Knowland released the top market performance numbers for December, citing San Diego as having the highest meeting volume improvement with 29.2 percent year-over-year growth. Coming in a close second was San Francisco, where event volume increased 21.5 percent, a positive sign the industry is bouncing back in the cities by the bay. This data is sourced from Knowland’s sales intelligence platform and designed to help hoteliers protect and grow their revenue base.
San Diego’s healthcare event business segment doubled, and its pharmaceutical/ biotechnology events basically tripled from last year. Much of this meeting activity was held in the first half of the month.
The top market experienced an average of 198 attendees, and the average meeting space used was 2,577 square feet.
December 2023 event volume showed 6.7 percent growth over December 2022 for all U.S. markets.
By YOY growth in event volume, San Diego ranked highest in the top 25 U.S. markets, hosting pharmaceutical/biotechnology meetings, followed by consulting industry events. San Francisco, Seattle, Orlando, and Miami rounded out the top five YoY for growth volume. Below is additional insight into the top drivers for these markets.
- San Diego: Pharmaceutical/biotechnology, consulting, national association, health care, charity/non-profit.
- San Francisco: Charity/non-profit, education, training/education, technology and arts/performing arts.
- Seattle: Charity/non-profit, entertainment/media, healthcare, national association and technology.
- Orlando: Pharmaceutical/biotechnology, healthcare, technology, national associations, wedding and technology.
- Miami: Wedding, travel, education, financial/banking and consulting.
The top markets outside the top 25 (by YOY growth in event volume) are Colorado Springs, Colo.; Lexington, Ky.; and Milwaukee, Wis.