Organizing a Pageant Booklet
One of the pageant Director’s most critical tools is the Pageant Program Magazine.
The books make great collectors items for the contestants and their family or friends.I always give some of the program books to entertainers and judges. They will know you appreciate their involvement in your Beauty Contest.
I use a program called Publisher that comes with Microsoft Office. There are similar software programs that do the same job of gather photos and words on to a page format. Then you organize the pages into a book.
The program book from Miss Camelia City 2009 is what I’ll use as an illustration. Miss Camelia City is my newest Pageant. The name comes from the city of Slidell Louisiana’s catch phrase. There are a lot of Camelias during the blooming season.
This is the way to lay it out.
1 Cover Make sure the back ground is reflective of the nature of pageant, or theme.
If you are starting a new pageant insert a photo from the pictures contestants submitted in the application process. Use last years prizewinner if you staged it previously or purchased the Pageant from someone else.
2 The Director’s Message Include your bio, the theme of the Pageant, and a history if there is one.
3 Schedule of Events
4 Advertising
5 Staff Include all the staff and behind the scenes people.Include friends and family.
6 Contestants Gallery Use Kids photos from their applications.
7 Advertising Paid advertisers and sponsors.
8 Judges Judges picture and a short biography.
9 Advertising Sponsors and local businesses..
10 Contestant Gallery
11 Advertising Contestants will be selling advertising to cover their entrance dues.
12 Special Awards
13 Advertisements Promote your own livelihood and any other pageants you plan on producing
14 Back Cover The back cover should be considered a choice location for advertisers.
I take a memory stick to transport my finished book files to a printer. The printer will print the number of books you specify. I deliver the files on the Thursday before the Pageant. The printer delivers them on Saturday. On Sunday I produce the big event. Ask your printer how much extra time they need.
Yours in Pageantry
Shelly
additional resources
The Business of Pageantry
Turn your Pageant into a Business
Your Pageant as a Business
