INPEX's Publicity Program for Exhibitors
"I opened my Tribune Chronicle, and there it was... my invention," said Daniel Bozzo, an exhibitor at INPEX, America's Largest Invention Trade Show.
Bozzo's publicity in his local newspaper was the result of INPEX's Hometown Publicity Service, a service included with the purchase of an INPEX booth. This year the service is available to all exhibitors who purchase a booth before April 25, 2004.
"Hometown Publicity is unique to INPEX. It's one of the ways we try to help our exhibitors get some exposure for their invention," said Trade Show Director, Jennifer Lawlor. Our Communications Department writes a press release about the exhibitor's invention, prepares a media list relevant to their hometown, and follows up with editors and producers who respond. "We believe INPEX is the only trade show to provide exhibitors with this type of service."
"Our goal is to generate local media coverage for the inventor and his experience at INPEX. The Hometown Publicity Service is not an advertising service," said Kristin Grilli, Hometown Publicity Coordinator. "In order to attract the attention of an editor, we write the release in a way that may appeal to reporters who are looking for local news stories," said Grilli.
"I worked with Kristin on my Hometown Publicity release, and she explained that an objective press release has a better chance of being picked-up by the media, than one written like an advertisement," said Melissa Kandratavich, who displayed the Nail Polish Eraser at the 2003 show. The Nail Polish Eraser was featured in one of the Kandratavich's hometown newspapers in eastern Pennsylvania. Kandratavich and her sister also had an opportunity to talk about their invention to a live audience on WJOC-AM's The Doug Show.
Fulfilling a request for an interview requires some coordinating on the part of the INPEX Communication Department, and it requires the cooperation of the exhibitor. "A couple weeks before the show, I received a call from Kristin Grilli, a representative of the Communications Department at INPEX, saying that a TV station was interested in doing a story on my invention," said Rickie Sumlin, a 2003 exhibitor who invented The Happy Bunker, an illuminated bunk bed with clear plastic bedposts. Kristin worked with a producer at WMAZ-TV to set a date and time for a camera crew to go to Sumlin's home for the interview. "INPEX handled all of the arrangements, and I made myself available to the media," said Sumlin. Sumlin's story aired twice on the CBS station's Mornin' show.
"I really appreciate all the hard work from the people at INPEX," said Sumlin.
While the above exhibitors' experiences are not typical of what most INPEX exhibitors can expect from attending the trade show, the events reported are a result of what can happen from attending INPEX — the Invention Show.
