Bridal Shows

Business By loriemoms Updated 25 Jul 2006 , 7:02pm by OCakes

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loriemoms Posted 24 Jul 2006 , 3:40pm
post #1 of 3

I am thinking of signing up for our local BIG bridal show they do here...a booth is over 1000 dollars! (its in january) Have any of you done any shows? is it worth the money? What should I expect? My DH had an idea to contact a florist or caterer that is doing the show and see if they would split a booth. I am not sure if anyone would do that..would they?

2 replies
tthardy78 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
tthardy78 Posted 25 Jul 2006 , 6:50pm
post #2 of 3

I would call around and see, you may want to try contacting someone who is not part of a franchise or chain, someone independent.

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OCakes Posted 25 Jul 2006 , 7:02pm
post #3 of 3

I did a bridal show this January, which cost $595 - and I ended-up spending another $600 on supplies to prepare for the show. It DID pay for itself, but no more. Everyone liked my samples best (or so they said), and even the show coordinator said I had the best coordinated booth, visually & in working with potential customers. I had trays of samples, and 2 friends went with me to help serve, answer simple questions, and refer people to me for the questions they couldn't answer. I obtained my 3x6ft banner at www.signbar.com - the colors are slightly faded looking, but I was really happy with it for the price, $71 (and no shipping, etc), when all the local stores were quoting $250+!! I also had Kinko's enlarge one of my best wedding cake pictures - that cost $73 I believe, to get a 3x4ft picture... and then the cost of the paper & ink for printing my own brochures... and I ordered 2000 business cards from vistaprint.com (if you send me a PM, I can send you a link) - they will give you 250 business cards for the cost of shipping (about $5-6), but you cannot upload your own pictures for that price... anyway, I think it was a GREAT experience, and I did sell a few wedding cakes & got a lot of interest for my birthday cakes as well.

Regarding getting in touch with florists, etc... YES, do it! I got in touch with a few vendors at the show, and in the future if I choose to do another show, I will work with a specific florist. However, I have become so busy this year, that I cannot take any more business while working out of my house. I need to find a bakery! Or, it doesn't make sense to pay for any more advertising.

Good luck! OH - and wear COMFORTABLE shoes!! The ground I was on was cement & it was a LONG day! Also think about your presentation & obtaining things like tablecloths (the event may provide those) - napkins, etc...

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