Leaders of the Meetings Mean Business coalition will celebrate the meetings, incentives, conventions, and events (MICE) industry's annual day of advocacy and education with a rally, press conference, and public panel discussion at the Texas State Capitol building in Austin this year.
The newly internationalized Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) is on April 14 and will feature local events around the country and globe. Eighty-eight events were held on last year's North American Meetings Industry Day, generating 3.2 million impressions on social media. The event is designed to raise awareness locally, nationally, and globally about the huge contribution the MICE industry makes to the economy and tax base of cities, states, and countries.
"GMID will unite the meetings industry in a way that has never been done before," said Michael Dominguez, co-chair of Meetings Mean Business and chief sales officer of MGM Resorts International, in a statement. "The growth and success of our industry are critical to the world's economy and we look forward to communicating our value on the global stage."
After the 4:00 pm rally, a panel discussion moderated by Kevin Olsen, founding partner of Keyway LLC, will feature Dominguez and Paul Van Deventer, president & CEO of Meeting Professionals International (MPI); Deborah Sexton, president & CEO of Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA); Cathy Breden, CAE, CMP, executive vice president and COO of International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE); and Ken Sanders, president of Freeman AV. The panel discussion and the question and answer session following it will be streamed live.
Meeting Mean Business expects hundreds of meeting and event professionals, as well as elected officials, business leaders, and local media, to attend. More details and registration information can be found here. <www.mpithcc.org>
"The rally at the State Capitol in Austin provides a local platform where we will demonstrate the impact our industry plays in building personal relationships, driving innovation and positive business outcomes, and supporting strong communities," Van Deventer added.
Local chapters of participating MICE organizations include the following:
• Meeting Professionals International Texas Hill Country Chapter
• International Association of Exhibitions and Events -- Central Texas Chapter
• Professional Convention Management Association -- Lone Star Chapter
• Texas Society of Association Executives (part of ASAE)
• International Association for Venue Management -- Region 6
• Senior Planners Industry Network -- Austin Chapter
• International Special Events Society -- Austin Chapter
• Society for Incentive Travel Excellence -- Texas Chapter
• Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International -- Austin Chapter
• Society of Government Meeting Planners -- Texas Lone Star Chapter
• Austin Hotel and Lodging Association
• International Association of Conference Centres