Meetings and events industry leaders from around the world are coming together to support the fourth annual Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) this Thursday.
The Meetings Mean Business Coalition (MMBC) expects that more than 200 GMID events will take place in more than 40 countries this year, including the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Thailand, Mexico, China, Japan, Ukraine, Argentina and New Zealand. Events will include rallies, educational sessions, speaking panels, award presentations, press conferences, as well as speeches from elected officials, according to MMBC.
GMID was originally started to showcase the proven value that face-to-face business meetings, conferences, conventions, incentive travel, trade shows and exhibitions bring to businesses and the economy.
According to research from Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company, face-to-face meetings involved more than 1.5 billion participants across more than 180 countries in 2017. These meetings supported 26 million jobs, created $2.5 trillion in total economic impact and $1.5 trillion in total GDP.
Based on the total GDP supported by meetings, if the industry were a country, it would have the 14th largest economy in the world.
Based on the total GDP supported by meetings, if the industry were a country, it would have the 14th largest economy in the world.
“GMID provides a platform for us to come together with leaders in business, government and the media to demonstrate the significant impact our industry provides,” said Julie Coker Graham, president and CEO of Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau and co-chair of MMBC.
GMID 2018 resulted in 206 events in 41 countries. To ensure GMID 2019 is bigger this year, MMBC challenged event hosts to reach out beyond the meetings industry and help boost GMID participation among leaders in priority business sectors — health care, financial services and technology — as well as local elected officials and members of the media.
“This year, we’re seeing outside participation at record levels – through GMID proclamations, events and statements of support,” said Trina Camacho-London, vice president of global group sales at Hyatt Hotels Corporation and recently appointed MMBC co-chair. “We couldn’t be more thrilled with the outpouring of stats and stories shared online, in the media and among third-party validators and supporters.”
Highlight events this year include:
- NYC & Company is illuminating in blue–the signature color of MMBC–the Coney Island Parachute, Empire State Building, Javits Center, One World Trade Center, One Bryant Park, 151 West 42 and Pier 17 at Seaport District.
- The CN Tower in Toronto will be illuminated in blue to celebrate GMID by MMB Canada.
- PCMA is hosting a Knowledge Exchange in South Korea, focusing on regional education to engage local audiences, as well as deliver business events education and connections.
- MPISCC, SITE SoCal, PCMA Southwest & Pacific, and ILEA are hosting an event at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl stadium. The networking reception will bring together 300-500 meeting industry professionals.
- MPI-CAC, ILEA, PCMA GMC, IAEE, SITE, NACE, CEC, EDPA and Association Forum are co-hosting the annual Industry Xchange in Chicago, which connects local industry associations and hundreds of hospitality professionals for curated conversations on the business of meetings and events as well as other pressing issues.
For a full list of all registered GMID events check here.
