SAN DIEGO, CA (September 10, 2008) — The International Association of Expositions and Events (IAEE) has tapped Marketing Design Group (MDG) to present two marketing workshops to help members improve the effectiveness of their attendee marketing in today’s challenging economic climate.

Headlining the IAEE Southwest Chapter’s meeting October 15th at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Denise Paccione, Founder and President, and Kimberly Hardcastle-Geddes, CEM, Vice President of MDG will present “Attendee Marketing in a Slow Economy”.  In this interactive workshop, Paccione will present recent behavioral research that highlights eight new marketing opportunities tradeshow organizers can take advantage of in the post-abundance economy. Then Hardcastle-Geddes will give workshop participants 10 guidelines that they can put to use immediately to increase the effectiveness of their own event marketing.

During IAEE’s 2008 Annual Meeting in Miami, Kimberly Hardcastle-Geddes will present “Creating Strategic Public Relations Plans that Drive Attendance” on Thursday, December 4. Using real world examples, Kimberly will illustrate how a good PR plan can cost-effectively increase the reach—and results—of attendee and exhibitor marketing campaigns. Participants will learn what PR tactics are most effective in a post-abundance economy and how to build a comprehensive media distribution list, get maximum traction in traditional and social media channels, establish mutually beneficial partnerships with trade press and identify out-of-the-box PR opportunities to increase participation at their next event. This interactive session will cover exactly what event organizers need to make PR an efficient and effective element of their show’s marketing mix.

For more information about these events, or for a copy of either of the event PowerPoint presentations, please contact Kimberly Hardcastle-Geddes, CEM, at kimberly@marketingdesigngroup.com, or call 619.298.1445, ext. 116.