AUSTRALASIA - New research by the Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) has revealed one million visitors attended EEAA exhibitions in the second half of 2011.
The EEAA Market Monitor found that these shows involved 11,278 exhibitors. Trade events had the largest exhibitor base with 6,621 participating in the six month survey period, attracting 202,700 visitors. Consumer events drew a larger number of visitors at 699,200, with a total of 4,300 exhibitors.
In addition, 49 per cent of trade events had a paid conference or seminar programme alongside them, compared with 16 per cent at consumer events.
The report confirms 12 new shows are expected to be launched in 2012.
Members of the association provided jobs for 2,700 full time staff, 5,400 casual or part-time staff and 2,000 contractors, all before factoring in the boost to exhibitor companies, hotels, restaurants, transport operators and other businesses that benefit from large-scale exhibitions.
In total there were 316 exhibitions held over the survey period, including 92 new events, with a lack of venue space blamed for inhibiting further business growth.
The EEAA Market Monitor also showed that Australian state New South Wales is the biggest events and exhibitions destination, hosting 36 per cent of events against Victoria’s 17 per cent.
General manager of the EEAA, Joyce DiMascio, said the monitor will be conducted bi-annually to capture previously undocumented insights into the health and performance of the Australian exhibition and event industry.
“It is very exciting to have such a clear insight to the health of the industry provided directly by the venues, organisers and suppliers in our membership,” she said. “The EEAA Market Monitor will be an invaluable resource to support our advocacy work on behalf of our membership. It provides much needed facts and will allow us to track key trends.
“Having credible evidence-based data provided by the EEAA Market Monitor puts us on a strong footing in our representations to stakeholders, including government, international industry associations, the media, universities, training institutions and investors.”
The EEAA Market Monitor was produced by independent research company, Micromex Research. Micromex Research CEO Warren Liackman said there were positive findings from the data, particularly the level of optimism expressed by EEAA members.
“More than half the organisers surveyed are presenting new events this year and 59 per cent of suppliers reported an increase in turnover,” he said.
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