I have been chosed as a coordinator for a Dec. 9 MoveOn press

[acmavm]

conference in Omaha, Nebraska. Any tips?

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<From my e-mail>

Your second task: identify the best venue for the press conference. Using the online discussion forum, decide on a venue with your co-coordinators. The venue must have the following qualities:

- Journalists must know immediately how to get there.
- Centrally located, convenient.
- Comfortable, clean setting.


Good venues include:

- A conference room at big downtown Hotels.
- A public meeting room at town hall or at a central public library.
- A public meeting room in a central community center or theater.
- A public meeting room in a central church.

If you can find a free venue that meets all these criteria, that would be great. But we'll be available to make payment to any venues that charge.

<snip>
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Any and alll suggestions would be appreciated.

[prolesunited]

1. Very cool!

What is the topic of the press conference? What venues have you seen used in the past? Who's going to be there? What kind of media turn-out can you expect?

[Nlighten1]

2. Congratulations!

I have no idea how to help you out though. Sorry.

[TXvote]

3. Add A Dash of Theatre

After touting the important issues to be covered in the conference, be sure to add something that will make a good visual statement. Do you have cheerleaders? clowns? Marie Antionette passing out yellow cake?

People remember what makes them laugh and the press is always looking for a photo that speaks a thousand words. Theatre expressing irony with palatable humor is a powerful tool.

People remember what makes them smile, tune out what frightens them.

Also, practice your sound bytes with the most diabolical, nit picky devil's advocate you can find. Pat simple answers work best. And practice pausing without filling in the awkward silence. Many a snafu happens from filling space. The press can take as few as three words and make you look like a raving maniac.


Best of Luck. and CONGRATS!
Peace,
Teresa
www.votervirgin.com

[maddezmom]

4. congratulations

sorry no tips, but good luck.

[Sterling]

5. Chosen?

If you are running the project I would get a proof reader.

[acmavm]

7. Excuse me for the typo. Your sarcasm is greatly appreciated. It's the

first one that you've even seen here I suppose.

[acmavm]

6. Don't know that stuff yet, but what I want to know is how to go about

finding the "right" place to hold it. Also, what type of place or places would be most likely to allow the use of their facilities for little or no money, since money is an issue. They said that they would pay to use a space, but I am thinking that the money could be put to better use. This is a civic duty, in my opinion. Does one have the right to point that out? Actually, thinking that last remark over, probably not.

Just thought I'd ask some of the brightest minds that I have ever met for help and suggestions.

[Ksec]

8. Churches

Would be the most likely to let you use the facilities for free if you know any members who may belong. Call your local municipal building and tell them what youre looking for, chamber of commerce might help. Just get on the phone and get an idea of what you have available. Also check out Masonic temples . Good luck

[prolesunited]

10. What is the conference about exactly?

What is the topic? That will have some bearing on what you select for a venue.

[elfin]

9. Need some "Kids For Clark" there

so close to a school, if not in one. To show future generations affected by current disastrous policies.

On Edit - just kids - MoveOn hasn't declared --

[John_H]

11. No need to be fancy on your first press conference

like doing a press conference at the unemployment place, or closed down factory, etc.

Just figure out where most of the reporters are coming from, (mapquesting the major newsparers and tv stations will work) and find a major hotel that's easy to get to from where they're coming from. The hotel will have a podium and probably a mic. You may wat to think about renting a mult box--which is a box that hooks up to the mic to allow several tv and radio folks to take the sound directly from one mic. If you have the dough, have some food for the ho's. And don't forget the press kits--I'm sure the moveon folks will help you with materials.

remember reporters are lazy--you want the place easy to get to, the story easy to do without research (hence the press kit) and easy to execute (mult box, good lighting).

After move on sends out the media advisory ask them for the contact numbers of the news producers for the outlets you're faxing the advisory to so you can follow up with calls.