Don’t Invite Elected Officials to your PR Event

What’s one of the biggest mistakes you can make when planning a PR event?

Thinking an elected official at your podium will automatically get you media attention.

Who Shows Up—and Why

Federal and state-level officials—governors, U.S. senators, high-profile agency heads—do not attend your event just to be supportive. They’re strategic. They attend events where they can announce something, take credit for funding, or celebrate a project they helped move forward. In short, they show up when there’s a political win in it for them.

That’s not cynical—that’s reality.

On the flip side, local and regional electeds—think city councilmembers, town supervisors, county executives—are far more likely to attend events if they connect with others in the community. For them, showing up is part of their job. And they’ll likely be glad to attend, even if there’s no media on site.

Lobbyists Can Open Doors—Not Fill the Room

Hiring a government relations firm is smart if your goal is to build long-term relationships with elected officials. They can open doors, secure meetings, and help advance your legislative goals.

But let’s be clear: even the best lobbyist in the game can’t guarantee an elected official will show up to your event—especially if there’s no clear political upside for that official.

Don’t Confuse a Guest Speaker With a Story

The biggest misconception?

Believing that a government official on your invite list equals a newsworthy event.

It doesn’t.

Reporters don’t cover press conferences because a state senator is attending. They cover press conferences because something happened—or is happening—that affects their audience. If the only thing “new” about your news event is the name of someone on the guest list, you probably don’t have a story worth covering.

Good media coverage starts with a good story—not a powerful guest.

So What Should You Do?

Invite everyone. Absolutely.

Roll out the welcome mat for your local and state leaders.

But when you build your press event, build it around your mission, your message, and your visuals—not around the hope that a senator shows up and brings cameras with them.

If they come? Great. Get the photo, share it online, tag their office.

If they don’t? Your message still matters.

Remember: the best PR strategy puts your story at the center.