There are some clients that really let you be a part of the team. Michelle Bucks and Connie Troncale have invited me into and made me a part of their PetExpoUSA family since the beginning. I have so much fun plowing through their cryptic emails with half-instructions. They must think I like word puzzles. We laugh a lot and make great progress promoting their events, mainly because of mutual trust and enthusiasm.
This was in my inbox this morning and it made me blush:
"Thanks for everything Susan! You are so amazing really, our website looks beautiful and your attention to detail and focus is so helpful to me especially- Keep your fingers crossed for a big weekend!
We don't get much of a break, Pomona is coming fast!
Michelle Bucks, President, CEO
Pet Expo USA
We have heavily utilized social media for the 2010 events. Every day we are posting a few times to their blog, twitter accounts and making sure that our Facebook fan page has a lot of fans. We are following, tweeting and linking our hearts out. Because of the status of this events, there are a wonderful group of celebrities that are part of the Santa Clarita Pet Expo and Pomona including Shorty Rossi - the Pit Boss, Megan Blake and Smiley, Travis and Presley, Linda Blair and her WorldHeart Foundation. The other part of this event that makes it a great example of social media is the fact that they work to help so many rescues and shelters for animals.
As a case study, the key is that your partners all need to be part of the social media world. There are a few exhibitors that don't have websites, let alone Twitter and LinkedIn accounts. We do our best to give them an online presence, as well. Some mail in their business cards to be scanned for a logo. Brings back memories of the late 80's and early 90's; but I'm dating myself.
As their online marketing partner I send out correspondence on behalf of the website and PetExpoUSA. It's critical to show a big team. I set up an @petexpousa.net email for myself so that I show as an official member of the event team. This gives the exhibitors and sponsors more confidence because they realize there are a lot of us working to make this event successful.
Thanks, Michelle & Connie, for inviting me into this family.
Check them out on Twitter: @petexpousa
