Trade Show exhibiting is a great way for businesses and organizations to showcase products and services. Planning and setting realistic goals is the key to a successful event.

Get the Facts before the Show:  Who might attend? Number of attendees & do they reside in your service area? Date, Hours, Cost? Most shows provide table, tablecloth (curtain for booths) sign with your business name. Is “Actual Selling of Products” allowed at the event?  Check with Show Management for the rules.

The 3 main categories of shows include:

• ·       Booth (example 8” x 10” space). Corner Booths provide extra exposure, may cost a bit more.
• ·       Tabletop (table only).
• ·       Workshop (conference room, office, rented space, etc.).

TIP: Don’t let a “no selling” rule discourage you. Trade Shows are excellent for prospecting & making connections that open the door for future business.

Planning & Setting Goals: What do you wish to accomplish? Prospect for new clients. Showcase new products.  Sell seasonal merchandise. Supporting the community, etc.

Theme...Is it necessary?  Not always...However...If the show has a theme...DO PARTICIPATE. Holiday or seasonal themes are great or you can choose a theme that relates to your business.

TIP: Do not let the theme overpower your message or image.

Pre-Show Advertising: Make the most of your Trade Show investment by getting the word out. Mail, Print, Email, Social Media, Blog.  Invite fellow exhibitors. If possible, get prelist from show management. Advertise; Newspaper, Membership organizations, Networking groups.

TIP: include your show dates on your outgoing mail & emails.

Create an Inviting and Informative Booth or Space: Choose the Literature and/or imprinted products you wish to hand out to visitors. Help visitors remember you by having your business or organization name on everything you hand out. Your table display should give someone a quick snap shot of your products or services when they are standing in front of your booth. Door Prize Drawing and/or Games can create excitement and increase traffic to your booth. Don’t put a barrier between you and your visitors.  Consider placing table in back or side of your booth.

TIP: Use back of your door prize slip to take notes.  Jot down details discussed with prospects for easy follow up.

Meet & Greet: Position table & materials to make your table a workable space to accommodate multiple types of visitors at the same time without causing a traffic jam in your booth. (Some may want to just pick up info quickly, others may linger longer). Don’t forget your tools; Pens, Small Clipboard, Business Cards, Emergency kit to make quick repairs to your display if needed. Wear a name tag. Take photos!!

TIP: Position “Door Prize” drawing on one side of your table & literature at other end.

Trade Show Etiquette & Trade Show Networking: Mind your manners...booth display or games should never be disruptive to neighboring exhibitors. Greet everyone who steps into your space. Do visit other exhibitors, but be ready to “clear out” when they have visitors. Eat Lunch away from your table. If needed, consider the buddy system with a neighboring exhibitor who may also need a break.

TIP: If you are already chatting with another prospect when a new person steps in to your booth, a quick hello and smile will make them feel welcome to browse.

Break-Down rules: Respect the show “Break-Down” schedule. Leaving early may be disruptive to other exhibitors. Check with show coordinator regarding rules for leaving early.

After the Show:  Follow up…Mail, Email, Telephone, Face-To-Face...DO IT!!!

TIP: Don’t forget fellow exhibitors as prospects.

Evaluate: Set several dates for tracking show success, days, weeks, months, to determine if your expectations met? Make notes while your memory is fresh for “next time”. 

TIP: Prepare your “after the show” follow-up mailer or eblast before the show.

Last, but not Least: Trade show exhibiting is hard work, but with proper planning and organization it can be well worth the effort.  Wear comfortable shoes (after all, it’s a work day). Wear your BEST SMILE and ENJOY THE SHOW!

Paulette Morris, Owner of Idea Weaver Promotions, Inc. has been “Weaving Ideas” for clients since 1995. Company mission is “Dedication to serving customers with the goal of building long term business relationships and a commitment to provide quality promotional products, at a fair price with excellent service.” Paulette uses Technology, Creativity and Idea Sessions to help customers find the right products to fit their specific needs.

Idea Sessions are Always Free. 410.360.8882 ~ Virtual Showroom: www.ideaweaver.com

PBA held a Ribbon Cutting for Pace Wellness Pharmacy to welcome them to the PBA and the Pasadena Business community. Senator Ed Reilly, Delegate Nic Kipke, Sara Gannon from the County Executives Office, Linda Zahn, CEO of the Greater Severna Park- Arnold Chamber of Commerce, and PBA Vice President Doug Cashmere presented citations to Dr. Esther Alabi .

Once again we were blessed with a beautiful day on Nov. 11th for our 6th annual Veteran’s Day ceremony at the Rt. 100 Memorial Flag. It took many hands to make this a memorable day for our Veteran’s and active military. We want to “Thank” each and every one for attending, if it wasn’t for all of you we would not be afforded the freedoms that we each enjoy. We thank you for your service to our country and our community.

This year with a heavy heart we bid a fond farewell to BS Troup #773; we thank them for their 14 years of service to this community and to this “Flag Project”. We welcome the Solley Cluster Girl Scouts that will be taking over where the boy scouts left off; working side by side with Himmels Farm & Garden & US Navy Chief Petty Officers Association of Ft. Meade, MD under the direction of Dotti Snyder, Retired Chief Kirk Towner, Adrienne Trout & Amanda Smith.

Northeast Vocal Ensemble under the direction of Sarah DelSignor provided a wonderful array of patriotic songs throughout the ceremony. This was their 1st year participating in the ceremony and they did a beautiful job, we thank you all.

We thank the students from Bodkin, Jacobsville & Pasadena Elementary schools for providing each veteran & active military “Thank you” cards & handmade pins. I will say that this was highlight of the day; I heard from several that they have the cards proudly displayed in their homes for all to see.

We thank Father Rafferty Our Lady of the Chesapeake for the prayers, The US Navy Honor Guard of Ft. Meade, MD for the presentation of colors; Major Rick Barnes MD Defense Force Band for sounding “Taps” and Jerry Nicklow, Huff Insurance and Mike Jacobs JB Machine for being our MC’s for the day.

We thank Army Veteran Charlie Johns for his continued effort in keeping the area cut, trimmed & providing transport to and from the parking lot; Maher’s Florist for providing the wreath; Bay Country Rentals for the seating; Dick Parrish Design for the sound system; JB Machine for the electric & stage and Arundel Federal SB for the flags that were handed out.

Special thanks go out to County Executive Steve Schuh; Senator Bryan Simonaire; Delegate Nic Kipke, Councilman Derek Fink and AA County Recreation & Parks and AA Co Eastern District Police for their participation.

As you can see it takes many hands to arrange this ceremony for our community and on behalf of the flag committee Mike Jacobs JB Machine, Sandi Parrish PBA Ex. Director & Lisa Hart Arundel Federal SB we pray for the continued safety of our military Brothers & Sisters.

Donations to the flag fund are welcome PBA Flag Fund, PO BOX 861, Pasadena MD 21123-0861
God Bless America

A CHILD'S CHRISTMAS - Jacqueline Dunn, Chair, jadunn@aacps.org 

"Give back to those less fortunate" is just one way that the PBA supports the community. To that end, we are again hosting A Child's Christmas. The schools have been sending their numbers for children and families in need.

There are several ways you can participate: 

SPONSORS: Let Sandi or Jacqueline know if you are willing to sponsor a child, children, or family. We will provide you with a wish list from the child with sizes, necessities needed and of course toys and other items wanted. If you want to sponsor a child, children or a family but shopping is not an option we will do the shopping for you. 

Send your monetary donation payable to PBA but earmarked A Child’s Christmas and Sandi will be happy to assign you a child or family and do the shopping for you. 

FOOD: Last year, we didn’t have a lot of food to give to families, so we’d appreciate it if a few businesses would be willing to place a box in their businesses to collect non-perishable food. 

TOYS: Businesses may also want to place a collection box for toys or other gifts. 

GIFT CARDS AND CASH DONATIONS: If your business wants to decorate a gift tree for those who prefer, we are accepting donations of gift cards or money that can be sent to the PBA office earmarked for A Child’s Christmas. 

SINGLE GIFT ITEMS: Lastly, if you’d like to purchase a gift such as a bike, electronic game, or a single gift let Jacqueline or Sandi know and we can select a gift from one of the wish lists. 

OTHER IDEAS: Businesses can collect like items such as hats, mittens, gloves, socks, underwear, etc. 

Jacqueline can also print a wish list onto paper ornaments if you want to decorate a tree where your employees and/or customers can pick a gift to buy.

A Child's Christmas Sponsorship Form

Thanks to everyone who helped make this year’s parade another great success! What a great afternoon it turned out to be, even if it was tremendously windy. What was amazing about this year’s event was the amount of food that was collected - $22,000 worth, to be exact. After the parade concluded, we went to Chesapeake Christian Center to unload the food. Lauer’s had so much food to unload from their truck that they had to make multiple trips. Special thanks to the Northeast High School football team for helping with this unloading process.

We also want to thank all of this year’s corporate sponsors – A1 Septic, ACE Hardware and Hearth, Bay Country Rentals, Calvert Veterinary Center, Chesapeake Bank, Cityline Business Park, Fast Signs, Friends of Downs Park, Frank & Bills Auto Collision, Gable Company, Maryland Yacht Club, Kurtz’s Beach, Pasadena Pawn & Gun, and Redmond’s Towing.

Also thanks to Himmel’s Lawn & Garden for providing the décor, flowers and hay bales for the reviewing station,Delegate Nic Kipke for again being our emcee, and the Anne Arundel County Police and Reserve officers for maintaining traffic. Our Grand Marshals were some of the members who joined the PBA in 1986 and are still members today. They helped the PBA celebrate their 30th Anniversary. Bills Auto Collision, Gable Company, Maryland Yacht Club, Kurtz’s Beach, Pasadena Pawn & Gun, and Redmond’s Towing.

Mark your calendar for the first Sunday in November next year – we’ll be back!

Our November General Membership Meeting was held at Mutiny Pirate Bar & Island Grille. We had a great turnout for Sharrie Wade, Clark & Anderson, to give her annual tax tips. Thanks to Mutiny Pirate Bar for the great buffet, the food was awesome. They have a very unique restaurant and great food so if you are planning a holiday party give them a call. PBA Board Members Angela Balsamo and Brian Conrad took advantage of a photo op.

Tiffany Fowler Fitness, LLC - Tiffany Fowler
E-mail : tiffanyfowlerfitness@gmail.com / Website: tiffanyfowlerfitnessllc.trainerize.com
3437 Brookhaven Road, Pasadena, Maryland 21122
Phone:443-333-9367, Cell: 443-677-1141
https://www.facebook.com/tiffanyfowlerfitnessllc/
Fitness isn’t a fad, it’s a lifestyle - I am a health and fitness professional who is very passionate about working with those that are fairly new to fitness. I am a mother of two beautiful girls, and realize how easy it is to become consumed by daily sacrifices that have to be made in order to raise a happy and healthy family. My mission is to guide my clients so they are better able to balance family, career, and fitness. If exercise could be packaged into a pill, it would be the most prescribed medicine there is.

Concierge Mortgage, LLC - Kathryn Fitzmaurice
E-mail : Kfitzm@verizon.net / Website: www.loKathryn.com
101 W Ridgely Rd, Ste 5A,
Timonium, Maryland 21093
Cell: 410-591-3195

Life After Recovery Coaching - Jennifer Klotz
E-mail : LifeAfterRecoveryCoaching@gmail.com
Business Address: 304 Gatehouse Lane, Unit D,
Odenton, Maryland 21113
Cell: 443-481-7387
Company Bio: Discover the meaning of True Recovery and how it can provide you a more joyful life than you ever could imagine!

Fifer’s Craft House & Deli - Billy Fifer & Richard Fifer Jr.
8894 Fort Smallwood Road, Suite 4, Pasadena, MD 21122
410-360-Beer (2337), 443-261-9980 (Richard)
Email: fifersseafood@comcast.net / Website: fiferscrafthouse.com
Fifer’s Craft House offers a diverse selection of spirits, wines, and craft beers. We also make the finest deli sandwiches—come in and see us!

Partners in Care - April Stup
E-mail : aprilstup@partnersincare.org / Website: www.partnersincare.org
Business Address: 90 B Ritchie Hwy, Pasadena, Maryland 21122
Phone:410-544-4800
www.facebook.com/PartnersInCareMaryland
Partners in Care is the recognized leader in Maryland for programs and services that support the independence of older adults by using the time and talents of our members, leadership and staff. We promote active engagement of members and their families by offering services in exchange for their donated time and talents. We help our members remain actively involved in the community through our transportation, home repairs and a meaningful social network of care. Our programs support individuals and families, relieve stress on caregivers, reduce hospital admissions, delay nursing home placements, and provide critical services during a time of government cutbacks and economic challenges.

Thirty-One by Kaitlyn Merrill - Kaitlyn Merrill
E-mail : katy_merrill@yahoo.com / Website: https://www.mythirtyone.com/merrillyeverafter
Business Address: 96 Will O Brook Drive, Pasadena, Maryland 21122
Phone:443-955-1905
Thirty-One has crafted a tote or storage compartment for anything you can imagine! Thirty-One was founded on the idea of helping women to build confidence with the stylish totes and handbags that Thirty-One has created. We sell a variety of purses, tote bags, wallets, storage containers, household accessories, and now, even jewelry! Thirty-One offers monthly specials for all customers and hostess rewards with opportunities for exclusive items only available when you host a party!

Send Out Cards – Lois Ann Gallagher
Email: loisann697@gmail.com / Website: sendoutcards.com/38982
697 Paddle Wheel Court W
Millersville, MD 21108
410-353-3899
Helping you live a rich, connected life and business by changing lives one card at a time.

Magothy Motorcars, Inc - Bennie Tucker
E-mail : info@magothymotorcars.com / Website: magothymotorcars.com
Business Address: 4433 Mountain Rd Suite 1, Pasadena, Maryland 21122
Phone:410-437-8700, Cell: 443-306-5655, Fax: 410-437-8700
Company Bio: Magothy Motorcars is owner operated with NO commissioned sales staff. There is absolutely no pressure to purchase a vehicle from us and our goal is to make friendships in hopes you return again and tell your friends. Referrals are the key to help any business grow stronger. The plan is simple - if you like our vehicle, let’s make a deal. If not, hopefully we can find exactly what you are looking for. All of our vehicles are inside our climate controlled warehouse, so no matter the weather stop on by and browse our inventory! Our advantage is our low overhead costs. We use the same network for finding vehicles as our largest competitors. We also offer the same great financing and extended warranty programs. With no salesman, Josh and Bennie (owners) work with you one on one. As owners, we look forward to working with each and everyone wanting to purchase a vehicle. Because we do take the time to work with you personally, please call or email for an appointment, even if you’re not in the market right away. Stop on in and let’s talk about future vehicles we should keep an eye out for.
https://www.facebook.com/Magothy-Motorcars-383607451783259/

Cheshire Crab hosted a networking mixer to celebrate the opening of their dock bar finally.  Although it was raining we still had a great time at the inside bar and the new high top tables.  I was happy to see so many members that we don’t usually see due to their busy work schedules.  We had great food and networking with 26 members in attendance.  Thanks to Cheshire Crab for hosting the mixer.

Are you using Twitter to grow your business? You should be, here’s how!

Twitter has an estimated 300 million active users worldwide. This platform can be a powerful way to engage with prospective customers and encourage them to enter into your store! For businesses who have not used the social media site, however, it can be intimidating to get started. Here is what all businesses should know about using Twitter to grow a business.

Understanding the Twitter mentality

Twitter has been likened to a giant, worldwide conversation. Posts can only be made using 140 characters and the rate at which people tweet means that your posts are only going to be at the top of people’s feed for a short time. To successfully use Twitter, you need to learn how to leverage these characteristics of Twitter to your advantage.

• Tweet regularly throughout the day – although you do not want to overwhelm your followers feeds, you do want to send out a few posts each day
• Do not be afraid to reuse content – since your posts disappear quickly, you can reword and reuse some of your posts occasionally
• Use Twitter to enter the collective conversation, not to just broadcast about your brand- the majority of your posts should be educational for your followers and only some directly promotional
• Since people regularly retweet– or repost– other people’s posts, try to stay below the 140 maximum (around 120 characters is best) to make it easy for your posts to be retweeted as well

Getting started

Like other social media sites, establishing a profile on Twitter is a branding exercise. Twitter gives you the chance to customize a profile picture, the header, and even the background on your profile page, so take advantage of it. Here’s a link to my profile where I have a custom photo and background in place. Keep the images you use consistent with the rest of your branding efforts across the various social media platforms so that people recognize you.

You will also have a profile you will need to fill out, with information such as your location and company website. Make sure that you have every part filled out so that people who click on your page can learn as much about you as possible.

The most important part of your profile, however, is your bio. You only get 160 characters for your bio, so like your tweets it needs to be short and sweet. Focus on explaining to customers the value you offer. Use keywords to help people find your company and make yourself more visible in searches as well.

Getting followers

The best way to start gaining followers is to follow others. Many Twitter users will reciprocate when you follow them, but that is not a guarantee. Start by following professional contacts, customers, and anyone that regularly posts interesting information. As you follow people, actively engage with them. Retweet their content, ask them direct questions, and generally join in their conversation. The more you engage, the more followers you get. I have also experienced this firsthand, the less I engage, the more followers I LOSE!

You can also boost your Twitter followers by advertising your account. Include Follow buttons on your website, newsletters, emails, and other communication you regularly have with your customers.

Finally, the best way to gain followers is to produce high quality content. As you produce posts that people enjoy reading, you will attract attention. People will become more likely to retweet– or repost– your content. As people do this, your message will then become visible to that person’s network of followers. The more often you are retweeted, the wider your brand reach will go and the more followers you will gain.

Effective tweeting

Twitter can be a fantastic tool for getting your content in front of prospective customers  and driving traffic to your website. Twitter helps you leverage the power of inbound marketing, by providing answers to people who have questions and then building relationships with them. Much of the content you produce should be focused on educating your followers. Tweet intriguing descriptions and links to your latest blog posts or articles you found on other sites that you thought would be helpful. This is the type of information will let viewers know that you are here to provide industry answers and it will help begin to build the relationship of trust.

Of course, Twitter is not a formal business environment. That means it is ok to mix up the types of content you tweet. Images are fantastic for attracting attention in tweets, particularly since the amount of text is so limited. Posting occasional humorous images, such as memes, can be great for getting retweets and showing your brand personality to your customers.

Twitter posts are often searched by subject, with people using hashtags (#) to indicate a key subject. Try to incorporate a few hashtags into your posts. It will help make the posts more searchable so that people can find your account when they want answers about your industry.

Twitter can be an enormous effective tool for finding new customers when used correctly. Although jumping into the virtual conversation can feel intimidating for those who have not used the platform before, it does not have to be. Set up an effective profile and broadcast to the world why you have the answers they seek.

About The Author:

David Fletcher is a sales and marketing consultant that travels around the country speaking on some of todays hot topics such as inbound marketing, social media management, lead generation, and sales development. David owns Maven Sales Group with his wife Shannon with an office located here in Pasadena, MD.

We held a Ribbon Cutting for Fifer’s Craft House & Deli and what a great time.  The children (including my grandchildren) painted a crab shell, they had bobbing for apples, and Katrina Krauss Photography/Freestate Photo Booths was there taking the pictures with many different props to choose from.  This is always a great hit for young and old.  This was an honor for me since I have known the twins, Billy & Richard since they were born and I am so pleased they have now opened up another business in Pasadena.  Stop in and check out their inventory and have a sandwich while shopping.