1. Review previous years' promotional budgets
2. Determine objectives and scope of program
3. Determine audience(s): membership, potential exhibitors, an industry or trade, general public.
4. Develop theme and corresponding graphics. Considerations should include purposes of individual pieces: who will receive them, tone to be conveyed, how they will be produced, how many colors will be needed, what layout format is required at each stage (from rough to comprehensive), and how much is budgeted for them.
5. Develop a schedule for the campaign.
6. Set promotional budget based on characteristics of membership, features of the venue, time of year, strength of program, and costs of attendance.
7. Develop promotional materials according to tested criteria: short and forceful sentences, convincing explanation of benefits to attendees, clear emphasis on important elements of meeting, and easy means of registering.
8. Plan for all items needed for the campaign to carry theme forward, taking into account costs of special effects like embossing or die -cutting; quality, grade, weight, and finish of paper; number of ink colors used; time for production; and quantity required:
a. pre-meeting letters and announcements9. Solicit a minimum of three competitive bids for all printing, checking samples of paper stock, samples of work for other meetings, references, and explanation of other services each firm can provide.
b. preliminary programs
c. registration and housing forms
d. promotional pieces for both exhibitors and attendees
e. invitations
f. follow-up mailings
g. final agendas/program books
h. badge inserts
i. tickets
j. on-site registration materials
k. signage
l. newsletters
m. lists of registered attendees
10. Select printer(s), taking into account whether need is for "quick" or commercial quality, demonstrated ability of a single printer to handle all needs, availability of necessary equipment for jobs, and ability to meet deadlines.
11. Agree with printer on schedule into which extra time is built, and monitor deadlines for rough layout, submission of copy, preliminary approval, completed layout, final approval of blueline, and delivery of job.
12. Promote at previous year's meeting.
13. Release promotional pieces, press releases, and related materials in accordance with schedule, with news releases preceding membership promotional mailings.
14. Target local, national, international media as appropriate by type: trade papers, newspapers and periodicals of general interest, radio and television tailored to market.
15. Overall, control promotional costs through following measures:
a. Obtaining firm written bids for services* Courtesy of Professional Convention Management Association
b. Providing clean, competently proofread copy to printers
c. Using standard paper sizes where at all possible
d. Using same paper stock for many pieces
e. Piggybacking print items using same color
f. Using standard PMS ink colors
g. Reusing graphics
h. Avoiding unnecessary special effects
i. Avoiding perforations in favor of dotted-line cutting guides
j. Coordinating printing times
k. Setting and enforcing firm policy on overtime
l. Minimizing number of copy changes
