publications:Bride & Groom Magazine, Brides of North Texas
Other: Newsflash through theknot.com, Multiple press releases, various local calendar listings, posters located at exhibitors' locations throughout the Metroplex, many email blasts through our website and to previously registered brides. Other marketing sources are always in the works.
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Fort Worth Bridal Show: Marketing Campaign |
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This year, the Fort Worth Bridal Show will take place April 2-3, 2011, at the Amon Carter Exhibit Hall. You still have time to reserve your booth at this event, but don't delay as many categories are already closed out. Bridal Shows, Inc. cares about the success of our vendors and therefore limits the number of exhibitors in each category which makes a better show for both brides and businesses. Call to find out if your category is still available and book your slot before it's too late!
We are always looking for new opportunities to spread the word to area brides about each event, but plans for marketing are done far in advance as well to ensure a healthy number of brides to meet with each business exhibiting at the show. Listed below is the mass marketing campaign for the Fort Worth Bridal Show on April 2-3, 2011.
TV: Fox 4, WFAA 8
Radio: KISS FM, The Wolf
Billboards:
Clear Channel Outdoor (Boards up for 4 Weeks)
Social Media:
myspace.com/planobridalshow
facebook.com/BridalShowsInc
Internet:bridalshowsinc.com, dallasnews.com, projecthusband.com, theknot.com, craigslist.com, upcoming.yahoo.com, weddingchannel.com, about.com, brideandgroom.com, Banner Ad Campaign, Brides of North Texas Wedding Blog, Many Others
Wedding Publications:Bride & Groom Magazine, Brides of North Texas
Other: Newsflash through theknot.com, Multiple press releases, various local calendar listings, posters located at exhibitors' locations throughout the Metroplex, many email blasts through our website and to previously registered brides. Other marketing sources are always in the works.
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Naomi's Notes: "Believe in Yourself!" by: Naomi Hulme, CEM |
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To be successful at anything, we all have to believe in ourselves. With that, we can do anything! When someone is trying to do the right thing, others will notice and believe in that person's efforts and direction. But first, you have to believe it.
Believe that you can accomplish what you are setting out to do. Work hard and smart and you will continue to get closer to your goal. Keep the vision in your mind and keep believing in your own common sense and intelligence. Don't be lazy and expect everything to just work out on its own. You must put in a lot of effort and not give up.
Write down your weekly steps to obtain your monthly goal. At the end of the month, write down new weekly steps to get to the next month's goal. It's easier to look at a week at a time for specific monthly goals. Set your goals a little higher than you think you can reach. Always stretch for more and work on excellence.
You are going to make mistakes-that is a given. Just learn from them and appreciate what you have learned.
Do not depend on anyone else to help you believe in yourself. Be confident and trust yourself. You know yourself better than anyone. Believe in your own abilities.
Work constantly to grow as an individual, to better yourself, to better your own image of yourself. Do not let anyone's negative talk deter you or pull you down. Stay the course.
According to John C. Maxwell, in his book "How Successful People Think," he states ". . .how successful people think can be learned. If you change your thinking, you can change your life! . . . If you want to achieve something, give yourself permission to believe it is possible-no matter what experts might say."
In this process, remember to help others to believe in themselves, also. It makes for better relationships when you can help others achieve success and happiness in their personal and business life, also.
Remember to praise yourself for the positives that you have accomplished.
Believe you can do it!
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Cooking with Naomi |
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Enjoy this yummy recipe from the kitchen of Naomi Hulme!
Ingredients:
Ritz Crackers
Peanut Butter
White Almond Bark
Directions: Melt almond bark in a double boiler. Spread peanut butter on a ritz cracker, top with another ritz cracker. Use tongs to dip this ritz cracker & peanut butter sandwich into the melted almond bark mixture. Shake excess mixture off lightly and set cracker on wax paper to cool. Make as many as you want. These are so easy and everyone loves them! They are sweet and salty.
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Social Media Vs Face to Face Marketing |
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The following article found on ezinesarticles.com articulates the importance of face to face marketing in today's economy despite the rise of digital and social network marketing. Although the author specifically addresses business trade shows, the same message holds true for bridal shows. Digital marketing is good, and needed, but does not replace the impact of a face to face relationship.
Social Media Vs Face to Face Marketing - The Death of Real World Networking?
By Brad Collmeyer
There is a myth that face to face marketing is retiring and we are moving on to bigger and better things. Face to face marketing includes everything from live events, seminars, outdoor events, trade shows, and conferences. The younger group, known as generation Y, or those born between the 80's and early 90's, highly depend on technology for not only work but personal relationships as well. The rise in people's need for technology to function has led others to believe that meeting with clients for face to face marketing is not necessary anymore and has become a fossilized tactic. So what is the point in wasting money to meet with clients if it is an outdated tactic?
The point is that meeting face to face is absolutely effective and vital to building strong relationships with clients, or anyone for that matter. People who are wrapped up in the virtual world still have a strong desire for personal relationships, which is what they try to falsely attain through technology. All relationships are the same, whether it be a business related relationship or a personal relationship, they all need to make that face to face connection. By using technology you almost lose that relationship, the more people see someone the less likely they are to treat them poorly. So, this goes both ways, each individual who is engaging in face to face interaction will mutually treat one another better, which leads to better business. People have bought into this myth that face to face interaction is no longer important and have begun adapting to technological alternatives. But, face to face marketing has and always will be effective; it is a strategy that best fits our descending economic status.
A study released by UCLA stated that an astounding 93 percent of communication effectiveness is determined by non-verbal cues. This means that if you are communicating via e-mail, texting, etc. you are losing 93 percent of your intended message because it is not as effective on the target. Somewhere within this 93 percent of nonverbal communication it is a good idea to take advantage of eye contact. Making eye contact with someone, especially when relating to business, is important in the sense that it shows honesty and credibility. The more eye contact you have with someone, the more they are willing to trust you. Companies certainly want to do business with someone they feel are trustworthy, most notably during difficult times. Face to face marketing needs to have little promotional content and a lot more useful information so that the customers walk away knowing a lot more about whom you are and what you do rather than how much something costs. You need to take it back down to the basics, because people do not want to be wooed into buying something. One of two things will happen if you spend all of your time exuding promotional content, either they will become defensive and in return ignore anything you have to say, or walk away with something that they will later regret buying. Neither of these scenarios can benefit your business long-term.
All of this information is relevant to the trade show industry in that they are not dying out as some may think. Trade shows are notorious for their face to face marketing strategy, which is true but exhibitors can be inventive in how they utilize this strategy. Trade shows are generally a way for exhibitors to get to know some current or potential clients. Trade shows are also a great way to show off new products. Or if you offer services then your clients absolutely want to know who they are working with. Putting a face with a name is always a positive. This is backed up by the Center for Exhibition Industry Research, who pronounces that 76 percent of attendees at a trade show rate face to face interaction with potential vendors and suppliers as extremely important in performing their job. As well as, 86 percent of exhibitors at trade shows who rate face to face marketing as being very important.
But there are some disadvantages to face to face marketing that come as a package deal with today's harsh economy. Fuel prices are rising, cutting into traveling funds, and people are working longer and harder to keep businesses afloat. But, the economy does not have to get the best of anyone; companies can have great turn outs at a trade show, or any event, without having an enormous amount of individuals actually at the show. If you do have an enormous amount of attendees that's great, but if not, your event can still be successful through word-of-mouth. Even if a company extends invitations to an event to any number of individuals, then all who received an invite will acknowledge your credibility and expertise. This lets others know that you are willing and ready to get out there and talk face to face about what you have to offer. First hand experience of a product awards knowledge and understanding of your company and how it works. Even if a few individuals attend your show and you present your material in a memorable manner, they will tell another person about your show and you can potentially generate an entire line of business. According to recent research, done by Jack Morton Worldwide, people exposed to live marketing on average tell 17 others about their experience. So, if you can get your message across to 5 individuals who find your show interesting you potentially have gained an actual 85 people who are interested in your company and what you do.
Society's need for technology can be turned into a constructive characteristic for face to face marketing, but particularly for trade shows. People are using "virtual worlds" or social media more and more everyday. There are numerous amounts of social media programs which you can use to your advantage. Since these technologies have made their stamp in our society, why not work with it? Social media marketing can be tied into your face to face marketing as well. If you encourage attendees to visit your company's Twitter account, Facebook account, etc., they will recognize that you are up to speed with current trends and still value that face to face connection at the same time. Customers like to have options, and giving them the option of using a virtual world or a face to face meeting is a great strategy. Social media is not too far fetched from face to face communication as emails and such tend to be. Social media still allows for your client to see exactly what is going on, you can post videos, or have live feed on your website of your booth at the show. You are also able to instant message chat on some social media programs, which still gives you, as the exhibitor, the opportunity to answer any questions someone may have instantaneously.
Businesses need to stay up to speed with today's technologies, but keep old values at the same time. Face to face marketing values interpersonal relationships and gives your client the trust they crave. It is time to get inventive and think of current ways to keep individuals engaged during a face to face interaction. Attention spans are short and if you can show the client, in the short amount of time you have captured someone's attention that you are trustworthy and all about business then you have achieved success. Face to face marketing has come full circle; it was out and has now been shoved back in by the economy. This time around companies may realize how highly beneficial face to face marketing is for business.
Article Source
Brad Collmeyer is a digital marketing consultant, currently working with Apple Rock, an industry leading strategic partner in event planning, trade show displays and trade show services. Our creative and comprehensive approach ensures that businesses connect with their audience, using one of our custom trade show exhibits or through a full-scale experiential marketing campaign designed around their goals. With over two decades of industry experience, and scores of award-winning custom trade show displays and visual marketing creations, Apple Rock is the premier event planning and trade show company with the creative edge and the strategic mindset to transform the mundane into the extraordinary.
Naomi's Book of the Month
This month's book selection is:

You, Inc.: The Art of Selling Yourself
by: Harry Beckwith & Christine Clifford Beckwith
You may request a copy of my "Book Suggestions"
at any time.
Happy Reading!
~Naomi
Bridal Show Schedule
Plano Bridal Show
** 22nd Year **
March 13, 2011
Plano Centre
Fort Worth Bridal Show
** 14th Year **
April 2-3, 2011
Amon Carter Exhibit Hall
Dallas Bridal Show
** 22nd Year **
July 30-31, 2011
Dallas Market Hall
Plano Bridal Show
** 22nd Year **
September 11, 2011
Plano Centre
Fort Worth Bridal Show
** 14th Year **
September 17-18, 2011
Amon Carter Exhibit Hall
New Posters Are Here!
New Posters are here for the Spring 2011 Bridal Show Season! If you
are interested
in receiving one or more posters,
email
info@bridalshowsinc.com 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.
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