According to a study published by the market research and information group, Kantar TNS, as many as 83% of Finns who have previously visited exhibitions are ready to visit events once again.
A total of 2,875 people responded to the survey that the Association of Trade Fair and Event Organisers in Finland had completed with Kantar.
During the pandemic, virtual fairs and, where restrictions allowed, hybrid events were held in Finland. According to a recent study by Kantar, 92% of trade fair visitors now want to visit the trade fair on site and only 4% prioritise virtual events.
Marja Pekkanen, chairman of the Association of Trade Fair and Event Organisers in Finland, said: “More than 150 trade fairs are arranged throughout Finland during normal years. There are trade fairs for both professionals and consumers. Popular trade fair topics include construction and well-being, fairs in both fields are held in several different cities. The fairs play an important role in presenting innovations in various fields.”
More than a 25% of the respondents who regularly attended trade fairs in normal years felt that it had been more difficult to get acquainted with new products and services in the industry when they had not been able to attend trade fairs.
According to the respondents, networking and monitoring things related to their own profession have also been clearly weaker. In addition, the lack of trade fairs was felt to have had an impact on the development and maintenance of skills, the negotiation of deals and the identification of procurement options.
