How would you open the conversation?

    • 56 posts
    October 9, 2009 2:31 PM PDT
    There is such a wealth of talent on this site that I wanted to take advantage of it and get your input. The question is not regarding radio sales but rather approaching a business for an event. I do the workout called P90X. You may have seen the infomercials. I have a group of friends who do it as well. It's growing like wildfire around the country. We want to capitalize on that and hold a P90X - a -thon at the local mall. We want to pick a charity and raise money by doing several hours of the P90X workout. We'll get plenty of attention because a bunch of folks doing P90X will draw media attention and onlookers. Here is my concern, do you think the mall will simply think we only want to promote P90X. People do jump-a-thons, trampoline-a-thons, all kinds of things. We just want to raise awareness for the charity we select. How would you approach the mall to make sure they are open partners in the event? Have you had success working on events with malls? Any input is welcome and very much appreciated. Thanks.
    • 3 posts
    October 13, 2009 3:33 PM PDT
    All you need to tell them is it will bring more people to their facility. All the people you have partaking in the event will be there, their family and frineds will be there, sponsors will be there, etc. Sure the mall would get people on its own, but you are pretty much saying, with this event we can bring "X" amount of people through your doors. That alone will raise an eyebrow with mall decision makers.

    We host a coulple of events every year at our local mall. Home & Outdoor Show, Health and Wellness Fair, just to name a few, and it's always been great for the mall and our customers there.
    • 58 posts
    October 14, 2009 4:54 AM PDT
    The only two things they could object to are: 1.) You're asking them for money as a sponsor. 2.) Some store(s) in the mall sell a competitor's product.

    If neither is true, and they don't just hand you the keys to the mall, then they're idiots and you should go elsewhere, possibly another mall or an arena.

    Events like these always draw a crowd and that should please every store at the mall.
    • 56 posts
    October 14, 2009 5:55 AM PDT
    Aaron,

    Common sense is always a good thing. Thanks for sharing with me. Much appreciated.
    • 56 posts
    October 14, 2009 5:55 AM PDT
    David,

    Great points and we are good on both one and two. We'll get it rolling!

    Jeff