Advice for a pregnancy and baby expo

Kalamazoo Doula · 09-19-2005, 12:26 AM

I'm currently organizing a pregnancy/baby expo that will be help in early March. I was just wondering if any of you other ladies had experience with this? I would love to hear about it, and if there were any suggestions, I would really appreciate them! This is being sponsered by Babies R Us, and my goal is to 'sell' at least 40 exhibitor tables, and donate at least 5 to non-profit organizations like LLL, ICAN and SIDS prevention.

Give me your

09-19-2005, 09:15 AM

Erin, Heading to Babies R us todya. I'll let you know how it goes. You can hold an exhibit at their store too. Amy

Wow I'm still sleeping. Can't spell. Need coffee bad bye for now!

Kalamazoo Doula · 11-29-2005, 01:36 PM

Hello ladies!

I'm currently organizing the Greater Kalamazoo Pregnancy and Baby Expo that will be held March 4, 2006. I have planned on also having three seminars that talk about different issues, and then have two fashion shows, one maternity fashion and the other infant fashion. My question is, I already have two of the seminars covered. I have a local direct entry midwife coming in and discussing birthing options, I have a LC coming in and talking about breastfeeding. I have been thowing around different ideas for the third. I thought of getting a carseat safety presentation, I just e-mailed the closest ICAN chapter to see if they want to come in and do a presentation on VBACs. I was also thinking of maybe doing something that deals with parenting issues to.
I would love some feed back and suggestions! One of the things that I have come up with to help get alot of people to come to the seminars and fashion shows, is a separate incentive, other that the door prizes. These are incentives that only the attendees of the seminars and fashion shows can get a chance to win. With the midwife, she is either donating a coupon on midwifery services, or since she is also a herbalist, she may be doing a mommy/baby gift set. For the breastfeeding seminar, we are going to give away a breast pump. So hopefully with the next seminar idea, there will be a give away to draw in a crowd!
I look forward to your ideas!

Tiffany · 11-29-2005, 02:10 PM

Man, I think you've got it all covered! It sounds fabulous!! We have a prenatal health fair put on quarterly here by the Middlesex-London health unit. It has pretty much everything you described. Then of course, all the booths of different pregnancy/baby/parenting related services and things. Have any chiropractors bought any booths? There are always a few there. My friend was in their maternity fashion show a couple years ago too.

Hmmm, what else? I truly think you've got it all!

Good luck and make sure you take pics! I'd love to see you post them here.

AmberTerhune · 11-29-2005, 02:52 PM

Hi Erin, Your event sounds great. We just had one on October 2nd. We had the sheriffs dept. there doing free fingerprinting/photos for the kids, we had a free raffle with pregnancy and parenting prizes. We had massage therapists there giving free massages, we had two chiropractors there...one who does spinal manipulation, and one who practices SMA. We also had a craft booth for the kids. I think you have a great selection of things to offer the public...I hope it's a great turnout!

Need2read · 11-29-2005, 05:43 PM

That does sound really fabulous! It's a great way to bring families and women together while also educating them and offering everyone a good time! I can't wait to hear how it turns out, and like tiffany said I hope to see the pictures posted here!!! I've been a resident of Seattle, WA for only 3 months and i can't wait to start attending some events like the Baby Expo you've put together.

Kalamazoo Doula · 11-29-2005, 07:24 PM

Thanks for the words of encouragement! I really appreciate it! About 15 minutes after I posted this, a local chiropractor called and told me that he is sending in his application to participate at the expo, but he really wanted to know if he could participate in the seminars to! I was thinking, problem solved! So we now have a midwife, LC and now a chiropractor! So excited

! It is going to be crazy busy from now until March!
I will defiantly post pictures of the event. What I really would like to do is have a web site for the event, but since this is the first year, I don't have a surplus of cash to pay for it, but oh well!

susan1 · 11-30-2005, 11:08 AM

My town has a festive once year ...the town blocks off the streets so organizations, companies and non-organization can get the word out about services they offer...anyhow companies can place booth up. Well I want to see if I can get in next year. I was thinking offering a free raffle for a belly cast and/or a reduce or free doula services. What do you think? I am very nervess on what to do .

However I know I have to do it if I want to get the word out about me. Can anyone give me any ideas?

And another thing it cost like $200 to do this you think it be a good idea to hook up with a another person so we may spit the cost?

Thanks, Susan

heathenmamaof5 · 11-30-2005, 11:51 PM

Erin,

Great Job!!!!!!

tlcdoula · 12-01-2005, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by susan1

And another thing it cost like $200 to do this you think it be a good idea to hook up with a another person so we may spit the cost?

Thanks, Susan

I have honestly never been to a baby expo or fair or anything, but I would think that hooking up with someone else couldn't hurt - at least it wouldn't hurt your pocket book LOL

Kalamazoo Doula · 12-01-2005, 04:33 PM

If the cost is an issue, I would definatly hook up with someone else! Maybe your backup? Do you have a local nonprofit organization that you could tag along with? We are starting a local chapter of birthNETWORK www.birthnetwork.org
Even though they don't focus on just one element of pregnancy and birth, you could possible be there to answer questions, and still hand out cards and broushures!

Do you have a local Babies R Us? I have done a info table there twice, and will be doing another one soon again! These are free!

Hope this helps in some way

Kalamazoo Doula · 03-04-2006, 10:39 PM

Hey ladies the expo was a huge success!

We had about 40 exhibitors, and a little over 100 expectant/new families! Everyone is talking about the next one! I'm sooooooo siked. It was a ton of work, and I'm really glad that it is over! The promotions manager from Babies R Us and I were the only ones who did this! I'm so proud of us! There was so much networking and sharing. I know that with a little bit more advertising next time, we should expect over 300! We should be posting pictures on the website very soon!

If a expo is something that you ever wanted to, DO IT! Like I said, it was a lot of work, but totally worth it! I will share any of my 'secrets' with you if you need them!

susan1 · 03-04-2006, 11:37 PM

I am sooo glad it was a success for you.

Susan

Luv2bemommy · 03-04-2006, 11:42 PM

I'm so glad it was a success!!!!!!

raspberrymoondoula · 03-05-2006, 01:19 AM

wtg!!! i wish we had more support from our local babies r us, there's something up with thier manager and they wont work with the local doulas.