Examining Economic Linkages Between the Irish Convention Market and the Rest of the Economy: A Close-Knit Relationship

Abstract

The potential of the convention market to generate economic activity is dependent on the strength of its interindustry linkages with the rest of the economy. These economic linkages vary between countries. Using input-output analysis, this study examines the linkages of the Irish international association convention market with the rest of the economy, and assesses its employment and output generating capacity. Findings show that over two-thirds of convention expenditure is spent in sectors with above average backward linkages. Convention expenditure also has considerable employment creating potential and was estimated to generate 15 full-time equivalent jobs per €1 million of spending.

KEYWORDS:

• input-output
• linkages
• multipliers
• employment
• convention industry

Notes

1. To be included, association meetings must meet the following criteria: be attended by at least 50 participants; be organised on a regular basis (one-time events are not included/first time events are only included if future rotation is known); and move between at least 3 different countries.

2. Using the Euro conversion factor gave an employment multiplier for Henry and Deane's (1997) paper of 42.3 FTE's in 1990 and 36.9 FTE's in 1995 per €1 million of injected expenditure.