Bridal show...sharing table...

[uhh...]

Back in November I put a deposit for a table and display at a bridal show occuring March. آ The total cost to be a part of this show is $300. آ This will include a number of things but most importantly the table at the show (for my display) and a mailing list of brides names and other info. آ The show lasts from 12 until about 3:30. آ Now, recently a guy has joined my BNI group who works for the Comfort Inn right here in my city. آ I really like him and he has become a client too! آ He mentioned that he wanted to build his weekend business by getting bridal parties, families etc. آ So, naturally I told him about my table and thought that he could participate with me. I did this both to help him and to help defray my cost. آ So I called the lady who sets up these shows to make sure it's ok and she said it was fine but that it would cost an extra $100 to have him share my table with me. آ So I emailed him to let him know and he said..."the $100 is no problem!". آ Well, now my dilemma is this....I don't want to share my table if it really isn't going to help defray my cost. آ I'm not good with any kind of financial discussion or trying to tell someone that I changed my mind with the changing circumstances. آ (I know I need to get over that) آ I know it sounds a bit selfish but really, what would be the benefit for me? آ I'd pay the same price or only a little less but also loose half the table space. آ I don't know what to do. آ I really like this guy and he could probably benefit from being there with me. آ I'll talk with him on Thurs at our meeting but how should I go about the topic of money? آ Of course his company will be paying for him to be there but the money for me is coming out of my pocket. آ Any advice on how I should approach this without looking like an idiot or a flake? آ Would you still share the space? آ How much would you ask from him? آ At this point we haven't discussed specifically what he would pay. آ  آ آ Thanks for any help....I'm not always real good about the money aspect of the business. آ I've always been very generous and tend to give way more than I should. آ It actually doesn't bother me most of the time. آ  I'd actually like to also add that I think it's ridiculous that we should have to pay any more money to SHARE the table space.  I think this is kind of a rip-off by this company.  I think that the $300 is already kind of pricey.  

 

[Katie:)]

Bridal show...sharing table...

It makes perfect sense why sharing a table costs more - it deprives them of a potential client.Most MTs and spas charge more for two half hours than for one 50 min appt.You should probably ask him to pay $200, which is half the total cost. He was willing to pay $150 before and the additional cost is all because he wants in. He would probably balk at $250 (his half, plus the extra $100)Good luck. Will be curious to see how it works out for you. We have had great success with brides for beauty services, but they have been resistent to budgeting for spa services.

 

[b3k@]

Bridal show...sharing table...

terab - as much as I hate to say it, I think you may be stuck with him as an unwanted table partner. My reasoning: you're as good as your word, if you apparently suddenly decide to change your mind, you may lose face with him (not only a current client but also a possible future business associate). If you are determined to have the sole use of your table, I would strongly suggest that you explain your reasoning so he'll be able to see where you're coming from. Good luck.BTW, have you come up with a proactive game plan for the event? What you're going to do? How you're going to expand your networking capabilities (i.e., wedding planners, hotels, etc.)? Are you bringing a chair to perform chair massages? (maybe using your table partner?)Good luck and like R&R suggested, keep us in the loop and let us know how everything went.

 

[Pompal 09.]

As RelaxandRejuvenate said, he'd probably baulk at $250, after all that's only $50 less than getting his own table.  BUT are there still tables available?  Could he get his own table for $300 at this point in time?Maybe you could approach him with "why not just get your own table for $300 since it's going to cost that much? Hardly seems worth sharing. It would probably make it easier for you with the billing being in your company name." etc  You may be even able to get away without even mentioning a figure except for the $300 if he got his own table. If there are no tables available, you could explain when you offered that you were expecting to pay $150 if you went halves in a table, meaning he'd have to pay the balance.  If you can leave enough of a pause for that to sink in while he does the math in his head, see if he says anything, you've not asked him to pay a figure yet. You can always ask if he thinks it fair if you pay $175 and he pays $225 after that. He's probably already missed being included in the show directory (unless it is very late March) so it wouldn't help him there, but you could make his own table the more attractive option (if he can get one)The list of brides will probably be more valuable than the table to you.  There will probably be so much glitzy bridal stuff to compete with they are probably going to be looking in terms of anything other than bodywork.  Using the mailout to get them when they are home stressed and sore from all the pre-wedding frenzy you may get more interest then.  As for sharing the table with a Comfort Inn - if he's offering it as a venue, people being attracted to the table for venue interest will probably be very early in the planning seforum.xxxes (and it doesn't sound like an upmarket venue for people to pour over the stand). You're likely to get interested people if they are further along in the planning process, Hen's parties or stress build-up, well after they've made venue decisions.  Unless you're targetting cellulite reduction etc though that would be a nervous area to be involved with for brides, almost as bad as wedding dresses, WAY too much emotion involved.So I think the mailing list is the big value item for you.  (I saw that episode of The Apprentice....) He gets a copy of the mailing list too (I'm assuming that's part of what the $100 covers....)

 

[Sudhir S]

$300 dollars is a lot of money.  Do you plan to have some type of promotion to offer prospective clients?  I don't want to be out of place, but I would highly suggest you using some type of drawing promotion.  If I had the opportunity to come in contact with hundreds (even thousands) of people.  I would offer a drawing for free 30 min. massages in your office.  Do you know how many people you could get to come to your office???   of prospecive clients.!  I could see this opp. as a gold mine!  Good luck to you

 

[The Ladies Man]

Bridal show...sharing table...

Sandyolmt makes a very good point about the giveaway. I use to be a bridal consultant and have done bridal shows. Every table was expected to donate a product or service for a drawing and all of those were distributed by the main sponsor of the event. It could be massage, or a skin care basket, what ever you feel comfortable with. If they don't do a drawing of products from all the vendors, you could do your own drawing at your table. You could get their intrest too by giving a promo to get them to come in to see you. Be sure to send those on the list a promo card too, they may not have stopped at your booth. Good luck with the show!

 

[mindtrap]

Thank you to those who responded.  Well, it turns out that everything is going to work out perfect.  I had a chat with the lady from the bridal show and she not only is going to give us a better booth space, she's going to give us our own tables next to eachother!  This way we're together but not sharing our space.  This worked out really well.  The guy that is sharing the space with me is a super great guy and being at the show is really going to help his business as much as mine.  I do have a great game plan for the day and I'm excited to display my concept to the brides, grooms, their family & friends.  As far as a drawing goes, I'll probably do one but I get a list of all brides, the date of their wedding and all other info as part of being in the show.  So there really isn't a big need to get any other info from them for a drawing.  Though I think I'll do one for the brides to be and one for the visitors that come too.  I have an idea for that too....not just a free massage! I'm excited.  Thanks again for the input.  I guess it always works out........