a2z and CEIR Launch Exhibitor Retention Benchmarking Tool

October 31, 2017

The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) has launched a new tool to enable show organizers to calculate the exhibitor retention rate for a given event and then measure it against key benchmarks, including the overall exhibition industry and the specific industry sector.

Leveraging business intelligence services powered by a2z, the CEIR Exhibitor Retention Benchmarking Tool uses standardized data derived from 900+ tradeshow, analyzed over a period of three years. Each event in the dataset is categorized based on its CEIR industry sector assignment.

"The CEIR Exhibitor Retention Benchmarking Tool equips exhibition organizers with important information on how their show’s exhibitor retention compares to other shows in their industry sector and the exhibition industry overall,” said Cathy Breden, CEO of CEIR.

She continued, “It is a great resource for providing insights into whether a show's trend line is higher or lower than the average, and of course, if it is lower, then some proactive strategies need to take place to ensure the health of the exhibition. CEIR appreciates the opportunity to work with a2z in making this valuable tool available."

Check out the benchmarking tool here. Just type in the relevant exhibitor counts and select the CEIR Industry Sector for your event. The retention numbers and the percentile ranking for your event will be calculated automatically.

For additional information, contact the a2z team via email.

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Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact