How to Choose the Right International Trade Exhibition

 

Choosing the Right International Trade Fair to Attend

 

If business trips are considered the heart of the international business world, think of international exhibitions as the heart of these business trips. These events bring lots of companies together to showcase new things, providing a space for everyone to discuss business. International exhibitions are not just about buying and selling; they also help you see where the market is headed.

But, not all global exhibitions are the same. Even if they show similar things, there are big differences between events for businesses (B2B) and events for regular customers (B2C). So, it's super important to pick the right exhibition. Going to the wrong one can make you see the market in a wrong way and make it hard to find good business partners, even if you just want to visit or do some research. That's why choosing the right global exhibition with clear criteria and good research is very important.

Here are some things to look at when checking out international exhibitions:

 

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Looking at the Numbers - Size, Companies, Where It's Held

 

This section provides indicators to assess the scale of a trade fair. Even if the same products are exhibited, larger-scale fairs attract more participating companies and, naturally, more visitors. Therefore, in larger fairs, each company tends to make more aggressive investments, creating a cycle that provides more business opportunities for the participating companies. Representative indicators for assessing this include the following.

1. Size of the Exhibition
   : Big exhibitions mean more companies and more visitors. Big exhibitions usually make companies invest more, giving more chances for business.
   
   
2. Where It's Held
   : A good location makes it easier for everyone to attend. This is crucial not only for B2C (business to consumer) but also for companies engaged in B2B (business to business) activities, as it facilitates meetings after the fair.
   
   
3. Number of Exhibitors
   : If there aren't many companies relative to the size of the exhibition, it could indicate that the organizers didn't do a good job attracting participants. A low number of companies may also result in less revenue for the organizers, often leading to a lack of funds for advertising and organizing the show.
4. Sponsors
   : Big and successful exhibitions usually have many sponsors. Having well-known sponsors shows the exhibition is trusted and more likely to succeed.

 

 

 

Looking at Quality - How Good the Organizers Are, Changes Over Time

 

Unlike the numerical criteria mentioned above, there are also somewhat subjective indicators that need to be assessed. These indicators often depend on the judgment of the evaluator's experience and the current state of the industry. Therefore, using objective indicators as supplementary evidence for judgment can be beneficial.

1. Organizers' Capability
   : The capability of the exhibition organizers is often perceived more through practical experiences than through objective evidence.
   This is evident when simple questions receive abnormally slow responses or when there is a lack of proper manuals and participation guidelines. In cases where the organizers exhibit inadequate capabilities, it not only affects basic operational efficiency but can also lead to a lackluster execution of projects. If the hosting party lacks fundamental competence, it is natural that not only their basic business abilities are deficient but also their capability to effectively manage the exhibition event.
   
   
2. Changes Over Time
   The historical changes in the exhibition's history are also a crucial indicator when examining the exhibition. If there are abrupt relocations of the exhibition venue to remote areas or if the scale of the exhibition significantly increases or decreases without clear reasons, there is a high likelihood that there were problems in the management of the exhibition. It is essential to closely scrutinize noticeable changes in promotional materials or videos related to the exhibition, as these changes can provide insights into potential issues.
   

 

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Just like any other information, always check international exhibition details carefully.

 

 

I hope this helps everyone pick the right global exhibition with good preparation.