Anaheim-Santa Ana, Calif. ranked first in the top 25 markets in November with year-over-year (YOY) meetings & events growth of 17.5%, according to the Cendyn Sales Intelligence platform, Atlanta came in second with growth at 13.7%.
Louisville led in secondary markets at 59.1% growth, and Memphis ranked second with 48.9% growth.
Anaheim-Santa Ana led the top 25 markets for the first time in 2024 with a significant contribution from healthcare groups at 7.1% share, hosting events from Edwards LifeScience, LLC and Kaiser Permanente. Chicago entered the top five for the first time, ranking third with a growth of 12.6% with a significant contribution of 10.2% led by national association groups.
Atlanta grew by 13.7% and, like Chicago, hosted national associations and education groups. Anaheim-Santa Ana averaged 4,555 total sq. ft. with an estimated group size of 167. The total sq. ft. used for the top 25 markets was 3,764, with an estimated group size of 131. Below are the top demand generators for the top 5 markets:
- Anaheim-Santa Ana, CA (17.5%): HealthCare, national association, education, wedding, consulting
- Atlanta (13.7%): National association, education, technology, healthcare, charity/non-profit/social services
- Chicago (12.6%): National association, education, healthcare, technology, wedding
- Detroit (12.2%): Wedding, charity/non-profit/social services, automotive, manufacturing, education
- Miami (11%): Education, technology, travel, national association, financial/banking
Memphis entered the top five secondary markets for the first time in 2024 and secured second position with 48.9% YOY growth. Louisville topped the secondary market for the seventh time, experiencing 59.1% growth and averaging 9,014 sq. ft. and an estimated group size of 195, placing it in the top five secondary markets for the ninth time. Wisconsin South and Oklahoma City entered the top five secondary markets for the first time, with 41.2% and 39.3% growth, respectively. The five high-growth secondary markets and top industries were:
- Louisville (59.1%): Charity/non-profit/social services, education, state association, national association, healthcare
- Memphis (48.9%): Travel, religious, education, entertainment/media, charity/non-profit/social services
- Michigan South (45.8%): Education, state association, charity/non-profit/social services, financial/banking, wedding
- Wisconsin South (41.2%): State association, religious, wedding, consulting, national association
- Oklahoma City (39.3%): Charity/non-profit/social services, education, manufacturing, national association, state association
