Las Vegas led the top 25 markets with 36% year-over-year (YOY) meetings volume growth for August, according to data from Knowland. New York ranked second with more than 30% YOY growth driven primarily by sports tourism.
While Las Vegas headed the top 25 markets list, the U.S. Open bolstered New York event business substantially. New York also hosted multiple events for the Badminton World Federation, a hospitality event planning company creating restaurant and cocktail bar experiences likely associated with U.S. Open entertainment, as well as the National Medical Association.
Las Vegas averaged 5,736 sq. ft. and 234 attendees, driven by normal summer events such as weddings and sports entertainment. This was the seventh consecutive month Las Vegas made the top five markets list with double-digit growth. However, the bigger story is New York. This is the first time since April that New York has made it onto the list of top five growth markets.
Below is additional insight into the highest industry drivers for these markets. For the top 25 markets, the average space used was 3,435 sq. ft., and the average attendee count was 124.
- Las Vegas (+36%): Technology, wedding, national association, travel and entertainment/media
- New York (+30.2%): National association/sports entertainment, travel, financial/banking, technology and consulting
- Tampa-St. Petersburg, Fla. (+16.2%): Religious, national association, healthcare, wedding and consulting
- Oahu Island, HI (+14.9%): Wedding, retail/online retailer, travel, entertainment/media and consulting
- Anaheim-Santa Ana, CA (+11.9%): Wedding, education, financial/banking, technology and training/education
Louisville led in secondary markets, with volume increasing 104.6% and national association meetings as the leading industry driver. For secondary markets, the average space used was 3,084 sq. ft., and the average attendee count was 115. The five high-growth secondary markets and top industries were:
- Louisville (104.6%): National association
- Colorado Springs, CO (57.5%): Financial/banking
- Madison, WI (56.7%): Wedding
- Norfolk-Virginia Beach, VA (45.0%): Education
- Texas East (43.6%): Publishing
