KNOWLAND | June 05, 2024

Oahu Island hits 17.9 percent growth with technology and travel groups acting as key drivers to growth

ARLINGTON, Va. — June 5, 2024 — Knowland, the world’s leading provider of data-as-a-service insights on meetings and events for hospitality, reported that Las Vegas took the lead in group business with a solid 18.5 percent growth in May year-over-year (YoY). Oahu Island pulled in second at 17.9 percent YoY growth. This data is sourced from Knowland’s sales intelligence platform and designed to help hoteliers protect and grow their revenue base.

The average space used for meetings in the Top 25 markets was 3,615 sq. ft., and secondary markets were at 3,625 sq. ft. Average attendees were 128 in the Top 25, while secondary markets averaged 127 attendees.

  • Top five markets by YoY growth in event volume – Las Vegas was a popular meeting spot in May as groups headed to the city that never sleeps ahead of summer heat, ranking with the highest growth in the Top 25 U.S. markets with an average space use of 7,803 sq ft for 287 average attendees. Technology was the key driver with events such as the Electronic Distributor Show (EDS.) National Associations came in second with groups such as the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). Below is additional insight into the top industry drivers for these markets.
    • Las Vegas. (+18.5 percent): Technology, National Association, Wedding, Consulting, and Financial / Banking.
    • Oahu Island, Hawaii (+17.9 percent): Travel, Wedding, Education, Charity/Non-Profit/ Social Services, and Consulting.
    • Nashville, Tenn. (+11.1 percent): Financial/Banking, Health Care, Manufacturing, National Association, and Technology.
    • Denver (+4.1 percent):  Technology, National Association, Financial/Banking, Health Care, Charity/Non-Profit/Social Services.
    • Seattle (+2.0 percent): National Association, Technology, Charity/Non-Profit/ Social Services, and Education.

 

  • Top five secondary markets by YoY growth in event volume – Scranton-Wilkes-Barre, Pa. saw an uptick of 149.4 percent in event bookings, with Education as the leading industry driver. The five high-growth secondary markets and top industries were:
    • Scranton-Wilkes-Barre, Pa. (149.4 percent) – Education
    • Florida Keys, Fla. (113.9 percent) – Wedding
    • Texas East, Texas (87.1 percent) – Wedding
    • New Mexico North, N.M. (81.3 percent) – Charity/Non-Profit/Social Services
    • Lexington, Ky. (47.7 percent) – Education

About the Data: This data is provided to help hoteliers still building momentum gain insight into the top locations selected by today’s meeting planners. This information about the leading industry drivers provides a clear picture of those groups that are returning to the meeting and event space. Insights presented result from the analysis of meetings and events data acquired through Knowland data collection and aggregation methods, including field reporting and automated methods of customer and non-customer data collection in primary, secondary, and tertiary markets, as well as its large historical database.