No RSVPs? No Problem.
Journalists have less time to spend on stories as resource pressures are reshaping newsrooms. Nearly half of surveyed journalists cited “resource constraints” as their biggest challenge in 2026, according to Cision’s State of the Media report.
More bylines and less time can equal low turnout at press conferences if you’re not strategically considering how best to include reporters in your planning process. Here are three steps to boost attendance at your press conferences:
Determine your why
When the possibility of hosting a press conference comes up, ask yourself: why should this be a press conference?
To best help determine whether it is the best fit, consider visual opportunities, access to interviewees and whether the news is significant enough to warrant a press conference.
NP Strategy Media Team supporting media coverage for the unveiling of the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, NC .
Be wise about time and location
Spend time talking with reporters in your coverage area before ever needing to hold a press conference.
Maintain a document with broadcast deadlines and newsroom meetings so that you can plan strategically. A press conference very early in the morning or late in the afternoon will not draw as much attendance (unless it is a breaking news event).
It’s vital to consider location. Choose somewhere that will not be far for local reporters to travel and ensure that they have clear directions.
Give them something they can’t get anywhere else
Reporters increasingly have less time to spend on stories so it’s crucial to hold press conferences that are worth their time.
Reporters want access to interviews that they can only get at this press conference (think: bringing in the CEO of a newly announced company and making them available for an interview following the press conference). They want visuals and soundbites that are interesting and easy to capture.
To get them there, ensure you’re planning an event that considers newsworthiness, promises exclusive access and includes enticing visuals.
At NP Strategy, our team of former journalists and professional communicators help clients elevate their public profile through media coverage. If you want to learn more about how we can help you handle media relations, click here.
