During events, attendees spend an estimated $44.8 billion, and exhibitors spend an estimated $24.5 billion, according to Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR).
This research documents the substantial contribution business-to-business exhibitions make to the U.S. economy through attendee and exhibitor direct spending, and it is significant.
“Direct spending fuels business for exhibition organizers and suppliers as well as the travel and tourism industries. All this commerce helps local, regional and U.S. economies, which translate into job retention and job creation,” explained Brian Casey, CEO, CEIR.
“Attendee Direct Spending Estimate and Exhibitor Direct Spending Estimate,” analyzes the potential, direct spending of attendees and exhibitors at exhibitions, and it further reveals direct spending at exhibitions of any size positively impacts the economy. The findings are based on the more than 11,000 exhibitions that CEIR tracks from 3,000 net square feet and have at least 10 exhibiting companies to the largest exhibitions in the U.S.
For the first time, CEIR commissioned Pricewaterhouse Coopers, LLP to quantify attendee and exhibitor direct spend estimates based on data compiled as a part of an interim update of “The Economic Significance of Meetings to the U.S. Economy Study.”
This data, along with other CEIR data, were used to compute the estimates published in the two reports.
“These two documents offer invaluable data to help cities evaluate and compare the economic impact of exhibitions looking to hold their events in their communities,” said Nancy Drapeau, research director, CEIR. “They also offer a useful tool for exhibition organizers aiming to make the case of the economic impact their event offers prospective host cities when striving to book dates for their events.”
To access each corresponding report, visit SM40.14 Attendee Direct Spending Estimate and SM41.14 Exhibitor Direct Spending Estimate. IAEE members can access the CEIR library and reports at no cost – a benefit of IAEE membership.
