The Lower Mainland's largest trade and consumer shows continue to attract big crowds.
Over the past six years, combined attendance at the 30 largest shows has risen nearly 20% to 683,600 in 2013 from 575,000 in 2008 at events in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.
Some of the shows that have seen significant attendance increases include the Eat! Vancouver Food and Cooking Festival, up 20% since 2008, and the West Coast Women's Show in Abbotsford, up 17% in the same time period.
The chance to taste, touch and experience new products and services are some key drivers for show attendees.
According to the latest visitor profile for this year's BC Home and Garden Show, for example, nearly a third of attendees went to find new products. Not surprisingly, nearly all attendees to that show were homeowners. But many were also looking to spend. Nearly half planned to spend $5,000 to $10,000 on a home renovation project.
Those numbers bode well for an industry that generates regional sales and additional economic activity. That contribution to the economy complements the benefits associated with the region's international convention business.
According to Tourism Vancouver data, international conventions and conferences add nearly half a billion dollars in tourism spending in the region. Nearly 1.8 million hotel-room nights were booked for conferences or conventions and delegate spending was approximately $263 per day in 2011.
Much of the visiting delegates' spending is in local hotels and restaurants. According to BC Stats, more than a third of tourism spending in B.C. is spent on food and accommodation, with an equal proportion on flights and other forms of transportation.
But despite the boost in non-resident conference delegates, hotel revenue continues to decline in Vancouver. Downtown Vancouver hotel room revenue fell 1.6% to $496 million in 2012 from $503.8 million in 2011. Revenue from hotels outside the downtown core has fallen 1.8% to $37.5 million from $38.2 million. •
