November/December 2007
MarketWatch: Exhibit space rates
By Heather Kirkwood
The median charge per net square foot for exhibit space is $17, according to data gathered by EXPO Magazine and Exhibit Surveys, Inc., during a recent survey of 340 show organizers. More than 20 percent of show organizers report charging between $9 and $14.99, and 19.4 percent report charging less than $9 per net square foot.
Among show types, corporate shows charge the highest median rates for exhibit space at $24 per net square foot. Businessto- business trade shows followed at $21, and consumer shows offer the cheapest median rate for booth space at $12 per net square foot. Larger shows set higher rates for booth space than smaller shows. However, shows between 25,000 and 200,000 net square feet charge a median price of $17 per net square foot.
By region, shows in the Western Central region have the lowest median cost per net square foot at $12, while shows in the South Atlantic region charge the highest median rate per net square foot at $24.
When calculated by industry, shows serving the communications and information technology industries charge the most for exhibit space, at a median of $33 per net square foot. Shows serving the consumer, retail, sports, entertainment, travel, raw materials and science industries vied for the lowest-cost space, at a median of $12 per net square foot.
Heather Kirkwood is Senior Editor of EXPO. She can be reached at 913-344-1376, or e-mail: hkirkwood@ascendmedia.com. |
