I'm invited to gifting suites for all the awards show, so as a social influencer what I look for are vendors with something special, unique or awesome. Several I went to can be described as nothing short of tragic, and one downright shameful (plastic tablecloths and sticky floors). Another was so snooty and expensive that some of best gems were hidden in the back where the celebrities never even ventured to because the startups were on limited budget.
Then there was the Celebrity Connected gifting event. Housed in a community center that from the front looked like a run down church with iron fences, I first thought, uh oh. When I finally found the entrance on the backside it was like a luxury hotel, with $200K+ cars pulling into the valet. The energy was palpable. The music was hoping, the place was packed. This was more like it.
As I checked in, I was greeted with warm smiles and introduced to a young boy would would be bag carrier. He first led me through the press line, I did photos and interviews and then we entered the ballroom where all the sponsors were.
The first thing I noticed was how big the booths were. At most gifting suites (even the mega high end ones), the vendors have to do with 3 feet or max 6 feet tables all jammed together. Here they were in 10x10 proper booths giving them the room to really showcase what they were all about.
At every booth I stopped at I was greeted with energy, a quick pitch (do they coach these vendors? Because they were all ON IT and great) and a sample. The products represented were high quality, interesting, and highly tweetable. (and if you didn't know, social influencers deliver 16-19x the ROI vs a celebrity, probably because we understand how social works).
The gifts ranged in value from inexpensive (but super useful and cool) towel clips (so your towel stays on your lounger at the pool), to high end scooters, technology gadgets, jewelry, makeup, skincare, and luxury sheets for the peri and menopausal (with a bed as a display that you know I couldn't resist snapping a pic laying on)... and it goes on. Oh, and Jason Elkin of #TrendingWines was there pouring #Selfie and #Bromance, so the vibe was full on party.
There was an MC introducing and interviewing the celebs that were in attendance (and there were many when I was there). The most clever vendors had a goodie to give but also a goody to send later, thus creating an ongoing contact. Smart!
Overall this was the most enjoyable gifting suite I attended. And from the vendors I have followed up with (to give them my address to send the extra goodies - see how they worked that!?) they were thrilled with the results.
I for one, will be back to every event they invite me to. Great time! read more