As a vendor I am frustrated with how bridal shows are operated. I can imagine for a bride to be they can be equally overwhelming as well and here are my reasons why.

As a vendor I am given little space for an ever increasing cost to attempt to market my services to a potential client. As a DJ there is not much I can truly display. Equipment is really a pointless exhibit as any Professional Entertainer is going to have professional equipment, and any bride that is more impressed by the equipment than the talents and professionalism of the entertainer is selling them selves short. Which is the main issue of this blog.

The hall is filled with chatting people, if there are a number of DJ’s who feel they can impress people more with an elaborate set up will have music playing to draw people in and the noise can make having a conversation very difficult. In addition to that you have people constantly coming to my booth and often leaving never having spoke to them because I am already talking to one or two people. For each person I talk with I could lose a potential of 4 other clients.

For the bride to be she is wandering around the room and getting only token information and a bag of brochures, fliers, stickers, magnets and what ever else when really they want their questions answered. How many vendors do they miss speaking with because they are busy and in a a larger hall it is easy to get lost and never make it back to someone who might have caught your interest.

The only people that really seem to benefit are the promoters. They make thousands off the Brides admissions and ten thousands off the vendors. The system simply does not benefit the bride as much as it could, nor the vendor.

Now I am not one to just complain with out a solution. I believe it would be much better to put on a series of workshops though out a day in a couple different rooms where brides can sit and listen to presentations from various vendors. From a Q&A forum where brides can learn the importance of their entertainment, to presentations from florists and photographers. Brides would be welcome to ask their questions and learn about the industries.With a room full of brides to be there will be clear sound and communication. One answer could answer the questions of many people and save everyone a lot of time.

There is the dis-advantage that not as many vendors would be present and that there would be multiple seminars going on at the same time. I do think the over all benefit would far exceed that of the current Bridal Fares. It would also be much cheaper for vendors and brides to be to participate and attend.

I will be sharing this idea with some vendors. So far the reactions are promising and you could be sure only those who are legal, licensed and professional would be represented at the workshops. Who decides? Firstly all vendors will need to produce a Business license, copy of their contracts or other similar documents and other certificates that relate to their business from education to Alliances and business associations.

What do you think? Looking for your comments, what do you think about the Bridal Shows? Do they work for you? Do you think you would attend a workshop/seminar type event? Which would have the most benefit?