HD EXPO Marketing Guide

Questions? Contact Stephanie Cameron at: stephanie@hdexpo.net or Christine Purse at: chris@ignite.bz

EXPAND YOUR EFFORTS AT HD EXPO
HD EXPO is growing into the most powerful local and national entertainment technology show, and we will reach over  15,000 attendees over the next 12 months. Reaching into the community through consistent and sophisticated direct mail, email, web-based and publicity related communications, the marketing experts at HD EXPO will help make your participation in HD EXPO a success.

Use this guide to answer questions, and we are available at any time to discuss your show marketing and publicity needs. 

MAXIMIZE YOUR HD EXPO EXPERIENCE:

• PROMOTE YOURSELF
  Launch a campaign to prepare for HD EXPO
  1. Direct mail
  2. Booth emails
  3. Press activity
• MAKE YOURSELF VISIBLE
  1. Advertise to enhance visibility in Info Depot
  2. Sponsor or host an event during the show
  3. Promote your products and presence with sponsorship and promotional opportunities
• INITIATE A PRESS STRATEGY
  1. Plan your announcements and coordinate efforts with HD EXPO press experts.  Include HD EXPO in the headlines of press releases, announce your participation with media alerts and release, and make sure to include what you are exhibiting, where you will be and when you’ll be there.
  2. Remember to announce and leverage all of your activites:  sponsorships, intensives,etc.
• COMMUNICATE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE YOUR COMPANY
  It is important that your marketing team shares information, seeks promotional opportunities, and includes HDEXPO exhibition information in company announcements and materials. 

LEADS
It sounds simple, but proper lead and sales management often gets  neglected when sales staff is busy and on a show floor.  Refresh your efforts by remembering these critical basics:

• Set your appointments early with pre-show emails and calls
• Prepare press materials and distribute them before the show.  Keep copies in the press office or in your booth.
• Prepare your booth personnel for professional success with pre show planning, training and protocol. 
• And, of course, follow up!

MEDIA TIPS
Journalists increasingly look to HD EXPO for the most up the minute information and expertise.  Journalists from the top entertainment industry trades, dailies, technology publications, web sites, and broadcast media come to HD EXPO for accurate information about where the industry is headed and who is leading it.  HD EXPO offers a number of opportunities to help you promote your participation in the show and garner increased media coverage. 

• Include the name of the show, HD EXPO, in your press materials and on your website.  That will tie into all of the press activities HD EXPO is undertaking.
• Coordinate with the HD EXPO press team,
• Consistently present newsworthy information.  That can mean production announcements, experts appearing in your booth, on panels or leading intensives.
• Make sure that your announcements are available early for email and press blasts. Starting four to six weeks from the show will be a much more successful strategy than one to two weeks out.
• Having information ready, clear, and early will help journalists know what to look for and inquire about at HD EXPO.
  
  Please contact Christine Purse at ignite at 818.508.0450 for more information.

KEEP HD EXPO IN THE LOOP
Since HD EXPO has a schedule of press releases, email blasts and other communications, we are in search of exhibitor news to share.  Please make sure that we have the most updated information that you are bringing to the show. 

Are you premiering a product, have you scheduled a special booth appearance by an expert, are you sponsoring an intensive, are you hosting an event?  These are opportunities to invite the media or coordinate with HD EXPO’s press efforts.  If you keep us informed so we can include this news in our announcements.

Please email to chris@ignite.bz the following information:
Company name
Company Press Contact
Phone
Email
What are you promoting  at HD EXPO ?
Product Name/description/press information
Are there other events, appearances, etc. that HDEXPO should be aware of?
Describe and include all pertinent information (bio, contact, time, event description)
Is your company participating in an INTENSIVE?

Due by Feburary 14, 2008

CONTACTING THE MEDIA
The schedule for press releases and email blasts is as follows:

4 weeks from the expo
2 weeks from the expo
4 days from the expo

Please make sure that we have your announcements and that HD EXPO (www.hdexpo.net) is included in exhibitor press information.   Please note, HD EXPO is not acting as your press agent, but will include information and assist introduce interested media to your contact staff.

PRESS ROOM
The Press Room will be clearly marked and available for meetings with media.  There is a receptionist on duty and a quiet table for your meetings.  Exhibitors are encouraged to leave press materials, promotional materials and contact information at the Press Room for attending media.

Press Room Hours: Thursday, March 6 - 10AM to 6PM

Press Kits/Press Releases
HD EXPO is a great opportunity to brand your products and company in front of a motivated audience.  Create press materials and press kits to stand out in with information that presents your brand and image.  Press releases, press kits and other materials should be placed in the booth and  in the show press room.

A simple press kit or pack could contain:

• News release with any appropriate announcement
• Photography when appropriate
• Product sheets
• Company overview/backgrounder
• Contact information
• If you would like to put press kits or information in the press room, please send an email to chris@ignite.bz

Press Conferences:
A press conference is a great opportunity to relay important information and timely news to the media.  Press conferences should only be considered if there is a worthwhile announcement.  If there is an appropriate need, we will assist you to arrange for a press conference and create a coordinated press schedule.  Again, before you decide to hold a press conference, consider whether the announcement is truly newsworthy and if there is a more effective way to deliver the message. 

Critical to the success of your announcement is that it is well planned BEFORE the show.  It is highly recommended that all contact with the media is well in advance.

CONCLUSION
The entire team at HD EXPO is dedicated helping to create a superlative exhibitor experience.  Please contact any member of the team with questions and we will assist you.  Keep these simple steps in mind to help promote your HD EXPO experience:

• Set a schedule for marketing and press efforts
• Make certain that HD EXPO (hdexpo.net) is included in your information.  Members of our growing community are looking for information and jointly promoting the show is beneficial to all concerned..
• Keep HD EXPO informed of your plans by sending in any pertinent information for inclusion in HD EXPO’s efforts
• Promote your involvement at HD EXPO in direct mail, publicity and advertsing

Please call Christine Purse at ignite: 818.508.0450 or Stephanie Cameron at HD EXPO: 818.842.6611.