Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) serves as an annual reminder that meetings and events are far more than calendar commitments; they are catalysts for connection, collaboration and progress. Led by the Events Industry Council, this year’s GMID is focused on the role meetings play in driving economic growth, collaboration and human connection.
Across the globe, organizations are marking the occasion through livestreams, networking events, educational sessions and advocacy initiatives. Check out how our industry partners and hospitality friends are celebrating.
Meeting Professionals International
Meeting Professionals International is hosting an eight-hour livestream featuring conversations with industry leaders on topics including AI, personalization, attendee expectations and the future of in-person connection. the livestream, the conversations reflected on how the value of in-person gathering has only grown stronger in a world shaped by digital acceleration and evolving attendee expectations.
Industry leaders are increasingly framing meetings as essential infrastructure for business growth, trust-building and organizational alignment. Thijs Peters, partner at Conventus Consultants and member of the board of directors for Meeting Professionals International, pointed to the growing strategic importance of bringing people together intentionally.
“In dynamic times, people crave meaningful moments of connection more than ever,” Peters said. “And that is exactly why our industry matters more than ever.”
Meetings as Essential Infrastructure
Peters noted that the industry is currently experiencing three major shifts simultaneously. The first is the growing recognition that meetings and events are critical tools for driving change.
“Bringing people together builds trust and guarantees better decision-making,” he said.
Eduardo Galvao, vice president of global luxury sales at Hilton, echoed that sentiment, describing in-person gatherings as increasingly vital in today’s business landscape.
“In a highly digital world, in-person gatherings have become essential infrastructure for trust, collaboration and progress,” Galvao said.
Human Connection in a Tech-Driven Era
The second major shift centers on technology, particularly AI, and its ability to streamline planning and remove operational friction. However, Peters emphasized that technology should support—not replace—the human side of meetings.
“We need to embrace technology, but with intention,” Peters said. “Let it handle the logistical processes and repetitive tasks so we can focus on reading the room, creating alignment and helping clients achieve their goals.”
That sentiment was echoed by Galvao, who said, “AI and digital tools are streamlining planning and enabling personalization,” Galvao said. “But the differentiator is not the technology itself—it’s how thoughtfully it’s applied. The human craft of gathering is still what matters most.”
Outcomes Over Attendance
Galvao also pointed to a major evolution in attendee expectations. According to him, participants are no longer satisfied with passive or overly packed agendas. Instead, they are seeking meaningful experiences that deliver tangible outcomes.
“Attendees expect meetings to be purposeful, well curated and respectful of their time,” Galvao said. “There is less tolerance for filler and much higher expectations for outcomes.”
Peters similarly observed that success can no longer be measured solely by attendance numbers.
“A successful meeting or event is no longer about how many people showed up,” Peters said. “It’s about what changes afterward because those people showed up.”
That focus on outcomes is reshaping how planners, venues and hospitality partners define value. Learning, relationship-building, alignment and long-term impact are becoming increasingly important metrics.
Designing for Belonging
At the same time, both leaders emphasized the importance of designing meetings with people at the center. Galvao stressed that accessibility, inclusion and psychological safety are no longer optional considerations.
“We must design for belonging,” he said. “These are no longer nice-to-haves. They are foundational.”
Sustainability and authentic local partnerships are also becoming larger priorities as organizations look to create experiences that feel both intentional and responsible.
Meetings continue to evolve, but their core purpose remains unchanged. Bringing people together thoughtfully, strategically and intentionally still drives some of the most important business and human outcomes.
As Galvao put it, “The future of meetings is more human, more purposeful and more impactful—and that’s an exciting place for our industry to lead.”
Hilton Hotels
Hilton Hotels kicked off Business Events Industry Week with Hilton Live at Hilton Chicago on Tuesday. The day of education and networking included a focus on the EventReady Playbook, a resource guide with tips on everything from contract negotiations to safety. Individual properties shared updates from across the country. New properties included The Monarch, San Antonio, the newly announced Signia Diplomat Beach Resort and Signia Atlanta. The “approachable luxury” conference hotel brand Signia is one of the company’s growth areas as part of the luxury focus. In addition to Signia La Contera Resort & Spa in San Antonio and Signia San Jose, Signia Indianapolis and Signia Tainan in Taiwan are scheduled to open in 2026.
Personal development demystified networking with confidence skills from Beaumont Etiquette experts, color consulting and mannequin-sized examples of how to communicate dress code expectations to attendees of all ages. Spoiler alert: Remote workers and those recently entering the workplace might not know what business casual means. Spell it out and show pictures so everyone feels comfortable and knows what to expect.
Hilton senior vice president and Global Head of Sales Frank Passanante reported that demand is up at Hilton, but business is taking longer to convert and attendance at some events is down or flat due to uncertainty in the world.
“GMID is a reminder that we have to evolve with the times,” said Passanante. “We have to lead with empathy, intentionality and clarity. We have to be willing to have hard conversations and solve problems.”
New York City Tourism + Conventions
In celebration of GMID, New York City lit up in blue several locations around the city, including Empire Outlets, Javits Center, One Bryant Park, One Five One, One World Trade Center, Pier 17 at The Seaport, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt and Sven.
“On Global Meetings Industry Day, New York City Tourism + Conventions celebrates the essential role meetings, conventions and business events play in driving economic growth, sparking innovation and forging meaningful connections across industries and communities,” said Jerry Cito, chief sales officer for New York City Tourism + Conventions. “In 2025, business travel brought 12.6 million visitors to New York City, demonstrating the power of meeting in person. As highlighted by this year’s GMID theme, business events are a human catalyst for growth, bringing people together to exchange ideas, build partnerships and create lasting impact locally and globally.”
Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
On May 6, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority partnered with local hotels, resorts and venues gathered for a community service initiative to help SafeNest, a Southern Nevada domestic violence shelter. Las Vegas industry partners assembled more than 200 care kits equipped with essentials for job readiness and collected 1,500 pounds of donated professional clothing and accessories in support of domestic violence survivors entering the workforce.
Additional highlights from today’s GMID celebrations include:
- MPI Atlantic Canada Chapter is gathering professionals at the Halifax Convention Centre for networking and conversations focused on resilience and the evolving meetings landscape.
- Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) POWER Chapter is hosting “Meetings Mean Business: GMID 2026” events in Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati, bringing local industry communities together for advocacy and networking.
- MPI Philadelphia Area Chapter is connecting today’s celebration to broader Business Events Industry Week advocacy efforts taking place in Washington.
- S. Travel Association is using GMID to spotlight the economic power of meetings and events, noting that meetings generated more than $126 billion in travel-related spending in the U.S. in 2024.
Industry organizations worldwide are amplifying digital campaigns around hashtags including #GMID2026, #EventsDriveInnovation and #EventsDriveCommunities to showcase the broader societal and economic value of business events.
This year’s celebration also coincides with continued advocacy efforts tied to the upcoming 2026 Global Economic Significance Study, which will measure the business events industry’s worldwide economic contribution.
