EEAA member survey shows exhibition industry in good health

The results of the Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia’s (EEAA) annual Member ‘PULSE’ survey shows strong growth in new shows within the Australasian business event industry, with increases in the number of trade and consumers shows in 2017 and forecasts of continued growth over the coming year.

The findings, released by last week at the Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo (AIME) in Melbourne, showed that 40% of organisers launched at least one new show in 2017 and 67% plan to launch or host at least one new show in 2018. Of those who are planning a new show in 2018, at least 43% expect they will deliver two or more new shows over the coming year.

EEAA Chief Executive, Joyce DiMascio said the findings of the EEAA survey of Members showed that 67% of Organisers and 87.5% of Venues planned to launch at least one new show in 2018. She said of those who are planning a new show in 2018, at least 43% expect they will deliver two or more new shows over the coming year.

DiMascio stated “the findings signal that the industry is constantly evolving. It also shows that our sector is nimble and responsive, creating exciting new marketplaces to meet the needs of emerging and new industries.

“For example, of the new shows planned for 2018, 35% are technology-based, with a focus on space and satellite technology, and cybersecurity. Last year, we also saw a new show specifically for drones.”

The overall sentiment of the survey points to optimism among the Association’s Organiser, Association Organiser and Venue Members who reported strong performance from their shows in 2017 and a positive outlook for the year ahead.

The results are consistent with the 20th Global Exhibition Barometer released recently by The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, UFI. The Barometer included the first country report for Australia.

The key findings from the survey include:

2018 outlook

• 66.6% of Organisers and Association Organisers, and 87.5% of Venues plan to deliver or host new exhibitions in 2018, with expectations there will be more new trade shows than consumer shows
• 43% of Organisers and Association Organisers plan to deliver two or more new shows in 2018, and 86% of those organisers plan to include a paid or free conference/seminar component to their exhibition
• The most popular sectors for new shows are technology (35%) and health & wellbeing (35%)
• Other sectors that will be home to new shows in 2018 are space & satellite, science / health, pet, accommodation, design, home, and lifestyle

2017 performance

• 40.9% of Organisers and Association Organisers, and 87.5% of Venues delivered or hosted new exhibitions in 2017
• 55.5% of Organisers and Association Organisers that delivered new exhibitions, delivered two new shows or more
• 9.5% of Organisers and Association Organisers retired a show in 2017 (all consumer)
• There were equal numbers of new trade and consumer shows across a diverse range of industry sectors, including drones, retail, gift an homewares, build, design, safety, manufacturing, pet, recreation, waste, food & beverage, wellbeing, lifestyle & health, and accounting, finance & professional services
• Close to 30% of Organisers and Association Organisers either acquired or sold a trade or consumer show in 2017

Di Mascio added “overall, the insights provided by the Association’s Organiser and Venue Members shows a sector that continues to evolve with reports of healthy performance in 2017 and signs of continued growth in 2018.

“We look forward to exploring these findings in more detail via our upcoming annual Market Monitor research where we’ll dive deeper into the factors underpinning the performance and outlook of the exhibition and event industry in Australasia.”

The survey was sent to the Association’s Organiser, Association Organiser and Venue Members in December 2017 and received a high response rate, as follows:

• 71% of Organiser and Association Organiser members responded (22/31)
• 32% of Venue members responded (8/25).

EEAA has also named the strong line-up of speakers for its annual International Women’s Day Breakfast on Thursday 8th March 2018.

City of Sydney Councillor Christine Forster; Pier One General Manager, Kim Mahaffy; Strategist, Consultant and Author, Jane Mathews; Director of the Australian Chamber Business Leaders Council, Paul Nicolaou; and The M Agency Founder and Managing Director, Emma Triggs will headline this year’s annual celebration of women in the Australasian business event industry.

The event is being held Doltone House Hyde Park in Sydney.

Click here for more information.

Images: Reed Gift Fair at the ICC Sydney (top) and Joyce DiMascio (middle)

8th February 2018 - EEAA WELCOMES INCLUSION OF AUSTRALIAN ‘COUNTRY REPORT’ IN GLOBAL EXHIBITION BAROMETER

7th January 2018 - REDEFINING THE CONFERENCE EXPERIENCE 

20th December 2017 - ICC SYDNEY MARKS MILESTONE 12 MONTHS OF OPERATIONS 

21st December 2017 - BUSINESS EVENTS SECTOR LOOKS TO DEVELOP FUTURE WORKFORCE 

17th December 2017 - AUSTRALIAN MAJOR PERFORMING ARTS GROUP CONDEMNS HARASSMENT AND BULLYING 

8th December 2017 - TOURISM AUSTRALIA CONTINUES BACKING OF EEAA YOUNG STARS

30th November 2017 - AUSTRALIAN TOURISM WORKERS ‘FAR TOO QUALIFIED’ 

30th November 2017 - EEAA 2017 AWARDS RECOGNISE INDUSTRY EXCELLENCE AND SERVICE

10th November 2017 - NEW SPEAKERS AND NEW SPECIALIST WORKSHOP CLINICS ANNOUNCED FOR EEAA 2017 CONFERENCE 

18th October 2017 - NEW REPORT CALLS FOR TOURISM INDUSTRY TO ADDRESS RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION  

9th June 2016 - ABS ECONOMIC ACTIVITY SURVEY SHOWS OVER 200,000 EMPLOYED IN ‘ARTS AND RECREATION SERVICES’

9th February 2016 - UNION ACCUSES SYDNEY THEATRE COMPANY MANAGEMENT OF ‘IGNORING STAFF SAFETY’ 

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.