Industry conferences are the launch pad of choice for introducing a company as well as announcing a revolutionary product or other significant milestone. Thousands gather to hear the newest ideas in technology, learn best practices from innovative practitioners and network with the most brilliant minds in the business.

While the media, analysts and prospects attend these conferences, it is often difficult to rise above the noise as the rest of your competition vies for their attention.

However, there are five key tips to keep in mind when mapping out your marketing and PR plans for upcoming tradeshows and conferences.

1. Establish your ultimate goal for the event: Look ahead and imagine what would make your presence at the show a success. Determine what key factors are required to dub an event as a hit for your organization.

2. Work with your public relations team to create and implement a detailed PR strategy: Share your show goals with your PR team and have your entire company work towards achieving them. Target key press and analysts for briefings during the conference and pre-brief the editors of the show daily prior to the first day of the event. Establish the key news to be released and the results that you would like to see from that news.

3. Create a valuable messaging document: Develop a pre-approved list of key talking points and include them in a messaging document. Make sure your employees know your company’s standard 30-second elevator pitch and key messages as well as what NOT to say. This may seem apparent but you never know where a conversation (both on the show floor and after hours) may lead.

4. Maximize booth exposure: Create a theme for the booth based on your messaging and come up with creative ideas to attract show attendees to your booth. Water bottles with your company logo, popcorn or espresso, and first aid packs with aspirin and band-aids are useful or attractive tools that generate attention and thanks from booth patrons and prospects. You may think that toys or desk accessories will make a lasting impression, but they will most likely be given to children or left behind at the hotel.

5. Sponsor or co-host a party/cocktail hour: Everyone loves a party, especially at a tradeshow. Often the most meaningful networking is done at events where people can relax and socialize. During show floor hours, attendees are usually rushed and are scrambling between appointments as well as attending educational tracks. Your booth may not initially attract the interest of a prospect that is short on time. But in the evening that same person is slightly more relaxed, with less pressing deadlines and as a result is more open to talking to people and networking. As a sponsor of an evening event with your company’s logos and name prominently displayed, people will take notice and may more easily recall your business in the future.

There are many ways to stand out from the crowd at tradeshows, but your goal should be about making a professional and positive impression versus just getting noticed. Activa PR can help you determine the best way to get noticed for all the right reasons. Call us today for more information on how we can help you plan and execute an ideal public relations experience at your next industry event: 415.776.5350, www.activapr.com.