BSPI’s 2012 New Board of Directors and Award Winners

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Vanna Nguyen

The new 2012-2014 Bridal Show Producers International Board of Directors, winner of 2012 Director’s Cup Award, 2012 Spirit Award winners, and 2012 Star Award winners were announced at the BSPI Conference on Saturday, May 5, at the W Hotel in Scottsdale, Arizona.

2012-2014 BSPI Board of Directors

Director: Sue Gallardo, Business Network, Sacramento, California
Co-Director: Bill Heaton, Great Bridal Expo Group, Inc., Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Secretary: Sue Diehl, Visuelle Productions, New London, Wisconsin
Treasurer/Past Director: Bruce Thiebauth, Bridal Fair®, Omaha, Nebraska
Membership Director: Don Freedman, FreedmanAssociates, Greensboro, North Carolina
International Member Relations Director: Brad Buckles, Buckles Group, Inc., Bellevue, Washington
Member Relations Director: Amanda Andrews, Wedding Palace Bridal Show Ltd., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Image and Branding Director: Laura DiGirolamo, Forever Bridal Productions, Raleigh, North Carolina
Advertising and PR Director: Ralph Desuse, Kiss The Bride Productions, Pasadena, California
Website Director: Fred Jacob, Jacob Marketing, Inc., Knoxville, Tennessee
Education Director: Tommy Vaughan, Elite Bridal Events LLC, Snellville, Georgia
Supplies and Services Director: Marc Wheeler, Wedding Festivals, Inc., Greenville, South Carolina
Associate Member Director: Jerry Russo, Royal Prestige, Mt. Lake, New Jersey

Bill Heaton with Bruce Thiebauth

The Director’s Cup recognizes the industry’s most outstanding bridal show producers who demonstrate professionalism, character, integrity and performance. The award is the highest and most prestigious recognition given in the bridal show producer industry. The 2012 Director’s Cup winner is Bill Heaton, Great Bridal Expo Group, Inc., Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

 

Buzz and Sue Gallardo, Bruce Thiebauth, and Kathie James

The Spirit Award is an award given to members by the current Director to recognize members who give of themselves “above and beyond” to the organization.  This year BSPI honors two winners: Sue & Buzz Gallardo, Business Network, Sacramento, California and Kathie James, The Bridal Group of Companies, Inc., Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

 

The Star Awards are bestowed to bridal show productions based on certain advertising categories. The Board of Directors select the categories and these categories and specific criteria may change from year to year. Entries are anonymously judged by a third-party panel to include experts in the respective categories. Here are the 2012 Star Awards Winners.

Best Bridal Promotion Piece: Bridal Spectacular Events Inc., Las Vegas, Nevada

Tommy Vaughan, Debra and Laura Hansen of Bridal Spectacular®, and Brad Buckles

Tommy Vaughan, Brad Buckles, and Matthew Trettel of The Wedding Guys®

Best TV & Advertising: The Wedding Guys®, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Best Exhibitor Marketing Piece: The Wedding Guys®, Minneapolis, Minnesota

 

 

Best Social Media: Wedding Festivals, Inc., Greenville, South Carolina

Tommy Vaughan, Marc Wheeler of Wedding Festivals, and Brad Buckles

Tommy Vaughan, Bev Howard & Linda Williams of The UK Wedding Shows, Ltd., Brad Buckles, and Bruce Thiebauth

Best Radio Advertising: The UK Wedding Shows, Ltd., Southport Merseyside, England, UK

Best Fashion Show (Over $12,000): The UK Wedding Shows, Ltd., Southport Merseyside, England, UK

 

 

Best Fashion Show (Under $12,000): The Premier Bridal Shows, Ridgeland, Mississippi

Tommy Vaughan, Lynda Jungkind of The Premier Bridal Shows, and Brad Buckles

Congratulations, new board members and honored winners!

© Bridal Show Producers International

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Couples! Bridal shows are first on your wedding-planning checklist

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Vanna Nguyen

Congratulations on your engagement, couple-to-be! After you set your wedding date, you consult a wedding-planning checklist or countdown calendar to help organize your wedding. This calendar makes your life easier by telling you when to send announcements, visit reception sites, and meet prospective vendors. The best way to make your wedding-planning faster and easier is to attend a bridal show. Bridal shows are your one-stop wedding-planning places to be!

There’s even more to a bridal show than you expect! Every bridal show, bridal expo, wedding event has the following:

  • Caterers and bakers
  • Photographers and videographers
  • florists, choreographers, designers, & planners
  • DJs & bands
  • Reception venues such as hotels, golf courses, banquet halls, etc.
  • Travel agents & airline representatives
  • Stores that offer gift registries
  • AND SO MUCH MORE!

When you are at the bridal show, you will:

  • sample cake-tastings
  • view wedding fashion shows
  • win prizes from vendors
  • meet other brides and grooms
  • walk away with your wedding, honeymoon, and future home planned!

Do not let this overwhelm you. There are many bridal shows that range in attendance and exhibitors. If you attend national bridal shows, do not be discouraged by the long lines—every exhibitor is worth visiting. If you plan on having your wedding in a smaller city or town, do consider going to the nearest bridal show. Many vendors will travel to your wedding location and you and significant other will have the ultimate wedding experience.

Couples, try to attend bridal shows together to take advantage of the numerous special offers ONLY available at bridal shows. However, if you are pressed for time or the both of you cannot attend the show together; do your research at home together in advance. Each bridal show should release a list of exhibitors that are going to be at that bridal show. Find exhibitors on that list that you want to meet after reviewing their portfolio or ratings online. Pick two or three choices in case your first selection does not work out.

What about life after the wedding? Bridal shows include honeymoon and gift registry vendors. You and your future spouse need to plan the romantic getaway. Speak with travel agents and airline representatives after you visit the wedding vendors’ booths. Travel agents offer great package deals and airline representatives offer credit cards where you can earn free flights. Want that perfect well-furnished home? Consult the stores that offer gift registries. Find out if they offer any additional perks such as discounts on gift registry items that you didn’t receive from your guests.

Overall, to save time and eliminate stress, attend a bridal show! EVERYONE in the bridal show and wedding industry wants you to have the ultimate wedding whatever your budget and preferences may be. So team up with wedding pros you meet at bridal shows. You will not go home disappointed; you will go home with a successfully planned wedding, honeymoon, and future home of your dreams!

Let bridal shows help you walk away with a wedding of a lifetime.

Photo © stock.xchng

Words © Bridal Show Producers International

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Break Business Barriers Faster with Bridal Shows

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Vanna Nguyen

It all comes down to "Yes, I do."

To succeed in the wedding industry, you need solid strategies for breaking the barriers that keep brides from saying YES to your products and services.

So what gets in your way?

  • Your competition?
  • Yourself?
  • Are you your own worst enemy?
  • Do you lack confidence and/or experience?  Are you afraid to promote yourself?
  • Do you cut your prices to get the sale?
  • Are you intimidated by networking and social marketing?
  • Do you create face-to-face opportunities such as attending bridal shows?

Here are some of the ways you can break business barriers.

Network and Find Leads

First, who do you already know in the wedding industry? Friends? Relatives? Wedding business owners you have collaborated with in the past? Strike up a conversation.  See how the both of you can help each other. Next, join local and national wedding associations if you have not already. If there are no associations in your city or state, consider starting one! Be proactive in your association(s) by attending events and contribute any way you can. Lastly, bridal shows are the quintessential wedding networking events—another (major) great reason to participate.

Create Face-to-Face Sales Opportunities

An important motto to remember: sell smarter, not harder. You can overcome roadblocks with face-to-face opportunities. Again, a great way to create these opportunities is exhibiting at bridal shows, bridal expos, wedding events, etc. You’re going to meet many potential clients and nothing succeeds better than eyeball to eyeball.

Turn Your Pitch into a Story

What inspired your wedding business? What makes you continue your wedding business day after day? Why do you love working with brides and grooms?  Create a lasting impression by using your pitch as a story to motivate your prospective clients. Then use your story through all of your social media marketing. Don’t expect negative results or reactions, but be ready for them. Ultimately, you want to build relationships, not just customers.

Write Contracts That Put You in Control

Write your contracts so that you are in control in your business relationships. First, define the relationships between you/your company and the wedding couple. This clarity of definition controls the relationship and removes speculation about what was agreed upon. For more guidance and support, consult an attorney in your area.

Provide excellent service 100% of the time

Be dedicated to service before, during, and AFTER the sale. In this economy the consumer expects a fair price and great service. Your past and current clients will refer your business to their friends, relatives, and coworkers because you provided outstanding service. Word gets around quickly through social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, blogs and more. Every social media you are using to promote your business, your clients will use to endorse or criticize your services.

Have a Plan

Plan for next month. Plan for the next six months. Plan for the next wedding season even. Long-term planning gives you and your team a schedule to work with. Incorporate your wedding association events, local bridal shows, and bookings all together. Be constantly on the lookout for more clients but give yourself some breathing space to meet all these future clients.

Grow Your Team and Your Business

When is it time to hire more employees? When do you need to handle the jobs yourself? Take these questions into consideration as you plan the future of your business. When managing your staff, keep everyone on the same page because you cannot break business barriers alone.

You need to do these things to break business barriers.

Great Bridal Expo® ; Great Bridal Expo Group, Inc. Copyright 2012 All Rights Reserved.

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Rules of Engagement: 7 Bridal Show Commandments to Follow

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Vanna Nguyen

This is your investment. You want to make the bridal show work for you in every way possible. You can’t just show up and expect the best. Preparation, presentation, and follow-up are some of the key steps in the bridal show process. By following these seven “commandments”, your bridal show participation will be worth every minute!

Thou Shalt Be Prepared

First, choose the right wedding event. For professional and well-connected experiences, find shows that are headed by experienced promoters, usually members of Bridal Show Producers International (BSPI).

Plan the following details ahead of time. You need to choose the right booth size and choose prizes and gifts for the brides and grooms. Make a budget for the booth design and a budget for staff. Create collateral in advance.

Prepare an emergency bridal show marketing tool-kit:

  • business cards
  • breath mints
  • change of clothes
  • safety pins
  • duct tape (this is for your display, not you hopefully).

If you need questions answered, talk to your sales representative. They should be willing and able to explain anything you need to prepare for the bridal show. If they can’t or won’t, you’re in the wrong show.

Thou Shalt Prepare Thy Staff

You must educate your staff before the show. Instruct them on how they should represent your business. Their demeanor and appearance is important because the first impression is critical. Rehearse your pitch. Make a schedule ahead of time so your staff knows when to show up. Pencil-in scheduled breaks in case your staff gets overwhelmed or an emergency arises.

If it’s just you, make sure you have water and snacks. Remember to breathe before you speak to your next customer. Don’t worry, if you present yourself and your booth correctly, this show will fly by very fast.

Thou Shalt Proclaim Your Name

Don’t forget to display your business name. Common sense? Yes, but people forget sometimes the simplest detail all too often. Have adequate signage for not just your name but for your promotions, collateral, and samples.

Don't make this mistake at your bridal show!

Thou Shall Not Have a Boring Booth

Simple touches make a big difference. Provide strong visuals. Be creative. Welcome couples into the booth so provide ample (walking) space.

Grab everyone's attention at a bridal show

Thou Shall Not Overwhelm

Even though we say to not have a boring booth, you cannot overwhelm your potential clients. Keep it simple. Don’t unload your business into your booth. You need to create a comfortable environment for the couples to come in and for yourself and staff also. You want to come home at the end of a successful day feeling fantastic, not feeling miserable about your experience because you kept tripping over your own merchandise.

Not only is it about the booth, but about the information you present. The right information is the right amount. So set appointments, don’t sign contracts. Here, you came to the bridal show for clients. Next, have the clients come to you to see your place of business, to see how you operate, to examine more portfolios to ensure they will do business with you.

Thou Shalt Follow Up

Work your lead list the next business day (not the weekend, you and your clients need to relax). Work it again. Call or e-mail them. Tell them to check out your website and blog. Invite them to follow you on Facebook or Twitter. Confirm appointments.

The biggest commandant you shouldn’t break?

Thou shall participate!

According to credible industry sources, over 900,000 brides and grooms will be attending bridal shows over the next year. You cannot afford to miss out on these opportunities!

Look at all those potential clients!

So follow these seven commandments for your next bridal show experience. Not only do bridal shows help you, they create perfect opportunities for your clients: the brides and grooms of today.

 Great Bridal Expo® ; Great Bridal Expo Group, Inc. Copyright 2012 All Rights Reserved.

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Bridal Show and Wedding Dreams Come True with BSPI!

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Vanna Nguyen

Bridal Show Producers International is here to help you!

Let’s look at the big picture. Your bridal show dreams come true when your clients’ wedding dreams come true.  Bridal Show Producers International’s blog is now available to help achieve dreams for all producers, exhibitors/vendors, brides, and grooms. Let us help enhance your bridal show experience by offering two important services:

Bridal Show Producers International commits to connecting show producers, exhibitors, and couples together for a successful bridal show experience.

For show producers and exhibitors/vendors

By strengthening the relationship between show producer and exhibitor, you are not only helping each other but you are creating the ultimate wedding experience for brides, grooms, and their guests all over the world. So, let us introduce the person(s) behind the business. Show producers, share your success stories. Offer advice to exhibitors. Tell us who YOU are. Exhibitors, share your favorite bridal show experience. Offer advice to other exhibitors. Tell us who YOU are. Make this blog your networking/marketing tool. This personal approach can secure your current connections and establish new relationships from around the world. Reading other professionals’ experiences is a great source of inspiration and possibly humor.

For brides and grooms

Even though the blog is primarily aimed at wedding professionals, we’re here to help you understand the world of bridal shows, bridal expos, wedding expos, etc. Not only do we inform you of the next bridal show in your area, we want to maximize your bridal show experience and offer couples’ testimonials about their experiences.

Bridal Show Producers International provides a wealth of reliable and current economic, marketing, and wedding information.

For everyone

After we connect you to industry professionals or couples, let’s focus on what is currently happening within the industry. It is our job to inform producers and exhibitors on anything that can help your business whether they would be best social media tools, wedding venue trends, or projected wedding budgets.  Vendors, we will also provide useful exhibiting tips whether you are new or experienced so your bridal show experience is just as great as it is for the couple-to-be. We know how much you like Return On Investment (ROI) tips so be on the look-out for that information as well. Couples-to-be, read the latest wedding industry news and trends at BSPI’s blog. This can inspire you when you are planning your wedding. Above all, attending a bridal show is a wedding-planning rite of passage for couples and for companies who want to showcase their products or service.

Please bookmark or subscribe to BSPI’s blog and stay tuned for beneficial information that connects you to wedding professionals and engaged couples. We will also keep you updated on Bridal Show Producers International’s members, events, and announcements.

©BSPIBridalShows.com

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