The purpose of the study was to find out the satisfaction and wishes of the partners who supported the Estonian Pavilion who participated in the Dubai EXPO 2020 regarding the arrangement and the pavilion. Slice Studies conducted 6 in-depth interviews and 32 telephone and online interviews with partners.
The three-quarters or more of the respondents to the survey were expected to EXPO support the participation of the Estonian state and mainet (84%), find buyers for their products or services (81%), find cooperation partners or dealers (75%). Over half still wanted to be involved (66%) and gain new experience (56%). Less important was finding investments (9%). Part of the partners were rather in a supporting role (9%). The main expectation of the interviewees was to gain attention, renown in the region and useful contacts in the form of customers and dealers.
Overall, satisfaction with EXPO was very high, as many as 91% of survey respondents were satisfied with EXPO. Most satisfied with the activities of the management team (satisfied or very satisfied with 97%), preference information and training (97%), The activities of the Estonian Pavilion in general (94%) and the events (91%).
Graph 1. Satisfaction of those surveyed with different aspects, responders 32.
EXPO participation give those surveyed mainly the opportunity to help support the introduction of Estonia (88%), potential collaborators (69%), useful contacts (66%) and lessons on how to better participate in such trade fairs (66%). In particular, clear and simple communication (75%), pavilion exposition (59%) and an abundance of communication events (53%) were praised.
EXPO exceeded the expectations of the interviewees, especially the work and support of the management team for companies. They were very active themselves and therefore the amount of business contacts received was even higher than expected. Much praised the professionalism and communication of the management team and the overall impression of the pavilion.
Graph 2. In the opinion of those asked, EXPO was well done in the order, responders 32.
The parties surveyed found that hereafter, more communication events could be organized with potential partners (50%) and state participation decision could be made earlier (50%). It is also important to add more attractions (44%) to the exposition and build your own pavilion (38%). Similar proposals were made by those interviewed.
Graph 3. EXPO kthe order could do otherwise, responders 32.
Most of those surveyed plans to attend the next EXPO, rather 59% participate and certainly 22% of respondents would participate. Rather, 13% would not participate and 6% of respondents would not participate. Among the latter were many who expected to be sought partners on site and contributed to exposure rather than communication. Parts of the interviewed pointed out that entry to the Japanese market is difficult and participation in the EXPO there is more expensive, which is why they would rather not participate or have not yet made a decision about participation.
There were few critical opinions. The main recommendation for the future in both interviews and surveys was that an inspirational guiding principle] is found for the pavilion, which well introduces Estonia and makes an attraction there that visitors want to come to see or experience. The interviews further highlighted that the EXPO visitor's attention is easily distracted. Thus the exposition should be inspiring and captivating in five minutes.
