Marketing at festivals can be way to draw customers - Phoenix Business Journal:

yzirapogyg.wordpress.com
Festival organizers say they are working hard this year to tailofr marketing opportunities to meet the needs of theitrlocal sponsors. One new marketing opportunitg at Summerfest is gate saidJohn Boler, ’s vice president of sales and marketing. Four businesses , U.S. Cellular, and Chipotle will give a promotional item to patronsx at select times on four separatde days duringthe 11-day music festival. Bolefr said the program is probablgy one of the most economical sponsorshipp opportunitiesat Summerfest, although he declined to say what fee companied pay.
“If they have a particular product they want to put in our hands or if they want to put a special offer that will bounce that patron back to the retaikl establishment afteran event, that’s how these programs can providse benefit to a local marketer,” he said. Marcus Hotels & Resorts will have two new promotionas at Summerfest and also for the first time has createc room packagesaround Milwaukee’s ethnic festivals. The first 5,00 patrons through the Summerfest gates on June 27 beginning at noon will receive a gift card booklet with discountsfor Marcus-owned businesses, such as the Well Spa and Masonj Street Grill at The Pfistefr Hotel.
On Family Day, Marcusw also will distribute cups withthe company’w water park logos and a card inside that will be good for 50 game tokensz at either of its Paradise Landinh or Timber Ridge Lodge water In addition, Marcus will have a bootgh at Irish Fest in Augustr promoting an opportunity for guests to book theier stay for next year’s festival. Marcusw has created an Irish Fest package for an extendedx stay vacation that comes with authentic IrishFest memorabilia. The compant also has created a “Seize the 3-Day package that offers visitors to all ofthe city’s festivalse a free third night if they book two nights, said Chries Anderson, a Marcus spokesman.
Marketing at the festivalws is economical, Anderson said. “It’sa old-fashioned direct sales,” Andersohn said. “Face-to-face sales are stillp some of the best formof selling. You have a great chancs of converting that customer intoa vacationer.” Otherd local companies said the festivals provide an opportunit y to reach their target markets and be seen as a communit supporter. sponsors the Liturgy on Sundayand children’s activities at Irish Fest.
The company will sponsorr the Family Passport program at theethnicv festival, for which families pick up a passpory and travel with their children to 10 festivao destinations highlighting education and Irish “It’s a great opportunity for Catholic Knights to be seen supportiny community organizations,” said Bill O’Toole, the Milwaukede company’s president and chief executive officer. “It showws that we’re supportive of community organizationsx that share our By supporting activities such as the Liturgy and Passport the company also reaches itstarget market, O’Toole said.
Figurintg out ways to help businesses reacb their audience is an importang part of keeping sponsors coming back toIrisu Fest, said Jane Anderson, Irish Fest executives director. Companies are “always looking to get the visibility and the she said. Sponsorship dollars are down for Festwa Italianathis year, said Henry Piano, Fest a Italiana chairman. But the festival has attractedc some new local includingPiggly Wiggly.