Research and White Papers
Meetings Optimism, Demand at Six-Month High, IMEX America Reports
May 13, 2011
Among meeting buyers and suppliers alike, optimism and business levels are higher than they have been for at least six months, according to IMEX America, which yesterday released the results of its second Index of Optimism poll.
Conducted in March, the survey of 190 meeting professionals found that demand for services has grown in the last six months for nearly 73 percent of respondents, while only 9 percent reported no growth. In the last Index of Optimism survey, conducted in September 2010, 71 percent of respondents reported growth and 15 percent no growth.
Other key findings from the survey:
• Just over 79 percent of respondents said they'd been winning business from new sources during the last six months. Compared to the previous six-month period, respondents said this trend was "definitely better," suggesting an increase in confidence and expectations.
• Nearly 55 percent of respondents said they've seen evidence in the last six months of increased event attendance or increased spending per participant. Because these numbers are similar to the previous six-month period, IMEX America concludes that "although volumes of meetings and events business are returning, delegate behavior at those events has yet to return to pre-downturn levels."
• Although a slight majority of respondents — just over 35 percent — believes the worst of the recession is over, 30 percent believe it isn't and just over 34 percent are simply "not sure." And yet, 73 percent of respondents said they feel "more optimistic" about the meetings industry than they did a year ago.
The first annual IMEX America meetings trade show will take place Oct. 11-13, 2011, in Las Vegas. For more information about the event, or about the IMEX America Index of Optimism, visit
www.imexamerica.com.