Forget what you've heard about empty conference halls and nametags, because these numbers paint a radically different picture: behind those quiet lobby escalators lies a $115.4 billion U.S. economic powerhouse that, just in 2022 alone, supported 2.9 million jobs and unleashed a tsunami of local spending from Las Vegas to New York City.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, the U.S. convention industry generated $115.4 billion in direct spending, supporting 2.9 million jobs nationwide
- Las Vegas Convention Center events contributed $14.2 billion to the local economy in 2019, including $5.6 billion in visitor spending
- The Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta produced $3.1 billion in economic impact in FY2022 through 1,200+ events
- In 2023, U.S. conventions and trade shows attracted 200 million attendees across 25,000 events
- McCormick Place hosted 3,200 events with 4.5 million attendees in 2022
- Las Vegas Convention Center saw 8.2 million visitors for 1,800 events in 2023
- McCormick Place has 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space, the largest in North America
- Las Vegas Convention Center spans 3.2 million sq ft total, with 2 million exhibit space post-expansion
- Georgia World Congress Center offers 1.5 million sq ft of space, including 350,000 exhibit sq ft
- 72% of U.S. convention centers employed over 500 staff full-time in 2023
- Convention industry supported 2.9 million U.S. jobs in 2022, with 650,000 direct
- McCormick Place employs 4,200 full-time and 10,000 part-time/event staff
- Global meetings industry to grow to $2 trillion by 2030 at 10% CAGR
- Hybrid events increased to 60% of conventions in 2023 from 20% in 2020
- Sustainability initiatives adopted by 85% of convention centers, targeting net-zero by 2050
The U.S. convention industry drives enormous economic impact and supports millions of jobs nationwide.
Attendance and Events
- In 2023, U.S. conventions and trade shows attracted 200 million attendees across 25,000 events
- McCormick Place hosted 3,200 events with 4.5 million attendees in 2022
- Las Vegas Convention Center saw 8.2 million visitors for 1,800 events in 2023
- Georgia World Congress Center hosted 1,250 events drawing 2.1 million attendees in FY2022
- Javits Center in NYC had 2.5 million attendees for 650 events in 2023
- Orange County Convention Center in Orlando hosted 1,900 events with 3.2 million visitors in 2022
- San Diego Convention Center attracted 1.8 million attendees for 300 events in FY2023
- Music City Center in Nashville drew 1.1 million visitors for 1,150 events in 2022
- Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas hosted 1,400 events with 2.4 million attendees in 2023
- Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philly had 1.6 million attendees for 500 events in 2022
- Moscone Center in San Francisco welcomed 1.9 million visitors for 450 events in 2023
- Ernest N. Morial Center in New Orleans hosted 800 events drawing 1.2 million in 2022
- Washington Convention Center saw 1.4 million attendees for 400 events in FY2023
- Huntington Convention Center in Cleveland had 900,000 visitors for 350 events in 2022
- Kentucky Exposition Center hosted 2,000 events with 1.7 million attendees in 2023
- America's Center in St. Louis drew 1.1 million for 600 events in 2022
- Colorado Convention Center in Denver hosted 500 events with 1.3 million visitors in 2023
- Phoenix Convention Center attracted 1.5 million attendees for 700 events in FY2022
- Jacob K. Javits Convention Center expanded to host 10% more events post-renovation in 2023
- Global trade shows in 2023 featured 32,000 events with 295 million visitors worldwide
- U.S. conventions averaged 8,000 attendees per major event in 2022
- International Association of Exhibitions and Events reported 180 million trade show visitors globally in 2022
- McCormick Place's 2023 Comic-Con drew 135,000 attendees over 4 days
- CES in Las Vegas attracted 118,000 attendees from 150 countries in 2024
- NRF Big Show at Javits had 16,000 attendees in 2023
- IMTS at McCormick Place drew 86,000 manufacturing pros in 2022
- Global Pet Expo in Orlando had 6,300 exhibitors and 70,000 attendees in 2023
- FinovateFall in NYC attracted 2,500 fintech leaders in 2023
- Dreamforce by Salesforce in San Francisco drew 170,000 in 2023
- NAB Show in Las Vegas had 90,000 broadcasters in 2023
- Licensing Expo in Vegas attracted 5,000 execs from 40 countries in 2023
- SHOT Show in Vegas drew 62,000 in 2023
- MAGIC Las Vegas fashion event had 70,000 attendees in 2023
- ASD Market Week in Vegas attracted 45,000 buyers in 2023
- ConExpo/ConAGG in Vegas drew 130,000 construction pros in 2023
- World of Concrete in Vegas had 60,000 attendees in 2024
Attendance and Events Interpretation
The sheer, undeniable force of these numbers—from sprawling global gatherings to hyper-specialized niche expos—proves that despite our digital age, nothing replaces the irreplaceable human alchemy of handshakes, hallways, and hotel bar conversations.
Economic Impact
- In 2022, the U.S. convention industry generated $115.4 billion in direct spending, supporting 2.9 million jobs nationwide
- Las Vegas Convention Center events contributed $14.2 billion to the local economy in 2019, including $5.6 billion in visitor spending
- The Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta produced $3.1 billion in economic impact in FY2022 through 1,200+ events
- McCormick Place in Chicago generated $4.8 billion in total economic output in 2022, with $1.9 billion from conventions alone
- Orlando's convention industry drove $2.7 billion in direct spending in 2023, supporting 40,000 jobs
- San Diego Convention Center events yielded $1.5 billion in economic impact for FY2023, including $700 million in hotel revenue
- The convention sector in New York City contributed $15.2 billion to GDP in 2019 pre-pandemic
- Globally, the meetings industry was valued at $1.1 trillion in 2022, with conventions comprising 35%
- Nashville's Music City Center generated $1.2 billion in economic impact in 2022 from 1,150 events
- Denver's convention industry produced $2.4 billion in total spending in 2023, with $900 million from conventions
- Phoenix Convention Center events contributed $1.8 billion to Arizona's economy in FY2022
- The U.S. exhibition industry alone generated $58 billion in direct spending in 2022
- Miami Beach Convention Center drove $1.1 billion in economic activity in 2023, supporting 12,000 jobs
- Boston Convention Center generated $1.4 billion in economic impact from FY2021-2023
- The global convention market size reached $1,237 billion in 2023, projected to grow at 11.5% CAGR
- Indianapolis Convention Center events yielded $1.3 billion in economic output in 2022
- Seattle's convention industry contributed $2.1 billion to the economy in 2023
- Salt Lake City's convention sector generated $850 million in direct spending in FY2023
- Detroit's convention center produced $700 million in economic impact in 2022
- The U.S. group meetings segment generated $776 billion in total economic impact in 2022
- Anaheim's convention industry drove $4.5 billion in economic activity in 2023
- Austin's convention center contributed $1.6 billion to local GDP in FY2023
- Columbus' convention industry generated $1.9 billion in spending in 2022
- Portland's convention center events yielded $1.1 billion in economic impact in 2023
- Kansas City's convention sector produced $650 million in direct visitor spending in FY2022
- Raleigh's convention center drove $500 million in economic output in 2023
- St. Louis' convention industry contributed $1.2 billion to the economy in 2022
- Minneapolis' convention center generated $1.4 billion in impact from 2021-2023
- Sacramento's convention sector yielded $800 million in economic activity in FY2023
- U.S. conventions supported $14.7 billion in tax revenue in 2022
Economic Impact Interpretation
These eye-watering figures prove that while conventions might be where people gather to talk about things, they are fundamentally the places where money comes to shout.
Employment Statistics
- 72% of U.S. convention centers employed over 500 staff full-time in 2023
- Convention industry supported 2.9 million U.S. jobs in 2022, with 650,000 direct
- McCormick Place employs 4,200 full-time and 10,000 part-time/event staff
- Las Vegas CC workforce totals 15,000 including union labor for events
- Georgia World Congress employs 1,800 full-time, supports 20,000 event jobs annually
- Javits Center NYC staffs 2,500 full-time equivalents yearly
- Orange County CC has 1,200 employees, generates 25,000 jobs locally
- San Diego CC employs 900 full-time, 5,000+ seasonal
- Music City Center Nashville: 700 staff, supports 12,000 jobs
- Dallas CC: 1,100 full-time, 15,000 event-related jobs
- Philly PCC: 850 employees, impacts 18,000 jobs in hospitality
- Moscone SF: 1,200 staff, generates 25,000 jobs annually
- New Orleans Morial: 600 full-time, 10,000 event staff yearly
- DC Convention Center: 1,400 employees, supports 22,000 jobs
- Cleveland Huntington: 500 staff, 8,000 jobs supported
- Louisville Expo: 400 full-time, 12,000 seasonal
- St. Louis America's Center: 550 employees, 10,500 jobs
- Denver CC: 750 staff, 15,000 total jobs
- Phoenix CC: 650 full-time, 12,000 event jobs
- U.S. convention centers average $45,000 annual salary for operations managers
- 65% of convention staff require certifications like CMP or CEM in 2023
- Convention industry labor force grew 12% post-2021 recovery
- Female representation in convention management reached 52% in 2023
- Average turnover rate in convention ops is 28% annually due to seasonal nature
- Houston GRB employs 900, supports 20,000 jobs
- Miami Beach CC: 500 staff, 9,000 jobs
- Boston CC: 1,000 employees, 18,000 jobs
- Indy CC: 600 staff, 11,000 jobs
- Seattle CC: 800 full-time, 16,000 total
Employment Statistics Interpretation
Behind the glittering marquees and towering banners lies a staggering economic engine, where a single convention center's modest full-time payroll belies its true power as a sprawling, seasonal employment dynamo that sustains entire urban ecosystems.
Facility Specifications
- McCormick Place has 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space, the largest in North America
- Las Vegas Convention Center spans 3.2 million sq ft total, with 2 million exhibit space post-expansion
- Georgia World Congress Center offers 1.5 million sq ft of space, including 350,000 exhibit sq ft
- Javits Center NYC has 1.8 million sq ft total, 1.2 million exhibit after 2021 expansion
- Orange County Convention Center boasts 7 million sq ft total, 2 million exhibit space
- San Diego Convention Center provides 2.6 million sq ft, including 615,000 exhibit sq ft
- Music City Center Nashville has 2.1 million sq ft, 500,000 exhibit space across 2 halls
- Kay Bailey Hutchison CC Dallas offers 1 million sq ft exhibit space in 1 hall
- Pennsylvania CC Philadelphia has 1 million sq ft exhibit space post-expansion
- Moscone Center SF totals 2.4 million sq ft, with 1.1 million exhibit space
- Ernest N. Morial New Orleans has 1.1 million sq ft exhibit space
- Walter E. Washington CC DC offers 2.3 million sq ft total, 815,000 exhibit
- Huntington CC Cleveland has 500,000 sq ft exhibit space
- Kentucky Exposition Center Louisville: 1.2 million sq ft exhibit space, largest in KY
- America's Center St. Louis: 500,000 sq ft exhibit space
- Colorado CC Denver: 584,000 sq ft exhibit space
- Phoenix CC: 703,000 sq ft exhibit space in 2 halls
- Average U.S. convention center exhibit space is 400,000 sq ft, with top 10 averaging 1 million+
- George R. Brown CC Houston: 1.8 million sq ft total, 1 million exhibit
- Mandalay Bay CC Vegas: 2.1 million sq ft total space
- Miami Beach CC: 560,000 sq ft exhibit space post-renovation
- Boston CC & Exhibition Center: 2.1 million sq ft total
- Indianapolis: 1.3 million sq ft total, 515,000 exhibit
- Seattle WaMu Theater integrated: 1 million sq ft exhibit equiv.
- Salt Lake CC: 515,000 sq ft exhibit space
- Detroit CC: 730,000 sq ft exhibit space
- Average convention center has 50 meeting rooms and 100,000 sq ft ballroom space
Facility Specifications Interpretation
While McCormick Place may strut with the continent's largest single exhibit hall, the true heavyweight belt in the convention world is held by Orange County, whose sprawling seven million total square feet proves that the supporting cast of meeting rooms and ballrooms often steals the show.
Industry Trends
- Global meetings industry to grow to $2 trillion by 2030 at 10% CAGR
- Hybrid events increased to 60% of conventions in 2023 from 20% in 2020
- Sustainability initiatives adopted by 85% of convention centers, targeting net-zero by 2050
- AI integration in event planning rose 40% in 2023 for personalization
- Post-pandemic, 75% of planners prioritize health/safety protocols
- U.S. convention attendance rebounded to 95% of 2019 levels in 2023
- Virtual platforms captured 25% market share in 2023, down from 50% peak
- Booking lead times shortened to 18 months average in 2023 from 24 months pre-2020
- 70% of events now incorporate experiential tech like VR/AR
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion focus in 82% of RFPs for 2024 events
- Renovation investments hit $5 billion across U.S. centers 2021-2023
- Bleisure travel extended by 30% of convention attendees in 2023
- Food & beverage spend per attendee up 15% to $120 in 2023
- 55% of planners using data analytics for ROI measurement in 2023
- International attendance at U.S. events reached 35% in 2023
- Gig economy workers fill 40% of event staffing needs in 2023
- Carbon-neutral events mandated by 20% of corporate planners in 2024
- Mobile apps used by 90% of large conventions for engagement in 2023
- Average event budget grew 8% to $1.2 million for mid-size conventions in 2023
- Contactless tech adopted in 95% of registration processes post-COVID
Industry Trends Interpretation
The convention industry is galloping towards a two-trillion-dollar horizon, cleverly reinventing itself as a hybrid, data-savvy, and carbon-conscious host that now treats your health, your schedule, and your taste buds with the same earnest intensity as a corporate mandate.
Sources & References
- Reference 1EVENTSINDUSTRYCOUNCILeventsindustrycouncil.orgVisit source
- Reference 2LVCVAlvcva.comVisit source
- Reference 3GWCCgwcc.comVisit source
- Reference 4CHOOSECHICAGOchoosechicago.comVisit source
- Reference 5VISITORLANDOvisitorlando.orgVisit source
- Reference 6VISITSANDIEGOvisitsandiego.comVisit source
- Reference 7NYCnyc.govVisit source
- Reference 8JMPIjMPI.orgVisit source
- Reference 9VISITMUSICCITYvisitmusiccity.comVisit source
- Reference 10DENVERdenver.orgVisit source
- Reference 11VISITPHOENIXvisitphoenix.comVisit source
- Reference 12CEIRceir.orgVisit source
- Reference 13MIAMIBEACHCONVENTIONmiamibeachconvention.comVisit source
- Reference 14MASCOmasco.comVisit source
- Reference 15GRANDVIEWRESEARCHgrandviewresearch.comVisit source
- Reference 16VISITINDYvisitindy.comVisit source
- Reference 17VISITSEATTLEvisitseattle.orgVisit source
- Reference 18Visit source
- Reference 19VISITDETROITvisitdetroit.comVisit source
- Reference 20USTRAVELustravel.orgVisit source
- Reference 21ANAHEIManaheim.netVisit source
- Reference 22AUSTINTEXASaustintexas.orgVisit source
- Reference 23EXPERIENCECOLUMBUSexperiencecolumbus.comVisit source
- Reference 24TRAVELPORTLANDtravelportland.comVisit source
- Reference 25VISITKCvisitkc.comVisit source
- Reference 26VISITRALEIGHvisitraleigh.comVisit source
- Reference 27EXPLORESTLOUISexplorestlouis.comVisit source
- Reference 28MINNEAPOLISminneapolis.orgVisit source
- Reference 29VISITSACRAMENTOvisitsacramento.comVisit source
- Reference 30EVENTSCOUNCILeventscouncil.orgVisit source
- Reference 31PCMAWORLDWIDEpcmaworldwide.comVisit source
- Reference 32MCCORMICKPLACEmccormickplace.comVisit source
- Reference 33JAVITSCENTERjavitscenter.comVisit source
- Reference 34OCCCoccc.netVisit source
- Reference 35NASHVILLEMCCnashvillemcc.comVisit source
- Reference 36DALLASCONVENTIONCENTERdallasconventioncenter.comVisit source
- Reference 37PACONVENTIONpaconvention.comVisit source
- Reference 38MOSCONEmoscone.comVisit source
- Reference 39MCCNOmccno.comVisit source
- Reference 40WASHINGTONwashington.orgVisit source
- Reference 41CLEVELANDCONVENTIONSclevelandconventions.comVisit source
- Reference 42KYEXPOkyexpo.comVisit source
- Reference 43STLOUISMOSPORTSstlouismosports.comVisit source
- Reference 44DENVERCONVENTIONdenverconvention.comVisit source
- Reference 45PHOENIXCONVENTIONCENTERphoenixconventioncenter.comVisit source
- Reference 46UFIuFI.orgVisit source
- Reference 47IAEEiaee.comVisit source
- Reference 48COMIC-CONcomic-con.orgVisit source
- Reference 49CESces.techVisit source
- Reference 50NRFBIGSHOWnrfbigshow.nrf.comVisit source
- Reference 51IMTSimts.comVisit source
- Reference 52GLOBALPETEXPOglobalpetexpo.orgVisit source
- Reference 53FINOVATEEUROPEfinovateeurope.comVisit source
- Reference 54SALESFORCEsalesforce.comVisit source
- Reference 55NABSHOWnabshow.comVisit source
- Reference 56LICENSINGEXPOlicensingexpo.comVisit source
- Reference 57SHOTSHOWshotshow.orgVisit source
- Reference 58MAGICFASHIONEVENTSmagicfashionevents.comVisit source
- Reference 59ASDONLINEasdonline.comVisit source
- Reference 60CONEXPOCONAGGconexpoconagg.comVisit source
- Reference 61WORLDOFCONCRETEworldofconcrete.comVisit source
- Reference 62WASHINGTONCONVENTIONCENTERwashingtonconventioncenter.comVisit source
- Reference 63STLCCstlcc.comVisit source
- Reference 64CBREcbre.comVisit source
- Reference 65GRBHOUSTONgrbhouston.comVisit source
- Reference 66MANDALAYBAYmandalaybay.comVisit source
- Reference 67ICCLOSicclos.comVisit source
- Reference 68SEATTLECONVENTIONCENTERseattleconventioncenter.comVisit source
- Reference 69SLCCslcc.comVisit source
- Reference 70TICONVENUEticonvenue.comVisit source
- Reference 71HVShvs.comVisit source
- Reference 72CEMAONLINEcemaonline.orgVisit source
- Reference 73SALARYsalary.comVisit source
- Reference 74BLSbls.govVisit source
- Reference 75ALLIEDMARKETRESEARCHalliedmarketresearch.comVisit source
- Reference 76CIEMAGciemag.netVisit source
- Reference 77TSNNtsnn.comVisit source
- Reference 78ASAECENTERasaecenter.orgVisit source
- Reference 79FOODSERVICEDIRECTORfoodservicedirector.comVisit source
- Reference 80GIGSMARTgigsmart.comVisit source
- Reference 81GREENBUSINESSBENCHMARKgreenbusinessbenchmark.comVisit source
- Reference 82CVENTcvent.comVisit source
- Reference 83BIZOASISbizoasis.comVisit source
- Reference 84NASDAQnasdaq.comVisit source