|
‘Discover West Norfolk!’
– free tourism trade show
16th March 2009 Sandringham
Post-show report
Background
19 Discover West Norfolk members exhibited at
the show, with approximately 30 businesses attending. Due to the
location in the restaurant area at Sandringham, members for the
public were also free to visit the stands.
It is estimated that approximately 70 business
people and 20 members of the public visited the stands on the day.
This was less that in 2008, so DWN will be conducting research to
look for ways of improving attendance in 2010.
Questionnaire
19 questionnaires were returned of which all
but one were from local tourism businesses. The database compiled in
2008 was updated and distributed to members. The comments received
on the questionnaires were all positive, indicating a favourable
response to a repeat of the event in 2010.
Exhibitor feedback
14 exhibitors returned the questionnaire
provided on the day. All agreed the event had been a success for
them, and would like to see it repeated in 2010. However, there was
concern that the attendance was down on 2008.The time of year
(during the month before Easter), was considered the right time,
though several exhibitors felt that Mondays were difficult for B&Bs,
and suggested any other midweek day (Tues-Thurs) would be suitable.
However, this was not borne out by a telephone poll of 8 Hunstanton
accommodation providers who did not attend on the day. They all
agreed that Monday was a good day, though most would attend on any
week day
However, although the venue was excellent,
seven exhibitors favoured a change of venue for 2010, with several
citing Hunstanton as a good venue to attract more accommodation
providers. The telephone research did bear this out, though none of
the accommodation providers canvassed had not attended due to the
location. All would be happy to attend the event if it were held at
Searles in 2010.
All but one of the Hunstanton accommodation
providers contacted would have attended had they not had other
commitments that day. All but one was aware of the Show and what it
could offer them. Only one business would not attend as they
gathered all the leaflets they needed form the TIC, and were too
busy to attend such event.
Exhibitors were would be unlikely to pay more
than £20 for a stand in 2010. Seven of the 13 exhibitors were in
favour of admitting non-DWN members to stand at a higher cost,
making it cheaper, or possible free for DWN members. Only two
exhibitors would not want this arrangement, with the rest not
expressing a preference.
There were various suggestions for developing
the show in 2010, as follows:
·
to move the venue to one where visitors to the show
could look round the host venue for free, giving added value to the
time spent attending
·
to promote the event on KLFM
·
to increase publicity
·
to reduce cost for DWN members by inviting non-members
to exhibit at a higher rate
·
canvass accommodation providers further.
Financial implications 2008
2009
Income
Exhibitors’ fees:
£400.00 £360.00
Expenditure
Administration:
£336.50 £233.75
Printing Dolphin Graphics: £240.00
£65.00
Banner logos £000.00
£27.00
Refreshments
(101 x Tea/coffee (80p),
inv28 x exhibitors lunch (£3)
(56 x tea/coffee @ + VAT)
£164.80 £56.00 Copyright
© 2009 Sowerbys Holiday Cottages All rights
reserved Web by
Pat Fisher
£1.00 inc VAT)
M&S vouchers (Prize dra £50.00
£00.00
Total expenditure
£791.30 £381.75
Cost to DNW £391.30
£21.75
Conclusion
The exhibition was successful for both
exhibitors and the businesses who attended. However, there was a
need to raise the profile and extend the scope of the event in 2010
to attract more businesses.
The cost of the show to DWN had been reduced to
£21.75, a saving of £369.55 on 2009 costs.
Recommendations
1.
To hold the event at in Hunstanton in 2010, suggested venue Searles,
date Tuesday 10th March (Easter Sunday 4th
April 2010).
2.
To canvass further accommodation providers
3.
To invite non-members to exhibit
4.
To look at ways of increasing publicity
Top |
