5 months ago Ukrainian exhibition industry was put on hold. Lasting uncertainty made many companies hesitate if it will be possible to hold exhibitions in autumn even though there are flexible quarantine mechanisms in action, as well as a resolute intention of the organizer to hold them. In order to understand worries and expectations of our clients, we held a poll in the official Telegram channel of the exhibition and would like to share its results.
First of all, the crisis caused by coronavirus has affected the condition of both furniture retail, and manufacturers, making them look for the ways to save and redistribute those costs, which were intended for promotion of goods. At first companies laid great hopes on online and digital technologies, then purchasing power of the population decreased, while companies got disappointed when realized that online format cannot solve all problems and tasks of furniture business and raised the question – how to return safe offline formats, so that clients could fully study the product, communicate with their potential customer, plunge into the atmosphere that products and all stages of their creation bring. 10% of the respondents confidently said that they are waiting for the exhibition as the opportunity to communicate with colleagues and partners face-to-face finally and demonstrate their products. At the same time 5% of the respondents noted that they would be glad to participate in the exhibition, however due to negative impact of crisis on business they have to save money and reduce expenses on marketing and promotion.
Despite the expected reduction of the number of exhibitors, Ukrainian exhibitions will not experience such a catastrophic market downturn, as foreign ones, because local exhibition operators have the opportunity to hold their autumn exhibitions, whereas foreign colleagues had to cancel their events or postpone them to the next year. Ukrainian exhibitors, who took part in the poll, are going to visit the exhibition (36%), even on condition that they will not exhibit this year. 5% of respondents replied that they did not have a chance to consider participation yet, and 26% will definitely think about it again, when autumn approaches, since they monitor situation and want to have more information to take a well-weighed decision.
At the same time 31% of respondents were surprised by the question regarding exhibition plans, because they were sure that the exhibition will not take place, referring to the international practice of cancellations or postponements of high-rated exhibitions, and to communication with the organizers who were uncertain for a long time about the date and format of the exhibition.
Today we are ready to assure our potential exhibitors and visitors that the exhibition will be held in the dates announced earlier and in the format that will help to keep all of its advantages and peculiarities along with strict abiding by quarantine requirements. We will immediately inform you about any changes in regulations and rules of holding of the exhibition.