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Trade Show & Event Planning in Canada - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Dmitry Diment Dmitry Diment New York, United States Last Updated: August 2024 NAICS 56192CA

Revenue

$3.3bn

2024

$3.3bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$XX.Xbn

Employees

11,692

Businesses

1,859

Wages

$XXX.Xm

Trade Show & Event Planning in Canada industry analysis

The events that the Trade Show and Event Planning industry in Canada organizes, promotes and manages, including business and trade shows, conventions, conferences and meetings, are heavily dependent on the state of the overall economy. Specifically, the health of corporate marketing budgets that pay for business-to-business (B2B) events and consumers' ability to attend events, such as automobile and home improvement shows, which generate business-to-consumer (B2C) revenue, determine the performance of the industry. While corporate profit has grown alongside consumer disposable income, driving spending by businesses and consumers alike, the COVID-19 pandemic generated both vast economic volatility and disrupted the fundamental nature of trade shows and events. The pandemic led to the cancellation of many events in 2020 and 2021, producing steep revenue declines across the industry. Organizers adapted to virtual formats and with the abatement of the pandemic, industry revenue surged more than 60.0% in 2022 alone. Still, the pandemic weighs heavily over the period, and industry revenue is forecast to decline at a CAGR of 2.8% $3.3 billion over the five years to 2024, including a 3.0% rise in 2024 alone.

Trends and Insights

  • COVID-19 proved a uniquely disruptive force for trade shows and events. The pandemic halted many conferences altogether, disrupting the industry's in-person events.
  • Floor space at trade shows, conferences, conventions and expositions is a staple of services provided by the industry. Clients value premium spaces that better expose them to downstream customers.
  • Ontario has the highest concentration of establishments. The province has Canada’s largest economy, making it a primary location for trade shows and events.
  • Barriers to entry across the industry are low. Consequently, trade show and event planning organizers compete heavily on price and the services they offer.
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Everything you need in one report

  • Reliable market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Competitive analysis, industry segmentation, financial benchmarks
  • Powerful SWOT, Porter’s Five Forces and risk management frameworks
  • Online membership platform with PDF, Word, Excel and PPT exports

Industry Overview

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 2.8 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $3.3bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

The industry depends on business events and consumer attendance

  • Trade shows and exhibitions are common among practically all sectors of the economy, so clients are highly varied and range from small-scale consumer product retailers to cutting-edge information technology companies.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

As travel contionues to grow, Canada will be a likely destination

  • As COVID-19 restrictions are now in the rearview, travel has quickly returned as people globally have sought in person interaction. Canada is well positioned to benefit from travel in a globalized business environment.

Biggest companies in the Trade Show & Event Planning in Canada

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue ($m)
2024
Profit ($m)
2024
Profit Margin (%)
2024
Global Experience Specialists Inc.
209.8
9.4
4.5
Freeman Company LLC
57.4
N/A
N/A
Informa Canada
27.5
N/A
N/A

To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Trade Show & Event Planning in Canada

Products & Services

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Registration, analytics and show services, Exhibit sales and design services and Sponsorships, entertainment and advertising services. Registration, analytics and show services is the largest segment of the Trade Show & Event Planning in Canada.

Trends and Insights

Exhibit sales and design services include floor space at a variety of events

  • This segment includes the sale of floor space at trade shows, conferences, conventions and expositions.
  • More insights available in the full report

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Competitors

  • Concert & Event Promotion in Canada

Complementors

  • Advertising Agencies in Canada
  • Promotional Products in Canada
  • Gambling in Canada

International industries

  • Trade Show and Conference Planning in the US
  • Online Event Ticket Sales in the US
  • Event Promotion and Management Services in Australia
  • Conference Centres Letting & Operating in the UK
  • Convention & Exhibition Services in China

View all industries in Canada

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

The Trade Show and Event Planning industry in Canada organizes, promotes and manages events, such as business and trade shows, conventions, conferences and meetings. It may also manage and provide staff to operate the facilities in which these events take place. This industry does not include establishments that organize, promote or manage live performing arts events, sports events or festivals.

What's included in this industry?

Automobile show promoting, managing or organizingFlower show promoting, managing or organizingHome show promoting, managing or organizingConvention promoting, managing or organizingTrade show promoting, managing or organizingCraft fair promoting, managing or organizing

Companies

Global Experience Specialists Inc.Freeman Company LLCInforma Canada

Purchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS (B2B)BUSINESS-TO-CONSUMER (B2C)TRADE SHOW

Industry Code

NAICS 2007

NAICS 561920 - Trade Show & Event Planning in Canada

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

COVID-19 proved a uniquely disruptive force for trade shows and events. The pandemic halted many conferences altogether, disrupting the industry's in-person events.

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Floor space at trade shows, conferences, conventions and expositions is a staple of services provided by the industry. Clients value premium spaces that better expose them to...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Ontario has the highest concentration of establishments. The province has Canada’s largest economy, making it a primary location for trade shows and events.

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each province
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each province in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each province accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each province accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each province in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Barriers to entry across the industry are low. Consequently, trade show and event planning organizers compete heavily on price and the services they offer.

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

Global Experience Specialists operates on a considerable scale relative to most other industry players. The company hosts events globally, managing more than 4,000 annually.

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of Global Experience Specialists Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Freeman Company LLC's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Informa Canada's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Global Experience Specialists Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Freeman Company LLC, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Informa Canada, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for one additional company

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Trade show and event planners are subject to minimal government oversight, save for local laws. However, there are numerous certification programs available to organizers to ...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

The COVID-19 pandemic led to the widespread cancelation of industry events. Consequently, profit margins have sunk since, especially with a greater reliance on online events.

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2017-2022)
  • Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Assets (2017-2022)
  • Liabilities (2017-2022)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in Canada include:

  • Statistics Canada
  • Industry Canada
  • Canadian Business Patterns

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.

Frequently Asked Questions

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Trade Show & Event Planning industry in Canada in 2024?

The market size of the Trade Show & Event Planning industry in Canada is $3.3bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Trade Show & Event Planning in Canada industry in 2024?

There are 1,859 businesses in the Trade Show & Event Planning industry in Canada, which has grown at a CAGR of 4.7 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Trade Show & Event Planning industry in Canada grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Trade Show & Event Planning industry in Canada has been declining at a CAGR of 2.8 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Trade Show & Event Planning industry in Canada over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Trade Show & Event Planning industry in Canada is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Trade Show & Event Planning market in Canada?

The biggest companies operating in the Trade Show & Event Planning market in Canada are Global Experience Specialists Inc., Freeman Company LLC and Informa Canada

What does the Trade Show & Event Planning in Canada include?

Automobile show promoting, managing or organizing and Flower show promoting, managing or organizing are part of the Trade Show & Event Planning industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Trade Show & Event Planning in Canada?

The company holding the most market share in Canada is Global Experience Specialists Inc..

How competitive is the Trade Show & Event Planning industry in Canada?

The level of competition is high and steady in the Trade Show & Event Planning industry in Canada.