Conference Publicity & Marketing

Use of news media, blogs & Web sites as a conduit to reach your target audience(s).

• trade/industry/scientific news outlets
• high-profile business/financial media
• local newspapers, radio, and TV stations
• social media
• advertising (can be considered an element of publicity)

It is important not to confuse news with advertising. News is free – editors do not charge for writing about your conference; however, you cannot control what they write.

Advertising is paid – a publication or a Web site charges a specific amount for a specified ad size. You have full control of the message.

Consider advertising your conference, or working with journalists to gain news coverage, in the following types of media outlets:

• society & other technology professional magazines
• geographic & technical newsletters
• national press (newspapers, technology professional publications, etc.)
• newspapers
• radio
• television
• promotions at related conferences
• arrange for mailing of the calls for papers, publicity mailing lists, and local publicity of the advanced program

Publicity will:

• help build awareness and interest in a news conference;
• help maintain the stature and prestige of an existing conference;
• increase paid attendance; 
• generate interest in presenting and exhibiting; 
• promote a wider exchange of significant technical information; 
• recognize the contributions of individuals and organizations.

The Conference Organizer staff greatly appreciates Chris Burke, President, BtB Marketing Communications and Gary Dagastine, Dagastine & Co. Public Relations for presenting a portion of this material as part of their presentation Publicizing Your Conference (PDF, 1471 KB) at the 2008 Panel of Conference Organizers.