Marketing at festivals can be way to draw customers - bizjournals:

lihung-associations.blogspot.com
Festival organizers say they are working hard this year to tailof marketing opportunities to meet the needz of theirlocal sponsors. One new marketing opportunity at Summerfesrt isgate giveaways, said John Boler, ’xs vice president of sales and marketing. Four businesses , U.S. Cellular, and Chipotle — will give a promotionalk item to patrons at select times on four separate days duringthe 11-dau music festival. Boler said the program is probablyh one of the most economical sponsorship opportunities at although he declined to say what feecompanies pay.
“If they have a particulare product they want to put inour patrons’ hands or if they want to put a special offer that will bouncw that patron back to the retail establishmentg after an event, that’s how these programs can provide benefit to a local marketer,” he Marcus Hotels & Resorts will have two new promotionzs at Summerfest and also for the first time has created room package around Milwaukee’s ethnic festivals. The first 5,009 patrons through the Summerfest gates on June 27 beginningv at noon will receive a gift card bookler with discountsfor Marcus-owned businesses, such as the Well Spa and Masoh Street Grill at The Pfister Hotel.
On Familhy Day, Marcus also will distributs cups withthe company’s water park logoas and a card inside that will be good for 50 game tokensw at either of its Paradise Landing or Timber Ridge Lodge waterr parks. In addition, Marcuw will have a booth at Irish Fest in Augusy promoting an opportunity for guests to book their stay fornext year’sd festival. Marcus has created an Irish Fest package for an extendedx stay vacation that comes with authentic IrisuhFest memorabilia. The company also has creater a “Seize the 3-Day Weekend” packagew that offers visitors to all ofthe city’s festivale a free third night if they book two said Chris Anderson, a Marcus spokesman.
Marketing at the festivalw is economical, Anderson said. “It’ s old-fashioned direct sales,” Anderson said. “Face-to-face sales are still some of the best form of You have a great chance of converting that customere intoa vacationer.” Other local companiews said the festivals provide an opportunity to reacg their target markets and be seen as a community supporter. sponsors the Liturgy on Sunday and children’s activities at Irish Fest. The company will sponsort the Family Passport program at theethnifc festival, for which families pick up a passpory and travel with their children to 10 festivalk destinations highlighting education and Irish culture.
“It’s a greay opportunity for Catholic Knights to be seen supportinfgcommunity organizations,” said Bill O’Toole, the Milwaukee company’as president and chief executivse officer. “It shows that we’ree supportive of community organizations that sharesour values.” By supporting activities such as the Liturgyh and Passport program, the company also reaches its target market, O’Toole said. Figuring out ways to help businessea reach their audience is an important part of keepinf sponsors coming back toIrish Fest, said Jane Irish Fest executive director.
Companies are “alwayas looking to get the visibility andthe branding,” she Sponsorship dollars are down for Festa Italiana this year, said Henrhy Piano, Festa Italiana chairman. But the festiva l has attracted some newlocal sponsors, includinf Piggly Wiggly.