DALLAS – According to the latest data from the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR), the U.S. exhibition industry is highly focused on 2024, a strong fourth quarter of increased participation by exhibitors and increased revenue growth. The industry rebounded significantly in the fourth quarter after a softening in the third quarter. The CEIR’s overall index (a key performance benchmark) climbed to 95.6, the highest level recorded since the common pandemic.
This is a significant improvement from the third-quarter index’s 89.3 index, which was lowered due to lower attendance rates. Compared with pre-pandemic levels, Q4 2024 was only 4.4% compared with the same period in 2019, narrowing the gap from the gap to the shortfall in Q4 2023. Year-on-year difference, the index scored 6.5 percentage points from 2023 and 6.3 points in the fourth quarter and 6.3 points from 2024 in the third quarter.
“Recent results confirm the ongoing recovery of trade show events,” said Adam Sacks, president of Tourism Economics. “This year, our baseline outlook remains positive, although we expect economic and policy uncertainty and weaker sentiment among international players to weigh in on business decisions and ongoing recovery of trade show events.”
Economic and policy considerations
Despite the strength in nearly 2024, industry stakeholders are monitoring recent economic developments. President Donald Trump’s administration has imposed tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada. These trade policies, combined with ongoing concerns about inflation, immigration restrictions and global travel sentiment, may introduce volatility in 2025.
However, industry leaders remain confident in the resilience of the exhibition space.
“Our industry’s journey in recent challenges proves the enduring power of the B2B exhibition industry“Marsha Flanagan, Chairman and CEO of the International Association for Exhibitions and Activities, M.Ed.The fourth quarter 2024 is more than just a number – it is about the irreplaceable value of resilience, adaptability and face-to-face business interactions. As we face uncertainty and continue to move forward, we will tend toward the important role our industry plays in the overall economy. ”transparent
Related. Active exercise in the fourth quarter
Trade Fair Director’s Fourth Quarter 2024 Performance Insights
The quarterly analysis of trade fairs by Trade Fair Director (TSE) also shows steady growth in the last quarter of 2024.
The solid increase in the three key indicators of the TSE dashboard was held 71 gatherings in the last three months of 2024, which totalled 13,064,057 net square feet of exhibition space; 42,529 exhibitors; and 1,116,923 participants, of which 501,302 were professional participants.
TSE said the overall percentage of 2024 in the fourth quarter reflects consistent growth. Exhibition space grew by 2.5%, with the number of exhibitors in these exhibitions increasing by 2.8%, and the total attendance rate increased by 0.7%, but professional attendance fell by 1.1%.
Arrive at Marsha Flanagan via mflanagan@iaee.com; Adam Sacks in asacks@oxfordecomonics.com
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（Tagstotranslate）CEIR（T）Exhibition Industry Research Center（T）IAEE（T）International Association of Exhibitions and Activities
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