Cendyn and Amadeus Report Strong Growth Metrics for U.S. Events

Q1 2025 Hospitality Group and Business Performance Index shows overall health index highest in four quarters, strong group performance, and indirect channel growth

May 8, 2025 – Cendyn, a global integrated hotel technology and services company, and Amadeus, one of the leading travel technology companies, today released metrics from the companies’ Hospitality Group and Business Performance Index (the “Index”). The overall health index reached the highest level in four quarters. The aggregated Index reflected performance for all segments – Group, Corporate Negotiated, GDS, and Events – and shows Q1 2025 achieved 109.1 percent compared to 2024. Top overall health index markets include:

1. St. Louis 121.0 percent
2. Philadelphia 117.1 percent
3. New Orleans 115.9 percent
4. New York City 115.6 percent
5. Tampa 114.6 percent
6. Austin 113.0 percent
7. Phoenix 112.0 percent
8. Chicago 111.3 percent
9. Houston 110.8 percent
10. Miami 110.8 percent

In addition, the top growth markets specific to Group performance were New Orleans (156.4 percent), Philadelphia (124.3 percent), Washington D.C. (118.5 percent), San Francisco (112.9 percent), and Chicago (112.5 percent).

The Index combines event data from Knowland by Cendyn with hotel booking data from Amadeus’ Demand360® business intelligence solution to provide aggregate views of the key drivers of hotel performance. The aggregated index reflects performance or “health” for all segments – Group, Corporate Negotiated, Global Distribution System (GDS), and Events. It offers filters for event market segments and booking industries, empowering hoteliers, destination marketing organizations, and convention and visitor bureaus to adapt strategies effectively.

Key insights from the Index are as follows:  

• Overall health index once again reaches highest level in four quarters. The aggregated Index reflects performance for all segments – Group, Corporate Negotiated, GDS, and Events – and shows that Q1 2025 achieved 109.1 percent compared to 2024.
• Strong group performance continues. The Group Index was at 107.4 percent due to a 2.6 percent increase in room nights and a 4.7 percent increase in average daily rate (ADR) with ten consecutive quarters of growth.
• Indirect channels show ongoing growth. Overall, GDS grew again this quarter, at 109.5 percent, compared to Q1 last year. This was due to a 7.4 percent increase in room nights and a 2.0 percent increase in ADR.
• Negotiated performance increases. The Negotiated Index score was 104.8 percent due to a 1.2 percent increase in room nights and a 3.5 percent increase in ADR.
• Events lead in growth. The highest segment and almost equivalent to last quarter’s volume, event volume was 114.6 percent versus the same period the previous year.
• Meetings spur growth opportunities. Hotels of all sizes experienced growth in Q1 due to the meetings and events industry. The average attendee size held steady at 146 guests. The average space used was higher than in Q4 2024, moving from 3,410 sq.ft. to 4,186 sq.ft. St. Louis meeting volume was the highest, at 171.8 percent, Austin was 131.1 percent, and Philadelphia was 129.6 percent.

Go here to download the full report.

By using industry-leading data from Knowland by Cendyn and Amadeus’ Demand360®, along with the industry-leading sales and catering solution, Amadeus’ Delphi®, hoteliers can develop precise, data-driven strategies to boost group sales and efficiently manage the entire process from lead to event execution.

ABOUT THE HOSPITALITY GROUP & BUSINESS PERFORMANCE INDEX METHODOLOGY 
The Hospitality Group & Business Performance Index uses a multi-factor weighting system that balances metrics such as group, corporate transient, and GDS room nights with average daily rate (ADR) performance. Each factor is averaged to provide a final index score, ensuring a more accurate overall performance assessment.