Selling Soulfully with Jennifer Allan

Jennifer-I promise to be extra kind and I look forward to meeting you!  :) 

Jennifer - that is good perspective for the other side... I can only imagine the time planning and the mental energy needed to talk to so many folks about the product and/or services.  Your post puts a reminder to all the attendees the time and effort that goes into it.  ~ Chris

This was a good eye opening post for folks who have no idea what is involved in exhibiting at a trade show.  A year later, in retrospect, was it worth it for you?  What would you do differently, if anything?

Great blog; Love the term; krap.  It amazes me how people treat krap like it was gold (get a life people, they are pens for God's sake). You gotta love the Unions out there.  I used to run conventions in a prior life so I know the pain you feel with this one.  And they wonder why jobs go overseas or to migrant workers ($75/day to vacuum a booth; what is it 10x10!!!!!!).  Thanks for the blog Jennifer, good luck at the show.

Geez, I figure it is expensive to do something like this - but, Wow!  That's a lot of money.  I can't believe those union fees.  Your story will make me think twice when I go to a trade show.  I guess you're not participating this year!  LOL

Jennifer-I'll be on the look out for you at NAR!  I've been an exhibitor at large conference before I know how exhausting it can be.  One thing I learned was not to wear the same shoes two days in a row :-)

I'm not going this year - I'd planned to, but I have a family reunion the same weekend in Columbia, MO (anyone want to meet up THERE?). Last year I missed the AR party because I was utterly exhausted and literally could not get out of bed.

Here's a link to the blog I wrote right after the convention...

I would consider exhibiting again if someone ELSE would truly manage it for me. I hung out with an online real estate school (for whom I've written CE courses) at the Colorado Convention earlier this week and it was fun. I Just showed up, unpacked my books and looked pretty - LOL.

I'm pretty hostile toward NAR after the event. I really felt I was ripped off at every turn and had to spend hours post-Expo arguing about charges that were erroneous.

While the event itself was fun, the prep and cost far outweighs any benefit. I'll find other ways to have fun!

Jennifer--I used to be a tradeshow coordinator for a printing equiptment manufacturer so I know how expensive getting to a tradeshow can be! It is work from weeks before you go, stress hoping everything arrives at the event and gets set up in time and then you are "ON"! Takedown is stressful as well. I have a hard time being on the other side now as I can no longer just walk by vendors without empathizing with them. Good luck at your show and I hope you have much success and positive visits from AR members!

Wow - I've done shows but certainly they pale in comparison to that.  Like 1/10 of what you went through.  I hope in the long run it was worth it.

Jennifer -- it is always great to get the other person's perspective.  I had no idea what the cost was.  It seems very steep for the return.

Jennifer,

What I find intriguing about trade shows is the number of people who are "just there." Especially with the kind of money you're talking about - and it can range 10x that and more - is the number of people staffing the booths who barely return a smile to you, let alone engage you. :)

Steve

Sheesh!  That's a lot of clams!  Someone is making a killing.  Hope you do well here.

You were so chillax when I met you.  Of course the exhibition hall was just getting ready to shut down for good.  You have a great poker face! 

Are you going to be an exhibitor in Orlando?

Jennifer, I had no idea of the expenses involved.  I knew it wasn't free, and to tell you the truth, the union rules is what probably got me the most.  Geez.  Thanks for the update, and I will remember this next time I attend one of these events.  Big smile to you all.

Hi Jennifer!  I have planned the trip/both etc for many years now.  It does get easier, but it is expensive.  I have not done the NAR, but our local tristate, (triple play) in Atlantic City NJ.  every time you turn around it cost you money.. Mostly from the Teamsters union.  You need an electrician to plug something in, they charge you for carpet in your booth... each Outlet cost $110, and they will rent you items ... But the cost for rent is more than you would pay for them...

It can be done on a "reasonable" budget. and you are right, most people do not appreciate the time and money invested

Jennifer - I bet it's beautiful in MO this time of year! :-)  At least you can say you had the experience and are the wiser for it.

I walk by so many exhibits that just don't draw me into the message. It seems like a lot of money for the exposure but I have bought several things I didn't know I needed until I saw them.

Jennifer like many people I think many of us don't know what goes into a trade show.  We can see it's no picnic.  I hope all works out and it pays off in the long run and next time I am at a trade show I will smile at all the people working hard at there booth.

Jennifer,

     So, you aren't going to repeat this year?  J/K Thanks for the perspective from the other side of the fence.

Hey Jennifer!  I used to travel with my companies booth to several tradeshows each year. So I was in charge of going out early and setting up the booth, the flowers, the carpet...all of it including give-a-ways..EVERYTHING. So I know all the work that goes in to this. Good luck!

Jennifer... A trade show is a huge undertaking for any small businessperson and although I have never set-up a display or had to work the crowd I can imagine it can be somewhat of a thankless task.  Large shows must be especially difficult because the convention goers are also overwhelmed with so much information.  Many just bounce along looking for freebies.....

Thanks for giving us a peek at "the other side". It's physically draining on our side and can be quite stressful to be away from the office several days in a row, but nothing like what you describe!

I like your posts and if I was at the convention would bring you an ice cold latte. Hope you have a lot of success.

I am looking foward to the NAR Trade Show and I will make sure to stop by your booth and "nicely" say hello! 

Good luck!

I would be hostile to the NAR as well - sounds like a huge rip off (and you didn't even tell them about the businsess card swiper thingeee...LOL)

I promise to be nice to people I see at trade shows!

Hi Jennifer,

Your post is so dead-on, all I can do is smile. But I have to admit, there's a twisted part of me that still enjoys doing a big show. I know, I know, there's something wrong with me.

: )

Jennifer - if more exhibitors had your attitude of attracting rather than pursuing, you'd probably get more smiles. There's so much to see in so little time, if we know we don't want or need a particular product, there's no need for us to visit you, much less take literature that you've spent money to produce. We'd be happy to smile more if it wasn't perceived as "Come Sell Me". Like home buyers, we don't want to be sold - but we do want help buying what we're targeting.

Anything that has an association with the Realtor(R) word do not come cheap. You had shared some feelings about it with me last year and honestly, if the baby wouldn't have been over a month old, you know I would have come out to at least cheer you on.

I'm glad you are not doing it this year. Did you achieve your objectives of participation?

Jennifer, sounds like it'd be more profitable to vacuum floors at a convention than to actually try to be a realtor now a days or have booth. I'd vacuum floors for $75 / booth!  $75 X 4000 booths- that's $3000/ day.

I've worked booths that my former company had at a home show... it was tough since I'm the type that would rather be at home, taking a nap,etc.  But I got out there and talked to people, gave them our Krap, etc. Did we get anything out of it- nope, not one solid lead.  Luckily I didn't spend $30,000.

I'd be mad at the NAR too.   I think a lot of Realtors are right now anyway.

Saved my last comment for today for your blog!

tgiw.  (thank god it's wednesday!)

Linda

Jennifer,

Sounds like you were put through the mill......I knew it would be difficult to sit through an exhibition but didn't realize the financial and physical rigors.  I hope it was productive for you.

Those are some very expensive booths huh!  But wll worth it in the end for all of the visitors.

Wow. I can't believe the costs to exhibit.  I hope you sold a ton of books. 

Jennifer, Your blog brought back some horrific not so pleasant memories of trade shows.  Not sure why it is but as a small business owners we all think we’re going to hit it big doing them.  Years ago Lee and I got pulled in to an extremely large home show.  I’m not sure where are heads were (in puffy clouds probably) but there were so many people at the show it was impossible for most of them to even see us  as they were herded by…  I do give you credit – and will remember to smile graciously when attending one!

Pamela - yep. It's easy to be seduced by the numbers, but you're right - it's overwhelming. I actually had a great turnout at my booth, but I can say with certainty that it absolutely did not pay for itself!

Steve - Sold some, but not $30,000 worth...!

Jon - they get you in and THEN you get hit with all the extra fees and costs. It was mind-blowing.

Linda - Great point! I think lots of people made lots of money from the show... just not the exhibitors! I had huge issues with NAR - especially the way they pushed me to keep spending money for promotions and such that were an incredible rip-off.

Diane - yeah- the sore feet were the least of it.

Loreena - Well, no, I didn't meet my objectives, but they were way too lofty to have any basis in reality. I enjoyed meeting so many people, believe it or not; but the effort it took to put it together was way more than I'd ever dreamed.

Sharon - Agreed 100%. I hate being accosted when I wander thru the aisles, so I don't blame people for not being overly accommodating to sales pitches. Good thing I don't do them!

Michael - yeah, you're weird.

Karen - Don't get me started!!!!!

Danielle - I won't be there, but if I were, I"d love to meet you!

James - Sounds fabulous, dahling

Vickie - maybe other people have "people" who take care of it for them, but I didn't!

Dan - last year's Expo was my first ever - as an attendee or exhibitor, so I had no idea what to expect. And yes, it IS overwhelming.

LaNita - Maybe you can help me do mine if I ever get up the nerve again!

Jennifer, WOW!  I figured it was expensive but some of those union fees are off the chart.  I better be careful about what I say about ...union fees or I might accidently bust both my knee caps?  Good luck with the Convention.   

I will be looking for you there.  I checked out your web site and I intend to look at it further.  I have been a exhibitor too....but all I did do was show up and it was still not fun.  Much more fun to walk around and shop.

Hey Linda Jandura,

I think you missed a key on your calculator. 4,000 booths x $75 = $300,000 per day!!!

: )

Wow!  That's a huge expense!  I wish you had written this sooner as I would probably have been nicer, or paid more attention to the exhibitors at the California Association of Realtors show last week.  I saw a lot of vendors, and picked up some nice "KRAP" (which is still in the bag, in the trunk of my car), but probably could have spent more time appreciating the efforts of those who were there.

Jennifer - lot of expense...how could you measure if it was profitable?

Hi  Jennifer,  I've done a lot of trade shows and they are totally exhausting: before, during and after ( hours ) !

Jennifer,

Did you say you are not attending the Nar Convention next month?   Wow, that's a big price to pay for promoting yourself.  Looks like they are making more money than you made.

Jennifer - I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the conventions I've attended and always always spend more money at the exhibits than I planned.  I know how much work goes into putting something this together and while I have spent more than I anticpate each time I go, I know that I've helped to make it a little more successful for hardworking exhibitors like yourself who make such a huge commitment of time and resources to be there day after day.  Thank you!!!

Sharon - Nope - can't go. I'd like to, but I have family obligations... And yeah... the price WAY too high. What I could have done with all that $$$$.... sigh

Jennifer I had no idea how exspensive an undertaking that was. There is no way that could be profitable for anyone I would think. Shoot I only thought NAR took advantage of Realtors (I am putting that nicely). All one has to do is contact NAR about Realtor.com to see the picture but thats another story.

This is a different point of view from the one I think most of us, or at least I, consider when thinking about exhibitors.

So, are you going again this year?

Jennifer... I know the feeling.. I used to work the exotic bird  shows. The set up, running the event and the tear down will wear you out.

WOW!!  I never thought of what you guys have to go through.  I will go out of my way to be nice to all of the vendors.  I will try to find you and give you a hug.  :)  Hope you have a successful expo.

Been there done that... BTW.. Let me know the next time you are in VEGAS... We'll have more fun taking all of that money to the Baccarat Table ;).

Paul - Now THAT's a better use for my $30,000 +++! Teach me how to play?

Cindy - Wish I was going to be there! Not this year... however, if someone wants to invite me to hang out at their booth with them next year... I'll put it on my calendar!

Roland - You can't even imagine how hard til you do it, huh?

Christine - Yep - I'm the first one to avoid making eye contact with vendors, but now I'm much nicer.

Charles - Nope- NAR takes advantage of anyone they can (oops, did I say that out loud?)

Donna - you're my kinda gal!

Jennifer, makes me want to go to the show just to see you  -.. Hopefully it's very lucrative for you -I'm anxious to hear how you did last year ~ Obviously well enough to do it again! Unfortunately not this year.  I'll never look at vendors at a trade show the same again!

It's really sad to hear that things didn't work out for you with the NAR convention last year. It really is an overwhelming experience for many. As a Virtual Assistant, I have had the horror pleasure of coordinating several trade show booths for clients as well as manhandling organizing entire conferences for clients.  Some days, it really isn't a pretty picture.  But you're right - be kind to exhibitors. For some, the look you give them can be just what they need to either push them over the edge or bring them back from the brink.

~Renae

This is a great post, and as everyone has already said, it is great information. 

One other thing that is hard to calculate in a line item- the time away from home.  I will be in Orlando for NAR Thurs-Tues this year, which means five nights away from my husband.  Some of the vendors, this is the only show they do all year.  For others, we are doing at least one a month.  It not only costs a lot of money, but it can take a toll on your personal life as well. 

Thanks for bringing light to the trade show world.  While the union costs are high, what always gets me is the charge for internet!  $1,100??  And the the connection is always slow or spotty because they overload it with other vendors. 

Jennifer Thanks for the exposee here! You are so right about us being NICE to the vendors-even if we aren't interested in their service- a smile helps!!! And I thank you for personally following up with my question about this last year. You are a class act!

For one day I get to be an exhibitor this year... Luckily I'm not writing the checks.  I'll be at the Diamond Dwellings Realty booth... We are looking for agents and brokers that are ready to be part of a brokerage model that is centered on Social Networking, blogging and video (that whole web 2.0 thing). 

I'm sure I will know more about how you felt last year after NAR this year...

Jennifer, At one time I worked for a company and we had a great convention and trade show business. It was the most fun and the most work I have ever done. We learned real fast that the union help at the events was essential...

Wow.... much respect!

I will be sure to be more... understanding.

You guys work hard, the least someone could do is give you a few minutes of their time so you can explain your product/service.

Thank you for adding this perspective.

-Brendan Winans

Jennifer-

What an eye opener.  I never imagined the costs were that high!

Jennifer,

Anytime. :)