Global Meetings Industry Day Lands This Week

By Todd McElwee

 

From Washington, D.C., to Zimbabwe, onsite and online events will highlight the significance of meetings and events on Global Meetings Industry Day, May 6.

 

“Each year, Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) brings the global business events community together to spotlight the powerful role meetings, conferences, exhibitions and incentive travel play in driving progress,” the Events Industry Council (EIC) said.

 

“Business events create the space where ideas are shared, partnerships are formed and innovation begins. They bring people together across industries and borders to exchange knowledge, strengthen relationships and unlock new opportunities. More than gatherings, business events are catalysts—generating economic impact while creating the human connections that move industries and communities forward.”

 

“Meeting Matters” is an eight-hour long broadcast from MPI. This year’s GMID broadcast includes a lineup of thought leaders, subject matter experts, advocates and influencers who MPI said will “inspire, engage and inform.” Annette Gregg, CMM, CEO, Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE); Marsha Flanagan, CEM, President & CEO, IAEE; Adam Sacks, President of Tourism Economics; and Stacey Yates, Chief Marketing Officer, Louisville Tourism, are among those scheduled to appear.

 

Caesars Entertainment is hosting The Power of Gathering: Elevating Experiences. Michael Massari, Chief Sales Officer, Caesars Entertainment; Kelly Gleeson Smith, Sr. Vice President of Sales, Caesars Entertainment; Dena Lowery, President, OPUS Agency; Carina Bauer, CEO, IMEX; Steve O’Malley, President, Maritz; and John Palmisano, AMEX GBT Meetings & Events, will explore the trends and forces shaping the global meetings community.

 

Travel Rally 2026 is being held at Washington, D.C.’s Ben’s Chili Bowl.

 

“Celebrate the power of travel and tourism in Washington, DC and the reopening of a local institution,” Destination DC said. “Join Destination DC, Mayor Bowser, the U.S. Travel Association, Brand USA and fellow industry champions at Ben’s Chili Bowl as we rally around DC’s vital travel and hospitality industry.”

 

The Events Industry Council is hosting an invitation-only event for EIC members and stakeholders at the French embassy in Washington, DC. It will include the first look at the 2026 Global Economic Significance of Business Events Study, a CEO panel and special workforce development component.

 

Developed by EIC in partnership with Oxford Economics, the Global Economic Significance of Business Events Study, is designed to provide updated, credible data on the industry’s global contribution including jobs, business activity and community impact.

 

Globally, The Institute of Events Professionals in Zimbabwe is celebrating virtually as is the Club de Empresas de Turismo de Negocios in Spain. Collective Conversations: Special Global Meetings Industry Day Edition will be held at the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre and is hosted by Spark Event Collective.

 

The GMID initiative began with Canadian Meetings Industry Day, which morphed into 2015’s North American Meetings Industry Day and finally GMID the following year.

 

Find more information here.