IAEE Raises More Than $1 million to Support PR Campaign
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events is off to a positive start, raising $1 million for its public relations campaign to increase awareness about the long-term benefits of face-to-face exhibitions and events.
The goal of the PR campaign is to tell the industry’s story, as well as give support to continue to bolster the trade show industry’s reputation as the No. 1 place to bring buyers and sellers together to conduct business.
“I am thrilled by the support from hundreds of our colleagues and their organizations,” said Vinnie Polito, IAEE chairman.
He added, “Never before, in IAEE's 83-year history, has there been such a collaborative effort to achieve one goal. As a result, we are now well-positioned to launch and support a vital campaign that will benefit our own industry and the customers we serve.”
Early supporters who not only supported the campaign financially, but who also submitted compelling stories of their exhibitors' successes include the Consumer Electronics Association, SEMA, INFOCOMM, Monster Cable, the National Association of Broadcasters and the National Restaurant Association, to name a few.
The three-year-long campaign will focus on communicating the strengths and relevance of face-to-face opportunities, increasing the favorable impression of events, compiling real stories about the power and uniqueness of trade shows, differentiating trade shows from other forms of engagement and leveraging new media and digital opportunities to expand reach and build an online presence.
"I sincerely appreciate the efforts of the Public Relations Task Force led by Kimberly Hardcastle, Paige Cardwell and Nina Carrara, as well as my fellow directors on the board who were led by Visit Orlando's President and CEO Gary Sain,” Polito said.
He added, “The generous contributions pledged as a result of these efforts will be invested carefully to meet IAEE members' expectations."
Industry associations also have given a strong show of support, including Destination Marketing Association International, Exhibition Services & Contractors Association, Major American Trade Show Organizers and the Society of Independent Show Organizers.
In order to spread the word and gather stories from those associated with the trade show industry about the value of face-to-face, please visit the IAEE Web site and tell your story; http://www.iaee.com/resources/pr_campaign.
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