We’re sure you’ve been pretty busy since this year’s show following up on all those contacts, conversations and orders. Many, however, have managed to find a few minutes to complete our visitor’s survey. We’d like to extend a big thank you – the information is invaluable and we’ve been studying the data and comments to make next year’s show another great success.
The feedback tells a very positive story with 84.57% saying they would recommend the show to a colleague or related business – especially encouraging as that’s 4% up on last year. Visitors saying they were satisfied or very satisfied with the variety of exhibitors also jumped from 51.41% in 2019 to 63.73% this year – a pretty impressive improvement. The venue also got a hearty thumbs up with a total of 84.78% saying they were satisfied or very satisfied with it. One statistic we, and the exhibitors, are happy about is the 80.77% of visitors who said they placed orders at the show or intended to shortly afterwards.
As well as gathering the data we’re very keen to hear what individual visitors have to say. The proprietor of The Channel View Hotel in Paignton told us that “We’re here looking for ideas. Things we can put in the rooms and sell to guests if they want a memento of their stay. We’ve seen some nice flasks for keeping milk cool in the rooms, some cushions, things that have that beach and seaside feel. We’re a boutique hotel, so it has to be good quality and nicely designed, not too downmarket. The show is really well laid out and been very worthwhile for us.”
The owner of Cottage Cards and Crafts, Llangollen, commented that they visit both Giving & Living and Spring Fair. “We see a lot of our regular suppliers here and it’s easier to find them and talk to them at Giving & Living. Much less hectic, smaller and more manageable, much nicer environment. And we do find new products as well.”
There were a lot of other positive comments from the visitor survey:
“Well laid out hall that allowed me to visit every exhibitor. Not overcrowded – attendees had room to move and time to browse. There was none of the desperate panic evoked at Spring Fair. A most enjoyable experience rather than an exhausting one.”
“Great to have fresh new ideas and products displayed rather than catalogued. Always fabulous to see suppliers face to face.”
“Smaller businesses exhibiting. The big shows aren’t interested in small businesses/sole traders.”
The show got the thumbs up from exhibitors too:
Tim Wilson of Dorrigo, who not only make 3-D maps but have recently bought the famous Salmon Favourite Recipe Books commented that “The show has been good as everyone here is serious about buying, rather than just looking. It’s well organised, you get to park nearby, loading and unloading is nice and easy, you are treated like a human being rather than just a number, it’s nice to have some personal attention. I had a little technical issue this morning and Hale Events were great whereas at the bigger shows the organisers would not have wanted to know.”
Tonia, of Salvage Society, an ethical, sustainable and organic clothing brand, said “We’re really happy with what we’ve got from the show and we’ve opened some new accounts, which is perfect, people are here to do business…it’s “I love it, I’ll order this, this and this”, boom, done. Hale Events have been lovely to deal with, very friendly. When I was setting up on Sunday someone from Hale stopped for a chat and said ‘You must be Tonia’, and that’s really good, that they actually know the people on each stand and obviously care a lot.”
Janet Eden of Pixelhobby was equally enthusiastic, saying “The quality of the people we’ve met we’re really pleased with and that’s the main thing.” Jon Downer, from Wallchart, added that “We wanted to road test our product range and get feedback from the trade, gauge the interest, and get a better idea of how we should be pitching our offer. The show has been a big success in that respect – it has ticked all those boxes for us.”
Next year Giving & Living takes place from Sunday 17th to Tuesday 19th January 2021 – better put those dates in the diary now!
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