From the Eyes of an Exhibitor

Abstract

Conferences and conventions often depend on event/convention planners to produce spectacular tradeshows to support their programs. A study which focused on exhibitor needs and the perceived benefits of participation was conducted during the winter of 1999 at an International Arts Convention in the eastern United States. Exhibitors' interests in convention participation fell into four primary areas: making contacts, gaining information, gaining visibility, and booking/selling a product or service. Understanding the areas of importance to exhibitors and the services/products that are necessary for them to achieve success can go a long way toward providing a meaningful experience and an avenue for communication for both convention exhibitors and planners.     

Perspectives of organizers and exhibitors on the performance assessment of exhibitors at an International Travel Fair

Travel fairs contributed to the booming tourism industry around the world, but the extant research rarely assessed the performance of them, not to mention individual exhibitor’s performance. This study uses the resource-based theory and the metafrontier-to-data envelopment analysis at annual International Travel Fairs. This study administered a questionnaire survey to collect two-year data on the resources consumed and the outputs generated from observed exhibitors. The results from a quadrant-based (Quantitative-return on objectives (QROO) vs. efficiency) matrix and a slack-value analysis indicated that more can be gained from less for tourism and hospitality exhibitors. Booth area, rental fee, set up cost and number of on-site staff should be less to benefit performance from this study. The results serve as a decision-making reference for the organizer to screen out inefficient exhibitors when booths are in short supply as well as offering the exhibitors’ improvement direction. Implications and future research are discussed.