Research and White Papers
CEIR Reports Ninth Straight Quarter of Exhibition Declines
August 19, 2010
The exhibition industry has taken a hit for the ninth consecutive quarter, suffering an overall decline of 1.4 percent in the second quarter of 2010 compared to the second quarter of 2009, according to the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR), which this week released the second quarter results of its annual
CEIR Index.
The
CEIR Index measures four exhibition industry metrics, including net square feet of exhibit space sold, which declined 3 percent in the second quarter of 2010; revenue, which declined 4.4 percent; the number of exhibiting companies, which declined 3 percent; and professional attendance, which fared best with a 4.5 percent increase.
Although three of its four metrics declined, CEIR is quick to point out that second-quarter declines this year were less severe than last, when net square footage fell 10.1 percent, revenue 16.9 percent and exhibiting companies 12.8 percent.
"It is anticipated that slow growth will continue through 2010 and the results suggest that if the U.S. economy is able to avoid a double dip recession, the fourth quarter of 2010 and first quarter of 2011 could be the beginning of a true recovery for the exhibition industry," CEIR said in a statement. "Watch for retail sales to be an indicator of recovery."
For more information about the CEIR Index, including complete second quarter results, visit
www.ceir.org.