The Halloween & Party Expo has announced a continued investment in its buyer appointment programmes in order to enhance return on investment for both exhibitors and retailers.
For the 2019 show – taking place from 25 – 27 January at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans – the team plans to expand participation in the current ‘Buyers Club’ and introduce a new guaranteed meetings programme, MATCH!
The key buyer programmes were first launched at this year’s event and will be led by key accounts manager Karen Gillis. They are are designed to ‘quantifiably enhance exhibitor return on investment while introducing new retailers and strategic vertical markets to the show’.
The programme gives retailers merchandise credits and helps them make appointments with relevant exhibitors. At the 2018 show, the Buyers Club programme drove 2,100 appointments and saw $75,000 being spent on the show floor. Next year, the initiative will include 22% more buyers and guarantees to introduce each one to at least two exhibitors new to the show.
Launching in 2019, MATCH! is an enhanced one-to-one guaranteed meetings option which is being launched alongside Buyers Club and will be open to a limited number of exhibitors and a carefully curated list of buyers. All appointments will be based upon mutual selling and sourcing needs using an innovative matching software. Buyers will also be given hotel accommodations and additional show amenities.
“We are committed to providing new value for our customers and driving new connections,” commented Liz Irving, senior vice president of marketing. “We are excited to expand on the programme in 2019 as well as introduce a new guaranteed meetings option – called MATCH! – to further drive need-based appointments between exhibitors and buyers.”
“I look forward to being the liaison between our attendees and exhibitors and providing them personal customer service to enhance their experience at the event,” said Karen Gillis, programme manager. “I invite those exhibitors interested in participating in the programmes, or in nominating buyers, to contact me directly.”
Karen can be reached at +1 (203) 202-3825 or at kgillis@urban-expo.com.
