Munce Group has been offering conventioneers an unusual "snap" shot of their services this week.

Visitors to the marketing organization's booth have been given the chance to have their photograph taken with George-a 4-foot, 6-inch, 40-pound American alligator.

On loan from a nearby Orlando, Fla., tourist attraction and with electrical tape carefully securing his jaws to avoid any mishaps, George was recruited as part of the exhibitor's floor display theme. Handler Brandon Fisher kept an eye on George as he was presented at the Munce booth next to a sign declaring that the organization was "helping take a bite out of your expenses."

More than 350 attendees lined up to have their photos taken with or holding the creature, and the pictures are to be e-mailed to them after the show ends. "Everybody was lining up, especially the kids," Fisher said.

The Sunshine State motif was continued in the Munce display with surfboards and beach gear. "We are from Florida, and we thought it would be sort of fun to have a beach for them," said Danielle Woods, sales and services coordinator with the Indian Rocks, Fla., company. "It's definitely created some interest. Most people have asked if it is real."

Munce staff contacted the Orange County Convention Center ahead of the show to check whether a live animal would be permitted on the floor, only to learn that the venue has hosted a number of reptile shows. That hurdle cleared, they then had to contact show hosts CBA to have approved a variance waiver for their booth.

For full reports on the ICRS stories, see the Aug. 11 and Aug. 25 issues of Christian Retailing.

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