NBAA2009 Demographic & Marketing Information
It's a Fact: Shows Like NBAA's Convention Are Essential in a Tough Economy
Companies See Tradeshows as Critical to Product-Buying Process
August 10, 2009
A survey featured in the respected trade show publication Trade Show Week magazine highlights a fact long recognized by Exhibitors and Attendees at the National Business Aviation Association's (NBAA's) Annual Meeting & Convention: In a challenging economy, trade shows like NBAA's Convention are especially valuable in connecting buyers and sellers and helping Exhibitors market their products and stay in touch with customers.
The magazine's publishers recently surveyed a cross-section of executives and managers, and found that 96% of CEOs and other senior executives say they are attending their industry's most important events this year. The Trade Show Week article goes on to point out: "...In a challenging economy it is even more important to keep up-to-date with industry trends, see new products and services, and maintain and build relationships – all areas in which events provide significant value and efficiency."
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen recently made the same observation in an update the Association provided to industry on preparations for its 62nd Annual Meeting & Convention. “Even in tough times – maybe especially in tough times – NBAA’s Convention will remain a critical event for promoting a positive image of business aviation, conveying valuable operational information and providing an outstanding forum for the hundreds of companies that depend on the show to market their products and communicate with their customers."
The following were included among the magazine's survey findings about trade shows like NBAA's Convention:
- 89%: Survey respondents who said they are going to the most important events in their industry.
- 88%: Attendees who said they consider conventions and tradeshows to be an important part of their product-sourcing and buying process.
- 87%: Respondents who said conventions and tradeshows are essential for comparing products and meeting suppliers in person.
- 50%: Attendees who said that missing key events may negatively impact their future personal or organizational performance.
- 49%: Attendees who said they or their companies take less than three months to place an order with an exhibitor they met at a show.
"During the worst economic downturn in decades, attendees and buyers continue to see the value of participating in conventions and tradeshows," the magazine's article concludes. "They know that missing key events may pose a competitive disadvantage."
"As this article points out, NBAA's Convention has more value than ever in helping businesses put their products and services in front of thousands of customers - all under one roof, in one place, at one time," said Kathleen Blouin, NBAA's Senior Vice President, Conventions, Seminars & Forums. “Clearly, even in these tough times, NBAA’s Convention is the one event that remains a must-have on the calendar and in the marketing plan."
To review a full copy of the Trade Show Week article, visit: www.tradeshowweek.com
Any person who attends an NBAA convention, conference, seminar or other program grants permission to NBAA, its employees and agents (collectively "NBAA") to record his or her visual/audio images, including, but not limited to, photographs, digital images, voices, sound or video recordings, audio clips, or accompanying written descriptions, and, without notifying such person, to use his or her name and such images for any purpose of NBAA, including advertisements for NBAA and its programs.
