Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) 2025

GMID’s 2025 celebration showed just how much the meetings and events industry shaped the world

On Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) 2025, April 3rd, the industry celebrated with a global movement highlighting the impact of meetings, trade shows, conferences, and events, featuring events, open houses, and advocacy efforts across six continents.

When a group of meeting professionals in Edmonton, Canada, came up with the idea to have a day devoted to the profession in the mid 1990s, little did they know their gathering would be the genesis of what is now known as Global Meetings Industry Day.

FURTHER READING: EVENT HORIZON

Meetings and events are essential drivers of economic growth and innovation. In 2024, more than $126 billion in meeting and event-related travel spending took place in the U.S., directly supporting nearly 620,000 American jobs.

Beyond business, meetings and events help drive travel, acting as an indispensable source of visitor spending in many destinations. Hosting an event, convention or trade show stimulates local economies by attracting visitors who stay in hotels, dine in restaurants, shop in stores and bring new revenue to the community.

Whether it’s a conference that sparks new partnerships or a trade show that introduces the latest innovations, meetings deliver value that extends far beyond the event itself.

Here’s a breakdown of some of the ways GMID was celebrated this year:

Meeting Professionals International (MPI) Broadcast: MPI offered an 8-hour free broadcast from 8 am to 4 pm CST, featuring keynotes on AI, sustainability, sleep, contracts, RFPs, resilience, and cultural competency.

U.S. Travel Association Toolkit: U.S. Travel Association provided a toolkit with key messages, graphics, and social media posts to amplify the message that “#MeetingsMatter”.

PCMA Events: PCMA hosted events, including a 50/50 raffle to support Future Business Leaders of America and a session on navigating the future of events.

Global Events: Venues, associations, convention bureaux, and global meetings professionals hosted open houses, lit up buildings in blue, and published economic data on the industry’s impact.

Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID): was an international day of advocacy showcasing the undeniable value that business meetings, trade shows, incentive travel, exhibitions, conferences and conventions brought to people, businesses and communities.

SITE Global: hosted a virtual event with a live broadcast from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. US Central Time.

Cvent: hosted an event in Charlotte, NC, celebrating the economic impact of events.

MPI Chapters: shared updates each hour during the MPI broadcast.

Hourly State of the Industry Snapshots: were delivered by industry leaders like Amanda Armstrong, Geoff Freeman, Rebecca DeLuca, Rob Adams, and Valeria Serrano.

Supplier EXPO: offered a unique opportunity to connect with industry suppliers and learn about the latest products, services, and sustainable efforts.

Roundtable Discussions: focused on different topics impacting event professionals.

Any thoughts, opinions, or news? Please share them with me at vince@meetingsevents.com.

Walking the Tariff Tightrope

The meetings, events, and hospitality industries are facing a shifting economic reality as tariffs on essential materials like steel, aluminum, and gasoline continue their upward trajectory. From escalating construction costs for venues to soaring expenses for transportation and logistics, event planners and developers are grappling with a new cost landscape.

Lake of the Torches Resort Casino

Introducing Lac du Flambeau Casino Resort: The perfect venue for unforgettable meetings and events! Conveniently located amidst the breathtaking beauty of Northern Wisconsin, our resort offers a harmonious blend of modern amenities and natural surroundings. The conference center is situated on the shores of Lake Pokegama nestled in Wisconsin’s Northwoods, providing a classic Northern retreat feel that reflects its Ojibwe culture and heritage. The casino has slot machines and table games, dining in the Eagle’s Nest Restaurant and Woody’s Bar & Grill, and 101 well-appointed rooms. The 8,500 square-foot Convention Center with the Hall of Nations offers an outstanding venue for entertainment, receptions, trade shows, meetings, presentations, and seminars. The Convention Center can accommodate up to 800 people. Call 1-800-25-TORCH for more information.

The Edgewater Hotel

The Edgewater Hotel in Madison, Wisconsin is an ideal location for hosting meetings and events. The hotel is located in the heart of Madison, next door to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and within a short walking distance of the Capitol Square and downtown. The hotel has over 14,000 square feet of indoor space including seven breakout rooms, multiple ballrooms, and four special event spaces that can be configured to support your meeting or event. The Grand Ballroom and Terraces, The Madison Room, The Mendota Ballroom, The Red Crown Club, and The Sky Bar are some of the venues available for hosting events. The hotel offers first-class meeting and banquet facilities with the latest A/V equipment and is staffed with in-house A/V technicians. Contact their sales team at sales@theedgewater.com to start planning your event today.