mommy monday: the mother of all wedding shows – MARTHA STEWART’S WEDDING PARTY

i disappeared for a little bit there.  i went straight from indie wed to another wedding show… MARTHA STEWART’S WEDDING PARTY!  martha and her crew are taking their well known new york show on the road and bringing it to chicago for the very first year!  there will be be expert panel speakers, breakout sessions, and me!  for all of you lovely readers in the chicago area, i have a treat… i have a handful of tickets to giveaway {regularly $65/single ticket or $110/for two}!!  send an email to hello@penelopespress.com or write a comment below for a complimentary ticket.  hope to see you there!

workday wednesdays: indie wed recap

this past weekend i participated in my first wedding show– indie wed. indie wed is a non-traditional wedding show + market featuring small, independent businesses. for a first time participant at indie wed and a wedding show in general, it was a fantastic experience! indie wed was started by kelly of paper stories. i was finally able to meet kelly toward the end of the show and gushed on how well organized the event was, the amazing attendance {nearly 1200 attendees!}, and the eclectic mix of vendors… i could not be more impressed!

the morning of the show i was overwhelmingly tired, it was snowing pretty hard, and i was running late. with an hour until the show, my table looked like this…

after a few minutes of sitting and staring at all my neighbors prepare, adrenaline kicked in and my table space whipped into shape quickly…

the event was held at the ravenswood event center in chicago. the space is very urban– an industrial feel with exposed ceilings and concrete floors while the perimeter is flanked with fancy sports cars…

before i knew it, the brides and grooms were flooding in. i was busy handing out swag, talking to potential clients, and meeting wedding industry folks that i really didn’t take many photos {thank you carmela of fiore press for snapping some pictures!}

the day was so busy that it wasn’t until towards the end of the show that i was finally able to sit down for a bit and grab a sampling of the food that i saw everyone eating!

the debut and soft launch of the wedding line was well received and in just a few days, all of these awesome products will be available for purchase in the shop!

as always, all of the images are hand illustrated by my sister… so a HUGE thank you to my sister {like she really has time for my demands when she has a full-time job + a really full household to maintain} for always drawing for me, to lisa my assistant for her helping hand + braving the snow to get us some coffee, my husband who painted my pin boards and covered the cork with fabric, my friends that stopped by the show for support, and to all of the brides + grooms, wedding planners, etc. that made the day a huge success! thank you, thank you, thank you!

tradeshow thursdays: mini meltdown

diary of a nss newbie, post #2 {107 days left}

as i’m starting this post my kitchen clock reads 3:54 in the morning.  i’ve been prepping for my first wedding show this saturday – indie wed.  if this is any indication of how nss is going to go, i am officially in trouble.  although i am normally a night owl, anything past 2am is staying up late in my books.  i must admit, i’m feeling a bit delirious.  sooo.. that’s it.  until next time… when i am a bit more sane and have had some sleep.

workday wednesdays: indie wed

wedding season is here!  penelope’s press will be participating in indie wed, “a unique event that combines the idea of a traditional wedding show with a street bazaar, highlighting local and nearby independent designers and artisans. Most bridal shows tend to cater to a very specific vision of what a wedding should be. Indie Wed is geared towards couples who want to take an “independent” approach to their event. It is wedding planning… redefined”.   if you’re getting married, check out the chicago show on february 2.  yours truly will be right near the entrance at table #2!  if you are getting hitched and want to attend the show, i have 4 complimentary tickets to giveaway.  contact me or post a comment below if you would like a free ticket.  hope to see you there!

tradeshow thursdays: nss countdown

diary of a nss newbie, official post #1 {121 days left}

if you aren’t already sick of me mentioning NSS {acronym for the national stationery show} you’re going to get real sick of me come may.  i’m going to try my best to document my nss adventures {to help out any nss virgins thinking of taking the plunge} because this here said trade show is a big deal {“The National Stationery Show® is the world’s most comprehensive collection of social stationery and related products for gift giving and self-expression.” -NSS website}.  when i’m not on mommy duty or printing a current order, every moment going forward is going to be spent thinking about, making lists for, brainstorming for, and stressing about this show.  this is no joke.

here’s a little timeline to bring you up to date:

• may 2012 – walked the show, talked to exhibitors, snapped a bunch of photos
• september 2012 – completed online application
• october 2012- received booth assignment {#1866!!} + contract + submitted deposit
• fall 2012 – completed tradeshow bootcamp
• january 2013 – paid remaining balance of booth {yup, going broke already and it’s only january!

i have lists on my computer, my iphone, ipad, on paper of a bazillion things i need to think about and do for this show…

• booth design?
• decor?
• flooring?
• signage?
• lighting?
• product lines?
• press kit?
• samples?
• product photography?
• line sheets?
• paper or online catalog?
• update website?
• pre-show marketing?
• mailers?
• promos + giveaways?
• drive or fly?
• leave booth and store in new jersey?
• accommodations?
• ????????

wow.  breathe.  i probably shouldn’t be writing this post right before i go to bed.  hmmm.  well, regardless of the stress, i am excited.  follow along as i blog my nss journey!!!