DALLAS, 28 July 2011 – Today, the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) announced a critical component to its annual outlook conference, Predict. An open discussion about the strength of the U.S. economy and its direct effect on the manufacturing sector will be moderated by Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI) President and CEO Chuck Yuska with speakers dmg::events North America, Europe & Australia President Mark Carr and Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI Economist and Council Director Don Norman.

Key points addressed will be the lingering effects of the Great Recession on the Manufacturing sector, how the sector routinely suffers during stressful economic times. As reported in the CEIR Index, in the Raw Materials and Science (RM) sector, output and employment increases are anticipated which will be led by a strong recovery in the science, manufacturing and agricultural sectors in the years ahead. A robust recovery is also expected for exhibitions in the RM sector through 2013.

For the Industrial/Heavy Machinery and Finished Business Outputs (ID) sector, output suffered prior to 2010, but with the improvement in the economy and a rebound in equipment investment recently, output growth is expected to remain strong from 2011 to 2013.

“In the face of the continuing recession and the weak dollar, manufacturing and exporting will be significant contributors to our struggling economy,” says Yuska. “Exhibitions in this sector are likely to outpace overall exhibition industry growth over the next three years.”

CEIR Predict, to be held on 15 September in New York City at the Time Warner Center, is for qualified, C-level executives with attendance limited to no more than 200 participants including exhibition industry executive decision makers, merger and acquisition firms, private equity firms, debt providers, investment firms and the financial press to allow for an intimate, high-level idea exchange about the future of the exhibition industry and implications for specific business sectors and their supporting exhibitions.

To apply for Predict, visit www.ceir.org/predict. As a part of the registration fee, attendees will be furnished an iPad to use during the conference which includes a specialized app developed for the CEIR Predict event. The app will serve as the portal for all event content and materials to ensure real-time evaluation of specific industry data and a positive correlative experience, and the app will also be used to provide updates throughout the year.

For more information about CEIR Predict visit www.ceir.org/predict or contact Executive Director Cathy Breden, CAE, CMP at cbreden@ceir.org or +1 (972) 687-9201.

CEIR sincerely appreciates the support it has received from sponsors of this year’s Predict.

Title Sponsors
- Global Experience Specialists (GES)
- Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau

Platinum Sponsors
- Freeman
- JEGI – The Jordan Edmiston Group, Inc.
- Messe Frankfurt

Gold Sponsors
- a2z, Inc.
- Metro Toronto Convention Centre
- Reed Exhibitions
- Immersa Marketing

Event Sponsors
- Experient
- Kuehne & Nagel
- Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority
- McCormick Place, an SMG managed facility
- Taptopia

About CEIR
CEIR serves to advance the growth, awareness and value of exhibitions and other face-to-face marketing events by producing and delivering knowledge-based research tools that enable stakeholder organizations to enhance their ability to meet current and emerging customer needs, improve their business performance and strengthen their competitive position. For additional information, visit www.ceir.org.

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Media Contacts:
Susan Brower, CMM, CCP
sbrower@ceir.org
+1 (972) 687-9207

Kasia McManamon
Kasia@glapr.com
+1 (908) 889-8300