Mobile, Ala (April 7, 2022) — Visit Mobile joins organizations across the globe to support the annual Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID). GMID, led by the industry advocacy coalition Meetings Mean Business (MMB) and the U.S. Travel Association, showcases the proven value that business meetings, conferences, conventions, incentive travel, trade shows and exhibitions bring to businesses and the economy.
This year’s theme, Meet Safe, will show how safe, productive meetings are taking place now—uniting colleagues and reminding them of the importance of face-to-face interactions.
“When it comes to business meetings, educational conferences and trade shows, there is truly no substitution for a face-to-face interaction,” said David Clark, president and CEO of Visit Mobile. “GMID serves as a reminder of the incredible value of in-person meetings while inspiring business leaders to encourage their teams to get back on the road. The return of professional meetings and business travel is essential for an even recovery of both our local and national travel economy.”
“By nature, we like to come together for the experience of a conference, the excitement of a concert or dinner with colleagues,” said Kendall Wall, general manager of ASM Global-Mobile. “Already this year, we have welcomed groups from varying industries such as environmental, high tech, health and medical, education and more. I look forward to working closely with the Visit Mobile team to help fully resume business travel and in-person professional meetings and events safely and with certainty.”
This year’s GMID is particularly important as the pandemic's decline has underscored the urgency of restoring the meetings and events sector. According to Tourism Economics, the U.S. saw a decrease of $370 billion in business travel spending in the U.S. in 2020 and 2021—$180 billion due to the decline in meetings, conventions and trade shows. Despite making up 20% of total trip volume, business travelers accounted for 40-60% of lodging and air revenue pre-pandemic.
“Our national sales team continues to promote meetings and conventions while being flexible and creative to support the client’s needs,” said Patty Kieffer, vice president of convention sales and leisure tourism for Visit Mobile. “ With a dedicated focus on safety protocols, hybrid events, and outdoor venue options we believe we can continue to be innovative and collaborate in a way that will make organizations feel safe and comfortable to return to face-to-face meetings.”
GMID was created in 2016 to raise the profile of the meetings and events industry. As many GMID celebrations went virtual in the last two years, professional meeting planners are eager to welcome the return of in-person events in 2022. According to the Global Business Travel Association, more than half of business travelers miss traveling and hope to more often in the near future. To learn more about Global Meetings Industry Day, click here.
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About Visit Mobile:
Visit Mobile is the official destination marketing organization responsible for attracting visitors and conventions to the Mobile area. To learn more about our historic destination and find out why Mobile is the city that’s Born to Celebrate, visit mobile.org. This convention and visitors bureau is an accredited Destination International Marketing Organization.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Andrew Felts; C: 251.333.8621; afelts@mobile.org