Exhibitions and Events
The Industry that Brings Buyers and Sellers Together
presented by:
www.iaee.com
Exhibitions and events have existed for
thousands of years.
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References to fairs in the Bible.
Connections between fairs
and holy days.
Fairs educate the public.
Fairs continue to evolve.
Exhibitions and events serve basic business
goals and needs.
Meet
Buy/Sell
EXPERIENCE
See
Discuss
Learn
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Bring buyers and sellers
together
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Display products/services
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Educate
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Networking
Elements of an Exhibition/Event
A typical exhibition may also include:
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General learning sessions
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Receptions
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Awards presentations
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Industry keynote speech
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Workshop education sessions
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Board of Directors and other
committee meetings
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Recreational activities such as golf
and tennis
Exhibitions drive economic impact.
Exhibition
U.S. Economic Impact
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Direct Spending = $122.31 billion
Direct Taxes = $21.4 billion
Direct Employment = 1.71 million jobs
Source: 2005 Economic Impact Study released by the Convention Industry Council
More Than 13,000 Exhibitions
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According to the Center for Exhibition Research (CEIR), a not-for-profit exhibition industry
research organization, the exhibition industry comprises 11 key industry sectors.
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The basis for this universe is the Exhibition Industry Census, which catalogued over
13,000 events with at least 3,000 net square feet of exhibit space. Approximately 10,000
events are business-to-business exhibitions and the remaining 3,000+ events are
business-to-consumer shows.
Business-to-business Exhibitions
Industry Sector
Industrial/Heavy
Machinery and Finished
Business Products
4%
Transportation
4%
Food
4%
Building, Construction,
Home & Repair
2%
Medical and Healthcare
24%
Consumer Goods and
Retail Trade
6%
Raw Materials and
Science
8%
Sports, Travel,
Entertainment, Art and
Consumer Services
9%
Government, Public and
Not-for-Profit Services
12%
Source: 3rd Annual CEIR Index
Professional Business
Services
14%
Communications and
Information Technology
13%
The Places to Be
Rank
Host City
1
Las Vegas, Nevada
2
Chicago, Illinois
3
New York, New York
4
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
5
Atlanta, Georgia
6
Orlando, Florida
7
Boston, Massachusetts
8
Washington, D.C.
9
Dallas, Texas
10
San Diego, California
Source: Tradeshow Week and Reed Business Information “Tradeshow Industry Outlook”
The Global Picture in 2008
Region
Corporate
Planners
Association
Planners
Europe
50%
55%
Canada/Mexico
42%
40%
Caribbean/Bermuda
29%
22%
Asia
26%
22%
Central/South America
15%
20%
Australia/New Zealand
13%
10%
Middle East
7%
7%
Africa
6%
9%
Source: Meetings & Conventions magazine’s “2006 International Meeting Planner Survey”
Technology is enriching the exhibition and
event experience.
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Technologies now allow attendees
and exhibitors to schedule
appointments in advance of the
event.
Matchmaking software allows
buyers and sellers to find each
other before, during and after an
event.
Lead retrieval programs permit
exhibitors to obtain live-time
demographic data about buyers
who visit their booth.
Email marketing helps build
interest and attendance.
Online marketing and commerce
build sales.
Webcasts, podcasts and
streaming video extend
information to audiences beyond
those who attend and extend the
life of the show.
Nothing rivals the power of face-to-face.
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There is obviously something powerful that makes all of us crave the
face-to-face experience.
Exhibitions are clearly the most dynamic way that buyers and sellers
can communicate with each other.