The indirect impact of the meetings industry in Spain is close to 40,000 million euros.

The MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions) sector plays a strategic role in the Spanish economy, both for its direct impact and its pull effect on other key sectors such as transport, hotels, restaurants, technology and professional services. According to Foro MICE, the sector's employers' association, the activity is close to 40,000 million euros.

In recent years, various entities and institutions have been carrying out valuable studies that make an essential contribution to measuring the economic impact of the sector. The Spain Convention Bureau, for example, analyzes data relating to congresses and certain fairs within its network of cities, also incorporating information from the INE.

ICCA World, carries out the study based on a typology of congresses with particular recurrence characteristics. Some cities, such as Madrid or Barcelona, also develop their own reports with data specific to their area. In addition, the work of Oxford Economics or the Spanish Trade Fair Association, which provide perspective and knowledge of the ecosystem as a whole,

All these studies are well-founded and have meant a very relevant advance in the knowledge and visibility of our industry. However, “from the employers' association we note that, by addressing únly specific segments, it is difficult to have a complete view of the entire activity in Spain”, a statement from Foro MICEña” isñala a statement from Foro MICE.

The organization has undertaken a process of “rigorous research” that starts from these sources and that the employers' association has taken as a basis. The aim is to “avoid duplication or overlapping of data and to apply a methodology that allows to integrate, in a coherent and transparent way, all the dimensions of the sector”.

Foro MICE states that, even in a conservative scenario, in the year 2024, the direct economic impact of the MICE industry in Spain reaches 20,296 million euros, and its indirect economic impact is close to 39.562 million euros.

The employers' association's statement indicates that it is practically impossible to measure with absolute precision all the sector's activities: meetings in medium-sized and small cities, events at universities, technology centers or institutions that still find it difficult to provide their data, many corporate events, some incentives and more local fairs. However, this exercise allows us to approach a figure more representative of the reality of our industry”.

Foro MICE adds that “this work is not intended to replace any previous study, but to add, expand and contribute to a global vision that reflects the true dimension of an industry that costs to be recognized as such. Because to measure well is also to value properly.