New CEIR research reveals the attendee acquisition strategies, marketing investments, and channels fuelling registration growth today.

Attendance recovery continues, but growth remains uneven. According to the CEIR Index, only 41% of events surpassed their 2019 attendance benchmarks in 2025. This session offers a first look at findings from the 2026 update of CEIR's Attendee Acquisition Study, highlighting the channels, tactics, and investments driving results today. Discover where organizers are focusing future acquisition efforts, benchmark your approach against industry practices, and gain insights to inform attendee acquisition strategies in the years ahead.

Learning outcomes:

Identify the channels and tactics driving registration growth today

Understand where marketers are focusing future attendee acquisition efforts

Exchange ideas, ask questions, and learn from peers facing similar challenges