LAS VEGAS LED the top 25 markets in meetings and events growth for September, with a 34.2 percent year-over-year increase, according to Cendyn’s Sales Intelligence platform, formerly Knowland. This marked its eighth consecutive month in the top five.
Las Vegas meetings and events averaged 5,596 square feet with 209 attendees, driven by weddings, accounting for about 10 percent of event volume, and tech events like Oracle SuiteWorld, according to Cendyn. Anaheim ranked second, hosting education, national associations, and weddings. Across the top 25 markets, average space rose to 3,856 square feet with 130 attendees.
The top five among the 25 leading markets were:
- Las Vegas (+34.2 percent): Weddings, technology, training/education, national associations and manufacturing.
- Anaheim-Santa Ana (+23.2 percent): Education, national associations, weddings, healthcare and consulting.
- Orlando (+22.9 percent): National associations, technology, healthcare, training/education and charity/non-profits/social services.
- New York (+21 percent): International government, finance/banking, charity/non-profits/social services, national associations and travel.
- Dallas (+18.6 percent): Healthcare, technology, consulting, finance/banking and education.
Louisville hosted events like the Danny Wimmer Presents “Ultimate Fan” promotion and University of Louisville volleyball and football games. Healthcare led industry drivers across secondary markets. Average space used was 3,850 square feet with 127 attendees.
Chattanooga's growth
Chattanooga, Tennessee, entered the top five secondary markets for the first time, ranking second with 62.7 percent meeting volume growth, while Louisville led with 80.4 percent year over year growth, the report said.
Chattanooga's rise was driven by medium-sized government events, including those by the Tennessee Valley Authority and Southern States Energy, placing it in the top five secondary markets for the first time this year, behind Louisville, Cendyn said.
The top five secondary markets include:
- Louisville (80.4 percent): National association
- Chattanooga (62.7 percent): State government
- Florida Panhandle (57.1 percent): Charity/non-profit/social services
- Norfolk-Virginia Beach (55.2 percent): Weddings
- Colorado Springs (51.5 percent): National association
Cendyn, a global hospitality cloud technology company, recently acquired Knowland, a data-as-a-service provider for meetings and events, to enhance sales prospecting and increase bookings in the MICE sector.
Rep. Aaron Bean delivers keynote addressPhoto credit: AAHOA