February 2009 Bridal Expo

Limbs flying.  Scared men.  Loud noises.  

Yearning for combat experience?  Try the February 2009 Bridal Expo.  Chris Bryant, myself, and fellow sales consultant Monica together attended the expo held within the Overland Park Convention Center.  We watched this huge room transform into a stage, a chiropractic center (literally), and be filled to the brim with separated booths for each sponsor all within a matter of two days.  

The day prior to the expo beginning, we had maybe an hour to set up.  Not super easy.  Things were falling, Waterford Crystal was breaking, dresses were being torn, an entire bookshelf came crashing down into our booth!  Made for an exciting hour :) Finally we got the layout complete and rushed to leave before being locked in by the security team.  The next day Chris arrives at 7 AM to put the finishing touches on everything  and make sure nothing had gone missing in the night.  Then, around 9:30 AM the plan goes into action.  I arrive, tools-in-tote, and prepare myself and the booth for the opening of the doors at 10 AM.  Monica and Chris wouldn't be able to come until close to 11, so I was alone for the beginning of everything.  Between the time the doors opened and Monica arrived, I easily saw close to 400 people.  Now mind you, 400 people in a large room is cramped enough, but 400 people in a large room with hundreds of equipment, furniture, and hardware?  Not an overly enjoyable experience for anyone trying to get anywhere.  I'm sure everyone would begin their statements with, "It was like Disneyland in the Summer, but on crack".  I was handing out flyers and business cards like a professional dealer at a Vegas casino, and loudly proclaiming our wedding packages in a near nonstop ramble.  I have to say, it was quite the adrenaline kick!  haha surprisingly though, we had several people sign up for our raffle, a free photo session for the bride and her maid of honor, within the first hour.  Soon after, Monica and Chris arrived to help out and give some 3rd party insight.  We would all do some undercover recon missions ;) and scoop out the other photography booths.  Everyones reaction: $2,000 BASIC package???....wow.  As far as I know, there were 3 (?) fashion shows at the expo, it was hard to understand the announcer, and we didn't have much time to listen anyways.  Throughout the day we gave out apprx 1,000 flyers and business cards, and had nearly 100 people sign up for our raffle.  It was a productive day, and an enjoyable experience.  My only worry is that somebody, be it the dragged-along husbands to be or the candy and cake relishing children, might have been trampled on or run over :D  Not really, but it wouldn't surprise me, you need a linebacker to get through some of those lines!  Here's to the next one, goodnight everyone!  I'm going to go get a foot massage...