The editorial board of Kongres magazine decided to conduct a satisfaction survey among the SE European participants of Conventa 2011 and IMEX 2011. We used a survey with the same questions at both events. The participants of the survey were the same in 80 %. At IMEX 35 of 67 participants took part in the survey and at Conventa 2011 47 of 122 participants answered. In both cases we gained a considerable sample applicative to the entire population we were researching. We compared 8 of the most interesting questions.
The results are presented for each question separately.
1. Please list your main reasons for exhibiting at IMEX 2011/CONVENTA 2011
At both trade shows the three main reasons are: Presentation of the offer at one place, One to one meetings between exhibitors and buyers and Networking. At both shows the exhibitors placed One to one meetings between exhibitors and buyers in first place (Conventa: 48 %, IMEX: 34.5 %), in second place Networking (Conventa: 25 %, IMEX: 29.9) and in third place Presentation of the offer at one place (Conventa: 21%, IMEX: 25%). The results are expected since Conventa is much more specialized and the offer can be adapted to the needs of the buyers. IMEX is a much larger trade show therefore networking opportunities are larger.
2. To what extent do you agree with the following statements?
a. IMEX 2011/ CONVENTA 2011 is very important to my business (please just rotate chart so that Agree completely will be at the top and Disagree strongly at the bottom)
The above chart demonstrates almost all the exhibitors agree both IMEX and Conventa are the right fit for their business. The only difference is that IMEX has more of those who strongly agree as well as those who strongly disagree with this statement.
b. IMEX/ CONVENTA has the right visitors for me (please just rotate chart so that Agree completely will be at the top and Disagree strongly at the bottom)
This chart also demonstrates most exhibitors agree both trade shows have the right visitors (buyers). The difference is again only in the percentage of those who strongly agree or strongly disagree with this statement. IMEX has more of those than Conventa.
3. Did your participation meet your expectations?
90 % of the visitors of both trade shows confirmed this statement. Conventa had a considerable amount more of those who absolutely agree with this statement, 58 % in comparison with IMEX’s 48 %.
4. Please evaluate the quality of your prescheduled appointments with hosted buyers.
We used a scale where 5 means excellent, 4 – good, 3 – adequate, 2 – bad and 1 – really bad.
With all of the claims Conventa had a slightly higher satisfaction level. The biggest difference is in the number of realized meetings. We can deduce Conventa offers more possibilities for meetings from the results.
5. Please rate each of the following aspects of IMEX/CONVENTA
We used a scale where 5 means excellent, 4 – good, 3 – adequate, 2 – bad and 1 – really bad.
Here Conventa also did better in all areas. The biggest differences are evident with the questions Relevance of visitors to your business and at Green measures, where the exhibitors rated Conventa considerably better.
6. Did the cost of participation meet the quality of services provided?
Here considerable differences among the two trade shows are visible – 94 % Conventa visitors answered the quality was equal to or greater than the price, while IMEX got 68.6 %. The biggest difference is evident with the claim the quality was greater than the price, since 36 % agreed at Conventa and only 8.6 at IMEX.
7. Do you think that the investment in exhibiting at IMEX/CONVENTA will pay off?
Here both trade shows are pretty equal, since Conventa scored 87 % and IMEX 88.6 %.
8. How likely are you to exhibit at IMEX /CONVENTA 2012?
Here the results were pretty equal as well – if we combine those who will most likely and definitely exhibit next year, IMEX scores 94.2 % and Conventa 98 %.
Conclusion
The editorial board of Kongres magazine came to the conclusion the satisfaction survey results are similar for both trade shows. In most cases Conventa did slightly better. Conventa was especially positively rated at relevance of visitors for the exhibitors business, green measures and the claim that quality exceeds price. Considering the result we can asses both trade show are professionally organized and carried out since the grades are well above average. The results display the participants of these two trade show will return to both Conventa as well as IMEX in 2012.
