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Published at: 01:05 pm - Thursday May 26 2011

BSPI member wins American Marketing Association Award

Texas Weddings, Ltd. was presented an award by the San Antonio chapter of the American Marketing Association at an awards dinner earlier this week. They won for the January 2011 San Antonio Bridal Extravaganza marketing campaign that was judged to be the best campaign in the category of $25k – $50k. Additional categories were Non-Profit; Campaigns under $25k, $50k and up.

Sheila Dunn of Texas Weddings, Ltd., said, “It was a real honor and I’m still smiling.”

Congratulations Bob Lowman and Sheila Dunn!

Posted in: Member Bridal Show News by Sue Gallardo No Comments , ,

Julia Rutherford Silvers, a Certified Special Events Professional To Speak at Bridal Show Producers Conference in Nassau

Published at: 03:03 pm - Monday March 28 2011

The Bridal Show Producers International will hold their conference in Nassau starting April 28 through April 30.  One of our guest speakers will be Julia Rutherford Silvers. She will be covering the following topics.

Silvers10 lowrescolor 214x300 Julia Rutherford Silvers, a Certified Special Events Professional To Speak at Bridal Show Producers Conference in Nassau

Julia Silvers Speaks at Bridal Show Producers Conference

Professional Event Coordination

Professional event coordination is a complex and often under-appreciated job, especially by those unfamiliar with the scope of activities necessary to bring an event to life. This interactive session will explore proven strategies for managing the administrative, design, marketing, operational, and risk management duties, challenges, and opportunities event organizers encounter today,

Where Does It Hurt?

“The Doctor Is In” for this open Q&A session in which we will discuss whatever topics are important or interesting to you. Bring your questions, your problems, your curiosity, and your thinking hats. Come ready to share your pain and your triumphs, your ordeals and your ideas. Expect creative solutions!

Bio

Julia Rutherford Silvers, a Certified Special Events Professional, is an internationally recognized event management authority, speaker, and consultant. Author of the highly acclaimed booksProfessional Event Coordination and Risk Management for Meetings and Events, Julia is a four-time recipient of the International Special Events Society’s Esprit Award for Best Industry Contribution. She has shared her expertise with event organizers and industry associations from Australia to the Middle East and Singapore to South Africa. She is also the originator of the award-winning Event Management Body of Knowledge (EMBOK) Project, and served as a consultant for the Event Management International Competency Standards.

Posted in: BSPI Conference news, BSPI Press Releases by Debra Hansen No Comments , , ,

Feel like your wedding bookings are moving at a snail’s pace?

Published at: 04:09 pm - Monday September 13 2010
Snail Cropped e1284415462333 Feel like your wedding bookings are moving at a snails pace?

Bookings going slow? Speed them up at a bridal show.

You are not alone.   Reports from across the nation indicate that brides are booking key services closer to their wedding dates than ever before.   In an effort to economize, brides are keeping their options open and managing their cash flow by delaying deposits.    Brides have clearly changed the way they book their wedding services.  Has your marketing changed to compensate?

If you are not already doing bridal shows, now is the time to consider adding a show or two to your marketing mix.  Bridal shows offer a unique opportunity to meet engaged couples in an environment that creates a sense of urgency and allows you to offer booking incentives without broadcasting them to everyone.  Consider…

  • At a bridal show you’ll meet face-to-face with motivated brides who come to show specifically to meet wedding vendors.   These brides aren’t just kicking tires, they are on a mission.  And there is no more compelling way to present your product or service than in person.
  • Bridal show attendees often become even more motivated at a bridal show because they quickly realize how much competition they have for venues and vendors.  There is nothing like seeing hundreds of other brides eyeing your favorite venue or photographer or caterer to create a sense of urgency to lock up your wedding date.
  • Unlike inflexible internet and magazine ads, at a bridal show you can actually talk with brides about their specific needs before quoting a price.  And you can offer limited time show specials or special payment terms that encourage brides to book at or directly after the show.
  • Most bridal shows deliver a list of registered brides to their exhibitors after the shows.  At large shows you’ll get contact information for hundreds, even thousands, of engaged couples along with their wedding dates.   You can use the lists to target messages specifically to couples who attended the show and time your communications to reach them when they are ready to pull the trigger on booking your particular service.

Brides may have slowed down, but you need to get in the marketing fast lane.  Bridal shows are way to do just that.  Find a BSPi member bridal show in your market here.

Posted in: Bridal Show Participation Tips by Patty Westbrook No Comments , , , , , , ,

Save the date!

Published at: 11:08 am - Friday August 27 2010

Mark your calendar for the 2011 BSPi Annual Conference on April 28-30, 2011.   Members of the organization will be heading to the Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas  for three days of presentations and networking.   This “Insider Summit” is 100% focused on learning the best practices for producing bridal shows which meet the needs of wedding professionals and engaged couples.

Posted in: BSPI Conference news by Patty Westbrook No Comments , ,

Why brides attend bridal shows.

Published at: 01:08 pm - Friday August 13 2010
Vendor with brides cropped 300x215 Why brides attend bridal shows.

Meet motivated brides at a bridal show.

What’s the advantage of attending a bridal show? BSPi member surveys of brides attending their shows reveal that the overwhelming reason engaged couples come to the shows is to find vendors for their weddings. Sounds like a penetrating glimpse into the obvious…but it is good news for exhibitors.

While fashion shows, samples and prizes also rank highly with bridal show attendees, meeting and talking with exhibitors is their top priority. As a result, bridal shows provide an unprecedented opportunity for wedding professionals to present their capabilities face-to-face with highly motivated brides. And in an environment that is far less competitive than the internet.

If you’re considering adding bridal shows to your marketing mix, you couldn’t start at a better place than a BSPi member show. Find one in your market here.

Posted in: Bridal Show Participation Tips by Patty Westbrook No Comments , , , ,
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