Internet censorship is a fact of life in a number of countries. How do we as expo and event organizers get around it to communicate our message to prospects?

I was reading the other day about how the United Arab Emirates (Dubai, Abu Dhabi) authorities will begin banning Blackberry mobile phone customers from using email, instant messaging or web browsing services while in the region beginning this October. Saudi Arabia did so and is now in negotiations to solve the issue with a special messenger-service server.

It got me thinking about how we communicate with our global counterparts—and that not everyone is on board with social media as the preferred communication method.

China began the “Golden Shield” or “Great Firewall” in 1993. Both Facebook and Twitter are banned. There is no access to either site unless one uses data roaming (expensive!). The Chinese regularly block Web site content and monitor Internet access of individuals. (If you want to make sure your organization’s Web site is not banned, click here).

Additionally, the Chinese alphabet doesn’t play well with e-mail addresses. Yes, it is growing, but is not nearly there yet as the best way to communicate with prospects. Please note that those who have it may not regularly read or return e-mails. (I know. What a shock!)

When promoting exhibitions abroad, remember the focus is on getting your message received, in spite of censorship challenges. If you send out 10,000 emails will it really get the message to your prospects or go into the void? How about “old school” methods such as faxes? Phone calls? Direct mail? (Careful on the last one here—what is the infrastructure in the country like? Effective? Not?)

With a bit of research, you can effectively promote your expos and events abroad without the World Wide Web. If you have any ideas that have (or have not worked), please share!