Market share by continent
Europe remained number one with a market share of 62% (representing a 3% increase) followed by Asia and North America.
The total number of meetings in the world re-mained constant but, as predicted, there has been an explosive growth in Australia/Pacific meetings. In absolute figures, the number of meetings there increased from 127 in 1990-1991 to 233 in 2000-2001. In relative terms, this represented a growth in market share from 3% to 7%.
Number of meetings by country
The USA hung on to its lead with 200 international meetings in 1999. Spain replaced the UK in second place, with 156 meetings in 1999. However, the UK has 165 meetings registered so far for 2000, while Spain has only 98.
Austria dropped down the table by two places although Vienna made number one in the city rankings with 63 meetings in 1999.
Countries that moved up include Brazil, from 19th place in 1998 to 14th in 1999. Even more meteoric, Hungary and Norway moved from 22nd and 24th respectively in ‘98 to 15th (71 meetings) and 16th (64 meetings) in 1999.
On the downside, Portugal dropped from 15th to 25th (37 meetings in ‘99); Singapore dropped from 22nd to 30th (25 meetings) and Slovenia from 30th to 40th (12 meetings).
Number of meetings by country per continent
On total number of meetings in ‘98 and ‘99, the UK topped the poll in Europe with 332 meetings. Not surprisingly, the USA, with 433 meetings, was still number one in North/Latin America; Australia was league leader in Asia/Pacific with 212 meetings and South Africa retained its lead in Africa with 94 meetings.
Number of meetings by city
There were some dramatic changes here. In 1998 it was Madrid, Vienna, Copenhagen. In 1999, Vienna moved to the top with 63 meetings, Copenhagen was second with 50 meetings and Madrid third with 48 meetings. But Amsterdam and Paris, which were equal fourth, dropped to 11th and 14th respectively. Jerusalem was relegated from ninth to 25th and Lisbon from eighth to 30th.
On an upward note, Budapest moved from 13th to fourth with 46 meetings and Helsinki rose from 11th to fifth with 42 meetings. Most spectacularly, Rio de Janeiro went from 30th place to 12th with 36 meetings. Also marching upwards were Hong Kong from 27th to 17th; Vancouver from 33rd to 20th and Munich from 43rd to 24th.
Number of meetings by city per continent
In Europe, as already stated, Vienna topped the table. In North and Latin America, Rio de Janeiro ranked number one followed by Vancouver. No USA cities featured until Washington, DC, entered the list in 44th position. In Asia Pacific, Seoul managed to remain ahead of Sydney with 40 meetings to 38. In Africa, Durban moved on to the grid and overtook Cape Town, with 16 meetings compared with 11.
Number of meetings after 1999
Predictions show that Sydney has 105 meetings lined up from 2000 onwards, Melbourne has 81 and Amsterdam 79. An interesting situation but things can change as more figures come in.
Numbers of participants at international meetings
Meetings attended by 50 to 1,000 delegates took by far the lion‘s share of the market. The largest market share per continent by number of participants in 1999 was Europe, followed by Asia and North America. North America had also the largest meetings. Between 1992 and 1999, average participation there was 919. Europe averaged 791 participants. Australia/Pacific had the lowest average number with 534.
Worldwide, the average size increased from 643 in 1992 to 690 in 1999.
Countries with the highest average number of delegates in 1999 were Malaysia (1,750), Philippines (1,430) and Canada (1,059).
On total numbers, the USA led with nearly 167,000 participants. Germany came second with over 127,000 and the UK third with 117,000 plus. France and Spain were next but Australia, Canada and Italy were all showing significant progress.
Total number of participants by country
per continent
In Europe in 1999 Germany was top; in North/Latin America, the USA remained ahead; in Asia/Pacific Australia was number one and in Africa once again it was South Africa.
Total number of participants per city
Berlin topped the table with more than 73,000 participants in 1999. Newcomers to the top three were Vienna and Sydney with over 46,000 and 44,000 participants respectively.
Seasonality. June and September remained the most popular months for international meetings.
Length of meetings
As in 1998, the average length of meetings in 1999 was 4.5 days compared with an average of 4.8 days in 1993. This trend towards shorter meetings is even more marked in North America where the average was 4.3 days. However, Latin America boasted the longest meetings, with an average of 5.2 days in 1999. In general, we can say that meetings last between three and five days.
Financial implications - International Meetings
The average registration fee per delegate per day in 1999 was USD 102 compared with an average USD 91 in the period 1994 - 1999.
The average registration fee per delegate per international meeting in 1999 was USD 458 compared with an average USD 414 in the period 1994 - 1999.
The average income from registration fees per international meeting in 1999 was USD 316,159 compared with an average USD 276,218 in the pe-riod 1994 - 1999.
The total income from registration fees in 1999 was USD 830,233,534.
According to the UIA statistics (Union of International Associations), even 56.94 percent of the world‘s international conferencies took place in Europe last year. North America shares 16.20 percent and Asia 12.37 percent.
The United States of America are ranked first in the world regarding the most successful countries in organising global international conferencies with a share of 12.81 percent. Moreover the USA are followed by France 6.75 percent, Great Britain 6.48 percent, Germany 6.41 percent, Italy 4.09 percent, Holland 3.90 percent, Australia 3.3 percent and Spain 3.26 percent. An immense increase could be observed in Germany, South Korea, Thailand, Hungary and Holland last year. Furthermore statistics say, that 52.75 percent of all worldwide international conferencies take place in the top ten countries, 70.96 percent account for the first twenty countries.
The survey of UIA proved true, that most conferences take place in months of September and June.
