Measuring the efficiency of trade shows: A Spanish case study

Trade shows are an important industry in the Spanish economy which contribute positively to regional development. However, the cost of attending a trade show is very high for exhibiting firms and so knowledge of trade showsʹ efficiency is necessary in order to define the decision making process for the exhibiting firm. With the aim of evaluating the efficiency indexes of operating trade shows, this study applies a multi-stage methodology for oriented DEA models and a nonparametric test to analyze the differences in efficiency levels driven by specific variables and organizational forms. The sample is made up of 45 trade shows at IFEMA (Madridʹs Fair Institution). The results show significant differences in efficiency across IFEMA. The nonparametric tests reveal differences in efficiency levels driven by the sector and the type of trade show. Moreover, the evidence allows provide managerial implications and future developments.