A post-event survey of delegates who attended the American Bus Association’s (ABA) 2015 Marketplace, held Jan. 10 to 13 in St. Louis, Mo., found that participants booked nearly $54 million in business at the show or in the weeks immediately after attending.

The total is up $6.67 million over Marketplace 2014, reflecting a 14% increase in business activity actually booked at or directly after the show as a result of connections and relationships made at the event.

The John Dunham and Associates survey reports that 85% of the companies at Marketplace either booked business in St. Louis or would likely book business as a direct result of attending. The survey also pointed out that average booked business as a result of Marketplace is up $11,660 per company from 2014. This figure suggests that companies were more likely this year than in years past to actually conduct business on the Marketplace floor.

“This survey once again shows the real value of attending ABA’s Marketplace. It’s where real business is getting done — every minute the Marketplace Business Floor is open and throughout the event’s many opportunities for networking and building relationships,” said ABA President/CEO Peter Pantuso. “Once again, we thank our friends and colleagues for attending this great event in St. Louis, and we look forward to another business-building Marketplace in Louisville, Ky., in 2016.”