Headed to the IGC Show or FarWest and want to get more from your lawn and garden trade show investment? With some strategic garden public relations, you can introduce new plants or garden products to current and potential customers and get some media to build your brands reputation.
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| BrazelBerries got trade PR coverage before the MANTS show. |
Why PR you ask? Think of garden PR as your "silent salesman" working the crowd from the pages of the garden media websites and magazines, increasing your brand recognition and, in turn, increasing traffic at the show and sales after the fact.
Be sure to read Part 1 of this post on
"7 Inside PR Secrets to Generate Leads & Sales at Garden Trade Shows". So now let's look at an action plan to make your garden marketing efforts a little more complete.
1. Press Release Distribution: 1 month One month in advance, publicize your participation in the trade show. Issue a media advisory and start sending preview releases. Contact key reporters to begin setting up interviews for the show.
2. Press Release Distribution: 2 weeks Two weeks out end media kits to show send your official “unveiling” release with photos and multimedia. Send media kits to the trade show organizers. Confirm interviews and post unveiling teasers on social sites
3. Press Release Distribution: During Show Send your official release w/photos and multimedia to all media attending the show. You can get the list from the show organizers. Conduct interviews at the show and make sure you follow up with any request. Send them to your online press room for more information. Take photos and video during the show and post on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
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| American Nursery featured BrazelBerries after MANTS. |
4. Press Release Distribution: Post Show After you are packed up and back in the office, issue a success press release on how well the new plant or garden product was received at the show. If you received any awards or recognition, be sure to release that with pictures. Make sure that your online press kit is up to date with new photos. Follow up with media requests and post coverage on website and social media sites
Bonus Tip: I’m only an Attendee! So you don’t have a booth. Take a photo with someone “famous” and send it out to your customers and local media showing you were at this “big” event. Post pictures of new plants and products you saw on your social media sites and Tweet during the show. You’ll get the attention just like the big boys.
For more insider secrets on how to generate more traffic and leads at garden trade shows, download the
free e-book at our website.
And if you want a little coaching, give us a call!
Suzi
Come check out a brand new product by
RESCUE!® Never before seen, to be unveiled at IGC. From stink bugs to
Japanese beetles, RESCUE!® provides safe solutions for your home and family. 
If you're looking for new plant varieties with color and ease of
growing, Hines Growers are your best bet. Their new and unique
Bloomtastic! plants are easy to grow, with fantastic color all season
long. 
The 2011 IGC Show was a huge success. Here are some reflections:
The Folks from Campania chatted with the team from The Philadelphia Flower Show.
A huge hit at the show was the launch of RESCUE! Stink Bug trap with the indoor light attachment. Move over stink bugs. We've got a trap for that.
Loved the new and old natives from American Beauties, particularly Black-Eyed Susan, one of my perennial favorites!
The collection features new plants and tried and true under-used show stoppers.
And did you feel the new Organic Mechanic Seed Starting mix - perfect for starting seeds in pots or in the ground. 
Psst! Suzi and Kathleen are floor walkers (communicators) at the 5th annual Independent Garden Center Show being held this week in the windy city.
