The Center for Exhibition Industry Research has launched a new project that will track the growth of the exhibition industry in the U.S. and Canada. With information gathered from 200 exhibitions held in 2001, 2002, and 2003, the Exhibition Industry Growth Index will establish a baseline measurement of four areas: net square feet of exhibition space; nonexhibitor attendance; number of exhibit companies; and gross revenue from all sources related to the event.

Future reports will work much like the Consumer Price Index, with annual reports on the growth of the U.S. and Canadian exhibition industry for the previous year. The 200 exhibitions that make up the index represent a cross-section of large and small events, from across the U.S. and Canada, held at different times of the year, for a spectrum of industries.