Roadshows

Roadshows provide a space for discussion with communities around a topic, issue, or project, and usually take place in multiple locations. The goal is to reach diverse audiences, build relationships, and generate interest or participation. Usually interactive, with visually appealing displays, a roadshow can be a good way for people to learn and reflect on what a community’s thoughts and feelings are.

illustration of people talking over a table with a laptop

Suitable for:

Roadshows are suitable for a variety of individuals, organisations and industries that aim to engage directly with their audience in multiple locations, such as a public awareness campaign.

Type of engagement:

The inform, consult and involve icons in a row

Inform | Consult | Involve

How to do it: Yellow lightbulb.

  • Think about where you are going to take your roadshow.
  • Beforehand, consider the following:
  • Venues
  • Cost considerations
  • The time for staff or volunteers to be at the event
  • What you are going to include
  • Promotion – how will people know why they should attend?
  • Accessibility, including time of day, work and childcare and transport links. At the venue itself, are there hearing loop systems, is the space accessible to wheelchairs, for example?
  • Whether you will have refreshments.
  • Roadshows often include posters, leaflets, and videos.
  • Depending on the venue size and the number of stands or stations, consider the best flow or order to best present the information and stimulate discussion.
  • As they are drop-in events, attendance may vary throughout the day.
  • It can be useful to have a space for participants to sit and chat about things they’ve maybe looked at or discussed at the stands or stations. 
  • People should be on hand at each station or stand. If consulting and gathering feedback, having a quick and easy to complete opinion poll or survey at the exit can help to gather this.
  • Prepare take-away materials, ensure enough copies, and provide clear signposting to more information.
yellow star Advantages warning sign Challenges
  • Roadshows allow direct engagement with face-to-face interaction
  • They are brought to local communities, meaning that they can be more accessible and reach wider audiences
  • Immediate feedback is available
  • With various sources of information, and activities, roadshows can make information more engaging.
  • They can be expensive due to hiring venues and transport
  • Roadshows can take a lot of time to prepare and deliver
  • The turnout of roadshows can vary.

Further Information: magnifying glass brown, grey and blue

Online search engines should show different organisations’ guidance on carrying out a conference which may be useful to look at.

Case study: Open book

Employability Roadshow – Community Roadshow Offering Employment Support

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