How To Boost Trade Show Results with PR and Media Relations

Whether you sell custom stationery, envelopes, and letterheads from a small shop in Las Vegas or run a big luxury car dealership, the fundamental principles of business growth remain the same, including sales and marketing strategies.  

Combining trade show exhibitions and PR & media relations creates a dynamic and impactful growth strategy. An effective pre-show PR strategy can drive more foot traffic to your booth, while post-show PR helps maintain momentum and extends your reach. Let’s see how you can leverage these strategies to maximize brand visibility, attract potential customers, and sustain long-term business growth.

Pre-Show PR Strategy

Develop a Strong PR Plan

Start by defining key messages and your unique selling points. Tell your audience what makes your product or service stand out. What are the key benefits of the solution you are offering? 

Identify and connect with industry-specific media outlets and influential journalists through personalized outreach. Make sure that your message resonates and captures their interest. Your short and engaging pitch must highlight the story of your brand. Keep in mind that they create content for their audience. So, your story must be relevant to their audience.      

Create a Press Release

Include your company’s background in the press release to provide context and credibility. Feature key spokesperson bios to highlight expertise and authority. Enhance your press release with high-quality visuals, such as product images, event photos, and infographics. Generate buzz and media interest by announcing product launches, partnerships, seminars, industry discussions, and special guests.

Leverage Digital & Social Media PR

This helps amplify your brand’s visibility and engage your audience. Aim to get maximum media coverage before the event. Research the official hashtags being used by the event organizers’ marketing team and incorporate those hashtags in your pre-show content. 

Build anticipation by creating and sharing behind-the-scenes content, teaser videos, and countdown posts. To engage your audience, create contests or Q&A sessions. 

Pitch Media Interviews & Press Meetings in Advance

Send personalized media pitches to journalists and influencers with a strong presence, credibility, and engagement in your industry. Offer product demos, early access, and exclusive interviews. 

Onsite PR and Media Relations

With on-site PR and media relations, you can maximize exposure and keep your brand in the spotlight. When you hire a company for Las Vegas trade show booth rentals, tell them that you want a media-friendly booth for media engagement. Make sure you have a dedicated point of contact for journalists and influencers. Offer product samples, press materials, brochures, and exclusive media kits.   

Conduct Media Interviews

Your spokesperson must be well-prepared with key brand messages and talking points. Have a flexible layout so that you can easily create a comfortable space for an interview or media interaction. When scheduling media engagements, make sure they don’t coincide with peak foot traffic times to avoid distractions and maximize impact.

Leverage Live Coverage & Real-Time Engagement

Invite key influencers and journalists for VIP experiences or private demos. Engage virtual audiences by hosting live Q&A sessions and product demos. Encourage attendees to share their experiences on social media using event hashtags. When your audience tags your brand on social media, you get significant visibility and reach. Share media interactions and customer testimonials through Twitter updates, LinkedIn posts, and Instagram Stories. 

Post-show PR and Follow-Ups

The event is over. Your Las Vegas trade show booth rentals company has dismantled your booth, but your PR efforts should continue. Don’t let the PR momentum fade.

Analyze Media Coverage and Engagement Metrics

Track press mentions using tools like Google Alerts or Mention. Check the shares, comments, and reach of your social media posts. Use Google Analytics to analyze your website traffic and lead conversions. 

Follow Up With Journalists & Prospects

Send personalized thank-you emails to influencers and journalists. Also include key highlights, photos, product demo videos, and press materials for them to share on their platforms. Schedule follow-up interviews. 

Repurpose Trade Show Content for Continued PR Impact

Summarize key moments, product demos, guests appearances and customer reactions on your social media platforms and blog. Showcase event highlights and behind-the-scenes insights on social media. Share short videos of expert guests and satisfied attendees.