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A Christmas Movie List to Light Up Your Holidays Marketing Style

Posted by Exhibitor Source on Dec 16, 2021 10:30:00 AM
Exhibitor Source

by Jennifer Barham

It's Beginning to Feel A Lot Like Christmas...

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and with 2021 almost in the rearview mirror, we get to look ahead to a brand new year.

Our family is strictly a no-Christmas-music-or-movies-before-Thanksgiving bunch of people, which was a real bummer as I was wanting to crank up Mariah’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” while I cooked the turkey and dressing. But, alas, my son’s “resting Grinch face” looked on in disapproval.

However, once the pies were eaten and the pumpkins switched out for poinsettias... Christmas is on!  As I was pulling out the holiday music and movies, some of the titles struck me as relevant to the marketing biz. Hmmm {cue the Grinch}, “Maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas means a little bit more.”

"MIRACLE ON 34th STREET" This old black-and-white favorite reminds us of the power of positive thinking with its famous quote: “Christmas isn't just a day. It's a frame of mind.” Which could apply to just about anything in our industry. Success, goals, persistence, excellence – they aren’t just buzzwords; they are a frame of mind.

"ELF" Don’t be a cotton-headed ninny muggins. Take a cue from Buddy and have a great attitude this season about whatever it is that you’re doing – budgeting, attending meetings, planning the Christmas party, greeting clients, or planning for next year. And while I’m not sure "the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear,” you can never go wrong with a happy face. “Smiling's my favorite!”

"A CHRISTMAS STORY" One of my favorite lines from one of my very favorite movies comes when the Dad receives a package and the box reads “FRAGILE.” Trying to pronounce it, he reads, “Fra-Gee-Lay.  Must be Italian!” Very quotable. Also, important to remember – whether you’re shipping products this season or gearing up to ship for a trade show, be careful about your timing and your expectations. Shipping can be slow this time of year and you’ll need to plan ahead. Also make sure you package everything expertly. “I triple-dog-dare ya!”

"CHRISTMAS VACATION" Chevy Chase’s famous franchise reminds us of the temptation to overdo a thing and then to freak out when it doesn’t go well. As we know and he learned, if anything can go wrong, it will! (“Why is the carpet all wet, Todddddd?") Keep your cool, take things (and people!) as they come, and just drink some more eggnog. And don’t forget to empty the . . . oh, never mind.

"HOME ALONE" I probably don’t need to remind you to make sure to grab your children from the attic when you travel this season, but we all forget something sometime. In the trade show biz, there are a lot of details to remember. Don’t forget the small things, the little extras that make exhibiting smooth – extension cords, extra batteries, chargers, clips to hold display pieces in place, tape, etc. Check out our blog for a list of things to take to your next event. It’s free! “Keep the change, ya filthy animal.”

"DIE HARD" Oh, come on! Don’t be that guy who thinks “Die Hard” is a Christmas movie. 😂

"THE SANTA CLAUS" Sure, Scott got a wife and a cozy little gig in the North Pole, but you might end up with a lot more than an ugly sweater if you don’t read the fine print of the documents you sign and agree to. Fees, penalties, and more might be the result if you don’t pay close attention to all the dirty details.

"NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS" What’s the one thing that could REALLY ruin your event? What’s the thing that if it happens or if it doesn’t, changes the whole trajectory for your product launch or service? It’s the worst-case-scenario game in real life. Plan for success by imagining the worst thing that could happen and brainstorming to prevent it. Creepy Tim Burton animation aside, it’s a great takeaway.

"PLANES, TRAINS, and AUTOMOBILES" “Those aren’t pillows!” Hahaha! Best line ever! But seriously, transportation. Sheesh! I hesitate to even mention the woes associated with traveling in the exhibiting industry, but it’s pivotal to our success. With new guidelines and restrictions on traveling, plus the rising prices of flights and fuel, transportation is a big factor for time and money. Make arrangements as soon as you can, stay flexible, and try to smile in case your well-laid plans get rearranged again and again.

"RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER" Where would we be without Rudolph? His special talent saved the day! Who on your team has a uniqueness that needs showcasing or launching or extra attention? Now might be the time to see what hidden gifts are lurking around your team. Someone might have a special flair for social media or a new kind of design or something else. Don’t leave them out in the cold – use them! (What ARE reindeer games anyway!?)

"A CHRISTMAS CAROL" “Bah! Humbug!” Ok, ok, we all get this way sometimes. But stop and think: what have you done well this past year? What would you like next year to look like? What’s your role in creating something good and lovely in the future? How can you make a difference? Focusing on positive growth and change turns the complaining into gratitude, and has us thankfully saying, like Tiny Tim, “Bless us every one!”

"IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE" George Bailey had to learn through a trial that he really did have a wonderful life and that, as Clarence the angel tells him, “what a mistake it would be to throw it away.” George has to revisit his business associates and customers and clients to realize that relationship is what makes life rich and happy and worthwhile. Don’t forget the valuable relationships that you’ve made or nurtured this year. They are golden. As Clarence says, “No man is a failure who has friends.”

Happiest of Holidays to everyone! It's "a time of mystery, expectation...who knows what might happen?!" We are here to assist you every step of the way with your trade show marketing program.


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Photo by Tessa Rampersad

Topics: Nashville trade show displays, Nashville trade show exhibits, marketing, trade show marketing, Blog, booth design, display table tops, exhibit design, Nashville, Trade Show Displays in Nashville, trade show displays Nashville, trade show exhibiting, trade shows, tradeshows, success, F2F, face to face marketing, event planning, Christmas, Christmas movies

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