As Industry Looks to Bright Future, New Data Calculates 2020 Losses

March 18, 2021
As Industry Looks to Bright Future, New Data Calculates 2020 Losses

As the events industry readies to turn the page on the COVID-19 dark times with a seemingly speedy recovery, a final chapter recording the final ugly numbers from 2020 is coming together.

The U.S. Travel Association released a report on Wednesday indicating the U.S. economy lost out on $1.1 trillion dollars from travel. Along those same lines, the data shows travel-supported jobs fell by 5.6 million in 2020 (16.7 million to 11.1 million) while the industry’s footprint shrunk by 42%. As proof that the pandemic disproportionately hurt the travel and hospitality world, 65% of all lost American jobs stemmed from those fields.

Meanwhile, the Center for Exhibition Industry Research also revealed its findings from last year’s final quarter. According to CEIR, all but 3% of originally scheduled events (regional and small-scale, in general) were cancelled — a decline worse than in 2009, the nadir of the Great Recession. For the year, there was a 78.8% decline in exhibitions for 2020.

State and local restrictions on gatherings and corporate no-travel policies were the primary cause of the steep drop, CEIR said in its report. As we enter the end of 2021’s first quarter, many states, including Texas and Nevada, have relaxed rules to allow events. And President Biden’s declaration that all American adults will be eligible for a vaccine by May 1 will likely encourage groups to greenlight greater amounts of business travel during the second half of the year.

“With more states eliminating or easing restrictions on large gatherings, the exhibition industry is finally close to the end of the tunnel,” said CEIR CEO Cathy Breden. “As the economy enters into an expansion phase and with a majority of the population vaccinated, the recovery of B2B exhibitions should begin by the end of this year and gain momentum in 2022.” 

Evidence points to a recovery in motion. TSA checkpoints experienced a 75% increase in mid-March compared to early February, CEIR noted. Research also shows driving habits have rebounded to match pre-COVID levels, with the percentage of driving distances exceeding 50 miles increasing 6.9% in March 2021 vs. March 2020. 

Moreover, 79% of Global Business Travel Association members and stakeholders say they would be comfortable traveling for business after receiving the COVID-19 vaccination. 

Following suit, the second half of 2021’s calendar is jam-packed with events as postponed gatherings filling in any gaps left from events originally scheduled for this fall and winter. Houston, for instance, is expecting a record six-month period for citywides to close out this year. The World of Concrete, MPI’s World Education Congress and IMEX America are just three examples of gatherings expected to bring thousands to Las Vegas.

“My job is 90% back now to what I used to do,” remarked Meetings Made Easy Owner and Founder Mike Ferreira, whose organization sources hotels and other venues for corporate groups.

More work continues to improve the situation for companies who lost so much last year, according to USTA, which said nearly 300 virtual meetings between industry leaders and members of Congress were scheduled for Wednesday. Talking points include:

  • Providing relief for travel industry businesses
  • Advancing stimulus measures to drive travel demand
  • Positioning the U.S. to welcome back international travel
  • Safely restoring business travel, meetings and events

Roger Dow, president and CEO of the USTA — scheduled to hold its trademark IPW event Sept. 18-22 in Las Vegas — said the measures would augment the assistance coming from Biden’s recent $1.9 trillion stimulus package. He is anxiously awaiting approval on tax relief provided by the as-of-yet unpassed Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act and an extension on PPP loans set to expire in two weeks.

“While the gradual progress of vaccinations has provided hope that a turnaround may be on the horizon, it is still unclear when travel demand will be able to fully rebound on its own,” Dow said. “With the travel industry suffering such a disproportionate share of losses, policymakers need to understand that a nationwide economic recovery effectively hinges on a travel recovery.”

 

Don’t miss any event-related news: Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter HERE and engage with us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram!

Add new comment

Partner Voices
Here at Mandalay Bay, venues are inviting and innovative. As one of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip, the Mandalay Bay Convention Center has recently undergone an exciting upgrade. This renowned venue now offers everything your business needs, with a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, as well as an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're searching for a venue that is both inviting and innovative, Mandalay Bay is the place to be. Mandalay Bay is committed to investing in a new wave of enhancements, not only in the convention space but also throughout the entire resort. With new restaurant openings and remodels, spectacular entertainment, and updated rooms, Mandalay Bay promises to deliver new and exciting experiences to its guests until 2024. To create a truly effective conference venue, Mandalay Bay has carefully considered what businesses require. The right technology, capacity, and inspiration are essential to take ideas to the next level. The refreshed Mandalay Bay Convention Center has been designed with your business in mind. Every room is equipped with newly-upgraded technology, enhancing our ability to support bandwidth demand and overall data capabilities. Additionally, the addition of 10 new digital walls provides bigger and more dynamic ways to display customized content messages. Mandalay Bay offers world-class conference space and service. The venue options range from ballrooms to ample pre-function spaces, catering to teams of any size while accommodating multiple large groups simultaneously. Our certified planners work collaboratively with you to understand your specific event requirements, anticipating your business needs and offering the best-fit solutions. In addition to providing exceptional conference facilities, Mandalay Bay is also dedicated to sustainability. We strive to give our guests an unforgettable experience while minimizing our impact on the environment. As part of our sustainable energy efforts, you'll find refillable water stations throughout the property, eliminating the need for single-use plastic bottles and reducing unnecessary plastic usage. Mandalay Bay is proud to offer an upgraded and enhanced experience for businesses seeking a venue that combines innovation, convenience, and sustainability. Whether you're hosting a conference, meeting, or other business event, Mandalay Bay's refreshed convention space, world-class service, and commitment to sustainability make it the ideal choice. Come and discover the new wave of experiences awaiting you at Mandalay Bay on the Las Vegas Strip. Wherever your organization is going, getting there starts with being here.