When the CEIR Index was released in the spring, the Financial, Legal, Real Estate (FN); Discretionary Consumer Goods (CS); and Sporting Goods and Entertainment (ST) sectors were forecasted to perform well into 2014.
“Now that the economy is showing signs of improvement and face-to-face events in the financial, consumer goods and sporting goods sectors have been able to weather the digital disruption, it will be interesting to see if these leading sectors are still in line with projections,” said David Ingemie, president, SnowSports Industries America.
With changes in the economy and consumer confidence ebbing and flowing, an expert panel will evaluate these projections, examine influences on their sectors and determine if the projections are still positive at CEIR Predict in New York City’s Waldorf Astoria on Sept. 12. Predict is an event for executives in the exhibition industry and financial community for effective and strategic planning purposes in regard to exhibitions in the coming year.
Moderated by Ingemie, a session will dive into the outlook for the FN, CS and ST sectors, which will be represented by panelists Richard Melville, editorial director of banking and capital markets, SourceMedia Group; Kerry Gumas, CEO, Questex Media Group; Chris DeMoulin, president of licensing, Advanstar Communications and executive vice president, Power Sports Group; and Marian Bossard, vice president of meetings and events, Toy Industry Association Inc.
Panelists agree that they are cautiously optimistic with an uptick in consumer confidence during the past year, but there are mitigating factors like government regulations regarding product safety, consolidation versus expansion, the effect of online storefronts on independent retailers and the impact of mergers that are driving investment banking and revenue for financial institutions that weigh heavily on the outlook for events in these sectors.
“Overall, whereas we are seeing a decline in the number of exhibiting companies, statistics show an increase in revenue and square footage from exhibiting companies [that] support events, so the outlook from that vantage point is positive,” added Ingemie.
The expert analysis and industry predictions will underscore the importance of exhibition organizers keeping exhibitions fresh and appealing for their audiences. The content shared at Predict will allow organizers to strategically look at their event(s) and learn how new and different models can be applied. Knowing how essential change and adaptation is today, Predict will provide the resources and means through goal mapping and competitive threat analysis to bring about these changes.
