Most Make and Take exhibitors report that it increases their sales - even more than on-stand demonstrations. Why? Two reasons. First, because customers have the product in their hands. They try it out and they want more! And second because customers love getting a freebie. They will appreciate your generosity and reward you by spending more time and money in your stand.

The make and takes are a drawcard to our expos, prompting many people to return for a second day, often bringing their friends.

Here's how it works: Your stand will include a table, plastic cloth and four chairs so at least three customers can sit at a time with a tutor seated opposite. The tutor supplies materials and guides them through a simple project that can be completed quickly. Other customers line up behind the chairs to await their turn.

A project can be a greeting card, a scrapbook page (minus photos), a Christmas tree ornament, a swap pin or an embellishment that can be used in any number of ways later on. Past projects involved microscope slides, punches, beads, molds and air-dry clay, slide mounts and stamping. (Whatever products you use in your giveaway project, make sure you have plenty in stock for sale, too!) The project should be based on inexpensive materials. Most importantly it should be quick to make (10 minutes or less). Obviously, it should be something that will appeal to your customers.

Each customer can make one project only - no repeats. Unless it is a super easy project, put an age limit on it. Display a sign "For ages __ and up." (We suggest ages ten and up be allowed, as ten is the age that children are expected to pay a concession entry fee to attend the show.)

How much extra space will you get? If your stand has a depth of two metres, we'll add two extra metres to your length giving you a total of four extra square metres (for the price of one!). If your stand is three metres deep, we'll add an extra metre to your length giving you three extra square metres. The extra space must be devoted to the Make and Take table and chairs. There won't be room for much else, so don't think you can fill the area with extra stock displays and sneak the table out of the stand.

Besides the extra space, Paperific provides a 1.8m table, plastic tablecloth and four chairs. You will also be promoted on our website as a Make and Take Exhibitor.

In return, you must agree to:

• pay $230

• provide a dedicated tutor(s) to supervise your table for the entire show. Your table must be staffed at least six hours each day, with seating for at least three students at a time.

• provide sufficient materials for at least 300 customers to complete your make and take project.

• use the table for Make and Takes, not demonstrations.

• use the provided table, cloth and chairs so customers recognise you as a Make and Take stand.

• house your table and tutor completely inside your stand. Customer chairs may extend outside the boundaries of the stand, but the table may not.

IMPORTANT: Exhibitors who fail to adhere to these rules at our show risk being charged the regular $230 per square metre fee for the extra three or four metres that should have been allotted to Make and Takes.

 

Feel free to phone Stacey on 03) 9570 3422 if you'd like to further discuss
how Make and Takes can work for you.