I Love This Article!

Once in a while I come across a really great article, and I'd like to share this one with you. The author is Meghan Baillargeon, owner of OFC Consulting, a company that helps wedding businesses become better marketers. Click here to read a guide to exhibiting at bridal shows written by someone who does NOT produce them.

An Innovative Exhibitor Promotion

I am always captivated by exhibitors who come up with something innovative for generating interest at their booth. At our recent show at the Dulles Expo Center, The Knot photographed brides holding up large testimonial signs. Check out the slide show by clicking here.

Our 2009 Television Commercial

This is actually one of a few versions we are running. Some shorter, some longer, all designed to maximize frequency and exposure for the show.

Check out the end of this commercial

One of the many ways we are promoting our shows is with tags on commercials for "Who's Wedding Is It Anyway". Check it out!

Washington Bridal Showcase kicks off this weekend!

The Washington Bridal Showcase fall season starts this Sunday at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly. With 250 exhibitors, this is the largest show in the region. After that, our show moves to Martin's Crosswinds in Greenbelt on September 20 and to the Bethesda Marriott on Pooks Hill Road on October 4. Exhibit space is still available in all of these shows.

Houston Wedding Showcase a HUGE success!

The Houston Wedding Showcase on August 29th was a HUGE success. With a 25% increase in exhibit sales which gave us a substantial promotion budget. Our attendance was more than 3000 and we had nearly 1300 registered brides. This attendance was actually larger than our FEBRUARY show ... a feat that doesn't happen often in the bridal show business. Thanks to all of our exhibitors and attendees who made the show a success. Our next Houston show is February 27th at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

Houston Wedding Showcase - Surprise Visitor

Looks like EVERYONE attended the Houston Wedding Showcase. Check out the name on the coupon that was redeemed at the door. If you're from Houston, you'll recognize it. Coincidence?

Wedding Giveaway in Houston a HUGE Success!

We just wrapped a wedding giveaway associated with our Houston show. We have a $20,000 wedding to the most-deserving couple, based on an essay. This contest generated lots of publicity for the show and for the participating companies who provided the wedding. Click here to read the winning entry.

A big "Thank You" goes out to all of the companies who provided their products and services for this giveaway! We have a similar promotion launching in a few days in Washington, in conjunction with WJLA-TV 7 and NewsChannel 8.

Here Comes the Fall Show Season!

Our fall bridal show season is just around the corner.  We begin with our show in Richmond on August 9, then our Baltimore show takes place on August 16.  From there, we move on to Houston on August 29.  After that, our Washington area shows take place on September 13 at the Dulles Expo Center, September 20th at Martin's Crosswinds and October 4 at the Bethesda Marriott.

Exhibit space is still available in all of these shows.  Our shows provide a cost-effective and time-efficient way to introduce your business with hundreds of brides.  If you would like more information about exhibitor opportunities, call me at (703) 425-1127, visit our website or simply click here.

Which side are you on?

While everyone knows that most consumers are watching their dollars these days, brides are still spending on weddings.  As a bridal show producer, my primary job is to help to make that connection between the bride who is looking to spend and the business who is looking to sell.

I have always found it interesting when bridal show producers do television, radio or newspaper interviews where they actually tell brides not to spend with the businesses who make their bridal shows possible, or tell them how to cut corners by eliminating the products or services provided by their clients.  Click here for an example.

I do lots of media interviews, but you will never hear me tell brides not to spend on their wedding.  The words "don't use the caterer, get Happy Meals for the kids instead" will never be part of my vocabulary. There are many places where the budget bride can learn how to pinch pennies, but she won't hear it from me!   

Interesting wedding video

Not sure if it's real, or just staged to make a big splash on You Tube (which it did, with 7 million plus views thus far). Of course, by posting it here, I'm sure to add three or four more views to the count :) I'm sure that almost everyone has seen it by now.

Review of Secrets of Selling to Brides Seminar

I just returned from Houston where I gave two presentations of my Secrets of Selling to Brides seminar. One of the attendees was kind enough to write a review of the presentation, and you can read it here.

Attend our FREE Seminar!

The NEW Secrets of Selling to Brides

You’re invited to a FREE seminar sponsored by the Washington Bridal Showcase


Do you sell to brides?

Would you like to sell to more of them?

Are you sure you are getting the most out of the money you spend on advertising?

How can you increase your sales (and your profit margins) in these tough economic times?


The Secrets of Selling to Brides seminar is coming to Washington in June. Invest just two hours of your time (but none of your money, because it’s free) and we will show you how to dramatically increase your wedding business ... even in this uncertain economic environment.

At this seminar, you will discover why selling to the bride is different than selling to anyone else. Learn cost-effective ways of reaching the bride and turning her into a valuable customer. We guarantee that you will walk away with dozens of innovative ideas and strategies that you can put to use immediately. These are fresh ideas ... not the tired ones used by your competition!

Plus, you will learn why bridal shows should be a part of your marketing program. Find out how shows work, why they work and how to make them work for you. Learn the 10 steps that will ensure show success and the 10 things that you must avoid at all costs. Discover how to make your booth do the selling for you, and how to maximize your results both during and after the show.

If you are serious about selling to brides, this will be two hours well spent. Admission is free and there is no obligation. These will be our only seminars of the year and space is limited. Reserve your seat today!


Three sessions to choose from ...

Wednesday, June 10
Hyatt Regency Bethesda
Bethesda, Maryland

Thursday, June 11
Waterford at Fair Oaks
Fairfax, Virginia

Friday, June 12
Martin’s Crosswinds
Greenbelt, Maryland


Hours ...

Doors open at 8:30am
Seminar hours: 9am – 11am


RSVP Now ...

Space is limited and advance reservations are requested. To reserve your seat, please email to marc@bridalshowcase.com with your company name, the date you will attend and the names of the attendees. The deadline to reserve your seat is Friday, June 5. Limit of two attendees per company, please!

Free Bridal Marketing Newsletter

For a few weeks now, I have been receiving a newsletter from Rick Brewer. Each week Rick provides marketing advice for companies in the wedding business. I recommend that you subscribe to this free newsletter.

Many wedding businesses struggle with things like ...

Not meeting the Brides who really want to buy. Brides who waste your time because they are out of range for your offering and they simply won’t tell you.

Getting bogged down with brides who are "just looking". Most Brides have not been married before. Could you gain from weeding out prospects who cannot or will not buy from you?

Spending tons of money on advertising to only get minimum results

Not getting their fair share of Brides in the area, only losing them to less qualified competition

If you face any of these issues, Rick Brewer can help. It is his mission to work with bridal businesses and bring them to more effective marketing. By showing them how to get more Brides, they will gain more business and a better life.

To subscribe to Rick's newsletter, click here