25% report rise in attendance
New research has revealed that congresses organised by international associations have held up well during the recession.
The findings by IMEX and the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) show that 25% of associations quizzed said attendance at their events increased.
Nearly one in ten (9%) said the growth was "significant".
Fewer than a third of those questioned said their attendance had dropped with 10% saying the decline was "significant".
ICCA, which has more than 850 members, said the survey of association executives provided "much needed grounds for optimism".
But the research showed that sponsorship and exhibition revenue was "less rosy".
Only 14% reported a rise in these categories with 46% saying they had decreased.
But the executives were more optimistic about 2010 with 39% expecting higher attendance next year, 44% expecting no change and 16% fearing a fall.
Martin Sirk, ICCA's ceo, said the results showed the impact of the recession had been "far less serious than for other market sectors".
"The fact that so many associations are experiencing rising delegate numbers and revenue during this period would be remarkable were it not for the case that international associations have been consistently demonstrating this resilience for many, many years," he added.
Mr Sirk said: "This latest research reinforces the earlier messages we were hearing immediately after this year's IMEX, that international association meetings have been holding up solidly in 2009 and that most of the planners are anticipating a very strong 2010."
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