Growing your export sales: why private b2b events are trending

With the stable growth in the FMCG market, daily emergence of new brands and online competition, export departments often struggle to find a way to new retail shelves or distributors in remote countries.

The capacity of trade shows allows thousands of products to be presented simultaneously, however, the large number of them get unnoticed due to the hustle, showplace location or a scarce budget for its design. It is also a question of manpower and additional expenses arising with extensive traveling costs.

Trade missions organized by local governments usually can not provide enough diverse and relevant buyers for each category. Large networking events and conferences are being transformed from educational hubs and contacts exchange into a fair of third party services. Private consultancy and individual match-making with buyers become a costly service as overwhelmed with offers purchase departments tend to limit their approachability.

Here come planned b2b sessions – a tradeoff between an exclusive service and industry events. It usually allows you to meet up to 25 buyers from the target region that are already interested in your product category.

How is it different from trade shows or exhibitions?

Its prime focus is efficiency, allowing you to save time, money and motivation. 18-25 pre-scheduled meetings with the buyers of your choice during one business day, the same venue for accommodation, meals, and meetings (4-5* hotels), a standard-size private area for a showplace and negotiations, full assistance throughout the event. No visitors, no samples hunting, no irrelevant conversations.

Is it for branded or private label products?
It depends on the Network you choose. For instance, Stamegna networks welcome both types of products. You fill out an application form where you specify your product category, along with its features, and price range.

What markets can I possibly enter?
Any region of your interest as you create the demand. Thus, based on clients’ requests the b2b provider from Europe has expanded to Asia and recently to the Middle East over several years. You can find the geography of 2020 events here.

What buyers can I meet?

Retail chains and key distributors of regional and national scale: Spar, Rewe Group, Carrefour, Coop, Metro, Tesco, Migros, Jeronimo Martins, Daymon, Lulu Group etc.

The list of attendees is based on current sourcing requests that define how many representatives the headquarters send and which category buyers are coming. Some companies favor b2b events as they take less time than traditional exhibitions when having a customized agenda.

“Effective, fruitful, professional” – Category Manager at Carrefour A Majid Al Futtaim

Is there any commission on contracts signed at the event?

No, only the participation fee. However, tracking businesses arranged through the network is needed for keeping the right buyers and improving the quality of our events.

Is there a guarantee we will sign new contracts at the event?

There is a guarantee that you will be provided with a number of customized meetings based on your category, price range, and target markets. It guarantees that buyers are decision-makers and they are entitled to negotiate contract terms. All the rest depends on your export expertise and factors like your pitch, products’ quality, design, price, market message, logistics, and production capacity.