Percentage growth of convention center exhibit space from August 2003 through July 2004: 4.3%

Number of dollars the average convention delegate spends in a city: $945

Dollars an association or event organization spends per delegate, per day.: $22

The percentage of attendees who are aware of attrition booking fees when they book hotel rooms outside the block: 20%

Percentage of meeting planners who say rising costs will be their biggest challenge over the next three years: 26%

Sources: Tradeshow Week; International Association of Convention & Visitor Bureaus (items 2 and 3); Convention Industry Council; Meeting Professionals International