3 Reasons to Participate in Global Meetings Industry Day

By Karen Kotowski, CEO of Convention Industry Council

On April 14, 2016, leaders from across the meetings and events industry will come together to showcase the real impact that business meetings, conferences, conventions, incentive travel, trade shows and exhibitions have on people, business and local economies. They’ll work with their communities to host advocacy events and rallies, issue proclamations and champion the value of the meetings and events industry on social media.

In this way, Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) promises to be even better than its predecessor. North American Meetings Industry Day (NAMID), held for the first time in 2015, was a testament to the strength and value of our industry across the U.S., Canada, Mexico and parts of Latin America. It resulted in 88 events, more than 60 articles, 3.2 million social media impressions and a trending hashtag on Twitter.

In 2016, we’ll build on that success. And because meetings industry professionals know a thing or two about planning a great event, we hope you’ll consider these reasons for hosting a GMID event (or participating in another way):

  1. To help raise the industry’s profile. GMID is an opportunity to engage with business leaders, elected officials, journalists and members of the general public to bring our industry story to the forefront. It’s a chance for us to come together on a single day and champion who we are and what we do with one loud and powerful voice.

  2. To shine a light on the value we provide each and every day. The benefits our industry provides often go unnoticed. By recruiting individuals and organizations from every corner of the globe, we’ll use GMID to demonstrate the critical role that meetings play in developing personal connections, driving positive business outcomes and building strong local communities. Personal stories, tangible examples and proof points on the impact meetings have can go a very long way in making our case through the media, online and at events. Meetings mean jobs, education and training, cross-industry collaboration and billions of dollars in revenue. And we want everyone to know.

  3. To make history. GMID will unite the meetings industry in a way that has never been done before. It will galvanize advocates – from the grasstops to the grassroots – and offer an opportunity to be a part of something bigger than ourselves.
Here’s what you can do: First, sign up here and let us know that you’re interested in being a part of GMID. Second, visit www.MeetingsMeanBusiness.com/GMID to learn more about the resources available to you and your colleagues. How you participate is entirely up to you, but our hope is that it doesn’t require too much legwork! That’s why we’ve created a toolkit of materials for event hosts, including ideas for event day activities, a template press release, sample social media and newsletter copy – with even more resources to come.

Have a question about GMID or any idea you’d like to share? Email the team at gmid@meetingsmeanbusiness.com or tweet using #GMID16.

Have a GMID event planned already? Register it here.

Events Industry Council