One Stop Prom Shop

As Prom Spending Rises, Local Students Offer Show Designed Cut Costs For the Big Night

(Cuyahoga Falls)  For decades, prom has been a rite of passage for high school teens, but the cost of prom has been increasing rapidly every year.  It is estimated that the average high school prom couple will spend more than $1000 on prom this spring, 2013.  On Sunday March 3, 2013 at the Cuyahoga Falls Natatorium, Cuyahoga Falls High School Marketing Students will present the One Stop Prom Shop. This one day, FREE event is open to all students and parents that are interested in battling back against the ever increasing costs of the big prom night.

In an effort to help their peers find the best prom trends, for 2013, at the best costs, the CFHS Marketing students have spent the entire school year creating partnerships with 60 + prom retailers throughout Northeast Ohio that will come to the show offering deep discounts on dresses, tuxedos, flowers, limos, dinner, salons and much more. 

All attendees will also have the opportunity to win an entirely free prom including a limo ride, dinner, tickets, dress, tuxedo, and salon package.  In addition, the expo will feature two fashion shows of the latest 2013 prom styles presented by the title sponsor of the event, American Commodore Tuxedo and Dress Shoppe.

So, why does prom spending continue to rise?  In research done by the Marketing Students at Cuyahoga Falls High School, it is due to the increasing exposure to celebrities though reality TV and social media.   Senior Marketing Student Jacquelyn Kerby said “I feel like prom is our equivalent to the Golden Globes or Academy Awards.  It’s the one time we’ll get to dress up and feel like we are on the red carpet.” Kerby went on to say, “Prom is a big deal and we want it be a really special event in our lives, despite the costs to us or our parents.”

The students have spent the school year creating this prom based business.  The students first created a business sales campaign to book vendors.  Second, they’ve launched a multi-media marketing campaign to attract attendees to the show. Students have also purchased billboards, created a social media marketing campaign, and created a website all in an effort to spread the news of prom cost savings to as many students, and parents, in Northeast Ohio as possible.  

And in the end, students are learning a lot more than marketing.  “This project has shown us how to build and sustain a small business.  We’ve had to think and act as business professionals, work with business professionals, problem solve real business problems, balance our budget, sell our product to our peers, and figure out creative ways to market our event.  Anyone that attends this event will see how much we’ve learned from this project.” said Bryan Wilson, Junior CFHS Marketing Education student.  “It’s been a great real-life learning experience for our class.”

The show is open to all on Sunday, March 3, 2013 from 11am-3pm at the Cuyahoga Falls Natatorium located at 2345 4th Street in Cuyahoga Falls.  For more information on this event, visit www.1stoppromshop.com or for social media updates follow us on Facebook.com/onestoppromshop or on Twitter @1stoppromshop.