Preliminary findings from the Meetings Significance Survey conducted by the Events Industry Council shows that meetings in the U.S. have grown in terms of attendance and economic impact.
According to the survey’s findings, 1.9 million meetings were held across the United States in 2016. These meetings were attended by more than 250 million people, representing a 10 per cent growth relative to 2012. They also resulted in $330 billion in direct spending, an increase of 33 per cent from the $220 billion recorded in 2012. In addition, they drew more than six million international participants, generating spending in the U.S. of $18.3 billion.
The results mean that direct spending by meetings was greater than the combined sales of businesses in the air, rail and water transportation sectors. It was also greater than the output of businesses in the arts, entertainment and recreation sector.
These prelimary findings were released at a press conference held by Meetings Mean Business (U.S.) at Convening Leaders 2018, the Professional Convention Management Association’s annual conference, held January 7-10 at Music City Center, Nashville, Tennessee.
The complete survey results are scheduled for release next month (February 2018). They will include data from Oxford Economics, Longwoods International, the National Travel and Tourism Office, and STR. The data represents responses from:
- 1,300 planners, venues and exhibitors;
- 9,000 domestic (U.S.) business travellers;
- 50,000 international travellers; and
- 11,000 hotels.
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