Why Exhibitions?

Exhibitions are arguably the most powerful, cost-effective marketing medium. Exhibitions are an influential, flexible and highly cost-effective business tool – as well as being significant wealth generators in their own right. In established economies they are a vital part of the marketing mix, alongside direct selling, advertising, direct mail and the Internet. In new and emerging markets they are a major stimulus for industrial and commercial development:

· Driving industrial development and technology transfer · Boosting regional and national industry · Stimulating foreign investment in industry and infrastructure · Raising city/regional profile

Why Exhibit?

Exhibitions are one of the most effective mediums for establishing and maintaining customer relations. In an increasingly digital age, they are the only media where buyer, seller and product physically come together - a potent force for business.

Recent US research shows the average major exhibitor established one-to-one contact with 62% of their potential audience attracted to the exhibit stand (up from 59% in 2000).

76% of respondents asked rate exhibitions very or extremely important in becoming aware of new products or vendors. 50% said exhibitions are good for narrowing all vendors being considered to preferred vendors. 32% said they ultimately make their purchase decision as a result of what they saw.

71% of exhibition attendees across all industries also attend an average of 3.3 private events annually. On average they also attend 3.5 exhibitions annually. 47% of companies who exhibit also hold one or more of their own private events. (source: Exhibit Surveys)

Highly targeted

Trade exhibitions are highly cost-effective and a marketing platform for tightly focused profiles and carefully targeted audiences.

Flexible

With a wealth of exposure opportunities, from stand presence and sponsorship, to seminars and competitions, AGD events provide a dynamic environment for your sales and marketing activities. From generating sales leads and launching new products, to building brand image, maintaining customer relations and appointing new agents, exhibitions provide a highly flexible environment in which a wide range of sales and marketing objectives can be achieved.

A two-way communication process

Unlike magazines and direct mail, exhibitions involve a two-way communication process. Visitors can question, challenge and debate. Exhibitors can give and seek information. Most importantly, business is conducted face to face - the most persuasive form of selling, and of building customer relationships.

The buyer comes to you

Exhibition visitors are pro-active rather than passive recipients of your sales and marketing messages. They make a conscious decision to attend, and set aside valuable time to do so. Many are specifiers and influencers who it might otherwise be impossible to identify.

Neutral sales environment

The buyer feels under no great pressure to buy, while the seller is not apprehensive about visiting the buyer on his home territory.

A three-dimensional media

Whilst an advert, direct mailing or web page may say a product is the fastest, quietest, smallest or most advanced on the market, at an exhibition, buyers can see, taste, touch and try your product for themselves. Nothing beats the impact of a live demonstration. Fast market penetration

You can reach a large proportion of the market in a short space of time. Whether you are looking to raise your company profile, change market perceptions or generate sales leads, you can achieve more in four days at an exhibition than you might otherwise achieve in months.

Exhibitions are also one of the quickest and most cost-effective means of exploring and entering new export markets.

Individually, the benefits listed are not unique to exhibitions but what is unusual is their combination in a single, highly flexible promotional tool. Exhibitions combine the mass-reach of advertising, the targeting of direct mail, the persuasive power of face-to-face selling, and the networking benefits of the Internet, to create a unique environment in which a wide range of sales and marketing objectives can be pursued, either singly, or side by side.

Exhibiting at an AGD show: How to get the most out of it!

Download the ‘Tips for Exhibitors’ document for more information on how to optimise your time at the show. If you would like to exhibit at our exhibitions please use thecontact form on the top of the page for further exhibition information. You can then click on ‘**HERE** to go through to the exhibition’s website to read about exhibiting and to find relevant contact.