Global Meetings Industry Day – April 12th, 2018

April 12, 2018                                                                                   

Contact:  Frankie Mason

902-478-1026

Frankie.mason@freemanco.com

MPI ATLANTIC CANADA CHAPTER to participate in THIRD ANNUAL Global Meetings Industry Day

HALIFAX – Today, MPI Atlantic joins organizations across six continents to support the third annual Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID). GMID, led by the industry advocacy coalition Meetings Mean Business (MMB), showcases the proven value that business meetings, conferences, conventions, incentive travel, trade shows and exhibitions bring to businesses and the economy.

New research from Oxford Economics affirms that in a single year – and despite a continued rise in virtual communications options – face-to-face meetings and events supported 5.9 million jobs and $845 billion in economic impact in the United States.

To shine a light on these results and others, GMID brings together thousands of industry professionals and third-party allies to host rallies, educational panels, networking sessions and more.

“The participation of organizations such as MPI Atlantic Canada is critical to GMID’s success,” said Paul Van Deventer, president and CEO of Meeting Professionals International and co-chair of MMB. “It reveals the true convening power of our industry and connects the work we do every day to the long-term impact we have for businesses and economies around the world.”

MPI Atlantic is hosting a curated networking session at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel, followed by a lunch and address by Mayor Mike Savage.

“This is the first time our chapter has hosted a curated, scheduled networking event such as this. We have 80 people confirmed for the event which is now sold out. I think participants will be making a lot of amazing, new connections and really that’s what this event is all about. As our promotional material said – relationships start here and it’s so true.” says Claudia Habib, President of MPI Atlantic.

GMID was created in 2016 to raise the profile of the meetings and events industry, and last year, involved meeting professional organizations, association chapters, corporations, destinations, elected officials and business leaders. Events were held throughout North America, Latin America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia along with robust conversations online and over 40 million social media impressions. Proclamations of support were issued by the governors of Washington, Texas and Minnesota, along with the mayors and city officials of Seattle, Chicago, Philadelphia, Austin, Baton Rouge, Atlantic City, Broward County, FL, Erie County, NY, Edmonton, Vancouver, Ottawa and Penang, Malaysia. The Empire State Building was illuminated in blue in celebration of GMID for the second consecutive year.

“Since its inception, GMID has galvanized partners globally and empowered advocates to communicate our industry’s ability to drive bottom line results,” said Julie Coker Graham, president and CEO of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau and co-chair of MMB. “GMID is a testament to the dedication and fierce passion industry professionals bring to colleagues, clients and communities.”

To learn more about GMID, click here for information and resources. Participate in the digital conversations by following @MeetingsMeanBiz on Twitter, using #GMID18 and watching the live-stream of events provided here by MPI.

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About MPI Atlantic Canada Chapter
The voice of the meetings and events industry in Atlantic Canada. We connect, educate and influence those impacted by the meetings and events community. The MPI Atlantic Chapter was chartered in 2005. Since that time there has been great energy and focus to be the voice of our industry and ensure quality education is delivered to our members in Atlantic Canada.

About Meetings Mean Business
Meetings Mean Business is an industry-wide coalition to showcase the undeniable value that business meetings, trade shows, incentive travel, exhibitions, conferences and conventions bring to people, businesses and communities. By rallying industry advocates, working with stakeholders, conducting original research, engaging with outside voices and more, the coalition brings the industry together to emphasize its importance. Comprised of over 60 members, the coalition unites the meetings industry with one strong and powerful voice. For more information, visit www.MeetingsMeanBusiness.com.