Party favors: upselling components of graduation commencements

By Maura Keller

Upselling components for graduation commencements and parties is both profitable and a way to create a fun and memorable event for clients.

With colleges and universities in particular, John Creedon of Creedon and Co. Inc. has seen increases and enhancements in audiovisual production equipment, sounds systems and staging. “We see a lot of flat-screen monitors and speaker systems mounted on center poles and side poles, or from the frame of our clearspan tents along with uplighting on stages,” he says.

Upsell items may include lighting, sidewalls, heaters or fans, linens or other table covers, china, glassware, flatware and catering equipment. “If they request portable restrooms, we can provide those,” Creedon says. “If the event is upscale, then we might suggest flooring, a tent liner, specialty lighting, heat or air conditioning. We also have a couple unique and fun items in our inventory that we mention to our customers.” Those include a DJ in a Box system and a portable mini-golf course.

AAA Rental System offers siding, lighting packages, themed color linens and upgraded chairs. “Doesn’t every graduation party need a keg cooler, a dunk tank and large BBQ grill?” AAA Rental owner Jay Heiferman asks.

Matthew Mutton, Bob Mutton Party and Tent Rentals, finds Kwik-Covers® to be a good upsell item for graduations parties, in addition to ice-cream machines, margarita machines, bounce houses and other inflatables.

Based in Plymouth, Minn., Maura Keller frequently writes about applications of specialty fabrics. ]