Virtual Tradeshows

Thank you to all who take time to participate in our surveys. CRA uses the information we gather to better serve you. If you have an idea for a survey for CRA members, please send your request to CRA at Info@CalRental.org. This month, we asked members about virtual tradeshows. 

1. What type of Rental Business do you have?
General Rental: 50% (12 responses)
Party Rental: 25% (6 responses)
Both: 25% (6 responses)

2. Have you ever participated in a Virtual Trade show?
Yes: 17% (3 responses)
No: 83% (15 responses)

3. As a rental center, are you aware there will be no charge to participate in CRA’s Virtual Rental Rally Tradeshow?
Yes: 50% (9 responses)
No: 50% (9 responses)

4. What did you like about it?
1. Ease of purchasing specials
2. I can stay in my sweats.

5. What did you dislike about it?
1. Vendors weren’t prepared for deals and lacked the ability to discuss product.
2. Can’t hug and shake hands with vendors and peers.

6. Are you interested in participating in a virtual trade show?
Yes: 79% (15 responses)
No: 21% (4 responses)
Maybe: 1

7. What are your reasons for not wanting to participating?
1. I don’t know about the format and how to meaningfully participate.
2. I like to compare products. Touch, feel, etc. Made in U.S.A. ? China?
3. It’s not the same as being there.
4. Time consuming, I’d rather them send an email with specials.

8. What would you like to see in a virtual trade show?
1. Ease in finding vendors and being able to communicate easily about different products. Being able to chat with other members on the platform.
2. The same things we see in a normal trade show.
3. Party equipment.
4. Everything.
5. New products.
6. Lots of exhibitors and lots of specials.
7. I would hope that seminars would be available for longer than just one day and that they would start at a reasonable hour, say 9:00 am, allowing employees to start their day and then “tune” in. Manufacturer use and maintenance videos would be nice too.
8. Equipment specials, possibly instructional videos on new equipment.
9. Equipment.
10. Honestly, I don’t see a benefit in connecting with vendors unless there are NEW vendors. I would rather see virtual education or networking events.
11. Special pricing and financing, show-only specials, the ability to discuss product with someone immediately.
12. Same as a regular trade show and be able to interact with venders.
13. Would like to see it just like I was at the show.
14. It’s new to me, so I guess I would say all of it.
15. Lots of attendees.

9. Would you send more of your employees to a virtual trade show then you would to a live show?
Yes: 63% (10 responses)
No: 37% (6 responses)
Additional comments:
1. Maybe.
2. I’d have to check it out to find out its usefulness.
3. Ease of attendance and cost.

10. Would you pay to attend a virtual trade show?
Yes: 53% (9 responses)
No: 47% (8 responses)
Additional comments:
1. It depends on how this one goes.
2. Probably.
3. Not sure.
4. As long as price was moderate and the show was worthwhile.

11. Do you have any additional comments on this survey?
1. No (2 responses)
2. Thanks.
3. I hope it works well.
4. I hope the rental business can survive.
5. I’m not sure how a virtual trade show would work, but I’m interested to try.

12. Survey Ideas
1. Ways to generate income using the resources we already have.
2. Repeal the minimum wage.