New research with Oxford Economics finds business events generated US$1.3 trillion in direct spending and supported US$1.8 trillion in total GDP worldwide in 2025

The Events Industry Council (EIC), the global voice of the business events industry on advocacy, research, professional recognition and standards, today released the 2026 Global Economic Significance of Business Events Study Executive Summary, produced in association with Oxford Economics. 

The study provides a comprehensive view of the scale, scope and impact of business events worldwide, measuring activity across more than 180 countries. 

• In 2025, business events brought together 1.65 billion participants globally and generated US$1.3 trillion in direct spending, representing a 12.2% increase over 2019 levels. 
• Including direct, indirect and induced impacts, the sector supported US$3.1 trillion in total business sales, US$1.8 trillion in total GDP and 24.2 million jobs worldwide.

“Business events are essential infrastructure for a connected, innovative and resilient global economy,” said Amy Calvert, President and CEO, Events Industry Council. “This study gives our industry credible, current data to demonstrate what we have long known: when people gather with purpose, they create economic value, strengthen communities, accelerate knowledge exchange and build the trust required to move ideas into action.”

The research, which is part of an ongoing rollout of advocacy tools and messaging, also shows that business events generated US$759 billion in direct GDP and supported 9.7 million direct jobs globally in 2025. Direct business sales supported by business event activity averaged US$785 per participant, while trade shows directly supported US$180 billion in spending.

The report places the sector’s impact in broader economic context. In 2025, the business events sector directly generated $1.3 billion in direct sales, higher than many large global sectors, including manufacturing sectors, such air transport, telecommunications equipment, air transport, textiles and aerospace. 

“This research is an important advocacy tool for every sector of our industry,” said Stephanie Harris, EIC Chair and President, The Incentive Research Foundation. “It helps destinations, venues, organisers, suppliers, associations and corporate leaders tell a stronger, more unified story about the role business events play in job creation, workforce development, innovation and long-term economic growth. The data reinforces that our sector is not discretionary — it is a driver of progress.”

The study also captures the continued recovery and future outlook of the global business events sector. By the fourth quarter of 2025, EIC’s Global Business Events Barometer showed RFP activity at 102% of 2019 levels and hotel group room nights at 97% of 2019 levels, indicating that global business events activity has recovered near pre-pandemic levels. Oxford Economics forecasts that direct spending attributable to business events will reach US$1.6 trillion by 2028, with direct employment reaching 10.4 million jobs.

“Business events have demonstrated remarkable resilience and continued relevance in a complex global environment,” said Adam Sacks, President of Tourism Economics for Oxford Economics. “The findings show not only the magnitude of direct spending and employment, but also the broader economic ripple effects created through supply chains, wages and local communities. The sector’s catalytic value — including business development, innovation, research collaboration and knowledge transfer — further underscores why business events matter to economies and societies around the world.”

The study defines business events as gatherings of 10 or more participants for a minimum of four hours in a contracted venue, excluding social, formal educational and recreational activities. The research process included primary research from a global survey of more than 1,600 event organisers, venues, destination marketing organisations, suppliers and other industry participants, as well as analysis of country-level studies, third-party industry data, EIC Global Business Events Barometer data and Oxford Economics’ global economic and business travel forecasts.

The report also highlights the catalytic effects of business events — the broader outcomes that occur when people gather. These include new business opportunities, customer leads, partnerships, professional development, knowledge transfer, research and development, innovation, health and technical advances, human and organisational capital, and productivity gains.

According to survey respondents, the value of face-to-face engagement remains difficult to replace. Seventy percent identified relationship-building through face-to-face interaction as the event outcome most difficult to replicate, while an additional 12% cited community, trust and emotional engagement. Respondents also reported that participation in in-person events increased awareness by an average of 37%, while 28% of revenue would be lost without hosting in-person events.

“The future of business events depends on our ability to measure impact, communicate value and advocate with confidence,” Calvert said. “This study belongs to the entire global business events community. We are deeply grateful to Oxford Economics, our sponsors, contributors, strategic partners, member organisations and volunteer leaders for making this work possible.”

EIC extends its gratitude to the organisations whose support helped make the 2026 Global Economic Significance of Business Events Study possible, including contributors Amadeus, Cvent and GainingEdge; Global Visionary Sponsors MPI and PCMA; and Founding Sponsors Caesars Entertainment, Freeman, Hilton, IMEX Group, Incentive Research Foundation, Javits Center, Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board, The mci Group, MGM Resorts International, Resorts World Las Vegas, Society of Independent Show Organisers, SITE Foundation, U.S. Travel Association and The Venetian Resort Las Vegas.

Additional insights from the study including regional insights, plus the Q1 2026 Events Barometer, will be released within the next month. 

View executive summary.

The City of Thomasville was recently awarded a $500,000 multiyear grant from Fox Gives to fund essential life-safety and accessibility improvements at the historic Thomasville Municipal Auditorium. Fox Gives is the nonprofit arm of Atlanta’s Fox Theatre.

“The Municipal Auditorium has long stood as a centerpiece of civic life in Downtown Thomasville, where generations have gathered for performances, public meetings, concerts, and moments that not only cultivate community, but promote tourism,” said April Norton, Managing Director of Marketing and Communications. “This grant ensures that our historic auditorium will continue to serve as a vibrant cultural and community gathering space for years to come.”

As a cornerstone of Thomasville’s cultural landscape, the Auditorium hosts performances, events and gatherings that strengthen community connection and contribute to the city’s vibrancy. The planned improvements will address fire suppression, structural repairs, key systems upgrades, and accessibility, making the venue more inclusive, safer, welcoming, and functional for future use.

“We’re proud to partner again with the City of Thomasville on the full rehabilitation of this exceptional local and statewide historic landmark,” said Leigh Burns, Fox Gives Director of Community Partnerships. “Beyond the importance of reusing the building, the investment of public funding to preserve this type of structure is critically important. Once a common civic landmark, municipal auditoriums are becoming increasingly rare across Georgia’s architectural landscape.”

The City previously received a $22,500 grant for planning activities related to the upcoming full rehabilitation of the historic landmark.

The grant is part of a $1 million multiyear investment, to two historic theatres, from Fox Gives—marking the first time the program has awarded two multiyear grants in a single year—demonstrating a continued commitment to preserving Georgia’s historic performance spaces. Since 2008, Fox Gives has invested more than $5.7 million in historic theaters and cultural landmarks throughout Georgia and the Southeast.

For more information about the Fox Gives Grant or the Thomasville Municipal Auditorium, please visit Thomasville.org or call the City of Thomasville Visitors Center at 229-228-7977.

Our International Association of Venue Managers community continues to grow, and we are excited to welcome the newest members who joined us in April 2026. Thank you for being part of the association and helping shape the future of venue management.

Hannah Adkins, F&M Bank Arena, Clarksville, TN
Alex Andres, Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Dean Avgiris, The Mobile Locker Co, Huntingdon Valley, PA
Shane Berliner, Floreano Convention Center, Rochester, NY
Rex Berman, Florence Center, Florence, SC
Raquel Brown, FedExForum, Memphis, TN
William Brown, Appalachian State University, Pfafftown, NC
Kristen Bryant, Alameda County Fair & Event Center, Pleasanton, CA
DaVon Buckner, Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Phil Burns, Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Tim Carter, Florence Center, Florence, SC
Tara Coffeen, Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Alex Cogley, Florence Center, Florence, SC
Manon-Nicole Cook, International Spy Museum, Washington, DC
Justin Cowgill, SAP Center at San Jose, San Jose, CA
Julia Craig, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, Harrisburg, PA
John Davis, Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Ronald Davis, Tempe Center for the Arts, Tempe, AZ
Erin Davis-Cook, Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Kevin Dooley, Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Kristie Dore, Palm Springs Convention Center – OVG, Palm Springs, CA
Cooper Downerd, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH
Chiquita Dubose, Florence Center, Florence, SC
Grace DuBose, Baylor University, Waco, TX
Travis Dymowski, Wings Event Center, Kalamazoo, MI
Grei Eaddy, Florence Center, Florence, SC
Leif Emminger, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, San Antonio, TX
Sarah Fink, Keeneland, Lexington, KY
Christopher Flamos, Anthony James Partners, Richmond, VA
Erica Frock, T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, MO
Joshua Fronk, Blumenthal Arts, Charlotte, NC
Kiely Gagnier, Floreano Convention Center, Rochester, NY
Darius Garner, Morris Performing Arts, South Bend, IN
Brittany Gaspard, CAJUNDOME & Convention Center, Lafayette, LA
Annie Gaston, Omaha Performing Arts, Omaha, NE
Aisah Gemora, Stanford Live, Stanford, CA
Amy Giebel, Lisner Auditorium, Washington, DC
Sawyer Hanway, T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, MO
Roseann Hernandez, Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Stephon Hicks, Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Anthony Hodgins, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA
Auset Hood, Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Robert Horsfield, Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Darrin Howard, The Fairgrounds Nashville, Nashville, TN
Alan Huang, Union Omaha, Papillion, NE
Kelly Iosello, At Your Service, LLC, Chicago, IL
Mario Irrera, Palm Springs Convention Center – OVG, Palm Springs, CA
Darryl Jackson, Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Joseph Jenci, Palm Springs Convention Center – OVG, Palm Springs, CA
Brynn Johnston, INTRUST Bank Arena, Wichita, KS
John Jolly, Spectrohm, Inc., McLean, VA
Tyler Joyce, Tempe Center for the Arts, Tempe, AZ
Daniel Judy, ESa, Nashville, TN
Ashley Kraus, CPKC Stadium, Kansas City, MO
Grace Kubala, St. Charles Convention Center – OVG, Saint Charles, MO
Ken Lagares, Floreano Convention Center, Rochester, NY
Jason Levering, Omaha Performing Arts, Omaha, NE
Devin Lewis, Alamodome, San Antonio, TX
Brian Lillquist, Kinetic Events Staffing, Orinda, CA
Armando Limon, Palm Springs Convention Center – OVG, Palm Springs, CA
DaSonya Livingston, Florence Center, Florence, SC
Cesar Loya, Intuit Dome, INGLEWOOD, CA
Bryce Mahaffey, Florence Center, Florence, SC
Cristina Martinez, CPKC Stadium, Kansas City, MO
Linnie McIntyre, SAP Center at San Jose, San Jose, CA
Kenya Medina Hernandez, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX
Amelia Mehr, Durham Performing Arts Center, Durham, NC
Michelangelo Merino, Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Rebecca Miner, Dolby Theatre, Hollywood, CA
Gary Mintner, Boise Centre, Boise, ID
Chauncey Palmer, Palm Springs Convention Center – OVG, Palm Springs, CA
Casey Qian, Lisner Auditorium, Washington, DC
Brady Ramey, Palm Springs Convention Center – OVG, Palm Springs, CA
Maddie Regan, Cincinnati Arts Association, Cincinnati, OH
Richard Rocha, SAP Center at San Jose, San Jose, CA
Tony Rogers, Florence Center, Florence, SC
Brittany Rybak, Florence Center, Florence, SC
Julie Secory, Lancaster Performing Arts Center, Lancaster, CA
Grace Shader, Alameda County Fair & Event Center, Pleasanton, CA
Catherine Sivoraphet, Edlen Electrical Exhibition Services, San Diego, CA
Brittany Smith, Enterprise Center/Stifel Theatre, Saint Louis, MO
Ralph Spry, Gogue Performing Arts Center, Auburn, AL
Amelia Stalter, Curtis Culwell Center, Garland, TX
Camille Steele, Palm Springs Convention Center – OVG, Palm Springs, CA
Chris Thomas, Diversified, Plano, TX
Alice Tiffany, Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Brandon Ulloa, Palm Springs Convention Center – OVG, Palm Springs, CA
Julia Vargas, Alameda County Fair & Event Center, Pleasanton, CA
Tiffany Vidales, Alamodome, San Antonio, TX
Hannah Vieth, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
Emma Wallace, The Ranch Events Complex, Loveland, CO
Ryan Watt, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
Jack Wentzell, Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Lisa Wilton, Lansing Center Complex/Legends Global, Lansing, MI
Kurt Wisenbaugh, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Amos Zetino, Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA

Earth Month Seed Pocket Initiative Brings Pollinator-Friendly Plants, Education and Joy to Families Across Los Angeles Neighborhoods

Photo courtesy LACC

The Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC) extended its sustainability efforts beyond its campus via a new partnership with the Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust (LANLT), thereby supporting community beautification and biodiversity across neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles County. The collaboration was part of the LACC’s commitment to raising environmental awareness during Earth Month.

The initiative began with the Center first assembling over 300 “seed pockets” as part of an employee team building event on Earth Day. The pockets—each made from soil, compost and 16 varieties of California native wildflower seeds encased in natural clay—were then delivered to the LANLT for distribution at the nonprofit’s annual Spring Festival, which took place on April 25. The festival welcomed more than 100 families, each receiving seed pockets to plant at home or within shared community garden spaces. 

“This is about thinking differently as a venue,” said Enjoli Ferrari, senior sustainability manager at the LACC. “We’re not just asking how to reduce our footprint inside the building but how we can actively contribute to the health and resilience of the city we support.”

“These seed pockets are a simple but powerful way to help families connect with nature,” said Diana Campos-Jimenez, lead community organizer with the Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust. “You simply place them in the soil and let nature do its thing. They help beautify spaces, support pollinators and bring joy, especially to kids who are learning how food grows.”

In addition, the wildflowers are perennials. “They come back stronger every year,” added Ferrari. “With California native seeds, you really cannot mess up. They are extremely forgiving and rewarding.”

Through LANLT’s network of nine community gardens, the seed pockets will reach neighborhoods including Koreatown, South Los Angeles, Compton, the San Fernando Valley and additional sites throughout the city – amplifying LACC’s sustainability impact across diverse microclimates.

The initiative reflects the Center’s broader commitment to sustainability and community engagement, inspired in part by LA28’s focus on increasing resilience and supporting native ecosystems leading up to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. During the 1984 Olympic Games, the LACC served as the main press headquarters. In 2028, located within LA28’s DTLA Zone, the venue will host sports for both the Olympics and Paralympics, including table tennis, judo, wrestling, fencing and taekwondo, as well as boccia, para judo, para table tennis, para taekwondo and wheelchair fencing, respectively.

“Innovation in our industry isn’t just about technology or infrastructure,” added said Kimberly Weedmark, general manager of Los Angeles Convention Center for Legends Global, which manages the venue. “It’s about leadership, partnership and recognizing that venues can—and should—play an active role in the communities they serve.”

It’s springtime — a time for reawakening, daffodils, and IAVM Regional Meetings. The next IAVM regional meeting is quickly approaching for Region 4 in beautiful Spokane, WA, so it’s the perfect time to consider the essential role the regions, especially regional volunteers, play in the success of IAVM and the venue management industry as a whole.

Who volunteers at the regional level? One shining example is the incoming Chair of Region 4, Tammy Sweeney, CVE. Tammy always says “yes, and” — and in this case, she has said yes to bringing her deep industry knowledge and passion for excellence to the IAVM regional experience.

Region 4 includes Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska, Wyoming, on the American side, and Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia on the Canadian side. Tammy is based in Saskatoon, Canada, at TCU Place, where she has redefined success — just the latest achievement in a career defined by creativity and positive impact.

In her “real job,” Tammy’s work extends beyond operations to something more powerful: shaping how communities connect, grow, and see themselves. Her career has been marked by moments of transformation. She helped open the Niagara Falls Convention Centre, building the team, culture, and systems from the ground up. In Medicine Hat, Alberta, she stepped into an arena that had struggled through a rocky start and reconnected it to its community — rebuilding trust, diversifying revenue, and bringing in events that many thought were out of reach for a smaller market.

Tammy Sweeney, CVE, CEO, TCU Place

In 2020, Tammy took on the leadership of TCU Place in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan — a 50-year-old convention center and performing arts venue facing declining engagement, a stretched and stressed team, and an indifferent community. What followed wasn’t just a turnaround; it was a redefinition. Under her leadership, TCU Place returned to financial strength while reinvesting in its people, programming, and purpose. The theater tripled its number of events, evolving into the city’s leading presenter and serving audiences from symphony lovers to metal fans. Strategic risk-taking replaced hesitation, supported by disciplined planning and a clear understanding of community need.

It’s easy to believe the job ends at the walls of the building. Tammy’s impact tells a much bigger story, because the most significant impact happened outside the building. Tammy leaned into partnerships — co-producing events like Saskatchewan’s first Electric Vehicle Expo, launching the Western Sponsorship Congress, and helping create Mamawatosketan, an Indigenous employment expo focused on connection, opportunity, and long-term change. She also launched the BOOST program, supporting 22 non-profits annually and redirecting approximately $300,000 back into community causes each year.

Her philosophy is simple: if it’s good for the venue and the city, it’s worth doing — even if it means collaborating with competitors.

With all this success at her venue, what spurred Tammy to volunteer for IAVM regional leadership?

Her mindset clearly extends beyond TCU Place. Tammy serves on local boards, including Discover Saskatoon and the Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce. She contributes nationally by chairing the Convention Centres of Canada. And now, as she steps into her role as Chair for IAVM Region 4, her commitment clearly aligns: if it’s good for the industry, it’s worth doing, because it’s all about collaborating with others.

In Saskatoon, Tammy is literally helping shape the future, through her involvement in the downtown event and entertainment district and participation in global design conversations about next-generation convention centers. In Region 4, her involvement is helping shape the future of our industry from the ground up.

Tammy doesn’t just think about buildings; she thinks about what happens between them. She also considers the networks linking her with colleagues locally, nationally, and internationally. This connectivity drives her to give back to the industry and her community.

In an industry that often measures success in attendance and revenue, Tammy’s contributions are a reminder of something deeper: the true value of venues lies in their ability to create connection, fuel economies, and strengthen the social fabric of our cities. In her leadership role with Region 4, she demonstrates the true value of involvement in IAVM, particularly at the regional level. She is able to create connection, fuel engagement, and strengthen the fabric of our industry.

It’s not too late for you to consider volunteering at the regional level, as the application deadline has been extended through May 8. You can join Tammy in making a difference beyond your venue and your community, expanding your impact and influence at the regional level — where the real IAVM magic happens.

Click here to apply for IAVM Volunteer Opportunities.