Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) has normally been a time when the meeting and event industry comes together face-to-face across the globe to celebrate and educate communities about the value and economic impact of meetings and events.
While this year has been anything but normal due to the far-reaching impact of the novel coronavirus, MPI is bringing the meeting industry together for a day of education and inspiration during its free, 12-hour live event, Global Meetings Industry Day: Virtual on April 14.
This is the third year MPI has hosted a GMID broadcast, and more than 7,000 people have registered for this upcoming event, which runs from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST (13:00 to 01:00 Central European Time). Post-event, the content will be archived and accessible for on-demand viewing by registered attendees only.
“What is happening with our industry because of the pandemic is shocking and scary,” said Annette Gregg, CMM, senior vice president for experience at MPI. “We’ve been through other crises, but nothing as fast and extensive as this, affecting every sector of our business events industry. Our goal is to give event and hospitality professionals a powerful day of inspiration, useful education and industry insight so they feel the collective power of our global event community and find hope for the recovery.”
One of the key sessions during the day-long broadcast is the State of the Industry Leadership Panel Discussion (1:45 p.m.-2:30 p.m. CST), featuring industry leaders Roger Dow, president and CEO of the US Travel Association; Steve O’Malley, division president at Maritz Travel and chair of MPI’s International Board of Directors; Susan Robertson, president and CEO at ASAE; Amy Calvert, CEO of the Events Industry Council; Jason Dunn, group vice president for Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau and chair of the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals (NCBMP); and Paul Van Deventer, president and CEO at MPI.
“As we all know, the world has been turned upside down with this current global crisis,” said Lori Pugh Marcum, CMP, CMM, CED, HMCC, head of meeting innovation for MPI and the host of the event. “Now more than ever, it’s important for the meeting and event industry to connect and hear from world-renowned leaders on how to move forward.”
The program is filled with a range of education components including sessions on event design, a virtual mindfulness lounge with Lee Papa, pivoting to a lean and agile culture, and how to transition events to virtual and engage your audience.
The MPI event will join #GMIDGoesVirtual at 11 a.m. CST as part of an effort to break the Guinness World Record for largest audience for a live-streamed event.
MPI’s program will then continue with sessions on sustainability, a case study discussion on Pivot to Virtual powered by PSAV, a legal panel, marketing, crisis communication and more.
“Given the current crisis, it has never been more important for our global industry to connect, share stories of hardship and success, focus on business continuity and personal health and look forward to—and recognize—our roles in sustainable recovery,” said Jessie States, CMP, CMM, director of the MPI Academy. “While none of us can meet face-to-face for the wellbeing of all people, we must take advantage of this one opportunity to join virtual hands and help one another and our industry through crisis.
“Participants will find strength and solace in their peers. Knowing that none of us are alone, we will focus on the skills and tools we need to weather this storm the only way we know how—together.”
Several of MPI’s international chapters are participating, including those from The Netherlands, UK & Ireland, Poland, Turkey, Italia, France, Montreal, Belgium and Caribe Mexicano chapters.
In addition, MPI Europe will conduct its own virtual event for meeting professionals to connect just prior to MPI’s global broadcast. The European event begins at 9 a.m. CEST and continues for four hours. Speakers will include Pieter Allaerts, chair of MPI’s European Advisory Council, and MPI members such as Paula Blomster, Marjolein Blok-Dignum and Elina Jutelyte. Kjell Lutz is the webinar host and speaker. Learn more and sign up. After the European event, attendees can then join MPI’s global broadcast.
“We have curated useful presentations and content to help professionals navigate a new normal under COVID-19, along with sessions to us personally through this unprecedented time,” Gregg said. “The programming will provide education reflecting a strong balance of personal and professional resources. We know a recovery will come. The more resilient our industry is and the faster we can rebound will be dependent on how we collectively find solutions and work together. We are hoping this is a catalyst for those collaborations and an inspiration to us all.”
Face-to-face meetings are a staple of the global economy. The 2017 report Global Economic Significance of Business Events showed that face-to-face meetings resulted in US$1.03 trillion in direct spend to the economy. The study also showed that in 2017, more than 1.4 billion participants from more than 180 countries attended meetings and events.
The $1.03 trillion reflects the direct spending from planning, producing, attending and/or hosting business events that include meetings, conferences, conventions, exhibitions and incentive travel.
The streaming GMID event is free to all MPI members and non-members. Go here to learn more about the event and to register.
The event is sponsored by Delta Airlines, Discover Puerto Rico, VisitDallas, Marriott Hotels & Resorts and Destination Colorado.
