Trade shows are not meant as a reason to visit friends, collect hundreds of business cards, showoff your exhibit display … oh, and even put on view your latest product or service. A carefully planned public relations plan of attack can yield thousands of dollars in free advertising as print space or even airtime by coordinating with the media. And, PLEASE DO NOT STOP reading because you are “only” in a 10-foot booth space!

Press Case in Point

Many years ago our client ZapCap, the World’s Greatest Bottle Opener rented a 10′ pop-up display with a large header and two smaller full color graphics and took the International Housewares show in Chicago by storm. In fact on the second day of the show he was demonstrating his product on Good Morning America. Now, do you think that was just happenstance? Or did this gentleman go the extra mile and let the media know he was there?  He absolutely launched a press campaign that allowed him to be the shining star of the show.

How to and Why

Without question, you must prepare a press release to announce your exhibit. In this press release you must give editors and producers explicit reasons why they should take the time to stop at your booth over the other hundreds of exhibitors. This is the time to tell them why you are different and unique. An additional press release idea is to announce that an expert from the company will be available for media interviews. This is an expert – not a sales person – that can explain the whys and wherefores of your newest product or service to the media.

Arrange appointments for your expert, have a media press kit with the expert’s bio, company info, and product/service information. Most reporters do not want to drag 200 paper press kits back to the office. Make sure the press have access to your information online so they can complete their glowing review of your product after they’ve left the show floor. Help the interviewer meet their deadlines with some pre-written text and industry quotes. That’s how to get into the media. Contact show management and speak to a member of the media staff or a press contact. Ask them for specific names and find out which print media, broadcast media and any online sites they represent. Media opportunities must be planned ahead of time. Waiting until the show begins is too late to grab the media’s attention. The most important thing to remember when coordinating your trade show activities is this: Meet the press.