Trade Show Trends



BREAKING NEWS: New CEIR Report on Trends in Use of Exhibitions Points to Resiliency

DALLAS, 8 November
 – Today, the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) issued the fifth report from The Role and Value of Face-to-Face Interaction Study Series titled Trends in Use of Exhibitions. This report provides a snapshot of the use and motivations for attending and exhibiting at business-to-business exhibitions. This 12-page report provides an in-depth look at attendee and exhibitor use of exhibitions, including frequency, reasons for participating and projected use in the near future.

CEIR Research Director Nancy Drapeau, PRC, said, "Attendee and exhibitor practices today, as well as their expected participation in the near-term, points to the resiliency and enduring value of business-to-business exhibitions. Despite economic challenges and alternative marketing options, these professionals use and value exhibitions and plan to do so in the next two years."

Key findings of note:

Attendee results:
  • When comparing attendance to business-to-business exhibitions and private events, attendees favor exhibitions. They attend an average of 3.4 exhibitions annually compared to 2.6 private events.
  • Results suggest attendance will continue to grow in the next two years. Six out of 10 attendees will go to the same number of exhibitions as they are attending today while 23 percent plan to attend more.
  • The search for new products continues to be the primary driver to attend (80 percent).