On the 6th of July, the Monash Marketing China Study Program participants went to the Suzhou Museum, which is one of the most successful museums run by the Chinese Government. Mr Wei's assistant is the Public Relations manager of the Suzhou Museum, and on the day, he acted as our guide and took us around the museum, and giving us very rich and detailed background information on the museum itself, and Chinese cultural relics as well. Inside the museum, we noticed that the architecture, design of the building, environment inside the museum are also very impressive, creating a beautiful space and positive flow of energy. A presentation was held afterwards with MR Wei and the Museum Director, and his translator. During this time, the Director presented much information about their approach to marketing which gave us all an understanding of marketing in the not for profit sector. The museum undertakes a wide variety of marketing activities which has led to the museum attracting 3000 visitors to come each day. Some of the marketing strategies that Suzhou Museum has used are the development of print materials such as brochures, CDs and booklets, news releases, advertising on local television and in newspapers, and via the Museum's internet network. Last year, ticket sales alone accounted for 5 million RMB, but this year, the policy was changed and entrance became free. Despite the huge reduction in income, the museum still puts considerable effort into their marketing to attract people to come and visit this beautiful museum. At the end of this presentation, I represented the Monash group to thank the museum staff for their time and a very good presentation. As a token of appreciation, we gave them a bottle of Australian wine, a marketing book by Monash University and a framed certificate of our appreciation as well.
