Chapter Review

Winning Edge

Marketing Management Series Event

Participants of the Marketing Management Series Event are given a written scenario to review. They have ten minutes to review it and to develop a professional approach to solving the problem. They are allowed ten minutes to present their plan of action to the judge. Five additional minutes are available for judges to ask questions about the proposal.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is the world’s largest indoor rodeo. Each year, almost 3 million people attend the event. The NRG Center, NRG Stadium, and NRG Park are transformed into a gigantic, one-of-a-kind Western shopping mall.

A small western wear store has met the qualifications to be a retail vendor during the show, which lasts 18 days. There will be about 35 other retailers selling clothing and shoes. You have been asked by the western wear store’s owner to develop plans for operation during this event. Specifically, the storeowner needs to know what products to sell during the show. It is important to her that the products sold are made in the United States.

To ensure the store has enough products at the show during the 18 days, the plan should address the best methods of communicating with product suppliers and store employees. The storeowner also wants you to develop a news release to announce the introduction of the store at the show. It should emphasize the store’s support of the show.

The event judge will be role-playing the storeowner. You must present your plans describing how you would select products, work with product suppliers and store employees, and promote the store in the midst of other competition.

Think Critically

1. What would you need to know before meeting with the owner?
2. What factors would you consider in choosing the products to sell?
3. What information do you need to know to talk to the product suppliers?
4. What specifics would you include in a news release?

300 words, Cite references.