U.S. b2b publishers take significant hit on trade shows & events business

U.S. b2b publishers, like others in print, are feeling the recession both in depressed ad pages and revenue, but also in what had been a growing and hopeful part of their business -- trade shows and events.

According to a story from MediaDaily News, trade association American Business Media reported Monday that trade show revenues declined 18.6% during the first half of 2009: down 20.1% during the first quarter; and down 16.9% during the second quarter.

B-t-B magazine ad pages plummeted 31.6% and advertising revenues fell 26.1% in May vs. the same month a year ago, and the most recent month for which data is available. Through the first five months of 2009, B-to-B ad pages are off 30.3%, while revenues are down 26.3%, according to the ABM's Business Information Network.