If the world is our oyster, overseas expos represent a veritable raw bar of opportunities. And according to the results of our 2019 International Exhibiting Survey, the majority of U.S. companies are bellying up to shuck their fair share. Fifty-two percent of the more than 200 American companies surveyed are currently exhibiting outside the United States, and nearly seven out of 10 have at least tentative plans to do so in the next three years. Compared to research conducted by EXHIBITOR in 2017, it appears slightly fewer U.S. organizations are actively pursuing international markets, but those that are seem to be committing to that investiture by targeting even more overseas events than they were just two years ago — and more than double the number they were attending in 2013.

Despite the fact that shipping represents the most significant hurdle to international exhibiting, nearly a quarter of U.S. companies that exhibit overseas still ship their booths, often enlisting a freight forwarder, shipping agent, customs broker, or clearance agent. However, most U.S. companies exhibiting internationally sidestep shipping by opting for rental exhibits and/or build-and-burn booths.

The following pages contain key data points culled from our 2019 International Exhibiting Survey. For more of EXHIBITOR's research on the exhibit and event industries, visit www.ExhibitorOnline.com/Research.