We exhibited at NACAC in Baltimore last week and had the worst booth location in the entire convention center. There were over 200 vendors and thousands of attendees. We HAD to find a way to stand out. Enter our buzz marketing idea.

Buzz marketing is all about getting other people to spread the word about your product or organization. Our strategy revolved around a cake....yes, a cake! Think "The Cake Boss" and "Ace of Cakes."

Thanks to our baker, Stephanie Baker (yes....that really IS her name), our booth featured a cake in the shape of a college campus. There were three building surrounding a quad which bore a slight resemblance to my alma mater, Bucknell.

It drew more people to our booth than we could have ever expected. Tons of people took pictures and some stopped to challenge us, "That is not REALLY a cake!" We even found someone on the other side of the exhibit hall showing pictures to others. Many came to the booth and said, "I heard you have the best cake over here!" Buzz marketing in full effect.

The best conversations allowed us to introduce our company, reconnect with old friends, and increase the overall awareness of our company's brand.....that we work hard and play hard and always have fun.

300 pieces of cake were cut and consumed. And, with each bite SimpsonScarborough's visibility was increased. Mission accomplished.

-Dana Edwards