DALLAS, 29 May 2014 – “Surprisingly strong” is how the economists for the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) described the first quarter of 2014. The first quarter results of the CEIR Index was in line with projections and reveals that the Total Index increased by 2.6 percent compared to the same period in 2013 and slightly outperformed GDP by 0.6 percentage point.
“We are very pleased by the first-quarter results which are positive and confirm our forecast that ongoing growth is still anticipated for the exhibitions and events industry,” says CEIR’s economist Allen Shaw, Ph.D., chief economist for Global Economic Consulting Associates, Inc. “The performance in the first quarter was quite remarkable considering the fact that the east coast was frequently paralyzed under severe winter weather. With 15 consecutive quarters of growth, we are confident in the continued growth and progress of the industry.”
Quarterly CEIR Total Index for the Overall Exhibition Industry Vs. Quarterly Real GDP, Year-on-Year % Change, 2008Q1-2014Q1
Parallel indicators of growth of Net Square Feet, Exhibitors and Attendees all showed year-on-year gains in the first quarter. The strongest performers were Net Square Feet and Real Revenues which both rose 2.9 percent. The number of Exhibitors increased 2.8 percent, and Attendance increased 1.7 percent – a leading indicator of continued economic recovery. It is anticipated that growth will continue through 2014, and these findings and predictions through 2016 will be presented at PREDICT: CEIR’s annual outlook conference to be held 11 September 2014 in Chicago, IL for which registration is currently open.
Quarterly CEIR Metrics for the Overall Exhibition Industry, Year-on-Year % Change, 2007-2014Q1
As an objective measure of the annual performance of the exhibition industry, the CEIR Index measures year-over-year changes in four key metrics to determine overall performance: Net Square Feet of Exhibit Space Sold; Professional Attendance; Number of Exhibiting Companies; and Gross Revenue. The CEIR Index provides exhibition industry performance across 14 key industry sectors: Business Services; Consumer Goods; Discretionary Consumer Goods and Services; Education; Food; Financial, Legal and Real Estate; Government; Building, Construction, Home and Repair; Industrial/Heavy Machinery and Finished Business Inputs; Communications and Information Technology; Medical and Health Care; Raw Materials and Science; Sporting Goods, Travel and Entertainment; and Transportation.
For more information about the CEIR Index, an Analysis of the 2013 Exhibition Industry and Future Outlook report or PREDICT: CEIR’s Annual Exhibition Industry Outlook Conference, contact CEIR President and CEO Brian Casey, CEM at bcasey@ceir.org or +1 (972) 687-9219.
About CEIR
CEIR serves to advance the growth, awareness and value of exhibitions and other face-to-face marketing events by producing and delivering knowledge-based research tools that enable stakeholder organizations to enhance their ability to meet current and emerging customer needs, improve their business performance and strengthen their competitive position. For additional information, visit www.ceir.org.
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Media Inquiries:
Susan Brower, CEM
+1 (972) 687-9207
sbrower@ceir.org
