Want to know what vendors were at the July 18th Gateway Bridal Show?
Check out the Vendor List

Click here to get a VENDOR APPLICATION

What? When? Where?
The Gateway Bridal Show will be held at the Gateway Center in Collinsville on Thursday, January 27, 2011! The 2011 marks the 14th year of the Gateway Bridal Show. With a crowd of approximately 1000 and 400-450 brides, this show has grown to be one of the largest and most successful bridal shows in the Southern Illinois and St. Louis Metro-East Area. The Gateway Bridal Show will start at 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM.

Should you participate in a bridal show?
Simply put, bridal shows are very effective because it brings customers and companies face-to-face. After all, brides and grooms may know already that they like your product or the service that you provide, but what they really want to know is whether they connect with you. They need to know if YOU could be one of their wedding vendors that will help them create their version of the perfect wedding.

How will the show be promoted?
Gateway Center is working with The Perfect Wedding Guide (PWG) to promote the show through the PWG magazine, billboard, website, E-Blasts to brides, direct mail, posters, and social media sites.  The show will also be promoted with radio spots with Clear Channel’s Z107.7 and The Bull, Suburban Journals and St. Louis Post-Dispatch.  As always, the Gateway Center will promote the show with our website, flyers, email blasts to our Bride's Club, direct mail, blog, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, as well as with postings on various local online event calendars.

How much will it cost?
IF VENDORS PAY PRIOR TO DECEMBER 1st, they can get a regular booth for just $375 and a deluxe booth for just $650. After December 1st, the rate for a regular booth will go up to $400 and the rate of a deluxe booth will go up to $700.

What will I get as a vendor?
Complimentary Vendor Perks:
- Every booth includes the following equipment at no additional cost: up to two chairs, up to two 8’ skirted tables, pipe and drape, a booth sign, and white table covering.
- All vendors will receive a Bride Lead List (which will include email addresses) after the show. The list can be used for follow-up purposes. This list will even indicate what services the bride is still interested in to allow you to target your marketing efforts.
- Company promotion on Gateway Center’s website and show programs as well as a free business listing in a bridal show magazine insert produced by Suburban Journals/PostDispatch.
- Opportunity to promote your company as an “expert” through the new Ask The Expert feature on Gateway Center’s website
- Networking opportunities with potential clients as well as other wedding industry professionals.

Are there extra opportunities for promotion, exposure, and networking? Yes! Call/Email Jamie to disucss your options! 618-345-8998 or jlane@gatewaycenter.com

Market your company and the Gateway Bridal Show with one of the following:
- Upgrade your booth with a Promotional Upgrade
- Show Room Sponsorship with Promotional Upgrade
- “Man Cave” Sponsorship with Promotional Upgrade

- Get Connected with Social Media! Let's work together to promote the Gateway Bridal Show and each other!
Follow us @GatewayCenter on Twitter
Search #GBS2010 for Gateway Bridal Show information and updates. Please also use the hash tag #GBS2010 whenever you mention the event on Twitter! Tweet about your plans for your booth, promotions you are offering at the show, etc.

Be A “Fan” of Gateway Center on Facebook
Please promote the Gateway Bridal Show to your Friends and Fans. RSVP that you are attaending the Gateway Bridal Show.

If you have photos of previous year’s Gateway Bridal Show, or if you take any this year, please post them on Flickr

We are encouraging vendors to take videos at the event this year and post them on YouTube

 

Wondering what companies participated in the January 14th show?
Vendor List

At the Gateway Bridal Show, vendors will have the opportunity to meet hundreds of potential clients in just a few hours. Many vendors walk away from the show with contracts in hand! I am looking forward to another successful show. Please reserve your space today! If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to contact me anytime.