We received considerable feedback from our visitors in Brisbane, both onsite and during a separate focus group, which has provided a valuable insight into the Queensland market and the recovery efforts after a tough start to 2011.
Retailers conceded that they were still feeling the effects of the January floods and Cyclone Yasi, with insurance companies dragging their feet on compensation payments. Whilst waiting for compensation many retailers are being forced to store less stock than usual and are only buying the minimum amount of products to keep their shops in business. This is, however, set to change. When asked about the time frame for recovery most agreed that in another six months time Brisbane will once again be in full flow. This is backed up by the Queensland Premier, Anna Bligh, who recently stated that, ‘The Queensland economy is set to grow faster than any other state of Australia next year.’ Reed Gift Fairs wants to continue to be an integral part of the recovery effort and we are fully committed to Queensland and especially our Brisbane event. We look forward to 2012 when the recovery will be complete and retailers are able to buy big once again.
In terms of Reed Gift Fairs Brisbane July our visitors were forthcoming with their suggested improvements. Much of their feedback was centred on minimum orders, with the majority stating that they were too large for the Queensland market and that their own reduced stock levels meant that many of them couldn’t purchase the products they wanted. Online retailers, the fastest growing sector of the retail industry, felt slightly ostracised from many exhibitors, telling us that they did not have the full range of products and brands available to them. This has a knock on effect on the overall satisfaction levels for the event and we are keen to help to find a way for online retailers and exhibitors to come together for the good of both parties.
Retailers also felt they needed their own online forum to use as a source of information and a channel for feedback. It would be a place where our visitors would go to discuss the fairs, our exhibitors and the products and also a place where visitors and exhibitors could come together when not at our events. We are looking into this and will certainly keep you informed.
Our ‘Kick Start Brisbane’ program proved overwhelmingly popular with visitors, who felt it had considerably enhanced their fair experience. They found the talks to be both inspirational and educational and a majority who attended said they took something from the sessions that they would use in their business. As a result of feedback we are hoping to make the session notes available online soon so that Reed Gift Fairs can continue to provide support outside the event days.
We are currently working on ways in which our account managers can continue to give you the personal service that you currently enjoy whilst also opening up further resources within the Reed Gift Fairs team. We want you to know that all of us are working hard behind the scenes to not only put on the most successful events as possible, but also to give you the very best service we are able. Look out for further details in coming weeks.
Reed Gift Fairs will implement improved exhibitor marketing packages for 2012, which will provide better print listings, an advanced presence on reedgiftfairs.com.au and also a way to link both print and online messages. These are exciting changes and will be further enhanced by a revamp of our current trade guide, MILIEU. Please look out for further information on this in coming weeks and feel free to speak to your account manager about what new opportunities this will present for you.
We know that Reed Gift Fairs Sydney September has a large and loyal visitor base and that is why we are currently working hard to make improvements that are based around ‘adding value’ rather than wholesale change. For 2011 we have put in place several new initiatives that we hope will drive visitors to the event whilst also providing a better fair experience once they are there. These initiatives include:
- Special Offer Booklet insert in MILIEU
- $8000 buying competition (for purchases onsite so the money is given to the buyer but then passed on to you, the wholesaler)
- Complimentary buses from regional areas of NSW
- Future Retail program (following on from the success of Kick Start Brisbane, we want Sydney to receive the same, with the theme based around future retail trends)
- Special Visitor Services Pods/booths
- Agent’s area - we host them so they meet retailers onsite rather than away from your stand
- New Showcases (improvements on the current showcase, with a design focus)
Do you have a brand new to Australia? Does your product come with an interesting story? Do you have access to a popular personality that would be willing to talk to us? If so, we would like to hear from you. Our PR agency is always on the lookout for stories that they can pitch to the media. The benefits can be great – increased exposure for your brand, promoting your products, reaching a wider audience, increasing the visibility of the events and consequently your company. If you have a story that you think would be of interest, please contact jaclyn.carlson@reedexhibitions.com.au with full details and images.