EventGenuity Resource
Current figures on the scale, workforce, and planning pressures behind business events. Every statistic below names its source and the period it measures.
At a glance
These figures put the work behind a meeting, conference, incentive, or corporate gathering in context. They also explain why decisions about audience experience, talent, timing, contracts, and production deserve practical attention early in the planning process.
business-event participants worldwide
Business events brought together 1.65 billion participants globally in 2025.
Events Industry Council and Oxford Economics, 2026 Global Economic Significance of Business Events StudyPublished August 2026, reporting 2025 global business-events activity.in direct spending
The sector generated US$1.3 trillion in direct spending in 2025, 12.2% above the 2019 level.
Events Industry Council and Oxford Economics, 2026 Global Economic Significance of Business Events StudyPublished August 2026, reporting 2025 global business-events activity.in total business sales supported
Including direct, indirect, and induced effects, business events supported US$3.1 trillion in total business sales in 2025.
Events Industry Council and Oxford Economics, 2026 Global Economic Significance of Business Events StudyPublished August 2026, reporting 2025 global business-events activity.contributed to global GDP
The sector contributed US$1.8 trillion to global GDP in 2025.
Events Industry Council and Oxford Economics, 2026 Global Economic Significance of Business Events StudyPublished August 2026, reporting 2025 global business-events activity.jobs supported worldwide
Business events supported 24.2 million jobs worldwide in 2025.
Events Industry Council and Oxford Economics, 2026 Global Economic Significance of Business Events StudyPublished August 2026, reporting 2025 global business-events activity.U.S. meeting and event planner jobs
The U.S. employed about 172,100 meeting, convention, and event planners in 2025.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Meeting, Convention, and Event PlannersUpdated August 2026, with 2025 employment and wage data plus 2025-2035 projections.median annual pay
The median annual wage for U.S. meeting, convention, and event planners was $61,160 in May 2025.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Meeting, Convention, and Event PlannersUpdated August 2026, with 2025 employment and wage data plus 2025-2035 projections.projected U.S. job growth
U.S. employment for meeting, convention, and event planners is projected to grow 6% from 2025 to 2035, with about 16,800 openings a year on average.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Meeting, Convention, and Event PlannersUpdated August 2026, with 2025 employment and wage data plus 2025-2035 projections.expect more in-person events
In Cvent’s global planner survey, 70% predicted an increase in in-person events for 2026.
Cvent, 2026 Global Planner Sourcing ReportSurveyed more than 1,650 professional planners in July 2025 across six regions.expect costs to rise
Cvent reported that 72% of event professionals globally expect costs to rise by up to 20% in 2026 compared with 2025.
Cvent, 2026 Global Planner Sourcing ReportSurveyed more than 1,650 professional planners in July 2025 across six regions.Methodology & sources
This page brings together the latest available figures from industry research, a U.S. government labor source, and a global planner survey. The measures are not interchangeable: some describe worldwide economic activity, some describe the U.S. planning workforce, and some reflect surveyed planner expectations.
Cite this page
Suggested citation: EventGenuity. “Business Events Statistics: 2026 Economic Impact & Planning Data.” Updated September 1, 2026.
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