We are delighted to report
that the first edition of the Nation Branding & Investment Expo 2012 has
proven to be an international success!
For a first edition, but
moreover as an innovative concept in the trade event sector worldwide, it is
quite promising that the outcome is marked as ‘Good’ by participants and
visitors alike.
Some numbers
- 19 countries worldwide
participated in the Expo and Conference program, bringing diverse governmental
and trade delegations to the floor.
- 49 countries participated in the Speeddating
program through the embassy and trade office representatives from The
Hague and Brussels.
- 2800 matches were arranged between visitors and
participants, participants with participants, and visitors with visitors.
- Over 900 visitors coming from different parts of
the world have attended the NBI Expo.
- 84% of the visitors were formed by top level management staff.
- 90% of the participants of the NBI matchmaking program indicated that they had relevant & interesting business matches.
- 80% of the visitors indicated that the conference program added value to the event and the presentation topics were interesting and relevant.
- 78% of the visitors stated that they expect to participate in the event again next year.
- 83% of the visitors would recommend the event to their business relations.
Participants Quotes
Mr. Jose Luis Jacome,
consul of the embassy of Ecuador to the Netherlands;
“During the 6 days of another
event in Utrecht there were 130.000 visitors, but we only had 80 conversations
at our stand with mostly consumers. At the NBI Expo there were 900 visitors,
and again we had 80 conversations, but this time with high-level business
executives. So concerning the quality and percentage of the meetings the NBI
Expo for us made a huge difference. In
three days time we have done work for a whole year!’
Mr. Kulik, first secretary
of the Polish embassy to the Netherlands;
“A week ago we were at an exhibition
with three halls full of participants and hundred thousands of visitors.
Somehow, people passed our stand without so much as looking at the information
or speaking with us. During the NBI Expo the visitors were very interested in
our investment opportunities and came directly to speak with us. We have held
many meaningful conversations.”
Mr. Jose Tagle, consultant
Business Management at Promperu (Comisión de Promoción del
Perú
para la Exportación y el Turismo);
“During these three days, next to diverse
interesting meetings, we have gained 8 very important leads. If only 1 of these
leads works out, the NBI Expo was more than worth our investment!”
Mr. Rob van Nes, CEO
Ondernemen.in:
“We do not live in an era of change, but in a change of era.
This also counts for the design and execution of events. This is something that
they have understood very well at the NBI Expo. I believe this will become the
new trend!.”
Mr. Eshete Workalemahu, commercial counsellor of the Embassy of Ethiopia to the Benelux:
"I am very pleased about the good quality of contacts the event provided
us. The show-up at our conference was also good. I must say the event made me
realize that we as participants also have a responsibility for generating more
public. So for the next exhibition it is clear to me that we as exhibitors have
to work harder on the communication to attract visitors, as we can all benefit
from each others contacts."
Visitors Quotes
"I would recommend the NBI Expo to my business relations as they need info about countries offering interesting opportunities. And this was plently available at the Expo."
"The NBI EXPO provided a very accessible platform to meet people and organizations that you would not encounter so easily elsewhere."
"This is a good event which has a lot of potential for the future with higher visitor numbers and therefore more opportunities to meet companies we could do business with."
"For the next edition there is of course space for improvement, but leave the concept as it is!"
"The NBI EXPO 2012 did not attract the amount of visitors that it deserves. Growth in the numbers and variaty of visitors should be possible fo the next edition as it is a worthwhile event."
Considering the positive outcome of the NBI Expo 2012 and
the opportunities for strengthening the concept, the NBI International team has
decided to hold a second edition in 2013.
You can read more on the NBI Expo 2013 here
