Another generally positive permance by association meetings in 2013 has created the foundations for significantly stronger future growth, according to respondents to a survey carried out by IMEX and the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) among attendees at the IMEX Association Day in Frankfurt in May.
The results from the latest annual survey continue to paint a very positive picture for this most resilient sector in the meetings industry, despite economic pressures.
92 international association hosted buyers who attended the Frankfurt trade show responded to the survey, over 77 per cent of whom organised or will organise meetings for more than 500 delegates in 2013, and more than 17 per cent of whom organise events for over 5,000 delegates. These numbers increased slightly compared to previous years.
Over 32 per cent of respondents reported higher attendance for their 2013 events than in previous years (4% more than in 2012 and 2011); 37 per cent indicated no change (compared to 38% in 2012); 24 per cent reported slight reductions (compared to 31% in 2012) and fewer than seven per cent reported a ‘significant’ fall in numbers (compared to 3% in 2012).
When asked if the continued global economic turbulence had any negative impact on their association and/or events in 2013, almost 57 per cent answered ‘Yes’. When this question was asked in 2012 this percentage was almost 60 per cent, which means the international association meetings sector has definitely been impacted, but is still showing growth; and slightly more growth than in 2012.
This trend is also illustrated in respondents’ projections for 2014: almost 30 per cent of associations will be running more meetings in 2014 than in 2013 (compared to 22% in 2012), while less than seven per cent plan to organise fewer meetings (this percentage was 11% in 2012). Almost 47 per cent are projecting higher attendances than in previous year (40 per cent in 2012), compared to almost nine per cent who expect their delegate numbers to fall (10% in 2012).
With all of the main indices showing a year on year rise, the survey suggests a positive forward forecast despite continued challenging economic conditions. This trend was confirmed earlier this year with the release of the 2012 ICCA rankings for cities and countries, when ICCA reported another year of continued strength in the international association meetings market.
Martin Sirk, ICCA CEO (pictured), reacted to the survey findings: “ICCA has been tracking international associations for half a century, so we’re absolutely convinced of the long-term dynamism of this market sector, but obviously the uncertain and volatile financial and economic environment of the last five years has had an impact on delegate numbers and sponsorship support for many association events. It’s great news to see that the sector has regained its optimism, and we anticipate that associations will become increasingly important in every destination’s meetings mix.”
Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group, added: “We have been tracking and working closely with the association sector, together with ICCA, for over 10 years, and even through the economic turbulence of the past few years, the sector has remained resilient and cautiously optimistic. It is good to see the sector continuing this upward trajectory and beginning to display a slightly stronger confidence level. For our exhibitors and for the meetings industry as a whole, this is great news.
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