Outstanding Destinations – are bridal shows worth the effort? | Travel Research Online

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Outstanding Destinations – are bridal shows worth the effort?

I know we have some true experts in the destination wedding and honeymoon markets, and I have been trying; but I still have some questions.

Bridal Shows–hit or miss?

On one hand, I have heard that doing bridal shows is simply not worth it. The reasoning is that most of these brides only go to the shows for the freebies. I can believe that, after my last show in March. I kept hearing “what are you giving away for free?” or “what raffles do you have?” And to a degree, I expected that from the brides; but I was shocked that most of the “something for nothing” comments came from their mothers or their friends. Is it possible that there are non-bride people that go to these shows only for the freebies? I am beginning to think so. How hard is it to pretend you are bride and sign up for these giveaways?

Yes there were the usual; brides with stacks of labels with their information making you wonder how legitimate it really is. But, all in all I had a great time. We did not stop from the time the show opened till just before the closing. I talked to brides, grooms and parents looking for honeymoon ideas. I received hints on resorts that were not on their hit list. Destinations that they did want on their list. And places that they really wanted to go to but didn’t think they could afford. Yes, there were even some who had already booked a destination wedding, but hey–there are still the anniversaries.

For me I think bridal shows are a hit. You just have to decide how many and how much you want to put into them. I did not wait for the list provided by the show producer with each bride’s contact information. I handed out my own form so I could get their information right there on the spot. And after all those hours of standing and talking, the sweetest thing for me the week after the show was the booked honeymoons directly from my website.

So, to the experts out there. What has been your experience with bridal shows?

Jenna Kameka, with Outstanding Destinations, is a Certified Sandals Specialist, GI Wedding Consultant, and a Specialist for  Jamaica, Mexico, Cayman Islands, and Puerto Rico. She is also an Anchorage Wild Expert and specializes in destination weddings & honeymoons.

  One thought on “Outstanding Destinations – are bridal shows worth the effort?

  1. dcta says:

    I always seem to get a good deal of “recovery vacations” from the parents!

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