Event Recap: How We Rocked the YFT Country Fair at Bristow Center 🤠
- wheelersir
- Jan 6
- 4 min read
When the sun is shining and the temperature hits a perfect 80 degrees in October, you know it’s going to be a good day. But for us at VVS Events & Marketing, a good day isn’t just about the weather—it’s about the energy, the engagement, and the smiles we can generate for our clients.
On Saturday, October 4th, we had the privilege of executing the activation for the Youth for Tomorrow (YFT) Country Fair at Bristow Center. The goal was simple but ambitious: bring the spirit of the center to life, drive foot traffic, and create meaningful connections between the community and the tenants.
By the time the sun started to dip at 5:00 PM, we hadn’t just handed out freebies; we had created an experience. With over 4,000 onsite impressions and nearly 700 direct registrations, this event was a masterclass in community engagement. Here is a look at how we pulled it off, and why experiential marketing remains one of the most powerful tools in a property manager's toolkit.
The Strategy: Interactive and Memorable
In the world of retail marketing, a passive booth is a missed opportunity. You can’t just stand there and hope people stop by—you have to give them a reason to pause, interact, and stay awhile. For the YFT Country Fair, we focused on high-touch engagement strategies that appealed to families.
Gamification Wins the Crowd
We kicked things off with a classic crowd-pleaser: the "Register to Win" spin wheel. There is something undeniably magnetic about a spinning wheel. It taps into that universal desire for a quick win and immediate gratification.
But for us, the wheel serves a dual purpose. Yes, it’s fun for the guests—who doesn't want a chance to win a Fall Pencil, a Sticker Sheet, or a Caramel Apple Pop?—but it’s also a crucial data capture tool. To spin, guests registered via a QR code. This simple mechanic allowed us to capture 678 unique registrations in a single day. That is nearly 700 new contacts for Bristow Center’s database, all gathered through a moment of joy rather than a tedious form.
The Power of DIY Activations
Once guests were registered, we wanted to increase their "dwell time." In event marketing, the longer a consumer spends at your footprint, the stronger the brand connection becomes. To achieve this, we introduced hands-on crafts.
We offered two distinct activities:
Fall Beadable Pens & Keychains: Guests could customize their own keepsake using a variety of silicone, wooden, and themed beads.
Fall Wooden Door Signs: A guided DIY workshop where guests created high-quality fall decor.
These weren't just throwaway trinkets; they were personalized items that guests created themselves. As one mother told us, "My daughter spent a good 20 minutes carefully choosing beads for her pen—she was so focused! It was the best free craft we saw all day."
By providing an activity that required focus and creativity, we slowed down the pace. Parents lingered while kids crafted, giving our brand ambassadors ample time to chat about the center's offerings and hand out merchant coupons.
Driving Tenant Value
One of the biggest pain points for commercial real estate marketing is ensuring that event foot traffic actually translates into tenant sales. It’s great to have a busy parking lot, but are registers ringing?
For the YFT Country Fair, we integrated the tenants directly into the event experience through our "Bristow Center Tote" strategy.
The Swag Bag Strategy
Every guest who participated left with a branded tote bag. Inside, we didn't just put filler; we packed it with tangible value from the merchants at Bristow Center.
We distributed:
Sharkey's Cuts for Kids: Buttons and branding.
Orange Theory: One-day guest passes.
Dream Kick & M.T. Kim Bristow Martial Arts: Vouchers for four free trial classes.
Miss Kibbles: Brochures and coupons.
Thai Peppers: Fresh takeout menus.
Celebree: Flyers for their upcoming Trunk or Treat event.
This approach turns a fun day out into a future shopping trip. A guest might not need a haircut or a Thai dinner right now, but when they get home and unpack that tote, they have a physical reminder and a financial incentive to return.
One attendee mentioned, "Getting that Bristow Center tote full of menus and passes was a huge score—I've been meaning to try Thai Peppers." That is the exact conversion moment we aim for.
Capturing the Moment (and the Social Proof)
In the age of Instagram and TikTok, if an event isn't photogenic, it didn't happen. Visual appeal is a non-negotiable part of our event setups.
We created a Fall Themed Photo Op featuring seasonal florals and a festive backdrop. It wasn't just decoration; it was a magnet. Families lined up to snap high-quality photos with their own devices.
Why is this important? Because every photo taken is potential user-generated content (UGC). When those families post their cute fall photos on social media, they are amplifying the Bristow Center brand to their personal networks. It extends the reach of the event far beyond the 4,000 people who were physically there.
The Results by the Numbers
We believe in data-driven creativity. It’s not enough to say the event felt "busy"—we track the metrics that matter to our clients.
Onsite Impressions: 4,000 (Estimated reach based on foot traffic and visibility)
Booth Attendance: 800+ guests directly engaged with our tent
Registrations: 678 unique sign-ups via QR Code
Merchants Promoted: 6+ key tenants featured directly in giveaways
But beyond the numbers, the sentiment was overwhelmingly positive. We heard guests raving about the quality of the crafts and the organization of the event. "The guided workshop was really fun and well-organized," one guest noted. "I got a bunch of great coupons for the shopping center."
Elevate Your Next Retail Event
The success of the YFT Country Fair activation wasn't an accident. It was the result of strategic planning, understanding the target demographic, and executing with precision. We turned a standard 10x20 tent space into a hub of creativity and connection.
At VVS Events & Marketing, we understand that you have limited internal bandwidth. You need a partner who can handle everything from the concept to the cleanup, delivering polished results that make you look good to your stakeholders.
Whether you're looking to drive foot traffic, engage your tenants, or simply bring some life to your property, we have the team and the tools to make it happen.
Ready to create an event that your community will talk about for months? Contact VVS Events & Marketing today and let's start planning your next activation.
Comments