Director Trade Shows / Craft Sales / Etc...

[PamperedK]

Now is the time for lots of these types of events....and if you're like me, the sales aren't the focus, but bookings, recruits. HOWEVER....I wanted to share what has been working for me.

at one trade show, I brought a microwave and made chips all night. At another, I made chips the night before and brought them along. I offered a deal for buying the "set" which was the Simple Slicer and the Microwave Chip Makers (save approx 20%).

I sold over $1200 worth of sets over that weekend. I don't think i would have sold a single thing but having the chips there were awesome and really drew a crowd! Super fun!

 

[pamperedlinda]

I really need to break out my chip maker and give it a whirl....yes, I have never tried it!

 

[PamperedK]

I would only do the microwave in a large venue so you don't pop the breaker! But yes, I love it!

 

[jwpamp]

And you need to check your local rules...we need a permit to distribute food in our area....even samples.

 

[PamperedK]

we just need a food handlers certificate, which we have.

 

[jwpamp]

It sounds like a great idea -- I have heard of microwave ovens overheating when doing lots of batches in a row...have you had any issues? And do you serve them with any of our rubs mixed as dips?

 

[PamperedK]

We didn't have any problems, but we were at a concert hall so their electrical system was pretty heavy-duty. We had to reset the extension cord a few times as it has a built-in surge protector. We decided to just be very simple and use a bit of salt. It was really really busy so we wouldn't have had time to do anything else.

 

[CoidgigBese]

Do the chips stay crisp overnight? The MCM is a good product to have out because it starts the conversation with the person saying "what is this?" I think if I had had some chips there for them to try, there would have been more interest in purchasing or booking. If I had chips, I would not leave them out for just every Jane and Jim to snack on. I would offer them a sample when they show interest in the chip maker or start interacting.

 

[PamperedK]

They do pretty well overnight. We used them to draw people into the booth and start a conversation. It definitely helped interest people who otherwise would have walked by.

 

[finley1991]

I really need to break out my chip maker and give it a whirl....yes, I have never tried it!

I tried it once at my sister's but we were in a time crunch so we didn't have time for the chips to dry and to make too many.

 

[Malinda Klein]

I did this at my last "ladies night out" that was thrown by a local hotel. I knew my guests were all out of towners (meaning no cooking shows), so i brought cash and carry and made the microwave chips. Ended up selling a couple sets and 1/2 my table. The chips drew them in and then i talked about other things. You could tell by the guests face which were... so i need to practice making these better. The only problem i had was some of the chips were crunchy and others weren't.My AD had the same experience Krista had. Krista, did you have them on hand - cash and carry, or did you have to place an order?