Benefits of Exhibiting in Europe – 6 Reasons You Should Think About Exhibiting in Europe

With the Automechanika Trade Fair expected to draw over 130,000 visitors from more than 170 countries at its show in Frankfurt in 2020, and Electronica, the world’s leading trade fair for electronic components and systems, anticipating around 75,000 visitors from nearly 100 countries for their Munich show in 2018, it isn’t difficult to grasp the enormous benefits to be derived from exhibiting on the continent. Whether at home or abroad, trade shows and exhibitions offer a fantastic opportunity to meet with potential new suppliers and remain up to speed with industry developments and trends.

And by meeting prospective partners face-to face, you get a “feel” for whether a provider is right for your business. Undoubtedly though, taking the plunge and braving the European market opens up so many more opportunities for you and for your business whilst the neutral setting of the trade fair makes it an even playing field for everyone.

Benefits of Exhibiting in Europe

1. Vast Market: exhibiting in Europe offers you a fantastic opportunity to widen your customer data base beyond your current UK contacts. A European trade fair will not only connect you with vendors in the same business whose products may greatly enhance your market offer, but will also put you in touch with prospective new clients – your product could well be just the one another business is looking for, and that lead could well be the one you’ve been waiting for.
2. Funding & Reduced Costs: do your research and don’t be put off at the first hurdle by thoughts of how expensive a European trade fair may be. You may well be pleasantly surprised. In Germany for example, many of the important venues are owned by local government bodies, meaning not only that they are monitored, certified and audited properly but also that participation fees can be moderate by comparison with privately owned venues. UK businesses also have access to the Tradeshow Access Programme (TAP) from the Department for International Trade, enabling them to receive funding for exhibiting overseas. It’s an opportunity that SMEs from a wide range of industries can utilise, reducing the costs for them to get their name out on foreign land. We recommend speaking to your local DIT International Trade Adviser to find out more information about the programme.
3. New ideas/inspiration: meeting new clients and other vendors can serve as a refreshing source of inspiration after the day to day grind of trying to procure new clients at home. Additionally, seeing and understanding the competition will give you a deeper insight into the wider market context and raise your own aspirations. Before you know it, you will have a new vision, see new business opportunities and will be working on expanding your business both back in the UK and abroad.
4. Less Competition: before you choose your European venue, look at the field back home: What do your local competitors have on offer. Do they already have a European market? Do they sell abroad? Choose your venue wisely, brave the Channel and get yourself out there and recognised: the openings are immense and any links you establish now may well be even more important post-Brexit with so many Europeans, such as car manufacturers and wine growers, still wishing to maintain and build on connections with the UK market. So, the initial outlay may be more than if you are just exhibiting at home but the connections you make, your business growth and ensuing financial gains will soon recoup that cost.
5. Worldwide potential: exhibiting in Europe not only puts you out there in terms of expanding your business on the continent, it also gives you exposure to an exciting worldwide market. Europe hosts 12 of the 15 largest exhibition venues across the entire world and as such draw exhibitors, vendors and potential clients not just from Europe but from North America and Asia too. Figures show that 90% of the leading international trade fairs take place in Europe with Germany ranking first place, followed by Italy, France and Spain. Whatever the current uncertainty about Brexit and the impact it might have, there is truly no time like the present to promote your business, products and services in Europe and to get your “slice” of its huge market potential.
6. Enjoyment: seize the opportunity and make a “holiday” of it! Extend your visit by a couple of days – the cost implications will be minimal on your budget as you are already there – wind down, visit the sights, enjoy the local cuisine and culture and give yourself a well-earned rest after all the energy expended in the build-up to your first European trade fair!

Learn More with Smart Display and Exhibitions

Despite the current rocky Brexit landscape, now really is the time to get your name and your product promoted on the European circuit before doors start to close on new market opportunities. Plan ahead, research your trade show and other exhibitors carefully, budget in additional costs such as travel and hotel accommodation, allow for a 10% differential in terms of exchange rates, brief your staff in the minutest of details so that their performance excels on the day and so that clients, vendors and other tradespeople see you mean business. Be sure too to choose your exhibition display stand with great care. In doing so, you will ensure you are the exhibitor whose display and products stand out from the rest and that your initial impact will be sure to draw the crowds.

With our vast experience in the world of exhibitions, trade fairs and cutting-edge exhibition display stands, this is where our expert team at Smart Display are here to help. We offer both modular and custom-built exhibition stands across mainland Europe and if you don’t feel the need to invest in your own stand, we can also design a bespoke rental solution for you, making exhibiting in Europe even more affordable. When you invest in a stand from Smart Display, you get a complete turn-key solution from initial ideas, through to 3D design, technical drawings and full account management. We take care of everything ‘door-to-door’ right through to handover on-site.

Our location on the M62 corridor in West Yorkshire makes us ideally placed for fast access to motorway networks. Additionally, being located so close to the Port of Hull, access to mainland Europe could not be easier for us.

For an informal discussion on how we can help you excel at your first European Trade Fair, please contact us today.