Official ABC figures just released for International Confex, the UK’s biggest event for people organising events worldwide, show a rise in total visitor attendance. The show achieved 7,211 visitors for 2006 compared with 7,198 for 2005 – so an extra 13 people came this year.

Event director Duncan Reid said: “We’re pleased that the ABC Audit confirms Confex 2006 recording a slight increase in visitor numbers. This is very encouraging – especially when recent CTS Research showed a national trend of visitor numbers falling by 2% year on year – hopefully this is the start of a trend across the UK events industry with more people attending events this year.”

Detailed ABC figures showed that association buyers were up by 16% and the number of agency buyers rose by 7%. The number of corporate visitors remained almost the same as 2005 while visitors from supplier companies were down.

“This is good news,” says Reid, “as it means we are refining our visitor audience to deliver more of the type of buyer our exhibitors want to see. Onsite, exhibitors were saying the quality was up and this proves it along with the 37% increase in re-bookings.”

Reid continues: “This sends out a very positive message to anyone looking to run events as part of their marketing and communication strategy that the industry’s biggest and best event is in a healthy position.”

However one has to ask the question: if an exhibition aimed at the events industry can’t hold its own in the current climate then what can?

International Confex 2007 will run from 20th – 22nd February at Earls Court, London.