Legal or illegal?

Rylan Zolinski

Rylan Zolinski

Well-known member
There's a trade show happening in my area within a few days with dozens of companies advertising their business. All of the companies attending will have their own booth and I want to walk around and handout brochures advertising myself as a videographer that will make videos for their products. Is there anything wrong with this? I understand that people are paying for spots for their kiosks and that's what makes me believe that I would have to pay for a spot too. But then again, I don't have or need a booth and I'm not doing anything much more different than handing out business cards.

Does anyone see anything wrong with what I want to do? I am asking for input before I potentially get in trouble...
 
It's called "soliciting", and most venues have regulations against it. You will probably be asked to leave if your plan is to randomly hand out cards or flyers. It's different if you leave a card as a business contact after a discussion or meeting.
 
cyclone said:
It's called "soliciting", and most venues have regulations against it. You will probably be asked to leave if your plan is to randomly hand out cards or flyers. It's different if you leave a card as a business contact after a discussion or meeting.
Click to expand...

The proper term was on the tip of my tongue but I couldn't remember it. I've never done it before and I thought it may lead to trouble. I do shoots with a business partner of mine and he thought it was a good idea to go. I told him that it was essentially soliciting, but he thought nothing wrong of it.
 
Just wear a suit and carry a briefcase, present yourself as a professional in the Film/Production industry. Don't wear pjs and flip flops don't be handing business cards at the door as people exit the event but rather just walk around very casually and engage in conversations in a professional way (not arrogant or snooty) take DVDs of your work if possible and pass them along with the business card. If you can print pens or keychains with your info, etc. what's the worst that can happen? they tell you to leave you leave. I don't think they can arrest you for trying to get some business for your production company. I'd do it.
 
Nothing "illegal" about it, but the people who have booths there paid for the privilege of being able to (essentially) hawk their wares. And yes, most conventions would run you off the lot if you tried to solicit people for your services, without being an official booth.

Decades ago I used to work at a computer store, and when some solicitor would come on the premises trying to sell jewelry or whatever to the sales staff, the owner would march out and say "this is my place of business, not yours." I always thought that was a great line. He pays the rent, he advertises, he gets the customers in, and then some street vendor thinks "hey, I'll go in there and take advantage of all these customers just standing around"...

Anyway -- I sincerely doubt what you're talking about doing is illegal, but it would almost unquestionably be frowned upon by the folks who run the show. And the vendors there aren't looking to do hiring, they're looking for customers, so I don't know if you'll get a good reception to your offers.
 
I've seen a guy "try" to promote himself and basically none of the vendors cared for what he had to offer. They just knotted their heads and gave him a hey look I don't have time for this. On the other hand, if the same person was a hot female, then she may have potential clients. :)
 
Morox said:
The proper term was on the tip of my tongue but I couldn't remember it[...]
Click to expand...

Unless you are stuffing dismembered body parts of a murder victim into a suitcase in order to transport them from the scene of a crime to a dump site, or carrying contraband in your rectum, suitcasing is the industry's pejorative term for what you would be doing.
 
Go to the event and get contact info and then cold call them. If you show up trying to sell stuff the people who paid to be there are going to be irritated, and the people who organized the event are going to throw you out. If they let people do what you want to do then nobody would buy booths and there would be no event.
 
noworries said:
Go to the event and get contact info and then cold call them. If you show up trying to sell stuff the people who paid to be there are going to be irritated, and the people who organized the event are going to throw you out. If they let people do what you want to do then nobody would buy booths and there would be no event.
Click to expand...

We didn't end up going to the even for the reasons I stated. I just read your input and it's a great idea and it's exactly what I am going to do. Since the even runs for a few days, I will have the opportunity to go tomorrow. Thanks!
 
Working trade shows for a few years I must say it is the worst place to try to do this sort of things. People are stressed out and tired, so approaching them right there is most likely to be ineffective. It would be useful to get contact info, invite them for a beer after. And first of all- make sure you have your reel ready, so you can show what you can do for them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top