The Meetings Mean Business Coalition (MMBC) and leaders from across the meetings industry are joining together today for the second annual Global Meetings Industry Day (#GMID17), with more than 100 events in 90-plus locations spanning nearly 25 countries and six continents.

This international day of advocacy showcases the real impact that business meetings, conferences, conventions, incentive travel, trade shows and exhibitions have on people, business and communities.

Thousands of industry professionals are participating in today’s events, coupled with a robust social conversation to ensure that elected officials, business leaders, the media and other decision makers understand the tremendous value face-to-face meetings play in generating business success, creating jobs and driving economic growth. 

“Advocating for our industry on a global level helps people all over the world understand the unique value of in-person meetings,” said Richard Harper, MMBC co-chair and executive vice president of HelmsBriscoe.

He added, “GMID helps galvanize grassroots advocates to emphasize not only the unmistakable economic impact, but the way people and communities in every corner of the globe benefit.”

Today’s activities include a wide range of events organized by industry partners across the globe that allow meeting professionals to connect on a large scale and celebrate the hard work being done to advance the industry.

More than 175 industry organizations and chapters are hosting or co-hosting events. Here are just a few:

· The illumination of the Empire State Building in blue to celebrate GMID and recognition across New York City including a large-scale ad in Times Square

· A forum discussing sustainable meetings and events in Lusaka, Zambia

· Educational programming and networking sessions in four cities across Spain

· A proclamation from the Chief Minister of Penang, Malaysia

· A panel and educational sessions on the impact of face-to-face in Atlantic City, New Jersey

· A breakfast celebrating the contribution of women in the meetings industry in Wellington, New Zealand

· Rotating meetings scenarios on the High Roller Observation Wheel in Las Vegas, Nevada

· A question-and-answer session for new meeting professionals in Toronto, Canada

· A press conference with local elected officials in Panama City, Panama

· A networking reception for hospitality associations at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California

“GMID empowers meeting professionals and leaders in local communities by providing a platform to globalize the industry’s value story and this year’s day of advocacy has seen increased collaboration between organizations,” said Paul Van Deventer, MMBC co-chair and president and chief executive officer of Meeting Professionals International.

He added, “Harnessing the excitement and energy of these professionals allows the industry to demonstrate that face-to-face meetings contribute to local communities and businesses, no matter the place.”

GMID’s foundation began with Canadian Meetings Industry Day, a longstanding annual tradition that then grew into 2015’s North American Meetings Industry Day (NAMID). Last year was the first global expansion.

To learn more about GMID, visit http://www.meetingsmeanbusiness.com/GMID. Follow and participate in today’s digital conversations @MeetingsMeanBiz on Twitter and by using the hashtag #GMID17 and #MMBusiness.