Selected aspects of exhibitors’ marketing on the example of BioExpo Warsaw

Purpose: The main purpose of the survey was to provide assessment of selected marketing instruments used by exhibitors during a chosen trade event Design/methodology/approach: The survey was conducted during a trade event by the observation method and interviews with suppliers in the years 2021-2023. Secondary data was obtained from reports and domestic and foreign publications, among others, those registered in the Web of Science and Scopus Base. Findings: Promotions were found to be the weakest marketing instrument, whereas physical evidence was found to be the best prepared. Research limitations/implications: Relatively few scientific papers in the field of trade events were identified. Practical implications: The results can be used by producers as an indication for optimization of marketing activities. In the overall assessment promotion had the worst score as compared to other marketing instruments. The above result was largely affected by the score of supplemental promotion activities. It seems that at the relatively new market, ecological products especially: samples, tasting, or demonstrations are very important as they allow to get familiar with the products and break the barrier of distrust. Social implications: Effective marketing activity of exhibitors contributes to the promotion and increase of social awareness in relation to organic food. On average, more than 3000 visitors educated themselves in this area during each day of the fair. Originality/value: Lack of studies on trade events in reference to bio industry.