Media Relations and Event Management
Evoqua Water Technologies, a global leader in mission-critical water treatment solutions with headquarters in Pittsburgh, chose Baker Public Relations for media relations support for the grand opening and ribbon-cutting of its Sustainability and Innovation Hub on October 21, 2021. The event brought together regional academic, government and industry leaders.
The new facility will enable further advancement and development of cutting-edge and sustainable water treatment technologies that address critical emerging water trends, including water and climate risks, connectivity and health and safety.
The 18,000-square-foot facility houses a hands-on demonstration and training area, pilot testing environment and a state-of-the-art laboratory to grow Evoqua’s analytical and feasibility study capacity. The collaborative workspace is designed to provide strategic and timely technical capabilities, illustrating its commitment to delivering excellence to its customers.
Evoqua expressed its goals to the agency, including promoting the Sustainability and Innovation Hub’s new Lawrenceville location – a neighborhood east of Downtown Pittsburgh, as well as the organization’s commitment to the region as a whole.
The Baker Public Relations team managed all media-related activity for the event concentrating on business and environmental editors and reporters, general news editors and broadcast outlets. Baker Public Relations contacted the Pittsburgh outlets via pitches, media advisories, press releases and follow-up emails and phone calls. After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the team offered a faculty tour to educate the media and stakeholders on the Sustainability and Innovation Hub’s capabilities.
Additionally, Baker Public Relations assisted Evoqua’s team with event coordination the day before and the day of the event. From set-up, signage placement, directing the videographer and photographer to dignitary greetings, seating arrangements and ribbon cutting, the Baker Public Relations team was all-hands-on-deck.
Baker Public Relations monitored all news and social media coverage generated before, during and after the grand opening. All told, nine articles and broadcast hits were generated with an advertising value of $92,138 and 8.7 million impressions. This proactive measure solidified Evoqua Water Technologies’ reputation as a leader in the sustainable water resources arena within local media and the Pittsburgh region.
Evoqua’s leadership was thoroughly impressed with Baker Public Relations’ team that they decided to continue the relationship. A national TV news appearance was presented to Evoqua’s CEO, who did not have significant experience in the national spotlight. The organization called on the Baker Public Relations team for a media training session in November 2021 executed by the team’s former broadcast journalist staff. Evoqua’s CEO was very receptive and applied the tips learned during the training, making for a successful interview.
