[SEL] A topic for discussion.......How to promote a show.

[Best, George]

With high fuel prices I doubt that much can be done to get higher
spectator turnout.  I think the big shows will still attract spectators,
but the smaller shows will have a harder time getting people from out of
the local area.

However, I think some things can be done for the exhibitors.  I know
from personal experience that some exhibitors become spectators when
they realize it is a lot cheaper for them to attend the show as a
spectator!

So I think it is important for the club/show to provide incentives for
the exhibitors to show appreciation for helping out with the show.

1. Don't charge exhibitors for bringing a display.  Let the spectators
pay for the expenses of putting on the show.
2. Make sure exhibitors and their families have gate passes.
3. Give exhibitors tickets which are good for food or drinks at the
concession stands.
4. Give exhibitors a nice plaque or brass tag showing that they
exhibited at your show.
5. Make sure to have enough forklifts to assist people in
loading/unloading for the show.

I'm sure there's more and hopefully people will join this discussion.

George

Ps.. Curt, I won't be attending your show unless you provide airfare ;-)

-----Original Message-----
From: curt at rustyiron.com [mailto:curt at rustyiron.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2008 7:03 AM
To: stationary-engine at oldengine.org; sel at lists.stationary-engine.com
Cc: Best, George
Subject: A topic for discussion.......How to promote a show.

Guys and gals,
Here is a topic for discussion. How do clubs promote their shows to get
maximum show displays and to get maximum spectator traffic?

As fuel prices go higher the hobby is certainly going to feel the pinch
with smaller display and spectator turnouts. No doubt these fuel prices
are here to stay, so a club has to stir the interest really well to get
people back out the show grounds. It's going to require a strong effort
by
clubs to get these results.

It would be great to hear what clubs are doing to promote their shows.
-What efforts in advance of the show? publications, fliers, TV, radio,
cable?
-What efforts the days of the show? TV, cable, local radio?
-What efforts draw local displays?
-What efforts draw far away displays?
-What efforts draw spectators vs. displays.
-Other unique ways to get folks to the show grounds.

It would be great to get lots of discussion on this. I'd like to
summarize
the comments and read them at our next Cotton Ginning Days Club meeting
in
July. We have about 25,000 spectators and 300 displayers come to our
show
every year, so it is of paramount importance to keep the displays
coming!
Post and post often!

Thanks,
Curt Holland
Gastonia, NC








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