Posted by Sam Sears, CEC on October 16, 19100 at 19:51:37 :
In Reply to: Re: bridal shows posted by Carl on October 16, 19100 at 15:31:25 :
: : Have any of you ever tried pushing your catering business through bridal shows and do you have any suggestions?
: Yes, Kim, I have. I find them to be not very productive for the money spent on the booth space. If you are fortunate enough to not pay for space then maybe....
: Most attendees are NOT serious brides, but rather people looking for free stuff.... And the ones who are brides (in my area), 90% are planning on catering themselves or using illegal home based caterers.
: For your reference, the booth here costs 600.00.... I actually got a 1200.00 space which was prime and double spaced..... we had lots of pictures taken of our booth, but most said they were doing it themselves.... Also, I worked a trade with the local radio station who sponsors it, so I didnt actually PAY 1200.00.... if you know what I mean.... LOL...
: Sometimes you can work a deal with the show to serve punch and cookies to the attendees in return for free space.... (i find that few caterers have a booth)
: I didnt serve ANYTHING... I had a beautiful display that was "display only" otherwise it would have been messed up by all the glutons and I would miss the opportunity to talk to serious brides while refilling the food.... No Thanks!!!
: Carl
My sentiments exactly, we have done several bridal shows, all but two were free & we did provide food & a nice display that I was proud of...but I have only sold one wedding (and it turned out to be "low rent") at any of the shows, I have "upsold" several brides that we already had on the books & deposits paid, but that did not warrant the costs involved, I'm sure some catering firms make great contacts, but this is just my experience.........thx sam sears, cec