by RobertL | Nov 4, 2019
After a flurry of activity, with a constant flow of wedding reception guests to my photo booth, I finally had a moment to breathe, grab a sip of water and get ready for the next onslaught of revelers.
Just then, a little flower girl (maybe five or six years old) who had been a regular “customer” all evening, came back to the booth yet again, this time dragging an uncle. I dutifully deployed the small road case I had been using to raise the little lady up high enough for the camera to capture, and waited through another session of four photos.
After an evening with “babysitter” tacked onto my photo booth operator job description (the flower girl wasn’t the only excited youngster in attendance), my patience was starting to fray a little, and I caught myself grumbling internally as I ducked back into the booth to remove the road case. The kids were just being kids, but it can get tiring after a while. (Especially when the partying parents are AWOL…but I digress.)
I handed the photo prints to the flower girl (she had to distribute them to all of her photo-mates, of course), and as she passed one on to her uncle, she held her own copy out in front of her and said loudly, “I’m gonna keep this forever!”
We all know that particular photo print is likely already lost, discarded or destroyed. However, that little moment led me to a bigger realization about the symbiotic relationship between DJs and photo booths. It’s all about making memories.
MEMORY MACHINE
Wedding DJs, in particular, are aware of their responsibility in the creation of the memories that make up a “successful” reception. All the vendors have their parts to play, of course, but as MC/host, musical entertainer, and often event coordinator, the savvy wedding jock understands how important his or her personal performance in all areas is truly essential to the event’s overall success.
Along with music programming, mixing, hosting, etc., most DJs also offer extras like uplighting, monogram gobos, video, and more. Over the last decade, one of those “more” items has risen above the rest in importance for many DJ companies: photo booths.
Based on the little epiphany I described above, along with about three years of experience as a photo booth operator (running a fully enclosed, touchscreen setup with printer, requiring a good deal of operator involvement), I see the DJ-photo booth relationship as qualitatively different from any of the other typical add-ons. Why?
The photo booth is a perfect counterpart to the DJ’s “creation” of a memorable event. With a photo booth complementing the DJ’s performance, the guests have a chance to create a visual reminder to jog their memories of the wonderful event. And who better to provide that memory aid than the one orchestrating the wonderful memories in the first place?
(I realize that photo booths can also be great for photographers and videographers to offer, but I would argue that they make the most sense either as a DJ offering or as a stand-alone service.)
Sure, the photo booth experience is about being in the moment (often being quite silly in the moment!). However, it’s also about capturing and saving that moment of fun at a joyous occasion. Whether they’re uploaded to a Facebook feed, under a magnet on someone’s fridge, or in a pile of prints for newlyweds to enjoy, the images from a great event create an afterglow of joy for guests and couples alike. They provide a tangible reminder that augments the photo booth user’s personal memory of the experience. Sometimes they even help a guest remember how much fun the DJ was, when it comes time to plan their OWN event. — Dan Walsh
Dan Walsh is the Chief Content Editor and Curator for Mobile Beat. In addition, he has been working Photo Booths for a DJ/Photo Booth Multi-Op in Rochester, NY for the past 3 years.
by RobertL | Oct 28, 2019
10times.com is the #1 resource for discovering trade shows and conferences that serve a particular interest or demographic. According to the site header, 10times is “The only global event ranking table to calibrate the performance of events in their core missions after carefully considering factors like : audience reach, opportunities created, size, rating, format and international outlook.”
The number of events the site covers is quite astounding, so, each year, to help break it down, 10times.com compiles a Top 100 list for their major categories. For the second year in row, Photo Booth Expo has made the list. For 2018, PBX ranked as the #38 Trade show & Conference among the TOP 100 Photography & Imaging Events.
The most recent list shows PBX making a substantial gain, moving up to the #13 spot. Given that the list includes some of the world’s most prestigious and respected events, this places Photo Booth Expo, and the Photo Booth industry in a very good light globally.
by RobertL | Jul 3, 2019
A machine named Queso wants me to pose like a spy. A short video shows three people making finger guns, backs against one another, and even though I feel awkward doing this alone in the middle of a Las Vegas convention show floor, I oblige. Next, Queso says to pretend like I’m thinking, and I’m beginning to understand why this photo booth was named after cheese. Finally, it tells me to jump around. I hop a few times until Queso floods me with light for the final time. Then I quickly gather my things and move behind the machine to retrieve a copy of my pictures.
Read the rest at The Verge
by RobertL | Sep 15, 2018
For places like Las Vegas, trade shows are huge business. Just take a look at the list of upcoming events on the Las Vegas Convention Calendar for a glimpse of what’s coming up in the just the next few months. While Vegas is one of the main locations for conventions, there are dozens of other cities who host hundreds of events annually. Who keeps track of all these trade events globally? 10Times.com is a global data base of trade shows listing events for virtually any industry imaginable. Each year, the 10Times.com publishes a Top 100 listing of shows according to category. On the current list of the Top 100 events and for Photography and Imaging, Photo Booth Expo is ranked as #38! Considering the size and scope of many of the other shows on this list (SXSW is #26, The Cannes Film Festival is #24), this makes Photo Booth Expo not only The World’s Largest Event for Photo Booth Operators, Manufacturers and Suppliers, but also is also establishes it as one of the top global events for photography and imaging.
Photo Booth Expo is held annually in Las Vegas, NV, USA – The next event will be at South Point Resort and Casino, February 24-27, 2019
by RobertL | Jul 6, 2018
Operating a Photo Booth rental company is a global opportunity and at the center of the Photo Booth Universe is the Photo Booth Expo (“PBX”) in Las Vegas. The Fifth Annual Photo Booth Expo will be held February 24-27, 2019 at South Point with well over 4000 attendees expected.
As the World’s Largest event for Photo Booth operators, manufacturers and suppliers, Photo Booth Expo draws a global audience from a list of countries that includes:
Argentina, Australia, Barbados, Belgium, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Estonia, France, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, St. Maarten, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Venezuela.
So, what’s the attraction?
Photo Booth Expo is where new products and concepts are unveiled, it’s where ideas are shared and deals are made. There’s a full schedule of seminars, plus networking opportunities, parties, entertainment and much more. Plus, it’s Las Vegas and South Point is is a short shuttle ride from the famous Las Vegas Strip.
To get the best deal on your 2019 PBX REGISTER NOW
For information on exhibiting – CLICK HERE
by RobertL | May 7, 2018
Photo Booth Expo Prepares To Celebrate 5 Years With A Return To South Point
Dates: February 24-27
Location: South Point, Las Vegas
Website: photoboothexpo.com
How did the Photo Booth Expo come to be?
PhotoBoothExpo Show Producer, Rob Savickis, of Niagara Falls, NY, has been involved in the event/trade show industry for over 25 years. Rob was also among the first to find success renting out Photo Booths for parties, receptions and corporate events. As a pioneer in the industry, he was encouraged by his suppliers to create the first ever U.S. trade show for Photo Booth professionals. After extensive market research, due diligence and planning, he was ready to take the plunge. Having been involved with numerous trade other shows, he was confident that Las Vegas would attract people from all over the world—making his the first International Photo Booth Expo.
When the doors opened for the inaugural event at South Point in the spring of 2015, over 1200 Photo Booth professionals flooded the show floor. By year two, attendance had grown to over 2000. For the 2017 show, attendance topped 2500 and the most recent show (March, 2018) recorded over 4000 Photo Booth Phanatics from over 53 countries.
Who comes to the PhotoBoothExpo?
According to Rob Savickis, “Primarily, it’s entrepreneurs with established photo booth businesses—but also people looking to get into the business. Many are DJs and Photographers who already have ties to the special events. Others are manufacturers and distributors looking for an effective way to reach core buyers in the professional PhotoBooth market.”
Speaking of which, in addition to the phenomenal growth in attendance, the exhibition floor has also exploded—from 137 booth spaces the first year, to over 360 spaces (140+ exhibitors) at the most recent event.
So what is it that is driving this growth?
“Photo Booths are the new entertainment of the 21st century,” says Savickis, “They combine technological advancements with entertainment and props—they are just plain fun. Recent reports suggest that more than half of all weddings now have a photo booth or some type of self-photo station—Photo booths are also very popular at corporate events. Booths with attendants are big at weddings and corporate events while unmanned booths that are coin operated or free for promotional reasons, are popular at amusement parks, casinos and shopping malls.
The big question for anyone hoping to profit from Photo booth phenomenon is “What does it cost and how much can I make?” Savickis estimates the start up costs to be anywhere between $4,000 and $20,000. As far as the ROI, just like any business the sky is the limit but the market is becoming more and more competitive—Savickis cautions anyone coming into the business that they must have strong knowledge of the product and marketing. To help those new to the business have the greatest chance of success, Savickis places a huge emphasis on business education at the Photo Booth Expo. “Every region is different,” he says, “And because the Photo Booth Expo is International, most every region and culture in represented. Many many people are making very good livings with photo booths, but as with any business there are never any guarantees.”
The 2019 Photo Booth Expo will present over 30 business based seminars presented by top industry leaders. Considering all that the Photo Booth Expo has to offer, it’s a real bargain at just $249 for a key pass—which includes all show sponsored seminars (3rd parties will be offering further independent education for additional cost), show parties and the admittance to the extensive show floor.
