Issue link: https://tradeshowexecutive.epubxp.com/i/58649
TRENDING & SPENDING An Insider's Perspective How is the economy impacting the exposition industry? Tis month, nine industry experts give you projections and early warning signs based on registration patterns, exhibit space commitments, long- and short-term bookings, and discussions with peers and customers. Tey have insider knowledge about the true performance of the majority of U.S. trade shows. And just like economists, they don't always agree. Teir diverse opinions, how- ever, provide valuable insights to help you formulate your plans. Darlene Gudea, PRESIDENT Trade Show Executive Frank Chow, CHIEF ECONOMIST Trade Show Executive Forward Momentum David Loechner PRESIDENT Nielsen Expositions to Continue "Certain market segments will continue to experi- ence some negative cyclical effects, but for the trade show industry as a whole, I view this year as slowly continuing our forward momentum in holding the gains we saw in 2011 with low single-digit improvement in revenues and slight improve- ments in attendance overall." More Signs of a Seller's Market "A few interesting points from the 2012 Meet- ings Market Trends Survey by Meetings Focus. For the first time in years, it seems there is Gary Sain PRESIDENT & CEO Visit Orlando movement in the area of booking windows, with many suppliers not as desperate to take last-minute bookings or willing to hold out for potentially more-lucrative business. Pricing power seems to be returning, due to increased demand and little in the hotel development pipeline. Association and corporate planners seem the most optimistic while government planners continue to cite challenges with budget levels and the number of meetings they expect to hold this year." SPONSORED BY Skip Cox PRESIDENT & CEO Exhibit Surveys Competition for the Marketing Dollar "Tere is reason for optimism about the growth of exhibi- tions, especially in number of exhibitors and exhibit space. Digital marketing continues to show strong growth with 74% of B-to-B marketers planning increases in 2012, according to BtoB magazine's Annual Outlook Survey. How- ever, event budgets rank a strong second with 41% of the respondents planning increases (and only 12% decreasing). Nonetheless, exhibitors are becoming more selective and more sophisticated about which events they choose, so the months ahead will remain competitive for organizers." Nancy Walsh EXECUTIVE VP Reed Exhibitions James Rooney EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Mass. Convention Center Authority Jack Chalden ASSOCIATE The Augusta Group 24 March 2012 | Trade Show Executive Welcome Back, Dow 13,000 "We are seeing a slight slowdown in exhibitor growth and are projecting Q2 to be about 1% over 2011. Exhibitor revenue is still holding strong at an increase of 4% YTD. Attendance growth for May is projected at 4% and we anticipate that the up- ward trend will continue in 2012. YTD, there has been significant growth in atten- dance in the retail, technology and healthcare sectors of our portfolio. With the Dow hitting 13,000 this month, there is certainly confidence in the market that we are on the road to recovery. One major concern, however, is the recent volatility in oil prices and the impact that can have on trade shows." Pat Fallon VP OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CompuSystems, Inc.