Exhibitors Plan to Spend, Exhibit Less in 2009

Another sign of the economic times, trade show exhibitors are planning to attend fewer shows and spend less money on their booths this year compared to last, according to the Trade Show Exhibitors Association (TSEA), which has released the results of its 2009 Exhibit Management Survey.

The survey, which TSEA conducted between December 2008 and January 2009, found that exhibitors—who attended an average of 30 trade shows in 2008—plan to attend just 25 shows in 2009.

Budgets for those shows are decreasing, as well, from an average of $459,100 in 2008 to $381,000 in 2009, which translates to a 17 percent decline in direct spending.

TSEA's outlook for private events is even more sober: According to its survey, budgets for corporate private events will decrease an estimated 30 percent this year, from $207,600 in 2008 to $145,500 in 2009.

All news is not bad, however. In fact, TSEA's survey respondents reported that although they'll be spending and exhibiting less this year, trade shows will still account for one-third of exhibitors' 2009 marketing budgets. What's more, in certain industries trade show spending will actually increase this year. In the medical/healthcare/pharmaceutical industry, for instance, TSEA expects trade show spending to increase by 5 percent in 2009.

For more information, or to download TSEA's complete 2009 Exhibit Management Survey, visit www.tsea.org.