Dallas, TX – The trade show industry reversed a long skid by experiencing across-the-board growth in the Third Quarter, according to the latest CEIR Index released by the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR).
The results released November 17 marked the first time that all four CEIR Index metrics had been positive since the First Quarter of 2008, a streak of nine consecutive quarters in which at least one metric had declined.
“This is most welcome news and tends to confirm some of the anecdotal reports we have reviewed,” said Douglas Ducate, president and CEO of CEIR. “It should be noted that the Third Quarter is historically the weakest of the four quarters and has had the greatest decline.”
The Third Quarter growth was led by an increase in attendance. The number of professional attendees increased 6.6% over the Third Quarter of 2009, followed by a 5.6% increase in projected show revenues and 5.2% increases in both the number of exhibiting companies and exhibit space.
Ducate said the busy First Quarter of 2011 would be a key test of whether or not the signs of recovery seen in the Third Quarter indicated a sustained upward swing.
The CEIR Index is compiled from data on the four metrics submitted by show management in 11 industry sectors. Show statistics on individual shows are kept confidential.
Reach Doug Ducate at (972) 687-9242 or dducate@ceir.org
