1. Preamble

This survey was conducted to obtain information about exhibitors which might help to assess the success of the Festival and to help improve the exhibitors’ experience of future Festivals. Only 27% of the survey forms were returned which is a lower percentage than had been hoped for but is never the less a sufficiently large sample on which to base future decisions.

 2. Results
a) All exhibitors

b) Emsworth exhibitors

3. Analysis

Do exhibitors think that the Festival benefits their business?

Overall in terms of being a benefit to their businesses 80% were more than satisfied i.e. scored 2 or higher. (83% scoring 3 or higher), only 7% thought that the Festival was very unsatisfactory. 85% of the respondents wish to return again next year. It should therefore be concluded that the Festival meets the needs of the significant majority of our exhibitors.

Results from Emsworth businesses show a slightly lower satisfaction rating with only 43% recoding a score of 2 or higher. (83% scoring 3 or higher)

54% of the respondents found out about the Festival by word of mouth (mainly from other stall holders. 15% initially found out about the Festival on the internet but no other category scores >10%

Miscellaneous comments from Q.10

• Largely from the responses to Q10, How do you think the Festival could be improved to benefit your business, there a number of recurring themes:
• 17% would like the same position next year mainly so that returning visitors know where to find them.
• Organisation at start could be improved with better traffic management, provision of parking for traders, numbered stalls.
• More information about exhibitors in the programme especially contact details.
• Send leaflets to traders to advertise the event in advance.
• Ensure that traders with chilled/frozen products are located in the shade as far as is possible.
• Comments from Emsworth business who exhibited ranged from almost entirely negative (1) to highly positive. One suggested that a more collective approach by Emsworth businesses would be advantageous and another that the Festival should be a biennial event.

Conclusions

Exhibitor satisfaction could be improved by:

• Improving the dissemination of information to exhibitors.

• Improving the organisation at the beginning of day one of the Festival.

• Getting more info about exhibitors in the programme and pre-festival publicity.

Finally the organizers should feel very comfortable with these results as there is clearly a large majority of exhibitors are very happy with the way the Festival is managed and their suggestions are almost entirely positive and in most cases complimentary.

David Linington

Emsworth Food Festival CIC
September 2006