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NeoCon® World’s Trade Fair Exhibitors
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A FREE PUBLICITY OPPORTUNITY DURING NEOCON® WORLD’S TRADE FAIR 2008
Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI) strongly encourages exhibitors to be a part of the NeoCon® 2008 World’s Trade Fair press room by submitting your company’s press kits before the show begins.
From Monday, June 9 through Wednesday, June 11, 2008, more than 300 local, national and international media members are expected to visit the NeoCon press room on the 7th Floor of The Merchandise Mart. Our hope is that you will gain maximum exposure in the media before, during and after NeoCon.
One of the ways to do this is to display your press kits in the press room. It is an easy way for you to have exposure for your company and products.
If you would like press kits displayed in the NeoCon press room throughout the show, please forward 60 press kits by Thursday, May 29, 2008.
Press kits received by the deadline will ensure an alphabetized display space in the NeoCon Press Room. Press kits received after May 29 will be displayed in the order received.
Please send press kits in advance of the show to:
Maura Bruton, Managing Director of Public Relations
Suite 470 The Merchandise Mart
Chicago, IL 60654
(Phone Number 312.527.7555 – for Fed Ex purposes)
Well-known editors and writers of both print and broadcast are invited to the press room where your kits will be on display. We hope you will participate in this ideal publicity opportunity to get the word out on your unique product or service.
THE MEDIA WANTS TO LEARN ABOUT YOUR NEW PRODUCTS AT THE SHOW
If your company is introducing a new product or unveiling a product at this year’s NeoCon, please CLICK HERE to download and complete the “New Product Press Release Form” or complete the bottom of this form and fax it (or email the text) by Friday, Thursday, May 1, 2008. Or, you can email it to mbruton@mmart.com and put “NEOCON NEW PRODUCT” in the “subject” line of your email.
We would like to release information on new products that will be featured at NeoCon prior to this year’s show. If you do not want your new product information released to media in advance of the show, please be sure to indicate that on your New Product Press Release Form.
*IMPORTANT NOTES*
• Be sure to clearly mark your company name and showroom/space number on each press kit.
• If an outside P.R. firm is handling your media relations, kindly forward this information.
• If you are hosting a media event in your showroom or booth during NeoCon, please be sure to alert our Public Relations Department by emailing mbruton@mmart.com
• MMPI is not responsible for lost or stolen press kits.
Please pick up your remaining press kits by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 11, 2008. Press kits which are not picked up by 5 p.m. will be recycled.
It is important for you to present your unique product or service to the press. Some commonly asked questions about press kits include the following:
• What is a press kit?
A press kit is an information packet conveniently assembled for the media to review. Most P.R. professionals use simple tools to compile a media kit, starting with a two-pocket folder, plastic envelope, or even a paper envelope.
• What goes into a press kit?
A press kit usually consists of the following:
– press release[s]/news release[s]
– slides/transparencies/photos or a CD of images (high-resolution jpegs are best; 300 dpi, to be formatted no larger than 4x6)
– company brochures
– company fact sheet/brief company history
– related company news
• What is a press release/news release?
A press release or news release [interchangeable terms] is a brief announcement, which contains newsworthy material. “News” is the operative word. Explain the innovative aspects or the benefit of your product. A release is written in the style of an article [in the third person]. This means that parts of — or the whole — release could be used “as is” in a publication. It can conclude with a background paragraph on your company. On the first page, always include the date, contact name, title and phone number for people to call with questions, or if they need more information. Press releases are usually one or two pages in length.
• Is it necessary to put your company’s name and booth number on the cover of every press kit?
Yes. If an editor or reporter picks up your kit and readily sees the booth number on it, he or she saves time by not having to look up the location in the show directory.
• Does every slide, transparency and photo in the kit need to be identified?
Yes. Again, an editor will be more inclined to work with a manufacturer who is organized and presents an array of choices.
• Should a product sample be enclosed?
If you are a fabric or wall coverings manufacturer, for example, you may choose to add a small piece of the material in the press kit. It is not necessary, though.
• Should past articles be enclosed in the kit?
If your company was written up in a major newspaper or magazine, you may wish to add a copy of the article, but it is not an essential component for your press kit.
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