Return to bigger E3 in 2009 tripled show revenues
Trade show brought in $11.76 million compared to 2008's $3.24 million
LA trade show E3 tripled its revenues in 2009 when it returned to a large-scale format after experimenting with a smaller show during the previous two years.
The show scaled back in 2007 when it moved to Santa Monica from its usual LA Convention Centre home in an attempt to rein in costs - upping membership fees for the ESA to balance the reduced income. That increase failed to cover the loss in income from the reduction in size, so the ESA returned to the LACC in 2008, albeit not on the scale which it had in previous years.
2009 was the year which marked a return to a large show, at the behest of attendees and exhibitors alike. Revenues tripled from the $3.24 million in 2008 to $11.76 million, GameSpot reports.
However, ESA membership revenues continue to decline, with drop of around 20 per cent year on year leading to a membership revenue of $12.26 million in 2009. Outside of E3 and membership fees, the ESA major income is from US Entertainment Software Rating Board rating fees.