What a whirlwind few days it was at METSTRADE! As the largest trade exhibition in the marine equipment industry, the show always delivers an energetic mix of innovation, networking, and exciting opportunities—and this year was no exception.
Our team was flat out meeting with existing clients, catching up with industry friends, and chatting with new faces about how we can help their business to grow. The atmosphere was full of optimism, even though many attendees admitted it’s been a challenging year for trade. Still, the consensus was clear: the marine sector is already looking ahead to 2025 with a renewed sense of purpose and positivity.
PR and marketing approach in a tough economical landscape
A recurring theme in our conversations was how businesses are navigating their PR and marketing strategies in tighter economic conditions. Ensuring measurable return on investment is a top priority, and many are exploring flexible approaches, such as maintaining a steady, lower-level retainer to keep the wheels turning, supplemented by project-based work for specific campaigns or launches.
In particular, we saw the appetite for a few key services, luckily all ones that ADPR are pros at delivering!
1. Media Relations
For many there was the desire to keep a press office ticking over that will secure high-quality media coverage and positioning their brands as an industry leader. Our team has strong relationships with key journalists and publications in the marine sector, ensuring stories get noticed by the right audience. From product launches to thought leadership, we know how to craft campaigns that capture attention and drive engagement.
2. Building and Strengthening Distributor Networks
We spoke to a lot of companies that rely on distributor networks to grow their market share, so keeping these relationships strong is vital to their success in 2025. We can help develop communication strategies and marketing materials that resonate. By highlighting unique selling points and aligning messaging across the network, we’ll ensure distributors are equipped to represent brands effectively in their markets.
3. Maximising LinkedIn for Profile Building
Whether they were marketing leads, sales directors or CFOs, everyone we spoke to recognised that LinkedIn is a powerful tool for the marine industry, offering opportunities to connect with prospects, share industry insights, and grow audiences. Despite this, the general consensus was that they were too time-poor to keep it populated and keep business prospects engaged.
Looking Ahead
METSTRADE has once again reinforced the strength of the marine industry community. Despite the challenges, the resilience and creativity of the people we spoke with shone through. As 2025 approaches, we’re excited to see how the insights and connections made last week will shape the future of the sector.
If we didn’t get the chance to connect at METSTRADE, or if you’d like to chat more about how we can support you, feel free to reach out! The team at ADPR is here to help you navigate the ever-changing tides of PR and marketing and help you to make the connections you need to grow. Check out our services and some of our past work, or contact us at hello@adpr.co.uk