Wealth of opportunity

Leprechaun Promotions has the tricks when it comes to promoting trade.

Whether marketing specialist and magician Doug Slaton was imploring people to pick a card, any card, or dazzling them with impromptu roses made from red and green napkins, he made an impression.

“If you’re going to give away a free pen, make sure it floats through the air,” Slaton advised.

His booth was easy to spot among the 85 businesses at the Spokane Valley Open for Business Fair on Wednesday.

With bundles of cash and a briefcase that continually produced decks of playing cards, it attracted a host of curious onlookers.

“Sometimes I get into a little trouble at shows because I block the aisles,” Slaton said.

This was the third year for the fair, presented by the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce and held at Mirabeau Park Hotel.

“We have a lot of different businesses this year, and a lot of them are new,” said Eldonna Gossett, chamber president and CEO.

Like previous years, the fair attracted lenders, Realtors and businesspeople who networked with other companies and reached out to potential customers with information, promotional items and creative gimmicks.

Although this was the first time Art of Weddings participated in the show, it made an impression when a model donned a white bridal gown and veil and circulated among a sea of suit-clad men and women.

The business has a showroom on Argonne Road and has hosted 20 bridal fairs over the past 20 years.

Stephen Slade, an owner and marketing director, said weddings represent a huge change of life for families. Those attending bridal fairs are often looking for non-wedding services, reflecting needs ranging from buying or selling homes to whitening teeth.

He was promoting his company to businesses that don’t traditionally exhibit at bridal fairs but offer timely services.

“This is a great opportunity for me because these people are looking for the same kind of people I’m looking for, but sometimes they just don’t know it,” Slade said.

Across the room, Slaton made companies aware that his Spokane-based business can get attention at grand openings, trade shows and even meetings. “I’ve even done some sales meetings to get the guys to go out and sell, sell, sell,” Slaton said.

After Slaton correctly guessed the playing card that Stacey Bushnell selected, she knew that winning the cash prize wasn’t likely in the cards.

Still, Bushnell, who handles sales and marketing for Minuteman Press, walked away laughing and thought magical marketing might find a way into mainstream sales.

“He kind of gets everybody in an easygoing, laidback mood. He definitely draws people in.”