For those of you who don’t know, I am a proud Calgarian.

Calgary, Alberta is world-renowned for 3 major things: hosting the 1988 Winter Olympics, its Oil and Gas industry, and the Calgary Stampede.

Well, today marks the fifth day of the 2015 Calgary Exhibition & Stampede.

This article isn’t intended to be an advertisement for the Stampede, but it’s a great example of how marketing can wear a different hat.

For those of you who are not familiar, this is an annual event that celebrates the tradition of ‘the old west’. It lasts for 10 days, and during this time, business activities slow to a crawl – at least in the downtown area.

Calgary is also well-known for knowing how to throw a good party, and that proves true every year during this event.

This is the time of year when Boardrooms take a backseat to Bars and Barns!  Business folks drop their power suits for western wear, including cowboy hats, casting aside the worry of developing ‘hat-hair’.

There are a variety of breakfasts, corporate events and parties, and visits to the barns to mix and mingle with the rodeo and chuckwagon giants.

Why do I tell you all this?

Well, to show that successful marketing can have many faces.

During this 10 days, when ‘nothing is getting done’, EVERYTHING is getting done!

As I have mentioned in earlier articles, marketing is based on relationships. To repeat myself, people do business with people they like, know and trust.

So during this annual event, when everyone is attending breakfasts and barbeques, and drinking and dancing in the bars around town, they are networking!

Ten days of these events exposes people to tons of people who they may never have interacted with otherwise. Added to this, partying with clients, prospects and colleagues breaks down some of the barriers that often exist in a typical business meeting.

What is the moral of this story?

Marketing is a process, not a product! Marketing is the strategy behind the campaigns that are executed to bring sales into your business. To be open to various ways of marketing.

This strategy does not always have to be executed in the traditional sense. Be open to new ways of promoting your business. And never be afraid of new ways to engage your clients and to meet new prospects.

Time to go Stampeding! Yahooo!

Until next time…

Are you ready to grow your business now? If you’re ready to take the next step and make your business more profitable, call me directly at 587-287-5913 or email me at admin@agapimarketing.com

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