Show News Center
The First Stop for Media Professionals
Are you part of the 500+ million consumer impressions the Show generates?
The News Center is the first place the trade and consumer news media, bloggers and influencers will head for when they arrive at The Inspired Home Show 2024. It is the central communications area for the working editorial media attending the Show – and it’s a terrific resource for free publicity for all exhibitors. The Show generates more than 500 million impressions through print, broadcast, internet and social media coverage. For more information about the News Center, or the Show’s public relations efforts, contact Debbie Teschke (847.692.0110).
Location & Amenities
The News Center is located in Room S401, Level 4 of the South Building, and offers the media services and amenities including:
- Continental breakfast and lunch offered daily.
- A lounge area with comfortable seating.
- A display area for exhibitors’ press kits.
- A News Center Product Room with new products for the media to view.
- A message board where exhibitors can leave notes for the media.
- Boxes for shipping press kits back to editors’ offices.
These services are provided by IHA as part of exhibitors’ booth space fees, and there is no charge for displaying your press kits or products for the media. Exhibitors are invited and encouraged to visit the News Center for a tour and to learn more about News Center services. For the safety of your information, exhibitors are not allowed unescorted in the press kit display area, this is strictly enforced by News Center staff.
News Center Hours
| Sunday to Tuesday, March 17—19 | 8:00 am — 6:00 pm |
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Creating Media Materials
You can maximize your success at the 2024 Show by working with the trade and consumer media to get coverage of your company or products through timely news releases to convey your information. Create a press kit for distribution at the Show or for posting in the online press room, and include press releases and photos about your company and products. Editors, reporters, bloggers and influencers attending the Show use the kit’s materials for stories they develop throughout the year.
News Releases
News releases should announce real news – a new product introduction, appointment of a new executive or a special company event or anniversary.
Announce your news in the “lead” or first paragraph, including the “who, what, where, when, why and how.” In following paragraphs, explain the features and benefits of your news and quotes from company reps. Keep your news releases short; no more than two typed pages, double-spaced. Also make sure that your company name, address, phone number, company website and contact name/email/phone number to call for further information appear on the release
A SAMPLE PRESS RELEASE YOU CAN FOLLOW (PDF) >
If you don’t have a PR person or know how to write a press release, IHA offers a service that will write one for you. My Press Release Writer is an online form with several questions that you answer to provide information about your new product and Show participation. Once completed and submitted, a third-party vendor creates the release and emails you a Word document that you can use however you wish: print on letterhead, post to your website, use in the online press kit or email to the media.
Press Kits
The difference between an individual news release and a press kit is the volume of information provided to the news media. While a news release may cover one product or news item, a press kit is a compilation of news releases on your company, key personnel, product lines, color photos of products and other pertinent information. Make sure that your company name, logo and booth number are placed on the cover of each press kit for easy identification. If you are going digital with a CD or USB drive, make sure the company name and booth number are on the cover sleeve or drive holder.
HOW TO PUT TOGETHER A PRESS KIT TIPS (PDF) >
Sending Your Press Kits to the News Center
For the Show, send 75 -100 press kits directly to the News Center at McCormick Place for display during the Show. Press kit distribution is provided by IHA as part of exhibitors’ booth space fee. IHA also provides complimentary shipping of exhibitors’ press kits to the media after the Show.
Press kits need to arrive at McCormick Place no later than March 16 and no sooner than March 12. Use this address to ship kits via ground or overnight shipping. DO NOT SEND VIA THE U.S. POST OFFICE. If you wish to bring the kits to the News Center, please deliver them by end of day on Saturday, March 16, so you do not miss out on media seeing your kit. We will be in the News Center beginning Thursday, March 13, so drop them off when you come to set up your booth.
Shipping address:
News Center
Room S401, South Building
McCormick Place
2301 S. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60616
News Center Product Room
Show your new products to the news media before they hit the Show floor. The News Center Product Room displays new products and is where the Show PR Team take media before they walk the Show. Exhibitors and other Show attendees are not allowed in the Product Room. Submit your new product for consideration to be included in the Product Room. There is no charge to display your product. Submissions are reviewed by the PR Team and you will be contacted if your product is selected for display
New Product Listings
Enter your New Product listings for the news media in your Connect 365 listing, and be sure to include photos. The New Products search will be available to all visitors to Connect 365, giving your products added exposure to buyers and news media.
The Show Public Relations Team reviews these listings to find products for stories or pitches to the media. The Team may also request a product sample to display for the media. The earlier you submit your new product listings, the more exposure they will receive.
In-Booth Special Events
Product demos, celebrity appearances and more!
Draw Buyers and News Media to Your Booth. Spread the word about the celebrity in your booth, your special media event or product demonstration by including it in your listing on Connect 365, our online Show directory.
Designer and celebrity appearances, guests and product demonstrations are of great interest to buyers and news media and can help attract them to your booth. All special events or demonstrations must comply with Show Management’s Rules and Regulations, which are included in the Exhibitor Services Kit. Please review these rules to ensure your event is in compliance. Buyers and the media will be directed to search Connect 365 for these events. The News Center staff will also search Connect 365 for this information to have on hand during the Show.
Use the pre-Show media registration list (available in mid-February) to invite the media to your booth.
The Show’s News Center staff is ready and eager to work with every exhibitor to help you make the most of the public relations opportunities for your trade show dollar.
