April 4 is Global Meetings Industry Day 2019. Led by the Meetings Mean Business Coalition, GMID brings together event professionals around the world to champion the positive impact meetings and events have for business, communities and individuals.

MMBC believes in the power of face-to-face interaction, and that great things happen when people come together — as it states in the mission for both GMID and its Meetings Mean Business campaign, “deals are struck, relationships are forged and ideas are gathered.”

Research supports these assumptions. Did you know that meetings held in the United States contribute more to national gross domestic product than the air transportation, motion picture, sound recording, performing arts and spectator sport industries? 

In 2017, business events involved more than 1.5 billion participants across 180 countries, according to the November 2018 Global Economic Significance of Business Events study commissioned by the Events Industry Council. This study also shows that the meetings industry has a $2.65 trillion global economic impact.

MMBC reports that there were 206 registered GMID events in 2018, including rallies, press conferences, speaking panels, educational events and award presentations. And the advocacy paid off: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau even issued a proclamation championing event professionals.

Industry associations and organizations around the world are banding together to rally and host events and activities, some educational and some focused on networking. Raising awareness of the importance of events at all levels is taking place, and MMBC expects there to be even more GMID events held this year than last.

Here are a few suggestions on ways you can support and advocate for our industry:

•    Engage with local elected officials and business leaders

•    Participate in the online conversation with #GMID19

•    Spread the word about GMID to your networks

•    Attend an event taking place in your community

Find a GMID event near you HERE, or find out how you can host your own HERE.

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