The good and the bad of being a trade show vendor

Every now and then Moments in Time Images is a trade show vendor. Basically what this means is that we set up a table at a trade show and with dozens or even hundreds of other vendors, try to woo customers. Some businesses see great advantages to this, others do not. Moments in Time is somewhere in the middle.

As a wedding photography and videography business, Moments in Time Images has often set up a booth at a variety of bridal trade shows. These shows are called wedding fairs, bridal fairs, bridal shows, bridal expos, or any of a number of other clever names the organizers develop. As photographers and videographers, we have met many brides, and a few grooms, who have shown sincere interest in what we can provide. Many have become our clients.

Moments in Time Images has had booths at the Wedding Fair at the Cornhusker Hotel in Lincoln in January, and we have displayed at the KFOR bridal fairs held at the Pinnacle Bank Arena and also at the Cornhusker. Since we do travel with our services, earlier this we we ventured outside of Lincoln and had a booth at bridal fairs in Omaha and Columbus. These trade shows can be a great way to market and brand your business.

Not everything about these booths, though, are good. The biggest drawback is the cost to participate. To participate in the Lincoln bridal fairs, it can be upwards of $600, $700 or even $800. If you look at it as nothing more than a way to get your name out before the public, it is a great thing. If you are trying to get a return on your investment, it may not always work out. As I said earlier, Moments in Time Images has booked many weddings from these shows. If we’re lucky, brides will sign the contract at the show. There have been other times we walk away from these shows with no completed contracts. What’s worse, is that in the end we have booked no wedding from these shows even months down the road.

I think the main issue is that trade show vendors at these events face strong competition from other vendors. Brides walk from table to table and see numerous vendors vying for their business. That can make it difficult for one business to book a bride when she walks a few feet down the aisle and talks to a competing business.

This week, Moments in Time Images is going to be at another show, the Omaha Products Show. This will not be a wedding venue, but rather a business trade show where we will have our commercial photography and video services on display. It will be interesting to see what kind of response we will get from this. This will give us a new taste of being a trade show vendor.