Show News Center
The First Stop for Media Professionals
The Show News Center is the first place trade and consumer news media and influencers will head when they arrive at The Inspired Home Show. But the News Center is more than just the place they pick up their badges. Throughout the Show, it’s the central communications area for working editorial media. It also offers a number of ways exhibitors can get their news and products in front of highly influential media professionals – at no cost.
Location, Hours and Amenities
The News Center is located in Room S401, Level 4 of the South Building.
Hours are 8:00 am – 6:00 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, March 9-11.
Badged media professionals can take advantage of services and amenities including:
- A studio/backdrop for shooting video or live shots
- Work stations, charging stations and lounge area
- A display area for exhibitors’ press materials
- A pop-up room with a curated selection of new products
- Daily continental breakfast and lunch
- A message board where exhibitors can post announcements
Free Exhibitor Opportunities
Press Material Display Area
All exhibitors are invited to share press materials to be displayed in the News Center. While not everyone will take a hard copy with them, many media professionals “shop” the press material area to find booths they would like to visit or companies they would like to learn more about.
Format: In recent years, press materials at the Show have taken many different forms. We’ve seen everything from 1-page press releases and flyers to full press kits, bound product catalogs and USB drives.
We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity and choose whatever option works best for your company and budget. A simple one-page photocopied press release does the job. See this easy sample.
Press Material Tips: No matter the format, make sure to include the following, preferably on the cover or first page:
- Your company name and booth number.
- PR/marketing contact name and email address. A sticker works well if it’s collateral used for other purposes.
- Images, even if just photocopied. Press materials are displayed in clear plexiglass holders.
- A QR code that links to press materials or your website.
Quantity: Since many media simply “shop” the press kit area (and scan QR codes and/or flag booth numbers to visit without taking a hard copy with them), we suggest sending 25-50 press kits/items.
Press Material Delivery: There are two options for getting them to the News Center:
- Ship directly to McCormick Place
- Materials should arrive no sooner than March 3 and no later than March 8. To ensure your materials arrive in that time window and to the right place, use FedEx or UPS. Do NOT send via DHL or the U.S. Post Office.
- Shipping Address:
News Center
Room S401, South Building
McCormick Place
2301 S. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60616
- Deliver kits by hand
- You’re welcome to deliver kits by hand to the News Center (Room S401, South Building). The room will be open and staffed before the Show on March 7-8 from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Note: We also offer an online press room where you can upload press materials and images. Find more information here. (Just be aware that unlike the in-person News Center that is only accessible to registered media, online press materials are public for all to see on our website.)
News Center Product Room
The News Center offers a curated display of new products that media get a sneak peek at before they visit the Show floor. The Show PR team often uses products from this collection when coordinating live TV shoots.
Products in this room represent only a small sample of the Show’s products and will be selected by the Show PR team based on trends, uniqueness and pre-Show media requests.
If you’d like to submit a product for consideration, please fill out a submission form by February 19. Our team will review all submissions, and you will be contacted if your product is selected for display. Please note that exhibitors and other Show attendees are not allowed in the product room.
Submit Your Products for Consideration >
We also encourage you to add your new products to your Connect 365 listing. Find more information here
Message Board
Exhibitors and PR professionals are not allowed beyond the front of the News Center, but we do offer a bulletin board where you can post announcements.
Media professionals especially appreciate seeing invites to in-booth special events and demos. Flyers should be no larger than 8½ x 11.
You can bring them to the News Center starting March 8. Please show a copy to someone at the front desk for further instructions.
You can also add in-booth special events to your Connect 365 listing so that all attendees can see them. Find more information here