New Advertising Strategy Helps Taste of the South Increase Attendance by 500

The 30th anniversary party of Taste of the South, which brings together 13 Southern state societies for a showcase and black-tie party, increased its attendance this year by 500 people, to nearly 2,000 at DAR Constitution Hall on Saturday night. Event chair Megan Spindel credits an ad placed in Politico for the uptick. “Tickets sold out within two days—last year it was seven days—and we had to add more tickets due to the response from our ad,” Spindel said.

Representatives from Politico, a returning sponsor this year, as well as 500 other sponsor guests received V.I.P. tickets, which afforded them entry an hour early and access to the basement-level lounge with two specialty bars, a silent auction, and Southern-food buffet service. Jericho Stage Inc. once again covered the floor seats of the main auditorium, where each Southern state set up an exhibition with its local food, drink, and takeaways from sponsors. Cover band Burnt Sienna performed three sets until nearly 1 a.m. from the stage erected over the auditorium’s main entrance.

The increased attendance brought the fund-raising total to more than $500,000—an increase of $50,000 over last year—the majority of which will be donated to the spotlight state of Texas’s chosen charity, with smaller amounts going to the other states' designated charities.