We got the new year off to a fantastic start when the doors opened to the Halloween and Party Expo on January 19th. It was a true virtual experience, with education, fun and parties as well as product showcases.

Maria and Andy from GemarUSA did a fantastic job, sharing not just our products but also the wide range of resources that we have available. From the video tutorials in the Balloonista library to downloadable posters and flyers, we have so much available to help our customers and this was a great opportunity to share that. We truly want to see our customer’s businesses fly!

The wonderful thing about a virtual event was that people were able to attend from all over the world. The online platform allowed them to arrange one-to-one chats, or join group sessions, and we were able to connect in this way with people from America, Europe and Japan among many others. Several Gemar Partners popped by to say hello as well, so it was a bit of a family reunion.

At any big event people can start to get tired after a while. We all remember stumbling round a venue with sore feet, arms full of samples and leaflets, feeling hungry and tired. Perhaps a stand is busy when you get to it and you never quite make it back, or perhaps you miss someone altogether because you just want a cup of tea and the chance to sit down

No so with a virtual expo.

With participants able to book time slots for a chat we found that everyone was ready to truly connect. Instead of being tired at the end of a long day, they were sitting at home with refreshments to hand and questions ready to ask. Many people had also taken the time to check details and background information before arranging the chat. It was amazing to see that, even though we couldn’t meet in person, we could still continue to form deep and meaningful partnerships.

By the end of the event we had met over 300 wonderful balloon and party businesses. Some old friends and existing customers, some new. We loved every moment of it and our thanks go to the organisers.

If 2021 continues like this, it’s going to be a great year!

PartyWorldwide article