Just back from the Produce Marketing Association’s (PMA) Fresh Summit in New Orleans, Trade Show manager Breanne Loyd gives us all the scoop on what goes into making a show a success!
Where do I begin? Setting off the alarm on the rental house, getting a boot on the rental car at the local Rouses Market, the 17 hour long work days, missing an entire pallet of fresh product, taking the wrong turn and ending up in what looked like the sketchiest part of New Orleans I’ve ever seen, deciding to run 3 red lights because I had lost my mind with the horrible traffic laws in NOLA…OR do I start with the fact that Marketing Plus hit a home run for all of our exhibiting clients?
Ok, so I know some of the chaos that took place was just part of what happens when you have an entire road team in an unfamiliar place, working their hardest to make miracles happen in a short amount of time, but I can’t disregard the fact that all of those things really did take place!
If you missed seeing our work at our clients’ booths, allow me to fill you in on some of the highlights:
GloriAnn Farms had the perfect booth location near the front entrance, where attendees who strolled by were lured into the booth by the wonderful aroma of warm corn roasting on the skillet by owners Mark and Mary.
Sunlight International had a photo-booth where attendees could snap a few shots with their friends! On Saturday guests walked into what looked like an entire display of Hobgoblin bins with all sorts of fall decorations (including a Halloween decorated Christmas Tree), and then on Sunday guests found themselves walking into a Pretty Lady Holiday exhibit, where overnight the Sunlight booth had been transformed into a wintertime display.
Well Pict Berries and co-exhibitor James, Malcolm, and Burtt, greeted guests with their “Great Gatsby” themed attire over the weekend. Visitors who saw the large Well Pict Berries Banner ad in the lobby were able to see the real life size characters walking the show floor, passing out berry samples.
Ruby Fresh had guests excited over their complimentary “Pompanes” (Champagne with Dancing Pomegranate Arils). With the colorful display, beautiful gigantic pomegranates, and the helpful staff, the Ruby Fresh booth was quite the popular booth to visit at this year’s PMA.
After the dust settled and everything had been packed and shipped back, a four-hour plane trip allowed a perfectly smooth ride, ideal for a nap that was long overdue. As the wheels touched the ground, we were off and running, getting prepped for the next show. Do we get tired of the constant cycle? Not at all. It’s all part of the Red Carpet Service you can expect from Team Orange at Marketing Plus!
If you have any questions, or would like more information on any of our services, please feel free to email me anytime.
Have a great Holiday weekend!
Breanne
