U.S. Travel Association has designated April 3 as Global Meetings Industry Day, an annual international event celebrating the major impact meetings, conferences, trade shows and exhibitions have on people, businesses and communities.
Global Meetings Industry Day, or GMID as most call it, has roots that go back more than two decades in Canada. It started as National Meetings Industry Day, thanks to the passion and dedication of the Canadian MPI chapters. In 2015, that spirit spread across the continent, evolving into North American Meetings Industry Day with the help of the Meetings Mean Business coalition. Just a year later, in 2016, it officially went global—and the celebration has only grown from there.
Today, GMID is championed by Meetings Mean Business as part of U.S. Travel Association. But it’s far from a one-organization effort—industry groups, chapters and professionals all over the world come together each year to recognize and celebrate the incredible impact of meetings and events.
Various organizations worldwide will host events and activities, both online and in person, to highlight the value of the meetings industry. Read on to find out how you can join the party!
SITE/MPI Global Meetings Industry Day Broadcast
The Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) in partnership with Meeting Professionals International (MPI) is hosting a 12-hour live broadcast from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. US Central Time. This virtual event features educational sessions and activities from around the world, celebrating the global impact of meetings and events.
SITE Northern California
On the in-person side of the celebration, SITE Northern California Chapter will host a lunch mixer from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Merchants Exchange Club San Francisco.
Meetings Mean Business Canada’s GMID Events
In Canada, the Meetings Mean Business coalition coordinates events to recognize the positive social and economic benefits of meetings, trade shows and exhibitions. This year’s event locations are Toronto, Ottawa, Halifax, Greater Edmonton and Calgary.
Meetings Industry Council of Colorado’s GMID Celebration
The Meetings Industry Council (MIC) of Colorado will be hosting an event in Denver to commemorate GMID, focusing on creating connections and fostering growth within Colorado’s meetings and events industry.
Discover Lehigh Valley’s GMID Toolkit
Discover Lehigh Valley provides resources to support GMID, emphasizing the value of business meetings and events to the local economy.
MPI Virginia Chapter’s GMID Celebration
The Meeting Professionals International (MPI) Virginia Chapter has scheduled a day-long celebration on April 3, 2025, to recognize GMID.
PCMA Events
Washington, D.C., Event: PCMA is hosting “Adapt, Innovate, Lead: Shaping the Future of the Global Meeting Industry” on April 3, 2025, at the Ronald Reagan Building’s Rotunda in Washington, D.C. This event will explore transformative trends in the meetings industry, featuring discussions on emerging technologies, evolving audience preferences and innovative leadership practices. The agenda includes a fireside chat with industry experts and a networking reception.
Philadelphia Event: The PCMA Greater Philadelphia Chapter is organizing “Global Meetings Industry Day in Philadelphia: Navigating the Future of Events in a Changing World” on April 3, 2025, at Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia. This program features sessions on the state of the global meetings industry and strategies for hosting mega events, with insights from top industry leaders.
