“All areas continue to show growth,” is the central take-away of the 2019 ECEF Pulse survey of exhibition and convention executives.
Benchmark findings from the report include:
· 56% forecast growth in net square feet of sold exhibit space; 33% expect no change.
· 52% forecast a rise in exhibitors; 38% expect no change.
· 50% forecast growing sponsorship sales, while 37% expect no change.
· 47% expect attendance will rise; although slightly below a majority, it is a slight uptick from the 2018 benchmark (45%); 40% expect attendance to stay at current levels.
It is not all plain sailing, however. Two out three respondents consider growing attendance to be ‘extremely’ or ‘very’ challenging. Almost half (45%) are increasing spending on attendance; while 49% are holding spending levels steady.
Growth is also expected by fewer than last year: 52% in 2018 vs 46% in 2019.
The 27-page survey is only available to executives attending ECEF, 29 May, at the JW Marriott in Washington, D.C.
In addition, the program includes 5 Key Data Points in 5 Minutes: ECEF Pulse 2019 Summary, presented by Sam Lippman (pictured), President, Lippman Connects. Learn more at lippmanconnects.com/ecef.