The 5th International B2B Gift Exhibition, Regalo, held from March 12-14, 2009, showcased a variety of innovative products and attracted over 2,600 professional visitors, with 65% being decision-makers looking for new business opportunities. Despite economic challenges, there was a steady growth in consumer spending on gifts, and notable participation included young entrepreneurs from Bulgaria and Scotland. The next edition is scheduled for September 25-27, 2013, in Sofia, Bulgaria, with an upgraded format catering to both B2B and B2C audiences.

1. REGALO
International Gift Show
POST SHOW REPORT
Organizer: www.viaexpo.com

2. POST SHOW REPORT
5th International b2b Gift Exhibition REGALO
South-East European markets offer a lot of business opportunities for gift producers and traders. In spite
of the global economic recession the consumers within these areas register a steady growth in spending
money on traditional low-cost and also on quality and branded gift products, which favours the
development of the gift industry as a whole.
The 5th edition of the International b2b Gift Exhibition REGALO took place 12 – 14 March, 2009. It
brought together buyers and sellers from the market of home and personal objects and ornaments and
provided them with excellent market opportunities just within few days.
Exhibitors from different countries presented a wide variety of innovative products, upcoming designs,
trends and colours. Alongside with the traditional participants, an accent in the exhibition were the
participations of young initiative high-school children from Bulgaria and Scotland, presenting their own
manufactured products and willing to position them on the market. Their miniature models of devices,
put in motion by solar energy and handicrafted fashion scarves and baby booties, drew the special
attention of the media representatives onsite.
The 5th REGALO attracted again high level professional visitors from a wide range of industries and
institutions.
Exhibition Overview:
Direct exhibitors from Bulgaria, China (correspondence participation), Greece, India, Portugal and
Scotland;
About 30 % of the exhibitors have previously participated in the exhibition and the company
Papapavlou from Greece has not missed a single edition - their participation was the 5th one in a row!
2669 professional visitors, intending to source all their wholesale and retail needs within 3 days:
retailers 29 %; wholesalers & importers 19 %;
65 % of all visitors were decision makers (against 55 % at the previous edition) looking for new
contacts and signing contracts; 16 % came to make their own marketing research and compare with
competition; 18 % were Marketing and Sales specialists;
56 % from the visitors have learned about the exhibition from the Organizer as a result of the
performed targeted sending of printed and e-invitations and leaflets;
NEW for the 5th edition:
- Remarkably increased interest from Advertising Agencies – 8 % of all visitors;
Note*: Advertising agencies act as wholesalers and potential importers, looking for products to
personalize according to the needs of their corporate clients.
- Increased number of visitors, interested in household items and decoration – 25 % (against 18 % in
the previous edition); interested in Home textile items - 7 %
The parallel program reviewed topics of interest to the trade visitors (Successful marketing at the retail
shops; Hotels-Restaurants-and Shops interior design; Type of presents for different occasions, etc.)
92 % of the visitors say REGALO met their expectations.

3. The 6th edition of REGALO will take place: 25 – 27 September, 2013, Sofia, Bulgaria
with an upgraded format – there will be 2 Exhibition zones: b2b and b2c. In this way the interests of
the gift business community and the general public will be met – they will each have the opportunity
to conclude business deals and to buy presents just before the upcoming Christmas and New Year’s
holidays. We invite all foreign exporters and traders, looking for business opportunities in the quickly
developing Bulgarian and Balkan markets to be a part of REGALO 2013.
Don’t hesitate and contact us for further information!
VISITOR STATISTICS, REGALO Spring 2009
Company Activity
Retail 29 % Import 9 %
Services 12 % Other 6 %
(Interior Design 4 %, Event Organizer 3 %, Advert, PR Agency 8 %, Media 4 %
Hotel, Restaurant 2 %) Export 2 %
Production 11 %
Wholesale 10 %
Products
Souvenirs 17 % Fashion accessories 5 %
Decoration 13 % Flowers, Plants 5 %
Household Products, Furniture 12 % Toys & Games 5 %
Business Gifts 11 % Stationery 4 %
Packaging 10 % Cosmetic Products 3 %
Home Textile 7 % Other 2 %
Jewelry & Watches 7 %
Purpose of the visit
Enter into Contacts 64 %
Compare with Competitors 16 %
Other 11%
Future Participation as an Exhibitor 9 %
How did you Learn about Regalo? Area of Responsibilities Visitors by Region
Invitation from the Organizer 64 % Manager 65 %
Internet 11 % Sales & Marketing 18 % Sofia 67 %
Outdoor Advertisement 12 % Design 7 % the Country 28 %
Exhibitor 12 % Other 7 % Abroad 5 %
Press 5% Supply 3 %
Other 2%
Padio 1%
Organizer: Via Expo Ltd.
T/F + 359 32 960 011, 960 012
office@vaexpo.com
www.viaexpo.com