In the opinion of many respondents, the environmental technology market is in fact saturated. The major ways of gathering information prior to buying environmental technologies include personal and professional relations, which are especially important where previous contacts with a supplier have been established. Another significant source was participation in fairs and exhibitions, brochures and leaflets distributed at trade shows, and catalogues and directories purchased during shows, fairs and conferences. Additionally, representatives of domestic and foreign companies often visit potential clients in person, or contact them by mail, offering products and services. Industry associations, and information from the foreign owner or a parent company appear another, albeit less common, way to obtain information prior to purchasing environmental technologies.
Some companies create their own rudimentary information databases.
Finally, information provided in different specialized journals, or information obtained at fairs in other countries were sometimes used. Major Trade Fairs Environmental fairs play an important role as a source of information. Table 1.6 presents those major environment-related trade events held regularly. There is a general trend among environmental firms to reduce the number of exhibitions they participate in, and only to take part in the larger ones, which attract more visitors. In the future, the number of fairs, shows, and conferences is expected to decrease.