We booked/ committed to Salon International on the 15th September, thus leaving us with just over 4 weeks to prepare stand/ pictures/ marketing/ brand image (montage)/ literature/ print etc, so I think we can take credit for what was achieved in an extremely limited time frame.
Our stand was situated within the New Exhibitor Area (Stand: N105) and was 3 x 2 m2 stand. We paid for Loop Nylon Panels to provide a minimalist background to enable us to hang our 3 mm PVC Foam backed mount pictures and 2 m wide Just Hair 3 mm PVC Foam Backed banner/ logo. A bistro table and corner shelf was also hired as space was limited for 3 people on our stand.
Pictures were supplied by Haringtons, which had to be reproduced/ mounted and scrutinised for imperfection (pixilation/ loss of detail). Our iMac/ stools/ metal silver balls borrowed from home. We had nothing in our limited budget (after stationery costs) for Wi Fi/ Telephone or Fax capability so we relied on 2 net books with mobile broadband and a power point presentation on the Mac and our charm!
We took out a half page A5 advert within the Show guide.
One of our net books died on us/ both mobile broadband dongles gave up half way through and we had nervous moments with the iMac (used to power/ stream the power point programme).
One of our net books died on us/ both mobile broadband dongles gave up half way through and we had nervous moments with the iMac (used to power/ stream the power point programme).
The stand was smaller than envisaged and we lost 1 meter of wall space because of a grill system. Electrics powering ours and the opposite stand were visible and only on our stand thus preventing a seamless visual image of pictures/ logo. Oh and yes the show guide was printed with typos’, Just Hair was Stand N105 however N105 did not exist as Just Hair was on Stand N102 – There was no such stand!! Emails/ texts to all and sundry were sent by a cheerful me in the early hours of Saturday morning, this coupled with the A5 ad within the show guide reflecting a different colour scheme to our brand!
The FREE Insurance Competition along with FREE Chupa Chups eased the concerns and we overcame any and all obstacles.
The FREE Insurance Competition along with FREE Chupa Chups eased the concerns and we overcame any and all obstacles.
FREE Insurance Competition Promotion (Hair Salon & Freelance)
On reflection the decision to exhibit was a sound one and great platform to launch our suite of products designed for the industry.
A press box was ever present and we had our literature on hand and thus covered via the international press. Press Release/s: -
The Just Hair Show: -
- 3000 of the 5000 postcards (FREE SALON INSURANCE) were taken at the show, the balance were are being mailed in the local counties to drum up further support
- Salon International was a soft sell. Salon owners don’t want insurance they have to have it. The strategy was to relate to their industry and offer wisdom/ advise should this be sought out at the show.
- HJi covered our FREE SALON Competition. In addition, HJi agreed for Just Hair to write a 500 word piece on insurance in a forthcoming issue (published 4th December 2009)
In view of public scrutiny, we commenced a rebrand encompassing a dedicated website; now on version 2.
Just Hair was the only insurance member at Salon International and we have struck a chord with the bible of Hairdressers (Hairdressers Journal- see earlier comments) and have provided a platform for salon owners/ freelance professionals to quiz us on the state of their industry/ their thoughts and comments on insurance and how insurance does or does not meet the exacting standards of this creative sector.
There was always going to be some negatives and the one that took us all by surprise was the amount of Salons/ Freelancers looking for insurance without the need to skin test! The industry is a fascinating and creative one but unfortunately a sector without formal training and/ or standards. The Hairdressing Council (State Registered Hairdressers scheme) needs more support to change standards and negate the failings of these few.
There was always going to be some negatives and the one that took us all by surprise was the amount of Salons/ Freelancers looking for insurance without the need to skin test! The industry is a fascinating and creative one but unfortunately a sector without formal training and/ or standards. The Hairdressing Council (State Registered Hairdressers scheme) needs more support to change standards and negate the failings of these few.
We put our toe in the water, we are now ready to make a splash in the Thames!
