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The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) has scoped out the landscape of independent B2B meetings in a new playbook for event planners. The 2026 Performance Benchmark Playbook: Independent B2B Exhibitions report, released on August 18, 2026, lays out profitability and revenue trends to help independent B2B show organizers adapt quicker to a fast-changing field of play.
One key finding is that independent organizers saw average net profit margins of 46 percent, with 80 percent of events resulting in positive revenue, suggesting that an entrepreneurial spirit helps third-party organizers succeed. The playbook also tracks exhibitor growth and retention metrics and analyzes revenue across key areas, revealing a revenue mix driven by exhibit sales (60 percent), sponsorships (20 percent), and attendance (16 percent).
This 2026 Performance Benchmark Playbook: Independent B2B Exhibitions report is free for CEIR subscribers and IAEE members and can be purchased for $249 by non-members.