68% of attendees check in within the first two hours
What check-in data from a season of shows says about when visitors arrive, and how to plan for it.
We looked at check-in times across a season of trade shows and conferences. The pattern was the same at almost every event: a sharp peak right after the doors open, then a long, quiet tail.
- 68%check in within two hours
- 41%arrive in the first hour
- 3×busier than the daily average at peak
What it means for staffing
Put most of your gate staff on the first two hours, then move them to the floor, the info desk or exhibitor support.
What it means for kiosks
Plan the number of kiosks for the peak. A kiosk that sits idle in the afternoon has still done its job if it kept the morning queue short.
