David Savastano, Contributing Editor02.10.24
During the COVID-19 pandemic, business traveling in general and trade shows in particular took a huge hit, as people couldn’t travel. Instead, Zoom calls became the new meeting hall.
Since the pandemic has passed, there has been a gradual return to in-person meetings, whether at exhibitions or visits to companies. Huge shows have yet to return to pre-pandemic numbers, but there seems to be improvements each year.
With an eye on this, Coatings World and Ink World conducted a joint survey to see what the attitudes were toward business travel this year. For the most part, companies see more travel ahead, but not to past levels.
As for exhibiting at trade shows, the gains were more muted. One-third of responders said they expected to exhibit at more trade shows, while 29% expected the same as 2024 and 15% figured on less exhibiting. We found that 22% did not plan at exhibiting at all. (See Figure 3)
The results on booth space were interesting. The number of responders who said they expected to take more booth space and the number who selected less booth space were both 20%, with the remaining 60% expecting to have the same level of booth space compared to 2023. (See Figure 4)
Similar results could be found in the category of traveling to smaller technical conferences. We found that 32% of the people we surveyed anticipated going to more smaller shows, while 26% expect to go to fewer. Most of our responders (42%) expect to travel to the same number of smaller technical conferences this year. (See Figure 5)
The final question pertained to personal business travel. Our survey showed that nearly half (47%) expect to travel more on business this year, while 42% expect to travel about as much as they did in 2023. We found that 11% expect to travel less this year. (See Figure 6)
Overall, it sounds that more people expect their companies and themselves to be on the road more this year – we look forward to seeing you out there!
Since the pandemic has passed, there has been a gradual return to in-person meetings, whether at exhibitions or visits to companies. Huge shows have yet to return to pre-pandemic numbers, but there seems to be improvements each year.
With an eye on this, Coatings World and Ink World conducted a joint survey to see what the attitudes were toward business travel this year. For the most part, companies see more travel ahead, but not to past levels.
Who Responded to the Survey
First, it is important to note who responded to our survey. Coatings manufacturers made up roughly a third of our responders, with ink manufacturers an additional 20%. Raw material and equipment suppliers made up the largest group, at 42%, with distributors at 15% and other the remaining 7%. (See Figure 1)So, Will You Be Traveling?
In general, more people expect to be traveling this year. When asked “How much travel in 2024 do you anticipate that your company will do?,” 53% said they expected to do more this year. An additional 21% said they expected the same amount in 2024, while 15.5% figured there would be less travel this year. A final 10% was not sure. (See Figure 2)As for exhibiting at trade shows, the gains were more muted. One-third of responders said they expected to exhibit at more trade shows, while 29% expected the same as 2024 and 15% figured on less exhibiting. We found that 22% did not plan at exhibiting at all. (See Figure 3)
The results on booth space were interesting. The number of responders who said they expected to take more booth space and the number who selected less booth space were both 20%, with the remaining 60% expecting to have the same level of booth space compared to 2023. (See Figure 4)
Similar results could be found in the category of traveling to smaller technical conferences. We found that 32% of the people we surveyed anticipated going to more smaller shows, while 26% expect to go to fewer. Most of our responders (42%) expect to travel to the same number of smaller technical conferences this year. (See Figure 5)
The final question pertained to personal business travel. Our survey showed that nearly half (47%) expect to travel more on business this year, while 42% expect to travel about as much as they did in 2023. We found that 11% expect to travel less this year. (See Figure 6)
Overall, it sounds that more people expect their companies and themselves to be on the road more this year – we look forward to seeing you out there!