Festival and conference publicity
Festival and conference publicity drives coverage and attendance by turning lineups, speakers and moments into a steady series of stories.
Susan von Seggern has publicized festivals, parades, conventions and conferences in Los Angeles and across California. Examples include CONTACT in the DESERT in Joshua Tree and Indian Wells, the Hollywood Carnival parade and festival on Hollywood Boulevard, and the DIY Convention at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, each built around lineup announcements and sustained media outreach.
Last updated November 2026 · Published by Susan von Seggern
Treat every confirmed name as a news hook. Announce headliners and speakers in waves, pitch them to podcasts and niche outlets, and use hyper-local coverage to reach people who can attend.
On site, give press access to speakers and moments. Afterward, pitch the best stories, which can include the unexpected: the 2017 CONTACT in the DESERT release notes that a 2016 sighting was covered by the Daily Express and Coast to Coast AM.
Festivals and conferences have long sales cycles and many moving parts. A single announcement rarely carries a three-day event; a sequence of lineup reveals, workshop news and partner announcements does.
That is why Susan von Seggern pairs event publicity with sustained media outreach and daily lead service monitoring, so every new speaker or partner becomes another chance at coverage.
Sources: NextGen Event Co. (86.4%); American Express Global Meetings and Events Forecast 2026, Booking.com Business 2026 and Allied Market Research via Remo.co.
As described in releases on Susan von Seggern’s main website.
Annual UFO conference at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center, later Indian Wells. Its 2017 release called it the largest UFO conference in the US, with 30+ workshops.
Free parade covering three miles of Hollywood Boulevard with 30+ bands, plus a festival village at 6800 Hollywood Blvd, June 24, 2017.
14th annual film, music and books convention with a showcase luncheon at Bardot and free panels at the Hollywood Roosevelt, March 2015.
Open with the date, venue and the strongest confirmed name.
Release speakers, artists, workshops and partners as separate news moments.
Pitch hyper-local outlets for attendance and niche podcasts for the core audience.
Credential press, coordinate interviews and pitch post-event recaps.
Short answers to the questions organizers ask most. The full list lives on the FAQ page.
Yes. Examples on her website include CONTACT in the DESERT, which its 2017 release described as the largest UFO conference in the US, the Hollywood Carnival parade and festival on Hollywood Boulevard, and the DIY Convention at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.
More in the event PR FAQHyper-local coverage means placing stories in outlets that serve one city, neighborhood or community, such as local news sites and newsletters. For events, local outlets often drive attendance because their readers can actually go. Susan von Seggern uses hyper-local coverage alongside podcast pitching and established PR tactics.
More in the event PR FAQTiming varies with the story and the outlet. As a market reference, Los Angeles agency Public Haus says on its homepage that most of its clients begin seeing initial media coverage or influencer traction within the first 30 days. Lead service responses can land faster, because the journalist has already asked for that kind of source.
More in the event PR FAQLead service monitoring means watching services where journalists post requests for sources. Susan von Seggern monitors five lead service feeds daily, plus emails and Substacks from journalists looking for leads directly, then pitches the contacts whose interests match her client’s expertise. It often leads to strong coverage.
More in the event PR FAQPR can still help. Sustained outreach and lead service monitoring work at any stage, and a later announcement, such as a new headliner, speaker or sponsor, gives media a fresh reason to cover the event. Share what has already gone out so the next release adds genuinely new news.
More in the event PR FAQLow coverage usually means the angle, timing or target list needs work. Ask what was pitched, to whom and when. A stronger news hook, a hyper-local angle, a podcast guest slot or responses to journalist lead requests can open new paths to coverage.
More in the event PR FAQTell Susan von Seggern the date, venue and what makes it news. Event and corporate inquiries go straight to her contact form.
