LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY’S EVENT volume doubled to 94.9 percent year-over-year in July, according to Knowland. It is Louisville's fifth month in the top five secondary markets this year.
Philadelphia led the top 25 markets with 27.7 percent growth, driven by a National Education Association event and several state-level education associations, according to Knowland.
Louisville has become a key meetings hub in secondary markets, with an average of 4,935 square feet used and 119 attendees, while Philadelphia averaged 3,066 square feet and 117 attendees, the report said. Secondary markets grew by an average of 6.9 percent, compared to 3.6 percent for the top 25 markets.
Additional insights into the top industry drivers for these markets:
- Philadelphia (up 27.7 percent): National associations, charity/non-profit/social services, state associations, education, and religious events
- Denver (up 27.2 percent): Technology, national associations, charity/non-profit/social services, training/education, and healthcare
- Las Vegas (up26.5 percent): Sports entertainment, national associations, education, entertainment/media, and weddings
- Nashville, Tennessee (up 12.8 percent): Technology, national associations, healthcare, manufacturing, and reunions
- Phoenix (up 12.8 percent): National associations, training/education, healthcare, sports entertainment, and technology
Louisville led secondary markets, driven by national association meetings, Knowland said.
The top five high-growth secondary markets and their leading industries were:
- Louisville (94.9 percent): National association
- Lexington, Kentucky (48.5 percent): Education
- Sacramento, California (46.2 percent): Education
- Madison, Wisconsin (42.1 percent): National association
- Charlotte, North Carolina (41.1 percent): Reunions
In June, Knowland reported that Las Vegas led meeting volume growth with a 22.2 percent year-over-year increase for the second consecutive month, followed by St. Louis with a 12 percent year-over-year growth.
