My First Large Vendor Event

What I Learned & My Experience
-Brittany Gerrity
 

 

Hello Scentsy Friends!!

 

So I hadn't hyped up my vendor event very much, only a couple reminder posts about the event itself to raise awareness in my community (because proceeds were going to the Canadian Breast Cancer Society)...
Reason being, it was my first large vendor event, so I wasn't really prepared for what was going to happen. I can tell you, that I learned quite a few things.

I have many good things to say, and also many bad things (not that it will deter me from doing future events, however, I will not do any events under the coordinator who set this one up for multiple reasons).

 

So on a positive note, my set up was fantastic! I had a 10 x 10 space, in which I was able to set up 3 tables, as well as a join banner (available on the Scentsy Family Store to Independent Scentsy Consultants) and a banner, and my own display that I had previously had approved from compliance before the event.

 

I made a lot of connections to new faces, and loved the opportunity to actually talk to multiple people about Scentsy Fragrance and WHY I love it so much, and also how to have it work into their lives. I had a ton of feedback from the samples I had put together (including wax samples, body sprays, shower gels, body lotions, washer whiffs and laundry liquid).

 

The best part of this booth was having the opportunity to connect with other businesses as well from the area, and get contact information from them. I have a feeling I will have a few places now that will allow me to set up a warmer in their reception areas for some additional advertising! Yippee!!

 

On the downside... the biggest piece of advice I would like to offer anyone (from any direct selling company really) is to first off ask the coordinator for a list of the vendors who are already signed up, as well as confirm that they will not double book the same vendor brand. Turns out that this coordinator was aware of the polices and procedures of all of the vendors effected, but just didn't care all that much about it.

There were 3 companies there, including Scentsy Fragrance, that were double booked...
So once my booth was set up I walked around the other vendor tables to see who else was there... at the exact opposite end of the arena we were in, was another Independent Scentsy Fragrance Consultant who was just beginning her set up... There was a discussion between the two of us... knowing one of us had to pack up and leave because we both knew we couldn't be there at the same time... Luckily she was willing to pack up since her set up wasn't completed, but it was SUCH A HASSLE to get the money back from the coordinator for the cost of her booth.... Same situation went for the other two companies that had the same issue.

So that was problem number one... Good thing is, Scentsy sisters aren't mean to one another, we were both willing to sacrifice the event, and we were very good with one another...

 

Problem number two, and my second piece of advice... Always ask the coordinator if they will be handing out "swag bags" or "info bags" at the front doors....
Not one of the vendors at the event knew about these swag bags they were handing out, which I found pretty silly... My issue came about when I noticed the swag bags had Scentsy Fragrance information inside of it.... When my mom showed up to visit me, she handed me her swag bag... I opened the info... it wasn't my information, nor was it the other Independent Scentsy Consultant's info who showed up as well.. it was a third party!... I have to admit that I was offended... Everyone entering this event is receiving this  information, coming to my booth and looking at all of my product and taking my samples... yet they are going home with their information )... not that I wasn't handing any out... but for those who didn't stop by... they have another Independent Scentsy Consultants Information... Not that it's her fault either (she paid to be in the swag bag... Which I also made sure that I contacted her to make sure she knew about the situation as well)...

 

It was very disappointing to say the least to have these things happen, especially when the coordinator didn't care or have any feelings towards it what so ever.

 

In the end, I got a taste of what it was like to set up a big booth, and have to prep and plan... but the most important thing I learned, was how to keep my cool in an overly annoying situation, and take it with a grain of salt. Hopefully my efforts of handing out my own information and talking to potential customers face to face was more than enough to have them come back my way.

 

So, now I know what to look for and to ask in regards to doing larger events (or any event). It was a good learning experience, and I am still glad that I stuck with it and went though with it :)

 

That's my update for today!

Lots of love,

Brittany Gerrity
Certified Consultant