antwerpxl-2

Case Study

Increasing Engagement at AntwerpXL

Sector

Business Sector

Services

  • 355%

    Average weekly engagement rate increase (Facebook and Twitter)

  • 443%

    Average weekly page views increase (Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram)

  • 242%

    Average weekly reach increase (Facebook and Instagram)

  • 7369

    Average weekly impressions (Twitter and Instagram)

The Challenge

Easyfairs, one of the world’s leading event organisers, wanted to increase engagement before, during and after its inaugural AntwerpXL event, which focussed on the niche breakbulk industry. It was important to capture the attention of existing and potential exhibitors, conference speakers and visitors, plus key industry media.

Our Strategy

In order to drive engagement amongst the event’s target audience, we decided to launch a focussed, targeted and measurable social media campaign across AntwerpXL’s social media channels – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Before launching the campaign, we identified key performance indicators (KPI’s) tailored to each channel which included average weekly engagement rate, page views, reach and impressions.

The campaign ran for five weeks; two weeks prior to the event, the week during, and two weeks after. This was to build excitement ahead of the show, engage with exhibitors, conference speakers and visitors during, and continue momentum when the show was over.

How We Helped

A social media campaign calendar implemented the strategy with regular posts for all social media channels. This included a mix of content to keep the AntwerpXL brand in front of industry professionals at a key time for the show. Key elements of the calendar included:

Speaker Interviews and Social Media Graphics

AntwerpXL’s key conference speakers were interviewed about their sessions to gain soundbites which were then implemented across social media. Visuals designed in-house promoted the sessions and built excitement amongst the event’s attendees. Speakers were tagged to encourage them to share posts with their own network – an audience likely to be interested in AntwerpXL. Each visual also linked to a full interview, written-up and hosted on the AntwerpXL website, to drive additional traffic.

Exhibitor Generated Content

AntwerpXL’s exhibitors were involved in the social media strategy to give them added value as part of the exhibitor package. News of exhibitor launches at the event was shared, tagging the exhibitor brand to increase engagement.

International Media Generated Content

Media coverage, secured in leading trade magazines as part of our press office activity, was shared to capture the interest of the industry. All titles were tagged when doing this to encourage interactions with journalists and build deeper relationships with the global media.

Follower Generated Content

Polls and surveys conducted with followers allowed us to gain valuable insights and encourage follower engagement. The results were then shared on social media to reflect the industry’s attitudes to its biggest opportunities and challenges.

On the Show Floor

Updates from the show floor were posted in real time. Video interviews with speakers, images and opinions sourced on the event’s keynote sessions, made up the content. This led to excellent engagement rates; a factor enhanced as we responded to all posts about AntwerpXL shared by exhibitors and visitors.

The Outcome

The average weekly engagement rate across Facebook and Twitter increased by 355%. The number of page views each week on Facebook and LinkedIn was up by 195%, and the number of profile visits per week for Instagram was up by 940%.

The average weekly reach of AntwerpXL’s Facebook page soared by 400% and its Instagram page by 84%.

Twitter generated an average of 13,468 impressions per week, while retweets were up 70%. On Instagram, impressions reached 1,270, up 287%.

The social media campaign for Easyfairs and AntwerpXL thoroughly engaged the event’s exhibitors, conference speakers, visitors, and the industry’s media, in a way that built interest and excitement, as well as a sense of community.

Jo Mayer, Event & Exhibition Marketing Consultant at Easyfairs, commented: “I was so pleased with Energy PR’s social media campaign for the inaugural AntwerpXL. Given the show was in its first year, it was so important that we made our exhibitors, speakers and visitors feel valued and excited about the event. The results of the campaign speak for themselves – the industry was thoroughly engaged with all things AntwerpXL and is looking forward to next year’s instalment.”

To find out more about our expertise in international PR, please do get in touch.

  • 355%

    Average weekly engagement rate increase (Facebook and Twitter)

  • 443%

    Average weekly page views increase (Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram)

  • 242%

    Average weekly reach increase (Facebook and Instagram)

  • 7369

    Average weekly impressions (Twitter and Instagram)

man-holding-two-children

Next Case Study

Revealing What Makes A Modern Accomplished Man

We're always interested in a new PR challenge

People dancing
white house with swimming pool and palm trees
colourful painting
soundwave