The eight edition of Conventa will be recorder in the meetings industry history as one of the best and most productive trade shows that opened the business year of 2016. The satisfaction survey conducted among exhibitors and hosted buyers showed the trade show is evolving and gaining recognition among the European meetings industry professionals. Organizers of Conventa are thus proud to present the survey results that confirm their high level of professionalism, excellence of the event and satisfaction of all that have participated.
Hosted buyers pleasantly surprised by the fam trip experience
The eight Conventa hosted 174 international and more than 100 Slovenian and regional meeting planners that came to Slovenian from a record number of countries. Organizers of Conventa were happy to find out that 89,6 % of hosted buyers attending the show said their participation absolutely met their expectations. On a scale from 1 to 5 their overall satisfaction with Conventa was rated with 4,59, while the reputation of Conventa got 4,52 points. One of the hosted buyers wrote: “A great show where you meet the movers and shakers of Central and Eastern Europe and the right people who are shaping the right experiences that allow us to design a great travel journeys for our esteem customers.”
Almost 72 % of hosted buyers agreed their itinerary absolutely met their expectations
The majority of meeting planners attended Conventa because they were personally invited by the organizers of the show. Almost 90 % of hosted buyers stated One2One meetings between exhibitors and buyers is the main reason why they attended. They believe the success of their attendance depended mostly on networking opportunities (rated with 4,51), as well as on the quality of visitors (quality of companies exhibiting received 4,5 points) and educational opportunities offered during the show (4,22).
They were very satisfied with several aspects of the show; from trade show itself to networking lunches and evening receptions. On a scale from 1 to 5, they rated friendliness and effectiveness of the show organizer with 4,67, quality of service and efficiency throughout their trip with 4,63 and Conventa sustainable measures with 4,49. Among Conventa publications the best score was given to the Conventa catalogue (4,15).
Average total number of conducted meetings was 29
Although hosted buyers agree to a minimum of 15 One2One appointments, the realized average number of meetings was much higher than that. Out of 29 conducted meetings, 20 were pre-scheduled appointments, 5 were realized additionally on spot at stands and 4 during social events. The satisfaction with content of meetings was rated with 4,44, while web application for pre-scheduling One2One meetings was given 4,12 points.
Personal experience is still what matters most
Conventa highlighted personal experience making sure hosted buyers enjoyed themselves from start till the end while creating their own Conventa experience. Extremely well rated were the fam trips where hosted buyers were given a chance to personally explore some of the best congress destinations in the region. The highest score was given to Ljubljana pre-tour (4,73) that was closely followed by fam trips to Bled (4,62), Zagreb (4,61), Portorož & Piran (4,6), Maribor and Pohorje (4,45) and Kranjska Gora (3,9).
Future business initiated at Conventa will be placed in the destination
Hosted buyers attending the 8th Conventa are most likely to place future business in the destination (4,46), hotels (4,26), venues (4,21) and activities (4,08).
There is always room for improvement
The organizers of the show are well aware of the improvements that can still be made to better the hosted buyer experience. The biggest challenge remains the lack of flight connections to the host destination. The problem is being solved by directing passengers to nearby airports and ensuring a first-class ground transfer so that their travel is as comfortable as possible.
Another important part of the business experience is a user friendly system for pre-scheduling meetings. In 2016 Conventa introduces a mobile app for One2One meetings that will be improved and upgraded for the 2017 edition.
After working hard to organize Conventa positive feedback is the most rewarding thing
“I would advise all professionals of the Event Sector to take part in Conventa next year: it is very well organised and absolutely useful.”
Conventa hosted buyer 2016
“I had never been to Slovenia before I attended Conventa. All I can say is WOW WOW WOW !!!! What a magical, beautiful place with so many possibilities for my MICE groups to enjoy such an incredible place. The Tour Guide, the wonderful staff from the Convention Bureau were very much part of what made the experience special. The history, the architecture, the amazing foods and delicious wines which were so plentiful were incredible.”
Annette Fitzgerald, Marketing Director at Top Events Limited, Ireland and hosted buyer at Conventa 2016
Exhibitors generated good business leads
More than 140 meeting providers from 14 destinations presented their meetings offer at the eight Conventa. Their attendance was repaid by important business leads. More than two thirds of exhibitors generated 1-5 business leads, while 17,8 % of exhibitors gained 6-10 business leads. Eighty percent of exhibitors will very likely exhibit also at the next Conventa and almost all (97,8 %) would recommend the show also to their colleagues. The survey results have been confirmed also with the following statement: “Conventa trade show is improving every year and exceeds our expectations. We are attending every year as an exhibitor and will continue so also in the future.”
Quality hosted buyers determined the success of participation
Meeting providers chose to attend the show mainly because of the opportunity to conduct face-to-face meetings with hosted buyers. The second reason was that Conventa gathers in one place meeting planners from all over Europe and the third that is offers plenty of opportunities to network with the meetings industry professionals. In their opinion the success of their participation has been influenced primarily by the quality of hosted buyers. What also contributed to the success was the number of visitors at their stands and a total number of pre-scheduled appointments which was on average 22,86 appointments per exhibitor. In total they have conducted 29 meetings and have rated their satisfaction with the number of meetings on a scale from 1 to 5 with 4. They thought One2One application for pre-scheduling meetings was user-friendly giving it 4,05 points.
More than 30 % of exhibitors said the quality of services exceeded the price of participation
Overall exhibitors were happy with the show and its accompanying events. A whooping 88,9 % of exhibitors think investment in exhibiting at Conventa will pay off completely or at least partly. Exhibitor satisfaction was confirmed by several positive statements including:
“CONVENTA is one of the best trade shows I have ever attended – started from the organization over to the pre-appointment-system and up to the great lunch and dinner which are provided! Many thanks to the organizational team and their efforts!”
“Conventa has been over 4 years a regular Feature in our diary.”
“You think your dreams can’t come true? Come and try it.”
“Organizers of Conventa Trade Show and Congress Bureau did absolutely the best event until now! It was great to have possibility to participate at SITE Education day as well as have an opportunity to present our services to so many different countries…”
“I can only say that I will attend the Conventa 2017 without any doubt.”
The ninth Conventa will be held from 18 to 19 January 2017 in Ljubljana, Slovenia. For more information about the event please visit www.conventa.info
