Situational Ethics: Navigating the grey areas
Originally posted on The Wedding Marketing Blog
When I was 24, having just moved to San Francisco, I landed a job in advertising with KBRG Spanish Radio. I had very few contacts in town, but one of them was an entertainment talent agent, who also promoted some concerts.
I was fortunate to make a sale with him, almost immediately, promoting a Salsa concert. Beginning a job in a new market, that was a huge get.
The Sunday concert was well attended and I was excited to get to the office on Monday. Only to find out that due a clerical error, the client’s campaign had not been aired for several days prior to the show. A slate of radio spots worth about $500.
Quite concerned, I immediately went in to talk to the station managers, a husband and wife team. I explained the situation, and they followed up with a couple of questions.
“How did the concert go?” them… “Happily, quite well” I responded.
“Does the client know” them… “Not that I’m aware of…. why do you ask?”
“Well, if the client doesn’t know, perhaps we should just let it go… (aka Keep quiet about it)“
“You think so?” I answered. “What could it hurt?” they asked.
I just nodded and left the office to get a cup of coffee, and think about the conundrum. If the concert went well, then the client was damaged, was he? But the station took the money, and would have to refund $500. Would the managers look askance at me, for being too ‘holy’?
There were other considerations. I didn’t have a pile of savings and was looking to succeed in radio advertising. I was not really ready to look for a new job. There was definitely pressure and conflicting choices.
Gone by lunch: I finished the coffee and returned the office. I went in and resigned. Just like that.
I figured if I started cutting corners this soon, it couldn’t be a good thing. I would find another job. Staying at KBRG suddenly seemed uncomfortable.
This is a great example of Situational Ethics. There is not a simple answer to the scenario I’ve described. I might have stayed on a while, before the next job, for example. I’m sure you can think of several alternative courses of action.
These types of integrity scenarios confront us in business, almost daily. Some we analyze thoroughly and act with honor. Other times we delude ourselves and rationalize marginal actions. Many times there is no right or easy path.
On Wednesday, June 16th, 11:30am at First Food and Bar (at the Palazzo Hotel Shops), I’ll be giving an interactive presentation for CSA Las Vegas (Convention Services Association Las Vegas). One part presentation, one part problem solving. It’s bound to challenge people’s thinking. It’s also designed to make them squirm.
If you’re in Las Vegas, you’re invited to attend. If you’re not here, I might just post a scenario or two, on this blog, down the road.
The big question: What would you do?
Andy Ebon
The Wedding Marketing Authority
Las Vegas Wedding Network has new members and committees!
The Board of Directors of the Las Vegas Wedding Network are happy to announce this months new members as well as report on how excited we are with the work our new committee members are doing. LVWN is continuing to grow and serve the wedding industry community at large.
New Members:
Lyn Saculles of Brian Saculles Photography
Elen V Marsh of Elegant Wedding Dance
Henri Sagalow of Henri Sagalow Photography
Pastor Pete of Elegant Vegas Weddings
Yamilet of LV Custom Cakes
LVWN Committee Members as of April 2010
Education & Programs:
Andy Ebon: The Wedding University, Board Member and Committee Head
Faith Chapin of Faithfully Yours
Michelle Parsons of Tuxedo Junction
Jacqueline Johnston of Memory Lane Video
Membership:
Debra Hansen of Bridal Spectacular, Board Member
Ricky Gulati of Memory Lane Video- Committee Head
Todd Herod of Shutter Booth
Mike Briggs of Good Vibrations
Hospitality & Registration:
Sue Gestring of Bridal Spectacular Events, Inc.: Committee Head
Mary Ann Reilly of Wildflower Linens
Cymbra Frazier of Artistic Imaging
Madelyn R. Nitzkin of Madelyn R Studios
Doris Lofton of DAL Weddings & Events
Sponsorships & Raffles:
Monica Morgan of VegasVows.com - Board Member and Committee Head
Gabriel Ortiz of All Events DJ
For those of you who expressed interest in being on a committee at the May meeting, we appreciate your desire to serve and will be looking to add new people to commitees in November. Our next committee meeting will be in June.
Las Vegas Wedding Network forming Committees! Join us!
The Las Vegas Wedding Network has grown to the point that we are accepting people to head up and work on various committees. These will be actual working positions, but we will try to keep any time commitments to a minimum. This is your association, help it grow, get involved!
These people signed up at the March meeting, but you can join them, just give Debbie Hansen a call at 702-368-0088
Membership: Ricky Gulati of Memory Lane Video, Todd Herod of Shutterbooth, Mike Briggs of Good Vibrations DJ’s
Programs: Faith Chapin of Faithfully Yours, Michelle Parsons and Nicole Smith of Tuxedo Junction, Jacqueline Johnston of Memory Lane Video
Hospitality and Registration: Doris Lofton of DAL Weddings, Mary Ann Reilly of Wildflower Linens, Cymbra Frazier of Artistic Imaging, Madelyn Nitzkin of Madelyn R Studios
Raffles & Sponsorships: Gabriel Ortiz of All Events DJ and Rebecca Gillilan of Special Day Cinema.
Thanks for all the volunteers, we will put together a board meeting asap!
Integrity in Bridal Show Advertising, or Lack Thereof, Affects Everyone!
Integrity is what you do, when no when else is looking.
Truth in advertising is the law! Like any other business, professional bridal show producers should strive for honesty in their advertising. Unfortunately, some unethical producers inflate their exhibitor and attendee counts in order to deceive wedding professionals and brides.
Competition is the rule in almost any business and it doesn’t have to be a negative. Multiple bridal shows in a community can certainly co- exist and serve the wedding professionals with quality shows as long as they both adhere to a professional code of ethics especially where their advertising is concerned. In our community, where my show has been in existence since 1991 and is the largest bridal show in town, I stick to the facts as I promote and advertise the event. If I say 1,000 brides or more are expected that is because I have seen those numbers at a past show. If I say there will be 180 wedding professionals, that means there will be 180 different companies at the show, a figure based on actual contracts signed. I see no purpose in misleading either the brides or vendors in quoting these figures.
The key to promoting your show in an honest and forthright manner is to take the characteristics of your show and play them up, not attempt to disguise your show as something other than what it is. If you are the new show in town, why not just say so? If you have a boutique show, or a hotel show, be proud of it and enumerate the advantages of your smaller more intimate show. Find something unique and positive to say about yourself without tearing at your competition. Take a note from political research which strongly suggests that we all hate negative and dishonest advertising!
Creating realistic expectations in your promotional programs and advertising results in brides and exhibitors having a better experience at a show. Don’t say promote 200 products and services when there are only 100 exhibitors. Many brides are perfectly happy with a 100 exhibitor show, but will be disappointed to find the show is actually half the size they expected. Intentionally deceiving brides is a no win strategy for the promoter, the exhibitors and the brides.
Beware of bridal show producers who use blatantly deceptive advertising practices. One bridal show in my market lists as many as 250 vendor names on its website. In fact, only about 100 of them actually participated in the show. Professionals this is not free advertising for you; it can actually harm you. What does the bride think when she attends the show looking for your business and you are not there? She will think you are unreliable.
Another sleazy practice is claiming the show has won fictitious awards. One show actually uses a fake “Blue Ribbon” logo claiming they are the “best bridal show”. Its phoney, you know it and the wedding professionals in town know it, it just makes you look bad!
As a member of BSPI, we commit to following a professional code of ethics. One of them reads as follows:
“8. Use honest and factual information in all advertising and protect the public against fraud and misleading information.”
Now I don’t know who will read this post, but I hope bridal show producers all over the country will see it and take this advice seriously.
- Be honest in your show promotion, its always the best policy and it’s the law!
- Quote only accurate and true attendance numbers and vendor numbers
- Concentrate on what makes you unique and make that the core of your advertising message. Don’t claim to be something you are not. Take what you are and make it a benefit!
Las VegasWedding Professionals: What follows is a list of supposed vendors at a recent bridal show. This list was posted for at least 3 months leading up to the show. It totals 254 names. 6 or more were out of business, Only 82 of these vendors were at the show, and the show sold about an additional 23 people either booths or bag stuffers for a total vendor count of 105. There is no shame in a show with 105 vendors, but there is something not quite right about claiming 254. Vendors you have a right to tell someone using your name to sell their show, NO. Your name on a list when you won’t be there can only cause you negative promotion. Take a stand for honesty in advertising! If you’re name is on this list and you were not there, call and let them know how you feel! This same list also now appears on their next show where they again claim to be the largest and are actually guaranteeing their false claim. They are selling their show based on you being there, using your good name, without your permission.
- A Day to Remember
- AAA Travel
- A&A Weddings
- Alexis Park Resort
- Aliante Station Casino & Hotel
- All Events Dj and Photo Booths
- All Night Long Entertainment
- Alligator Soup
- Allyse’s Bridal & Formal
- Altenburg Studio
- Alt-F Photography
- American Laser Center
- Annabelle’s All Occasions
- Anytime Fitness
- Arbonne International
- Ardyss International
- Art Bejarano, DDS, Cosmetic Dentistry
- A&W Photography
- Bartenders Direct
- Baskets by Marmie
- Bed, Bath & Beyond
- Bella Adagio & Just Because
- Bella Brides Maid
- Bella Rosa Mansion
- Big Daddy Productions
- Bishou Dentistry
- Black Mountain Golf Club
- Bobby Wheat Photography
- Body Sculptress
- BodySport Fitness Center
- Boogie Entertainment Dj Service
- Boot Camp Las Vegas
- Border Grill Las Vegas
- Bowtie’s Bridal
- Bridal Room, The
- Brides by Demetrios
- B’s Purses
- Buca di Beppo Summerlin
- Cache Media Works
- Caesar’s Palace Wedding Chapel
- Cameo Photography
- Canyon Gate Country Club
- Captain’s Cove
- Castle of Cakes
- Celebrity Bright Smile
- Chapel at Mandalay Bay, The
- Cheeseburger Las Vegas
- Chippendales
- Chicks who Click Las Vegas
- Christian Pastor 2 You
- CLM Weddings
- CPR Tents and Events
- Creations Bakery
- Cupcakery, The
- Dahn Yoga
- David’s Bridal
- Destination Travel, A
- Di Delights
- Diamond Events
- Digital Studios Photography
- Digs Studio
- Dillards
- Dirty Blonde Cocktails
- DJs TO YOU
- DJ Mikey
- Dragon Ridge Country Club
- Dream Entertainment
- Earth Limo
- Eastgate Parke & Pavilion
- Eastside Cannery
- EDI Photography
- Elements Therapeutic Massage
- Emerald at Queensridge
- Enchanted Florist
- Entrada at Snow Canyon
- Eric Andrew Collection
- Events By Michele
- Executive Floral
- Face Design
- First Dance Cards
- Five Star Travel
- Four Seasons Dental Spa
- Gambler’s General Store
- George Harouni DDS
- Global Flowers
- Go To Wedding Planner
- Good Vibrations
- Gordon Biersch Brewery
- Griffin Events Inc
- Grove, The
- Gubler Dental
- Hampton Inn & Suites (Red Rock/Summerlin)
- Henderson Convention Center
- Heritage Makers
- High Flyin’ Entertainment LLC
- Hotel on Mt. Charleston, The
- Ice Occasions
- Independent Capitol Management
- Innerspace | Lori Simpson Creations
- Isagenix
- Isis Artistry
- Ivy House & Garden Florist, The
- J & E Floral LLC
- J & J Photography
- Jennies and Baking Co.
- John Morris Photography
- Joshua Ian Photography
- Journey Pacific
- Jovani Linens
- Julie Reed Events
- JW Marriott
- Kare Tee’s & Embroidery
- Kennedy Estate, The
- Lakeside Weddings & Events
- Las Vegas DJ’s
- Las Vegas Event Flowers & Decor
- Las Vegas Paiute
- Las Vegas Party Tents & Rentals
- Las Vegas RJ, Celebrations Dept.
- Lasting Keepsakes
- Lawry’s The Prime Rib
- lia sophia Jewelery Advisor Teri Serpico
- Lifestyle Lift
- Lill Studio – Handbag Co.
- Limelight Photography
- Little Pastry Chefs
- LMG Attractions
- Loew’s Lake Las Vegas Resort
- Los Prados Golf & Country Club
- Luxor Hotel Wedding Chapel
- LV Photo Party
- Madame Et Monsieur, Relaxing Weight Loss
- Madelyn R’s Studio
- Maggiano’s Little Italy
- Mai Honeymoon
- Marisha A Floral & Events
- Marriage Can Be Murder
- Mary Kay Inc.
- Mass Mutual Financial Group
- McCormick & Schmicks
- Memory Lane Video
- Men’s Wearhouse
- MGM Grand – Forever Grand Wedding Chapel
- Michelle’s Bridal
- Mirage Hotel
- Mountain West Chiropractic and Integrated Health
- Moxie Hair Studios
- Mt. Charleston Hotel
- Mycki Manning Studios
- Naakiti Floral Design
- Natalie Littlefield’s Catering
- Nevada Eye Care
- New Image
- New Woman Magazine
- Nicholson Photography
- Nite Tours International
- Now Flip This
- NuSkin Enterprise
- Oasis Las Vegas Special Events Center
- Olya Banchick, DDS
- One Luv
- On Location Artist’s
- OnPointe Creations LLC
- Orinoco
- Orleans Hotel & Casino | Gold Coast
- Pacific Dental Services
- Pacific Event Productions
- Palms Casino Resort and Palms Place
- Pamper Divas
- Pampered Brides
- Paper City
- Paradise Realty
- Paris Wedding Chapel
- Party Booths
- Passion Parties
- Perfect Wedding Dance, A
- Photographic Creations
- Photos by Larotonda
- Planet Beach Contempo Spa
- Platinum Hotel
- Prestige Flowers & Gifts
- Pure Romance by Kat & Amanda
- Quest Drape
- Rainbow Gardens
- Ray Anthony Photography
- Realty One Group
- Red Hot Events
- Reflection Dental
- Relaxing Weight Loss
- Reflective Souls Photography
- Renaissance Hotel Weddings
- Renta-Dress & Tux Shop
- ResortStay International – United Nissan
- Resort on Mt. Charleston, The
- Review Journal (newspaper subscriptions)
- Revere Golf Club, The
- Rhodes Ranch Golf Club
- Ricardo’s of Las Vegas
- Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
- Royal Prestige
- RSVP Party Rentals
- Ruth’s Chris Steak House
- Santa Fe Station
- Sapphire Gentlemen’s Club – Men of Sapphire
- Send Out Cards
- Serenity Weight Loss Spa
- Shape Within
- Shutter Booth
- Shutter Box Photo Booth
- Silverstone Golf Club
- Simple Elegance Cakes
- Simplicity Gourmet
- So Lucky to B Me Clothing Co.
- Stampin’ Up/ Pampered Chef
- Star Studios
- Stripper 101
- Studio ATG
- Suit Envy
- Summerlin Med Spa
- Sun City | McDonald Ranch
- Suncoast Hotel
- Sunnie Affair, A
- Sunset Studio Photography
- Sunstone Dental
- Susan’s Chocolate Wonders
- Tabasa Handmade Apparel by Yuki
- Terrace, The
- Texas Station
- Tivoli Floral
- TPC Las Vegas
- Travers Travel
- Trim Care
- Tropicana Express Hotel and Casino
- TSL Photography
- Tux One and Bridal
- Tuxedo Junction, Inc.
- Ultimate Choice Travel
- Vegas Party Shots
- Vegas Tan Van
- Vegas Weddings
- Ventano Italian
- Victoria’s Event Productions
- View 2-1-5
- Village East Cleaners
- Wedding Design by Cathie
- Wedding Olala
- Wedding Professional Services
- Weddings by VP
- Weekenders USA
- Wild Orchid’s Florist and Event Company
- Wild Truffles
- World Ventures
- Write or Invite
- Xango
Fun Survey Done at Recent Bridal Spectacular Bridal Show
Important Survey Done at Recent Bridal Spectacular Bridal Show
In between talking to close to 1,000 brides, the guys from Memory Lane Video found time to make this fun and “informative” video with a very important question.
Posted using ShareThis
80 Wedding Professionals meet at Cili for LVWN event
Enjoy the photo montage from the Las Vegas Wedding Network event held at Cili Restaurant last night! Our next event will be held Nov 4, location to be announced soon!
Bridal Spectacular wedding show packed with brides, exhibitors, and new twists
Bridal Spectacular wedding show packed with brides, exhibitors, and new twists
Posted using ShareThis
Las Vegas' Bridal Spectacular bridal show is this weekend!
Wedding Professionals and brides, grooms, and their entourage will all be meeting together at the big bridal show at Cashman Center this weekend. This is a “must go” for anyone planning a wedding in the next two years. From the minute you walk through the door you will be entering a wedding fantasy come true!
Aisles and aisle of wedding professionals to talk to and ask all those important questions of. Fashion shows that will amaze you with the latest in bridal fashions shown in an entertaining format with professional models and choreography.
From photographers, to disc jockies, invitations to flowers, reception facilities to your wedding cake. It will all be there! So come on down….
Friday Night Aug 21 show opens at 6pm and goes til 10pm
Saturday Aug 22, show opens at 11am and goes til 4pm
Fashion shows are at 8pm Friday, 12:30 and 3pm Saturday with a totally different “Twilight” themed 3pm show!
Buy your tickets on line at Bridal Spectacular website!
No other bridal show compares! Every Bride will receive a keepsake shopping bag and a year’s subscription to Modern Bride Magazine as well as a Spectacular Wedding Planner.
Debra Hansen Interviewed on "Coffee with Ricky"
Last week Debra Hansen, producer of The Bridal Spectacular, was invited to be the first guest on a new internet series called “Coffee with Ricky” This new series was created by Ricky Gulati and John Sanchez of Memory Lane Video. It was a great opportunity to tell the wedding community about their upcoming bridal show to be held at Cashman Convention Center August 21 & 22. Enjoy the show and please leave comments on our blog!
The interview covers topics important to wedding professionals and brides to be regarding what to expect when they attend or participate in The Bridal Spectacular, Las Vegas’ largest and most respected bridal event. Some of them were:
- How they promote their bridal shows.
- How Bridal Spectacular is becoming more “green” with keepsake bags for every bride
- How the show helps the bride pre-plan her bridal show experience
- Why there are more wedding professionals at The Bridal Spectacular than at other bridal shows
- and More, watch and see!
Episode 1: “Coffee with Ricky” – Debra Hansen, Bridal Spectacular Producer from Memory Lane Video!
BSPI Speaks Out About Bridal Shows
A recent article by a self-proclaimed “expert” on how brides think, concluded that bridal shows are a thing of the past. BSPi (Bridal Show Producers International) begs to differ! Not just because we’re an organization of bridal show producers, but because we have the facts. Here they are…
National research among brides shows that nearly 40% attend a bridal show during their planning process. With 2.2 million U.S. weddings each year, that means bridal shows attract over 900,000 engaged couples eager to book products and services for their weddings. Can you really afford to miss 40% of your target audience?
The “expert” proclaims that the primary reason brides attend bridal shows is to get ideas for their wedding. In reality, research among bridal show attendees shows that the actual #1 reason brides attend a bridal show is to find vendors for their weddings! While at a bridal show, over 60% of brides purchase products, place deposits or set up appointments to meet with vendors after the show. Chances are that if you’re not at a bridal show, brides are booking business with a competitor who is.
The “expert” asserts that brides now connect personally with wedding vendors on-line, negating the need to actually meet them in person at a bridal show. Really? Brides looking for a wedding planning website will find that there are over 1,600 to choose from. Need a wedding photographer in Los Angeles? You get more than 11 million options to look into on Google. With this kind of proliferation, what are the chances you can affordably reach a significant portion of your audience solely on line? Bridal shows offer a much less competitive environment and the chance to personally connect with brides in an environment where they can touch, taste, smell, and/or hear your product. They can’t do that online.
Although the “expert” makes her living selling marketing advice to wedding vendors, she has some pretty unflattering things to say about professionals who participate in bridal shows. The fact is, most bridal show producers evaluate exhibitors to weed out the novices … what website does that? And with high return rates of long term exhibitors few booths are available for questionable companies or those outside the wedding market. The fact is you’ll be in good company at a bridal show. America’s most successful national bridal retailers know that!
Less than 2% of the population is planning a wedding at any given time and reaching engaged couples is like finding the proverbial needle in a haystack. Wedding professionals need to focus their marketing dollars on the three most targeted media options…bridal magazines, the internet and bridal shows.
Bridal Show Producers International is a non-profit association of bridal show producers from all over the US, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and more. Their members produce over 300 bridal shows and all members are asked to honor a professional Code of Ethics.
Serving Las Vegas wedding professionals through networking, education, and synergy.
LVWN Organizers
