WRHA STAND AT SOS EXPO
It is now about 5 months ago, if not longer that the first emails started going to the committee members on what their feeling was about the WRHA having a stand at the SOS2 expo. Early in February 2013, after the reservations for a stand opened, there was a quick committee meeting and it was decided on the stand needed and on what our aim was. At the first gathering (February 2013) at Stone Hill Lodge, it was made official to the members and it was also communicated in the past newsletters.
Friday afternoon…
During the last week or so, everything stood still and the final arrangements were made, brochures folded, working on the raffle tickets etc. On Friday afternoon, I arrived and started to setup the WRHA stand. Firstly, we were blessed with a prime spot – a stand right across the door. During the set up phase, I realised that I had forgotten the box that would contain the completed raffle tickets. So Frank was contacted to assist. Then a short while thereafter, I could not find the printed raffle tickets… I had no choice but to go home and to fetch it. On my way home, I contacted Frank and said he should not worry about a box anymore since I am on my way home to collect the box and the raffle tickets. About 10km outside Kempton Park, I went through a bag I had in my vehicle. I found the tickets and immediately turned around… contacting Frank to organise a box… again…!! Well, the set up was completed as far as possible and at about 16:00, I went home.
Saturday…
The raffle cage arrived and our stand was complete and we were ready… Shortly before 9:00, Heidi came in from outside saying that there was a very long quie waiting outside. I have to admit that I was somewhat nervous. Not sure what to expect and when those doors opened and the visitors flooded the hall, my mouth went dry for a few seconds. So as the visitors entered the hall, they almost had no choice but to notice the WRHA stand. Two things at our stand draw a lot of attention. Firstly the WRHA activity slideshow and secondly a display cage with a blue light containing an Albino Californian Kingsnake – thanks for that tip Tim!! Since we were targeting a specific group of persons and with the aim to promote our Association, things went slow at the stand. But with Creatures and Critters as our “across the passage” neighbours and with Louis aka Eyelash and Deon aka Sly as neighbours next to us, there were a constant movement of visitors past our stand. For Saturday, a few items were sold, some WRHA members renewed their membership and four new members joined the Association. The day went very quickly and afterwards a well deserved rest was taken by having supper at SPUR.
Sunday…
It was cold on Sunday morning and when the doors opened, there were no rush of people “flooding” the hall like Saturday morning. But from around 10:00, things started getting busy again… On Sunday I was much more relaxed and actually enjoyed the SOS show as an exhibitor. Sunday was a much longer day and that last half an hour was really long… Shortly after 15:00, Arno had drawn the raffle ticket and the person was contacted to inform her that she had won the raffle. It turned out that the person I wanted to speak to, was actually the former Chairperson’s (Corne Viljoen) daughter. Wikus who assisted us at the stand and who sponsored a Corn snake to go with the cage, agreed to deliver the price to Corne’s daughter. Thanks Wikus!! Thanks to all our members who had bought a raffle ticket and for showing your support.
The end…
All in all, I am very pleased with the sales we had made and especially with the new members signing up. I would like to thank Frank and Wikus, who assited at the stand and also to everyone else for your support and encouragement. This was a lifetime experience for me and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This expo also served as a great learning curve for any possible future expos.