As I sat, reflected and prepared our marketing strategy for the National Gift Basket Convention, I really wanted to "deliver" something that will set me apart from previous conventions and my competitors. Aside from all of the obvious differences, there is one thing I know a little bit about - technology. While I'm far from any expert, I have learned a lot in my corporate world about video. I worked for Cisco for 12 years and we were a technology company - encouraged to develop relationships with our peers around the world through the use of video and virtualization. So how can I share that knowledge with the gift basket industry? Demonstrate it! My turning point this month is that I can talk, lecture and write about technology all I want - demonstrating it is a whole other story!
1. Gadgets & Gyzmos: We have an entire that is going to demonstrate a large variety of technologies that one can use for their business. Even Square, Inc. donated 200 of their credit card processing dongles. When you see and understand what a "Square" is, you'll quickly realize that Square is a game changer.
2. SKYPE: Put a booth together with product samples, brochures and biz cards with a monitor, camera and microphone and boom! We have a SKYPE Vendor! You'll be able to walk up to a vendor table and talk live with the company representative. She can answer questions, take your order, show you samples, scan your badge - whatever you need. She just isn't physically "here".
3. QR Codes are on every badge and at every booth. The day of having to carry business cards or write down contact information are over. Use your iPhone or similar to scan a QR code and you've got contact info and can have it automatically log into your PDA.
4. Live Video Streaming & On Demand: There are many gift basket company owners that can't come. Whether its financials or medical situations with family, the simply can't make it but a) want to support us, b) want to be a part of the convention and c) are curious what its going what its going to be like. So, while I can't give them the entire experience, I can engage them and allow them to be a part of our morning huddle and lunch and learns. They can pull up a booth "On Demand" so they can see who is there, what their booth looks like and be able to shop with them. Lastly, they can shop at our Onsite Store! Simply click on the item and it will take you to a description and let you purchase it.
....more to come!
May is technology month from our marketing perspective and I hope you'll give in and be willing to learn all about it!
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