Welcome to ExhibiTALK. Learn exhibiting tips from the pros!

The team at Marketplace Events strives to take each show beyond exhibit space, banners and logos... We build experiences. ExhibiTALK is where the Marketplace Events team shares best practices and strategies to truly get the most out of your show experience.

We bring buyers and sellers together in environments that ensure opportunity and success for our customers. Online, in print or on the show floor, we connect businesses with the audiences they need to reach; and we want to make sure every connection is worthwhile.

Brand Awareness

A home show is a great way to reach your target audience.

Face to Face

Have meaningful interactions with potential customers.

Lead Generation

Find your future customers through surveys and contests.

Celebrity + Expert Appearances

Opportunites to present to a live audience.

Social Media

Connect with a fabulous home + garden community looking for new ideas.

Friday, June 26, 2015

Celebrating Marketplace Events Award Winners at #MPEPalmSprings

In May Marketplace Events held its annual corporate meeting in sunny Palm Springs, California. This year's meeting was jam-packed with ideas on how to become a cross-selling superstar, marketing and sponsorship best practices, and systems to improve day to day operations. We even invited some of our valued exhibitors for a candid Q&A session on how we as a company could improve future events.

One of the highlights of our meeting was the MPE Amazing Race. A few hours of highly competitive team building as the entire company fought to complete a series of fun and quirky tasks -- like eating insects and candy. Lots and lots of candy. Scattered around the hotel (both inside and out) the race was truly on as teams did their utmost to be first at the finish line.

The entire company was also invited to conquer their fears and ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the world's largest rotating tramcar. At an elevation of 8,516 feet above sea level, after a 10 minute ride up the sheer cliffs of Chino Canyon, a lovely dinner awaited us.


During our opening night dinner, Tom Baugh, Lisa Kropf and Mark White announced the 2015 Marketplace Events Award Winners:

Tom Baugh’s "CEO Award of Appreciation"
Stacey Charkow
Marc Gary
Kevin Grace
Laura Groninger
Dorothy Maver
Cristian Moore
Brooke Parks

Over-the-Top Award 
Martin Egli
Liz Harper
Sarah Girard
Cathy Berthold
Terri Higgins
Stephanie Wyrobek
Bonnie Finer

Highest Sales by an Exhibit Sales Consultant above Sales Target
Gordon Cox, Exhibit Sales Consultant
2015 Ottawa Home + Garden Show 

Highest Sales by a Show Team above Sales Target
2014 Deseret News Fall Home Show

Most New Business Sold
Laura Martin, Exhibit Sales Consultant
2015 Denver Home Show

Highest Local Sponsorship Dollars Sold
Marie-Claude Blais
2015 Montreal National Home Show

Highest % of Profit Dollar-for-Dollar
2015 Oklahoma City Home + Garden Show

Highest Year-on-Year Growth in Contribution
2014 AIMExpo, Cinnamon Kernes
2015 Cleveland Home + Remodeling Expo, Rosanna Hrabnicky

Highest Year-on-Year Growth in Sales
2014 AIMExpo, Cinnamon Kernes, Heather Higgins, Chad Douglass, Bonni Finer
2015 Johnson County Home + Garden Show, Marc Gary, David Thon, Irena Rice

Highest On-Site Renewals (3-5 day shows)
2015 Holiday Boutique

Highest On-Site Renewals (6+ day shows)
2015 Great Big Home + Garden Show
2015 Indianapolis Home Show

Highest Increase in Attendance
2015 Cleveland Home + Remodeling Expo,
Rosanna Hrabnicky, Shelly Gepfert, Shalini Mitchell

Highest Exhibitor Satisfaction Rating
2015 Jacksonville Home + Patio Show

Highest Consumer Satisfaction Rating
2015 Edmonton Home + Garden Show




Congratulations to all our award winners!






Marketplace Events
US Shows | Canadian Shows

Visit HomeandGardenBlog.com for tips + trends!
Facebook.com/HomeandGardenEvents
Twitter.com/HomeShows

Monday, September 29, 2014

The How NOT to Exhibit Top 10 Countdown

Successful exhibitors know the importance of training. They will take the time to teach their staff (and themselves) how to sell while working the booth. Always top of mind is presenting both yourself and your company in a professional way - without being too overbearing - and without being so indifferent that potential customers pass you by. In seconds, people will either be attracted to your booth or repelled by it, and you should always be aware of the image you are presenting.

The "How NOT to Exhibit" Top 10 Countdown

10. Don't cluster together in the booth. This creates an intimidating "Sales Gang" which customers feel unable to approach.

9. Don't spend all your time looking at your phone (magazine or newspaper). LOOK UP. Making eye contact is the first step in a conversation with a customer.

8.  Don't hold a buffet in the booth. Customers will not feel comfortable interrupting your dinner. If you're the only one working, use a "be right back" sign.

7. Don't go MIA. Leaving your booth unmanned means you are missing opportunities. See "be right back" sign above.

6. Don't stalk attendees in the aisles. Following people as they walk past your booth and dragging them back isn't the best way to capture their attention. Confidence works better than pushiness.

5. Don't make assumptions based on appearances. Work on future business relationships. View very customer is a future potential buyer.

4. Don't focus only on one person and ignore everyone else. Acknowledge all potential customers in your booth letting them know you'll help as soon as possible.

3. Don't complain. Remember, complaining attracts the wrong kind of attention.

2. Don't Treat the show like a vacation from the office. It may not be the best day to oversleep and turn up late.

1. Don't party like it's 1999. Spending the day yawning and sleeping in your booth will not convert into sales.

Remember the basics on what makes a great booth salesperson:
1. Wow factor.
2. Friendliness.
3. Remaining aware and active.

For more tips on how to successfully exhibit in a home show review our blog post, 10 Exhibiting Tips to Ensure Your Success

For more information on taking part in a Marketplace Events home show visit our website.

Friday, May 16, 2014

Celebrating Marketplace Events Award Winners at #MPEDisney!

Last week Marketplace Events held its annual corporate meeting in Orlando, Florida -- tagged #MPEDisney by the team. Everyone spent an intense three days sharing ideas, strategies and tips which will be used across all of our events moving forward.

One of the highlights of our meeting was a backstage tour of Magic Kingdom. With a focus on customer service, it was great to learn from the Disney Institute how they ensure each persons visit to the park is consistent and full of quality FUN. I'm sure many of us took away valuable lessons which may be transferred on to the planning and running of our events.

During the opening night dinner, Tom Baugh, Lisa Kropf and Mark White announced this year's Marketplace Events Award Winners:



"Over the Top" Award 2014
Cinnamon Kernes
Shannon Nathe
Carol Graves
Edoardo Morera
Jill Kivett

Highest Sales by a Exhibit Sales Consultant above Sales Target
2013 Calgary Home + Design Show
Casey Delflice

Highest Sales by a Show Team above Sales Target
2013 AIMExpo
Cinnamon Kernes
Matt Cavanaugh
Chad Douglass
Heather Higgins

Most New Business Sold
2014 Denver Home Show
Laura Martin

Highest Local Sponsorship Dollars Sold
2014 Great Big Home + Garden Show
Rosanna Hrabnicky

Highest % of Profit - Dollar for Dollar
The Oklahoma City Home + Garden Show, 2014
RaeAnn Saunders

Highest Year-on-Year Growth in Contribution
2014 Salt Lake Home Show
Brooke Peterson

Highest Year-on-Year Growth in Sales
The OKC Home + Outdoor Living Show, 2014
RaeAnn Saunders
Laura Keller

Highest On-Site Renewals (3 - 5 Day Show)
2014 Calgary Home + Garden Show
Jill Kivett
Martin Egli
Jessica Bowlby
Casey Defelice
Micheline Picot
Jenn Tait
Misty Russell
Alison Farrell
Ashley Dinh
Kristy Cairns

Highest On-Site Renewals (6+ Day Show)
2014 Indianapolis Home Show
Laura Groninger
Tami Bailey
Marc Gary
Heather Newsom

Highest Increase in Attendance
The OKC Home + Outdoor Living Show, 2014

RaeAnne Saunders
Shelly Gepfert
Carrie Linde

Highest Single Day Attendance
Minneapolis Home + Garden Show  |  Saturday, March 1, 2014

Highest Exhibitor Satisfaction Rating
2014 Home + Remodeling Show
Liz Benkovich
Stephanie Wyrobek
Carol Graves
Cindy Czaja

Highest Consumer Satisfaction Rating
2014 Oklahoma City Home + Garden Show
RaeAnn Saunders
Laura Keller
Heather Newsom

2014 CEO Award of Appreciation
Casey Defelice
Shelly Gepfert
Arslan Ghani
Rosanna Hrabnicky
Shannon Nathe
Heather Newsom
Paul Schweitzer

2014 Customer Service Leaders
Kelly Baugh
Justine Diersch
Laura Keller
Rese Pardue
Seana Wall



Congratulations to all our award winners!





Marketplace Events
US Shows | Canadian Shows

Visit HomeandGardenBlog.com for tips + trends!
Facebook.com/HomeandGardenEvents
Twitter.com/HomeShows

Friday, April 4, 2014

After the Show: Throughout the Year

As a leader in the home show industry, Marketplace Events has several new and effective strategies in place that are being developed to benefit exhibitors throughout the entire year!

By exhibiting in our show(s), businesses have the opportunity to partner with Marketplace Events on initiatives that can drive sales throughout the year.  Plus, we are always willing to work with our exhibitors should they have other ideas.

Here are a few of the strategies your business can be a part of:


1. Partner with Marketplace Events on scheduled communications
  • Utilize the shows email database by placing banner ads in our emails
  • Include special offers timely with season(s) throughout the year
  • Utilize banner ads on the show website to deliver your company's promotional announcements, seasonal sales, etc.
2. Leverage the home and garden show
  • Utilize your presence/participation in the show in your communications throughout the year
  • Include "Proud Exhibitor of the [show name]" at your place of business
3. Maximize the "Event Status" of the show
  • Schedule product launches, new service announcements, etc. to happen during the show
  • Following the show include "As premiered at the home and garden show" in your marketing materials and website
  • Leverage the media hype/marketing/PR of the show by letting us know your plans
4. Connect with us on social media
  • Let Marketplace Events know your social media handles, reach out to us and we will retweet and share your posts


Marketplace Events
US Shows | Canadian Shows

Visit HomeandGardenBlog.com for tips + trends!
Facebook.com/HomeandGardenEvents
Twitter.com/HomeShows