Conventa Is On The Right Track

Business will most likely be directed to destinations

Feedback from hosted buyers shows that, as a result of their attendance at Conventa, they will likely direct business to destinations (4.56), hotels (4.38), congress venues (4.29), and incentive provider (4.29). The scores in this segment are significantly higher than in previous years.

THE RESULTS OF EXHIBITORS AND HOSTED BUYERS CONFIRM THE QUALITY OF THE EVENT

“Conventa is a boutique, and one of the most well-organized shows in Europe”

Conventa has been connecting the meetings industry of ‘New’ Europe for 10 successive years. In this time it has welcomed 2,286 hosted buyers from 48 countries and 1,192 exhibitors from 17 countries around the world. Numerous professionals from the meetings and events industry have added Conventa to their annual calendar and describe it as an unmissable event for the profession.

According to the results of a survey carried out among hosted buyers and exhibitors, the 10th jubilee Conventa has been written into congress history in terms of the number of international hosted buyers (185) and the best results from the satisfaction survey.

The organisers of Conventa are therefore proud to present the results of the survey, which confirm the high professionalism and excellence of the event and the satisfaction of all those involved.

HOSTED BUYERS

The 10th Conventa was attended by 185 international meeting planners, of whom approximately 30 were from region, and more than 100 from the domestic Slovenian meetings industry market. The meeting planners came from 45 countries.

The 10th Conventa was attended by 185 international meeting planners, of whom approximately 30 were from region, and more than 100 from the domestic Slovenian meetings industry market. The meeting planners came from 45 countries.

Below are the summarised key results of the survey:

  • On a scale from 1-5, the average score for satisfaction with the event was a high 4.56
  • On a scale from 1-5 the reputation of the event received an average score of 4.59, which is the highest score in the history of Conventa.
  • 85% of hosted buyers responded that participation at Conventa exceeded their expectations.
  • On average, hosted buyers held 29 meetings at the event.

Among the individual scores, hosted buyers gave the following areas the highest scores:

  • Quality of the venue and set-up of the trade show score 4.63
  • Friendliness and effectiveness of the show’s organiser score 4.62
  • Registration procedure at the show score 4.55
  • Conventa sustainable measures score 4.54
  • Networking opportunities score 4.46

Almost 83% of hosted buyers agreed that the timetable of meetings more than exceeded their expectations

The majority of hosted buyers responded to the organisers’ personal invitation to attend the event. Detailed analysis of the results of the survey show that the main reason for attending Conventa was meetings between exhibitors and hosted buyers (90% of exhibitors) and networking (65% of exhibitors). In addition, they attended the trade show in order to discover new destinations, find new partners and create new business contacts.

Personal experience remains the most important element

Conventa also ensured a comprehensive personal experience of individual destinations. Hosted buyers rated study trips and the personal experience of the destinations very highly. The highest scores were received for the following study trips:

– Post-tour to Bohinj, 25 – 27 January 2018 score: 4.75
– Post-tour to Bled, 25 – 27 January 2018 score: 4.68
– Post-tour to Montenegro, 26 – 28 January 2018 score: 4.60
– Pre-tour to Ljubljana, 22 – 23 January 2018 score: 4.57
– Post-tour to Portorož and Piran, 25 – 27 January 2018 score: 4.53

On average, meeting planners held 29 meetings

Although hosted buyers pledged in advance to hold a minimum of 15 meetings, in reality, a significantly greater number were held.

Among the 29 business meetings held, 18 were agreed in advance via the one2one system, five were carried out on-site, and six as part of social events.

Satisfaction with the content of the meetings was rated by attendees as 4.45.

Positive feedback after the event

Conventa is the right place to create business with the regions of ‘New’ Europe and Central Europe

The organisers of Conventa are encouraged by the great amount of positive feedback received after the event. Over 50 such statements were received, and some of the most interesting are gathered below.

Business will most likely be directed to destinations

Feedback from hosted buyers shows that, as a result of their attendance at Conventa, they will likely direct business to destinations (4.56), hotels (4.38), congress venues (4.29), and incentive provider (4.29). The scores in this segment are significantly higher than in previous years.

What kind of ‘rhythm’ will hosted buyers experience at Conventa 2019

We also surveyed hosted buyers regarding the kind of musical style that would be best for Conventa 2019. The absolute winner was rock (12.7%), followed by world music (11.8%) and dance music (10%).  

Positive feedback after the event

Conventa is the right place to create business with the regions of ‘New’ Europe and Central Europe

The organisers of Conventa are encouraged by the great amount of positive feedback received after the event. Over 50 such statements were received, and some of the most interesting are gathered below.

EXHIBITORS

“Conventa is small and cute”

A record 96% of exhibitors confirmed that they would attend Conventa again, whilst nearly all (99.8%) would also recommend it to their colleagues in the industry.

At the jubilee, Conventa 119 providers of congress services from 15 countries presented their services. Participation in the trade show is certain to have paid-off through the acquisition of important business contacts.

Below are the summarised key results of the survey among exhibitors:

  • On a scale from 1-5, the average score for satisfaction with the event was a high 4.36
  • 95.4% of exhibitors stated that the quality was the same or higher than the costs of exhibiting
  • 91.9% of exhibitors are certain that their investment in exhibiting at Conventa will pay-off
  • Exhibitors held a record average number of 33 meetings at the event.

Among the individual scores, exhibitors gave the following areas the highest scores:

  • Friendliness and effectiveness of the show’s organiser score: 4.53
  • Registration procedure at the show score: 4.46
  • Overall satisfaction with the show score: 4.36
  • Quality of trade show set-up score: 4.30
  • Effectiveness and timeliness of communication score: 4.18

A record number of 33 meetings were held

According to the opinion of exhibitors, the success of their participation at Conventa was greatly influenced by the quality of the hosted buyers and the number of meetings held. The number of meetings held was given an average score of 4.16.

On average, exhibitors held a record number of 33 meetings.

Among the 33 business meetings that took place, 22 were arranged in advance via the web booking system, five were held on-site, and six took place as part of social events. The booking system for setting up meetings was rated as easy to use and given an average score of 4.01. The quality and satisfaction of hosted buyers that attended Conventa was also given a high score by exhibitors of 4.07.

The quality of hosted buyers influences the success of attendance for exhibitors

Exhibitors take part in Conventa mainly due to the opportunities to hold face-to-face meetings with hosted buyers (93.2%). The second reason stated by exhibitors was networking opportunities with colleagues from the congress industry (63.5%), and the third for the range of hosted buyers from Europe (62.2%).

57% of exhibitors held up to 5 top-notch meetings that could result in potential business.

31% of exhibitors held up to 10 top-notch meetings that could result in potential business.

In total, exhibitors assessed that 8.6 of meetings had the highest potential for achieving new business.

We surveyed exhibitors regarding what they like most about Conventa. Below we have chosen 10 of the most interesting responses:

1. The friendliness of organisers and attendees
2. The environmentally-friendly approach
3. The networking programme and catering
4. Everything was close-by so no lengthy transfers
5. The Conventa atmosphere
6. Great hosted buyers
7. The opportunity to meet so many people from different countries
8. The face-2-face meetings
9. Free water, café, snacks and other drinks at the exhibition centre
10. Good energy everywhere and a family feeling

What kind of ‘rhythm’ will exhibitors experience at Conventa 2019

We also surveyed hosted buyers regarding the kind of musical style that would be best for Conventa 2019. The absolute winner was rock (37.9%), followed by jazz (37.8%) and pop music (31.2%).  

Conventa Trend Bar 2018

Almost 80% of exhibitors welcomed the idea of hosted buyers being able to find out more about individual destinations though the educational events at the Conventa Trend Bar. The most interest was show in the following themes:

  • New incentive product development
  • Event marketing
  • Event planning
  • Social media marketing

More than 30% of exhibitors said that the quality of services exceeded their expectations

In general, exhibitors were satisfied with the trade show and accompanying events. An unbelievable 92% think that their investment in Conventa will pay-off in full, or at least partly.

57% of exhibitors held up to 5 top-notch meetings that could result in potential business.

Read also