Measuring the economic contribution of the international association conference market: An Irish case study

Conferences and meetings are a prerequisite in the modern global economy and can contribute substantially to national income and foreign exchange earnings. This study assesses the economic contribution of the international association conference market to Ireland and highlights key sectors that demonstrate strong multiplier effects. Primary conference expenditure estimates are combined with sector multipliers to determine direct, indirect and induced effects across a range of monetary aggregates in Ireland in 2007. Total direct conference spending of €131.1 million generated €235.8 million in output, €45.4 million in income, €101.6 million in value added, €52.0 million in imports and €9.3 million in product taxes. Key conference sectors are highlighted including hotels and restaurants, renting services of machinery and equipment, air transport and retail shopping. Findings also indicate the varying nature of derived economic effects over discrete time periods, particularly in the post conference period. Overall, the results demonstrate that the conference market contributed substantially to economic aggregates in Ireland in 2007.

► Input-output analysis is used to examine delegate spending in Ireland.
► Total conference spending of €131.1 million generated €235.8 million in output.
► Key conference sectors include hotels and restaurants and renting services.
► Economic effects vary over discrete conference time periods.