For the last three years my studio, A Thomas Image, has participated in the Shop Lake County Expo at the Great Lakes Mall in Mentor, Ohio. Each year it’s a struggle to find a theme to pull prospects into the booth. As a photographer the booth needs to appeal to a broad market; Families, High School Seniors, Brides and even Grandparents. Good News – the show is located in a shopping mall attracting a lot of people. Bad news – the show is located in a shopping mall and people aren’t necessarily there for a business expo.
This year I decided to incorporate multiple details into the booth. It had to have a photography theme. The booth had to be designed to drive traffic to the studio web site and Facebook Fan page. The booth would also offer a drawing for a portrait package.
A Thomas Image booth at Shop Lake County - 2011
Mall shoppers used their camera phone to take their own photo in the booth.
So my solution was to create a 40 inch by 80 inch supersized I-Phone. The studio web address went across the top of the display. The display area incorporated a “q-code” for both the studio web site and fan page. The remaining available phone display space was left open. The idea was for shoppers at the mall to pose behind the I-Phone prop where someone could take their picture with a camera phone. Everyone was invited to upload their photo onto the studio Fan Page and share it with their “friends”. The submission with the most “likes” would win the portrait package door prize.
The last day of the expo started with a breakfast for all the exhibitors. To my amazement, I was awarded the “Best Of Show” trophy for my booth design. I really couldn’t believe it happened. So now I have the challenge to top the booth design for next year. Oh well, I’ve got plenty of time to work on that. In addition, I have some other opportunities to use the supersized smart phone prop for other types of promotion.
Congratulations Tom! Nice idea.
Nice Job Tom – Congratulation.
Great idea.