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DALLAS, 5 October 2026 – The International Association of Exhibitions and Events® (IAEE) announced today that President and CEO Marsha Flanagan, M.Ed., CEM will hold a press conference from 11:00 to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, 14 October 2026 at IMEX America in Las Vegas.
Flanagan will announce upcoming research from the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR), the official research division of IAEE, and discuss why this data matters to the exhibitions and events industry as organizers plan for 2027 and beyond.
“Organizers, exhibitors, suppliers and destinations all make critical decisions in a fast-changing market and they need objective, credible data to make them with confidence,” said Flanagan. “IAEE is committed to serving the entire business events ecosystem, and CEIR research is one of the most powerful ways we do that. The research we’re previewing at IMEX America shows where the industry stands today, what is driving growth and what lies ahead.”
CEIR 2026 Midyear Report: U.S. B2B Exhibition Industry Performance and Outlook
CEIR will release its 2026 Midyear Report, presenting half-year results through June 2026 with an economic outlook to 2028. Prepared by Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics Company, the report presents the CEIR Index for the first half of 2026 alongside the economic conditions shaping exhibition demand. The Index measures the performance of the U.S. business-to-business exhibition industry against a 2019 base across four metrics: net square feet of exhibit space, exhibitors, attendees and real revenue. The midyear report covers:
Attendee Acquisition Practices Driving Growth Today
This study examines what is driving event growth now and serves as the first update since CEIR’s 2022/2023 post-pandemic benchmark. The research identifies which attendee acquisition strategies are currently delivering results, and which exhibit and sponsorship sales approaches are generating revenue today. By covering both demand generation and monetization, the study is designed to give organizers data-backed, practical guidance to sharpen their marketing and sales strategies for upcoming event cycles. It also addresses ongoing shifts in attendee behavior and revenue models, supporting more confident planning in a fast-changing market.
Additional CEIR Studies for 2026-2027
Flanagan will also preview other CEIR studies scheduled for release through 2026 and 2027, and outline how the research will help organizers, exhibitors and industry partners benchmark performance and plan ahead.
In addition to the press conference, visit IAEE at Booth #E2452 at the Mandalay Bay Resort South Convention Center Bayside to learn more about IAEE and CEIR research. Flanagan will also be presenting the workshop, Driving Attendance Growth in 2026: What’s Working Now, on Thursday, 15 October from 11:10 to 11:50 a.m. at the Inspiration Hub | Insights Theatre, B4100.
RSVP and submit questions to IAEE Senior Communications and Content Manager Mary Tucker at [email protected].
About IAEE
Trusted since 1928, IAEE provides quality and value to its members through leadership, service, education and strong relationships. IAEE is the largest association of the exhibitions and events industry in the world, with a membership of show organizers, corporate event marketers and exhibition suppliers. IAEE members represent more than 20,000 exhibitions and buyer-seller events around the world, and the organization advocates and promotes the awareness of face-to-face exhibitions and events as the primary medium for business development and growth. IAEE provides relevant, timely and innovative education to its members and the industry. IAEE recognizes its strategic partners: 4imprint, Brown & Brown, Convention News Television (CNTV), eShow, Freeman, GES | onPeak, IMEX, New Orleans & Company, New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Snöball and Swapcard. Visit www.iaee.com for more information.
About CEIR
The official research division of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events® (IAEE), the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) advances the growth, awareness and value of exhibitions and other face-to-face marketing events by producing and delivering knowledge-based research tools. These tools enable stakeholder organizations to enhance their ability to meet current and emerging customer needs, improve business performance and strengthen their competitive position. Visit www.iaee.com/ceir for more information.
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Media Inquiries:
Mary Tucker
IAEE Sr. Communications & Content Manager
+1 (972) 687-9226
[email protected]
