EIC publishes 2026 Global Economic Significance executive summary: direct spending 12.2% above 2019

The Events Industry Council released the executive summary of its 2026 Global Economic Significance of Business Events Study, produced with Oxford Economics and covering activity in more than 180 countries, ahead of the full report. In 2025 business events brought together 1.65 billion participants and generated US$1.3 trillion in direct spending, 12.2% above 2019 levels. Direct GDP contribution was US$759 billion and direct employment 9.7 million jobs; counting indirect and induced effects the sector supported US$3.1 trillion in total business sales, US$1.8 trillion in total GDP and 24.2 million jobs. Direct spending averaged US$785 per participant, and trade shows accounted for about US$180 billion of direct spending. EIC noted that by the fourth quarter of 2025 its Global Business Events Barometer put RFP activity at 102% of 2019 levels and hotel group room nights at 97%, indicating recovery to near pre-pandemic levels. Oxford Economics forecasts direct spending of US$1.6 trillion and 10.4 million direct jobs by 2028. EIC framed the release as part of an ongoing rollout of advocacy tools and messaging for the sector.