On April 3, organizations across the world are celebrating Global Meetings Industry Day, emphasizing that "Meetings Matter." This day highlights the benefits of business events, including economic growth, career opportunities, and networking through meetings, conventions, trade shows, and conferences.
“In-person gatherings are the heartbeat of business and connection, indispensable to every industry,” said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman. “On Global Meetings Industry Day, we spotlight this powerful industry’s ability to spark economic growth, elevate organizational success, inspire personal development and forge the alliances that strengthen our industry.”
“Nothing replaces the power of in-person connection. Face-to-face meetings build trust, foster collaboration and spark ideas that fuel innovation,” said Bill Hornbuckle, chief executive officer and president of MGM Resorts International and U.S. Travel National Chair. “From boardrooms to convention centers, these gatherings drive progress across all industries—whether in technology, healthcare, education or manufacturing.”
In 2024, spending on meetings and event-related travel reached $126 billion in the U.S.—directly supporting nearly 620,000 American jobs. Globally, business events are a $1.6 trillion economic powerhouse. Hosting events, conventions or trade shows energizes a region’s economy through bookings at event and meeting facilities, stays in local hotels, dining in restaurants and shopping at local retail stores—revenue and employment opportunities critical to the success of local economies.
Developing and deepening relationships is critical to business achievement, and meeting in person amplifies these ties and cooperative efforts. Data from a Freeman report shows 95 percent of in-person attendees trusted brands more after an event, with brand recognition and new clientele also seeing positive impacts from live events. According to a meetings and events trends report from Hilton, 71 percent of respondents agree that they have met someone at a work event who has helped them further their career. The report elevates the industry’s importance—analyzing data and trends to illustrate how in-person meetings continue to evolve to better foster the evolution of people, companies, communities, industries and the world.
GMID 2025 Events and Activations
Here is how businesses and organizations across the U.S. are planning to celebrate this year’s GMID:
- Hilton is holding the "World’s Most Welcoming Events Big Idea Contest," celebrating GMID and inviting people to share their big ideas in the events space.
- Meeting Professionals International (MPI) is hosting a 12-hour broadcast featuring industry leaders sharing insights and experiences on the impact of meetings.
- Industry Exchange 2025, presented by a coalition of industry organizations in the Chicago Area including Chapters of ILEA, MPI, NACE PCMA, SITE along with the Association Forum, Destination Reps and Choose Chicago, is bringing together Chicago meeting and event industry professionals to celebrate GMID.
- New Orleans & Company is hosting a panel discussion at the 2025 Power Up: Women’s Leadership Conference on April 3, connecting hundreds of businesswomen to accelerate professional development.
GMID is powered by the U.S. Travel Association’s Meetings Mean Business Coalition, co-chaired by Meet Boston President and CEO Martha Sheridan and MGM Resorts International Senior Vice President and Chief Sales Officer Stephanie Glanzer.
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