Meetings Mean Business Ramps Up Advocacy Efforts Ahead of Midterm Elections
July 12, 2018
The Meetings Mean Business Coalition (MMBC) is working to reinforce the value of face-to-face meetings by reframing its Worth Meeting About campaign during the 2018 midterm election cycle.
Continuing the success of the campaign, the coalition will highlight numerous ways that candidates rely on face-to-face meetings to connect with constituents as well as inform, persuade and recruit supporters, including talking to voters one-on-one, participating in town hall discussions, canvassing neighborhoods, hosting fundraising events or participating in onstage debates with their political opponents.
“As in 2016, we will use the Worth Meeting About campaign to remind government leaders that they, too, leverage the power of face-to-face interactions to do their jobs effectively,” said Paul Van Deventer, president and CEO of Meeting Professionals International and co-chair of MMBC, an industry-wide coalition that showcases the incredible value that business meetings, trade shows, incentive travel, exhibitions, conferences and conventions bring to people, businesses and communities.
He added, “Our goal is to reach those who influence our industry and create policies that allow us to contribute in positive ways to businesses and the economy.”
According to a recent report by Oxford Economics, the meetings industry supports 5.9 million jobs and contributes hundreds of billions of dollars to the nation’s economy, while in 2016 alone, meetings contributed $446 billion in U.S. GDP, generating $104 billion in federal, state and local taxes and saving approximately $879 per U.S. household.
For those industry advocates interested in getting involved, MMBC has put together new resources on its website, including advocacy action items that can be carried out in just 30 seconds or less.
“As all eyes turn toward the elections, we are calling on industry professionals and supporters from the broader business community to lend their voices to the Worth Meeting About campaign,” said Julie Coker Graham, MMBC co-chair and president and CEO of Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau.
She continued, “Together, we will send the message that face-to-face has been at the crux of America’s elections since the nation’s founding. Although technology has shaped how candidates campaign for elected office, the value of face-to-face cannot be underestimated when it comes to the people and issues that will shape our country’s future.”
To learn more about the Meetings Mean Business and Worth Meeting About campaigns, go HERE.
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Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
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