The benefits of conventions, exhibitions and trade shows ripple beyond the walls of the meeting space. When meetings come to town, everybody benefits. The face-to-face industry creates jobs, generates commerce and creates far-reaching community impact.
According to Oxford Economics, the meetings industry contributed $845 billion to the U.S. economy in 2016 and supported 5.9 million jobs
SXSW, an annual conference and festival held in Austin, TX, brings more than $317.2 million to the local economy each year from the money spent by attendees and employees on housing, restaurants, transportation, entertainment and more during the event and the year-round operations.
Every year more than 100,000 million people visit 10,900 tradeshows and 273,000 conferences each year adding $33.7 billion to the US economy, according to Tradeshowexecutive.com.
Meetings Mean Business is an industry-wide coalition to showcase the undeniable value that business meetings, trade shows, incentive travel, exhibitions, conferences and conventions bring to people, businesses and communities. By rallying industry advocates, working with stakeholders, conducting original research, engaging with outside voices and more, the coalition brings the industry together to emphasize its importance. Comprised of over 50 members, the coalition unites the meetings industry with one strong and powerful voice.