contents Convene® TheMagazine of the Professional ConventionManagementAssociation Cover Story

3_12 Volume 26, Issue 3

Better, Bit byBit 41 Was there a recovery last year? Is one expected this year? All we can tell you is that several key

numbers in our latest Meetings Market Survey look good. More than one-third of respondents saw attendance at their largest meeting increase last year—and a similar percentage expect it to

increase this year. Likewise, about a quarter of our respondents report that the number of exhibitors at their largest 2011 show grew—and they expect another jump this year. What could that mean for the performance of the meetings market? As one respondent

told us: “I would like to be optimistic and say it will improve. However, with budgets remaining flat or being reduced, meetings will be challenged to develop creative registrations to continue attracting new—as well as retain current—attendees.” Michelle Russell

2 pcma convene March 2012 www.pcma.org

Cover illustration byTom White