The critical consideration of the role of the ‘Business Associations by industry’ as a trade show organizer in Korea - focusing on the comparison with the trade show organizer in Germany

Of the three main elements of the trade show, the organizer is a key element that determines the success or failure of the trade show, such as planning & operating it and attracting exhibitors. However, despite the importance of these organizers, it is still relatively inadequate compared to researches of the visitors and exhibitors. Therefore, this study focuses on exhibition organizers, especially "Business Associations by industry(B.A.)" as an organizer developed into a unique form in Korea. In case of trade show organizer in Germany, Messe which is a venue owner has a fairly high ratio of holding trade show. On the other hand, in case of Korean trade shows, the proportion of holding trade show of B.A. that represent the general industry is as high as that of private-exhibition-companies. The significance and necessity of the study on B.A. as a trade show organizer are sufficient given the public nature of them and the fact that they are representative organizations of the relevant industries. Holding a trade show of B.A. in Korea started as a part of export promotion and overseas marketing activities in response to manufacturing promotion policy driven by the government in 1970s. These B.A. have not only laid the foundation of trade show industry in Korea, but also played a part of the economic growth through the expansion of manufacturing-oriented trade. B.A. as the organizer of the trade show account for the second largest share followed by private-exhibition-companies. And even if following the statistical data for actual trade shows held each year, the exhibition holding ratio of them have played an important role in the trade show industry to about 20% of the total trade show. However, in terms of holding trade show, these B.A. also have limitations such as profit structure and composition of organization. Therefore, new marketing strategies and programs should be developed like the organizers of leading trade show in Germany in order to enhance the exhibition management capabilities. These competencies are possible through aggressive investment and new attempts, and specifically it is necessary to approach them in three ways. First, it is necessary to utilize the 'uniqueness' of the B.A. as the organizer of the trade show in Korea. Secondly, it is necessary to change the recognition from exhibitor promotion to the importance of the visitor promotion. Lastly, understanding of the industry in the trade show hosted by B.A. should be preceded.