For a lot of our retailers, finding the right event can mean a big hassle. Hi! I’m Emily, and I work in DOW Electronics’ Marketing Department. I know what kind of trouble it can be to find the right event for you, but, don’t sweat – I’m here to help you find some great local events for you to show your pretty faces and sell DISH. Below are a few tips that will help you break through all the noise of event planning and ensure your success.
THINK LOCAL
Check your local Chamber of Commerce, newspapers, and radio stations for events in your area. Since these places are already tapped into the local scene, many times they will have an events calendar or listings of events. These outlets will also most likely do their own advertising for the event (so you don’t have to) and generally have regular attendance, so you know there will be a higher chance for potential sales. Also, downtown areas and local farmer’s and flea markets are a good place to start for the same reason – they will be advertised in their own right and they maintain consistent traffic from locals.
PLAN AHEAD
Most events will require you to sign up and/or register, so give yourself at least 30 days to complete paperwork and prepare. This will ensure you have completed all items prior to any deadlines and the possible opportunity to pick prime booth space. Also, keep in mind your ‘slow period’ with sales. If you can plan for events during this time, you will be able to keep your sales and income at a steady pace.
DON’T PICK JUST ANY EVENT
Gather a few events you’re interested in and compare them so you can see what kind of traffic and crowd will be passing by your booth. Will there be qualified buyers? Is it industry or product appropriate? For example, it would be far more reasonable to participate in a Home and Garden Expo as opposed to an Arts Festival. Since events can be expensive (think registration fees, electricity, booth set up, travel and employees to manage your space), this will guarantee you get the best bang for your buck.
I could go on forever – but the three tips above will help you get started on your own. However, I’ve done some of the leg work for you, and below are some listings for events in our territory for the next 3 months!
ALABAMA
Bama Jam
Enterprise
06/14/2012-06/16/2012
info@bamajam2012.com
Alabaster Cityfest
Alabaster
6/02/2012
cityfest@alabastercityfest.com
First Monday Weekend Trade Days
Scottsboro
0 6/02/2012-06/04/2012
1stMonday@scottsboro.org
Southside City Fest
Southside
07/21/2012
(256) 442-9775
Main Street Music Festival
Albertville
08/03/2012-08/04/2012
sarmstrong@vantagebankal.com
ARKANSAS
ArtsFest on the Bentonville Square
Bentonville
0 6/01/2012-06/02/2012
nicki@downtownbentonville.org
Bentonville Farmers Market
06/2012
nicki@downtownbentonville.org
Johnson County Peach Festival
Clarksville
07/19/2012-07/22/2012
jocopeachfestival@yahoo.com
Fulton County Fair
Salem
08/06/2012-08/11/2021
clewis@fultoncountyfair.org
FLORIDA
Tampa Caribbean Festival
Tampa
06/09/2012-06/10/2012
info@carnivaltampa.com
Alive After Five Street Festival
Sanford
6/14/2021
info@sanfordwelcomecenter.com
Fourth on Flagler
West Palm Beach
07/04/2021
(561) 659-8033
Avon Park Farmers Market
Avon Park
07/24/2012
(863) 402-1020
Scallop Festival
Port St. Joe
08/03/2012-08/04/2012
(850) 227-1223
Ocala Farm Market
Ocala
08/25/2012
(352) 426-8244
GEORGIA
Alive After Five
Roswell
6/21/2012
info@mainstreetroswell.com
First Saturday on the River
Savannah
06/02/2012
info@riverstreetsavannah.com
Woodstock Market & Show
Acworth
07/06/2012-07/08/2012
www.woodstockmarketshow.com
Butternut Creek Festival
Blairsville
07/21/2012-07/22/2012
butternutcreekfestival@gmail.com
Dillard Bluegrass and Barbeque Festival
Dillard
08/03/2012-08/04/2012
bbqjane@windstream.net
Grant Park Summer Shade Festival
Atlanta
08/25/2012-08/26/2012
info@gpconservancy.org
LOUISANA
Hammond Market
Hammond
06/23/2012
smith_tl@hammond.org
Cityfest
Walker
06/30/2012
lisa.frey@walker-la.gov
Mandeville Seafood Festival
07/04-07/08/2012
whd@seafoodfest.com
Cajun Music and Food Festival
Lake Charles
07/21/2012-07/22/2012
337-217-0880
Delcambre Shrimp Festival
Delcambre
08/16/2012-08/19/2012
337-288-0618
Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival
Morgan City
8/30/2012-09/03/2012
985-385-0703
MISSISSIPPI
Bay Bridgefest
Bay St. Louis
06/01 to 06/03 2012
(228) 467-9048
MS Coast Coliseum Summer Fair
Biloxi
06/07 to 06/17 2012
papril@mscoastcoliseum.com
Sawmill Festival
Bruce
7/13 to 07/14 2012
662.414.8163
Mississippi Jazz & Heritage Festival
Greenville & Greenwood
08/30-9/03/12
662-247-3364
NORTH CAROLINA
Avery Country Home & Garden Show
Banner Elk
06/02 2012
barkandtwig@bellsouth.net
Super Flea
Greensboro
06/02-06/03/2012
(336)-373-7400
Washington Summer Festival
Washington
06/08/2012-06/09/2012
info@wbcchamber.com
Independence Celebration
Winston-Salem
7/01/2012
336.924.8191
Carolina Mountain Ribfest
Fletcher
07/13 to 07/15 2012
wcpshows@windstream.net
Rockin’ River Fest
Asheville
08/11/2012
information@riverlink.org
SOUTH
Finally Friday!
Lancaster
06/29/2012
chasty@lancastercitysc.com
Riverfest
Conway
06/30/2012
(843) 248-2273.
South Carolina Peach Festival
Gaffney
07/12-0/14/2012
info@scpeachfestival.org
Home Improvement Show
Columbia
08/17-08/19
(803) 256-6238
TENNESSEE
Elizabethton Covered Bridge Celebration
Elizabethton
06/07-06/09
director@elizabethtonchamber.com
Main Street Live!
McMinnville
06/08/2012
mainstmcminn@blomand.net
Jonesborough Days
Jonesborough
06/30/2012-07/01/2012
terryajb@embarqmail.com
Hendersonville Flea Market
Hendersonville
07/13/2012-07/15/2012
502-456-2244
Bedford County Fair
Shelbyville
07/16-07/21
judyfgambill@yahoo.com
Tennessee State Fairgrounds Flea Market
Nashville
07/27 to 07/29 2012
615-852-8997
Jefferson County Fair
Jefferson City
08/02 to 08/11 2012
tnjeffersonfair@gmail.com
For more events near you, visit www.festivalnet.com
As always, please feel free to contact us with any questions!
