CIC Helps Celebrate a Successful North American Meetings Industry Day

CIC was pleased to help lead the effort on the first North American Meetings Industry Day this past April 16, an effort driven substantially through CIC’s member organizations and their chapters. As part of the Meetings Mean Business Campaign, this nationwide day of advocacy spotlighted the substantial value derived from meetings, conferences, conventions, incentive travel, trade shows and exhibitions. The MMB coalition members from the United States, Canada and Mexico, hosted events in communities all across their respective countries.

Seventy-three events were held on and around April 16 – eight in Canada, 16 in Mexico, 47 in the U.S. and two in Guatemala. In addition, our member COCAL, which is a South American-based association, has supported our effort through social media efforts in seven countries.

CIC CEO Karen Kotowski joined several other industry leaders at the PCMA Capital Chapter’s "Education, Rally and Reception" event at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. Joining a dynamic list of speakers, including:

Bill Reed, CMP, President-Elect, PCMA, and Senior Director of Meetings, American Society of Hematology
Nan Marchand Beauvois, Vice President, U.S. Travel Association
Charles Jeffers II, Chief Operating Officer, Destination Marketing Association International
Greg O'Dell, President & CEO, Events DC
Kimberly Lewis, Senior VP, U.S. Green Building Council
Chad Chappell, Director of Sales, Visit Baltimore

The event updated a packed room of attendees on the latest legislative and legal trends affecting our industry and shared next steps on how meeting professionals can advocate for the industry. The day was capped off with a Rally for the Industry and reception. For more photos from the event, visit our Facebook page.

If you missed it, follow the digital conversations that happened on Twitter using the hashtags #MMBusiness with #NAMID and #NAMID15. #CICAPEX Chair Michael Owen shared his thoughts on the importance of advocacy on #NAMID and every day, as well as how he has seen it working locally. Check out his thoughts here.

Discussions are already underway for next year. Until then, go out and tell our story and keep the Meetings Industry Spirit and message alive throughout the year, not just on April 16!

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