Bridal Fair Shannigans...

[*Mike*]

We did the Abilene bridal fair last weekend, and so far I've been less than thrilled with the people that put it on... Today they e-mailed that they aren't releasing any of the brides names or contact info for those that attended b/c of "privacy laws." Anyone else run into this kinda thing before?

It's put on by the Abilene Reporter News, who requires all vendors to buy advertising space in their monthly newsletter. I'm guessing that this refusal to release names is just part of their justification for requiring the newsletter ads.

[LoungeLizard]

If you contract with them stated they'd release it, I'd either request it or request at least a partial refund for breach of contract.

The Houston shows offer an "opt out" to brides when they register. If they don't "opt out", we get their name/address/etc.

[*Mike*]

Their contract didn't say much of anything... they're ridiculously unorganized. One week before the event they sent out a notice requiring that they be named as additional named insureds. My agent couldn't believe how last minute they were. Then the monthly newsletter that they required everyone to pay for didn't include all the vendors when it went out.

I asked for an estimated number of brides and was told 500. "Wow, that seems high!" Remember, this is Abilene. They came back and said that number included everyone - parents, friends, brides, etc. They then said that the number of brides would be around 300. I'm guessing we hit maybe half that.

So, I was wondering how unusual it is for other markets to refuse to release the info of brides that attend... I think it's more incompetence on their part, but could be wrong. They just haven't inspired confidence.

[Gateruner]

Did they advertise that you would be given the names to entice you to sign up? If so then that could be enough to give them some grief. Deceptive advertising is the angle I would throw at them and ask for some monetary compensation. If you feel just that they havent held up there end of the deal then threaten class action since all of the vendors would have been screwed. If this was a show that only charged a 100 bucks to enter then it probably isnt worth the time. I get the impression from having to purchase advertising that it was a bit more money to get in.

[*Mike*]

Total cost was $650 for a single booth. They broke it down that $25/mo was to be in their e-mail newsletter and $350 was for the booth itself. Both expenses were required to participate. We actually did a double booth...

My thing is, I feel as though they did the entire thing with marginal competence, and the one thing that would either 1) justify the expense or 2) show that their numbers were deceptively off, is being withheld.

But, my own confession of stupidity, I didn't investigate to see if they would be releasing their registration info ahead of time. I just never heard of a bridal fair that didn't release it... Live and learn. :o)

[HotHolly]

I talked to them about capture. We didn't skip that part. They lead me to believe that the info captured was being given to the vendors.

Edit: So, those of you that do bridal fairs in TX - do they usually give you a list of the brides who attended?