NACDS Total Store Expo aims to drive pre-show engagement via social media campaign

ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has announced the launch of a major social media campaign to maximize Total Store Expo’s power to “Make Connections Happen.”

 

The social push aims to continue to attract new audiences — and thus new opportunities — to the event. The campaign also is geared to build the platform that companies can use to boost their visibility before and during the trade show and strategic exchange, which will be held Aug. 22-25 in Denver.

 

Introduced on NACDS-TV, NACDS’ campaign is utilizing Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn to tell the story of what makes the NACDS Total Store Expo unique and game changing for attendees.

 

“This social media campaign is designed to leverage what’s truly important about this remarkable event. By far, the most important ingredient to the NACDS Total Store Expo’s success is the engagement of decision-makers across diverse functions within their companies, and across diverse segments of the industry. Also of importance is the total commitment to help attendees prepare thoroughly for the event – from their exhibit space to their meeting agendas and more,” said NACDS president and CEO, Steve Anderson.

 

He added, “The content that we are featuring in this social media campaign adds value, because it showcases the tremendous resources available to help participants engage in the meeting with maximum effectiveness. It also will present opportunities to continue to bring in new companies, and to give returning and new companies an opportunity to achieve added visibility as they engage online as well as on-site.”

 

About 90% of post-event survey respondents in the past two years indicating that they plan to attend the next year’s event.

 

The new social media campaign guides audiences to the NACDS Total Store Expo website, which features content to help all attendees plan and execute. Once again, the event also will feature a mobile app — currently in development — that will offer helpful resources.

 

On a related point, not only is NACDS employing social media in new ways to advance its meetings; it also is fostering awareness of the latest trends in corporate digital marketing strategies. In 2014, NACDS and AT Kearney partnered on a “Winning with Digital” study and a follow-up report that have proved valuable to retailers and suppliers alike.

 

“One axiom of association leadership is that an association should reflect the industry it represents. This new social media campaign, and our member services on related issues, are case-in-point,” Anderson said.