Welcome

Thank you for contributing to the 2026 Global Economic Significance of Business Events Study. Your participation helps ensure that the global business events industry is measured, understood and valued.

This is a global survey, spanning all regions and segments of the business events industry. Your voice matters!

Led by the Events Industry Council (EIC) in partnership with Oxford Economics, this study provides credible, data-driven insight into the economic and societal impact of business events worldwide. The findings will support advocacy efforts across the industry, equipping organisations, destinations, venues and event professionals with the evidence needed to demonstrate the sector's contribution to economic growth, innovation and community development.

The final report will be released on 6 May 2026 as part of Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID), helping to amplify the industry's collective voice and strengthen conversations with policymakers, business leaders and stakeholders around the world.

Your responses are confidential and will be analysed in aggregate.

The survey should take approximately 20 minutes to complete.

Definition of Business Meetings and Events

For the purposes of this study, a business meeting or event is defined as a gathering of 10 or more participants lasting a minimum of four hours, held in a contracted venue in a physical, in-person setting.

Business meetings and events include:

• Conventions, conferences and congresses
• Trade shows and exhibitions (both B2B and B2C)
• Corporate or organisational meetings
• Incentive events
• Product launches and similar business gatherings
• Other events that meet the criteria outlined above

Business meetings and events do not include:

• Social activities such as weddings, receptions or private celebrations
• Permanently established formal education (primary, secondary or university programmes)
• Purely recreational activities such as concerts, performances or entertainment shows
• Political campaign rallies