Press conferences or “newsers” have long been a staple in the PR professional’s proverbial tool bag. They are a great way to share the news of your company or organization in a more comprehensive, visual way than just a flat press release. 
Over the years, I’ve planned many PR events and some of my favorite and most successful have been at the “place where news happens”. If you aren’t sure where I’m talking about, it’s the historic National Press Club in Washington, D.C. The place where 3,500 members— including journalists from every major news organization— congregate, work, gather news, socialize, and eat. Walking through the halls of this incredible club is like a stroll along Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. Framed and autographed images of the biggest stars and newsmakers you can imagine (authors, athletes, politicians, musicians, actors/actresses and others) adorn the walls, giving visitors a peak into the significant news that has been shared here. It is truly awe-inspiring—whether you are a news junkie like me or not.
Obviously, hosting an event in Washington, D.C. has its perks since many of the world’s most influential media outlets have a presence there, but there are several other advantages to choosing the National Press Club. From the helpful event and AV staff to the news delivery options, it is without a doubt the best option for sharing big news.
In the two most recent events I’ve planned, we broadcast the press conference via LIVE webcast, so anyone unable to attend in person could participate in real time. The former president of the National Press Club, and friend of WordWrite, actually suggested this to us. As a busy reporter herself, she said having the option to listen and watch from home is appreciated when she can’t attend events personally.
Isn’t technology grand? Even better, I didn’t have to be the technology expert setting it all up—because if you know me, that is a laughable statement. I am many things, but can confidently say no one will ever use the words “technology expert” to describe me. Thankfully, the audio-visual staff at the National Press Club is top notch with the latest technology at their fingertips. In my case, their experts helped me work through such questions as whether or not to have two video cameras, what microphones we needed and how many, how best to moderate the questions from the audience and how we could incorporate a video clip into the presentation. We also had the option to have the AV staff compile the footage from the event into a short video clip to be used later. Now that is convenient. And useful.
The Press Club has several options for press release distribution which you of course pay for, but it can be as comprehensive as you’d like, including having your release hand-delivered to the desk of all the reporters who work in the Press Club. How often can you do that back at home? Your event is posted on their website event calendar and internally at the Press Club—right where journalists will see it.
As for the event itself, it is relatively short, as all press conferences should be. Yet the time spent at the Press Club is always well worth it. We had members of the media attend both in person and via the webcast. We shared the link to the replay of the event, making it much more valuable than the 30 minutes spent in the room.
Not all news warrants such an elaborate, high-tech event. Sometimes, a press conference outside of a factory with local dignitaries is just what you need to share the news of a facility expansion. For those times you have big news or you are looking for an easy way to reach influential reporters with your story, the National Press Club is your best option.
If you’d like to talk about the best way to tell your story, give us a call. We’re happy to help you figure out the best way to share your story with all who need to see, hear and experience it.
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Hollie Geitner is vice president, client services for WordWrite Communications.You can find her on Twitter @JustHollieG. 
