Finals attendance from '95 to '07

[garfield]

It seems that those of us who have presumed that paid finals attendance has declined over the years have been incorrect (at least during the 13 years from 1995 to 2007). I made this chart using MikeD's posted attendance data (source: DCI and others) along with GDP data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis in order to determine if the economy has had a noticable impact on finals attendance. While it's difficult to claim from this chart that attendance follows the economy closely, what jumped out at me is the consistency of the gains in attendance trends during this time frame. For that I'm quite happy, as I was one who presumed that attendance had been declining. It also may be fodder for the contention that DCI is "in trouble" when added to the retained earnings that DCI booked in 2009.

Considering that there are identifiable times when attendance suffered and rose as the economy waxed and waned I would not be surprised at all if 2008 to 2010 attendance was down in those years.

It's also possible that prior noticeable changes in attendance were the result of other factors, such as 3 years in Orlando, the return to Madison, or the outstanding attendance at Pasadena.

(Thanks to Hrothgar for the posting tip! )

Edited October 6, 2010 by garfield

[Zeke]

It seems that those of us who have presumed that paid finals attendance has declined over the years have been incorrect (at least during the 13 years from 1995 to 2007). I made this chart using MikeD's posted attendance data (source: DCI and others) along with GDP data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis in order to determine if the economy has had a noticable impact on finals attendance. While it's difficult to claim from this chart that attendance follows the economy closely, what jumped out at me is the consistency of the gains in attendance trends during this time frame. For that I'm quite happy, as I was one who presumed that attendance had been declining. It also may be fodder for the contention that DCI is "in trouble" when added to the retained earnings that DCI booked in 2009.

Considering that there are identifiable times when attendance suffered and rose as the economy waxed and waned I would not be surprised at all if 2008 to 2010 attendance was down in those years.

It's also possible that prior noticeable changes in attendance were the result of other factors, such as 3 years in Orlando, the return to Madison, or the outstanding attendance at Pasadena.

http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/2282439/dc...-11-pm-26k?da=y

That link goes to a login screen or sign up. Can you link that differently so we don't have to sign up for something to access your chart/document.

[garfield]

That link goes to a login screen or sign up. Can you link that differently so we don't have to sign up for something to access your chart/document.

I'll also suggest that it's pretty clear that the four years from '01 in Buffalo to '04 in Denver clearly followed the economy upward. ($2 to MikeD on that one!)

Edited October 5, 2010 by garfield

[garfield]

EDIT: trying to embed. I doesn't work. If anyone (mods?) knows how to embed the code as a pic, please help.

Edited October 5, 2010 by garfield

[N.E. Brigand]

Worked for me just now -- took me straight to your chart.

[Zeke]

EDIT: Does it work now?

Thanks..works now.

[INeverMarched]

Please bring Finals back to California.

[FrankBeMe]

GDP isn't the best thing to judge the economic affects on attendance. Things like unemployment, median income, gas prices, inflation, etc would have more of an impact.

[HockeyDad]

GDP isn't the best thing to judge the economic affects on attendance. Things like unemployment, median income, gas prices, inflation, etc would have more of an impact.

Not to mention........Location, location, location

[garfield]

GDP isn't the best thing to judge the economic affects on attendance. Things like unemployment, median income, gas prices, inflation, etc would have more of an impact.

I firmly disagree, Frank. GDP is directly the result of things like unemployment. Median income is a direct reflection of GDP. Gas prices are included in GDP. Inflation (deflation) is a direct result of GDP.

GDP is the best all-inclusive barometer of economic activity, and economic activity is inclusive of all of the factors you identified and many more.

For instance, the last time we had "stagflation" was in the 1970's during the oil crisis. (For all you youngsters, "stagflation" is inflation combined with a stagnant economy. Be thankful, if you're younger than 30, that you've never lived through it!)