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My recent cost and experience of exhibit marketing

By Tina Parker

Real Estate Agent with EXP Realty Canada Inc. NSREC# 9421

May 04, 2007 12:50 AM

I know this is not the best looking display but with a tight budget I think it was very effective.

Here is what it cost (CDN $) for presence at a weekend expo:

3-36x24 frames on sale at Michaels: $45
3-36x24 posters printed at Staples: $90
2-easels on sale at Michaels: $36.00
Black fabric in clearance bin: $18.00
Carpet remnant: $87
10x10 expo space shared with friend in different business: $300.00

Total: $576.00
Immediate business sales: $530.00

I used two thin side tables under the fabric to hold my brochures and business cards and one of those cheap round wood tables to hold the Get Ready to Sell Workbook I wrote.

I spoke to many interested people one on one which gave me a lot of exposure and people got to know a little of who they will call when they need a stager.

My experience was that exhibit marketing is worth all the effort and investment, far better results than print advertising. I'm looking forward to my next show because it will be much cheaper with all my supplies now paid for.

I must admit I am still recuperating from the time standing on carpeted concrete though.

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Kimberly Uksik

Independent - Pickering, ON

Home Stager - Durham, Toronto, On.

Tina,

What kind of a show was it? Was is a home show?

~Kimbely~

May 04, 2007 01:05 AM

Marci Toliver

438-4642 - Mauldin, SC

Anderson SC, Spartanburg,Greenville SC, Home Staging

Tina, wow this was an excellent display!

May 04, 2007 01:33 AM

Tina Parker

EXP Realty Canada Inc. - Halifax, NS

Managing Associate Broker

This was a Women's Expo. I was in the home show two weeks prior and we (group of 10) set up a 10x20 booth and displayed a real before/after scenerio using a sponsor's furniture. It was a big, costly job from which I received no business. Go figure!

May 04, 2007 01:49 AM

Sandi Gerrard

Toronto, ON

I recently turned down an opportunity to participate in a trade show because of the costs I calculated. You did well on a limited budget. For anyone thinking of a trade show booth, here are some tips from my colleague in the industry -

http://www.thebramptonnews.com/articles/985/1/Tips-for-the-Trade-Show-Exhibitor/Page1.html

May 04, 2007 01:50 AM

Thanks Tina,

I also did a home show and the payback was not great. I am not sure I would participate in one again.

~Kimberly~

May 04, 2007 04:51 AM

Laura Cerrano

Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY

Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Tina, I think it looks terrific. Now that you've made the investment, you can bring it whenever you're invited to speak. It's a reflection of you and it's a great one!

May 04, 2007 10:02 AM

Kimberly, I can certainly see why its a difficult decision to go into an exhibit, its risky but like Carole mentioned I now have the materials I can use elsewhere to improve upon my image and get the message out without saying a word.

I shared my booth with a life coach, she helped steer people my way and told everyone how great I was and I did the same for her. It was great. The homeshow I did with 10 other stagers didn't produce any results for me.

Sandi, thanks for the link, I'm going to refer to this before my next one to see what I can do to create some WOW factor.

May 04, 2007 11:46 AM

Joanna McIntosh

VMA: Small Business Solutions - Virtual Marketing Assistant - Middletown, OH

Virtual Assistant - Ohio

Hi Tina,

I think your display looks great. I have experience in trade show display marketing and I could offer a few low cost suggestions that I think could make your experience even more successful. If you are interested in learning more, please email me at joanna@vmasolutions.com.

I hope this doesn't sound obnoxious. I just love working with exhibit clients and the results are always so stunning.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Thanks,

JoAnna

May 04, 2007 04:36 PM

Lori Kim Polk

Premiere Home Staging : Home Staging Services - Roseville, CA

Home Stager - Roseville, Sacramento

Tina, great presentation! When your cost for the booth exceeds your result, then it is not a good thing. When it equals it or is bettter :)))), then that is great! I used to do trade shows all the time in another venue. I really love them but they are alot of work. Here is our last 10x10 Home Show booth. Yes, we fit all that in and luckly had a corner. We were slammed with people... they looked like a heard of cattle. So we have to do something like grab them and pull them into the booth ;)

Sac home show We could have sold 20 of the chocolate ultra suede couches! It was in January so we rented a corner fireplace :)

May 05, 2007 03:42 AM

Nicola Lindsay

Nicola Lindsay ReDesign and Home Staging - Saint Stephen, NB

CRSS

I finally got thru the weekend of my first Trade Show as a Stager/ReDesigner. Of course I don't know how the costs went as far as equalling future business but I really needed to get the word out as to what it is we do. I believe I have succeeded in reaching a few realtors so that is what I wanted. Also the redesign part drew many interested ladies who have left their name. So now to get to work with follow -ups. I am including a picture of the booth, keep in mind there are no walls between businesses.

May 06, 2007 06:47 AM

My recent cost and experience of exhibit marketing

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