Ruth Failer |
The Renaissance Faire is just
another trade show! As casual and spontaneous as it may look from the guest’s
point of view, a lot goes into making sure all who enter have the best
experience they possibly can that day. In order for that to happen, strict
rules are placed on both the vendors and actors.
Weeks before The Renaissance Faire begins, the organizer presents three
mandatory workshops for new vendors: Orientation, Costuming and Elizabethan
Language.
All participants must:
All participants must:
·
wear
acceptable clothing
·
know how
to say what needs to be said
·
call
people to their booth
·
display
products in an inviting way
·
provide
demonstrations of products or services
Every day one hour before Faire
opening, all royals, puritans, beggars, street jesters and all stage other
actors are required to attend a brief meeting, preparing them for the theme of
the show and special events of the day.
We can learn a lot about getting our staff educated from the policies of
Faire:
Preparing (some in costume) a week before opening day |
Exhibiting can be very expensive if your staff is not ready and able to
accomplish your trade show goals. Your
sales representatives are bright and great at what they do, but they can’t read
your mind or you theirs. Let your staff in on your expectations and give them
the tools to perform. Most probably they won’t be speaking Elizabethan; they
need to be conversing in a language to bring your customers closer to a sale.
They won’t be a peasant, a royal, or a pirate, yet they ought to be dressed the
part of representing your company brand with the proper attitude, focus and
attire.
Contact Tips of the Trade for workshops:
·
Boothmanship
(booth etiquette)
·
At-show
sales skills
·
Booth
display
·
Pre-show
marketing
- Retaining customers
Prepare your merchants to increase sales in and out of the booth.
A jousting fight to the death is optional!