On April 3, 2025, Visit The Woodlands will join the annual worldwide recognition of Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) to champion the benefits and impact of professional meetings and events held in The Woodlands. GMID, fueled by the U.S. Travel Association’s Meetings Mean Business Coalition, spotlights the proven value that business meetings, conferences, conventions, trade shows and exhibitions bring to businesses, workers, and the economy.

Twelve people smile at the camera before the Exhibit Hall at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center. Everyone is dressed professionally and all wearing something in bright royal blue in honor of GMID. From left to right: Andrea Day, Ryan Greenwood, Brooklyn Newell, Carla Twidell, Nick Wolda, Julie Quinn, Josie Lewis, Ashley Fenner, Elizabeth Eddins, Rachael Varner, Ashley White, and Amber Parsley.

Visit The Woodlands Staff Wear GMID Blue at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott

MEETINGS MATTER

The Meetings Matter theme highlights the economic contributions of face-to-face meetings, emphasizing the many benefits that professional in-person gatherings create—extending far beyond the events.

In September 2024, Visit The Woodlands welcomed the Texas Society of Association Executives (TSAE) New Ideas Conference. The Association market is a great group that books conferences and events in The Woodlands hotels throughout the year. During this three-day event, The Woodlands welcomed 550+ association planners and executives as well as industry professionals from across the state. Hosting TSAE not only brought new group business to local hotels, but it also increased awareness of their impact and generated exciting future opportunities for meetings in The Woodlands.

 

Twenty-eight people smile at the camera for a group photo. There are men and women of all ages, all dressed business-casual, and most dressed in royal blue in honor of GMID. The photo is taken indoors, in the Black Walnut private dining room. Two women in front hold signs that read, "MEETINGS MEAN BUSINESS" and "GLOBAL MEETINGS INDUSTRY DAY." On the wall behind the group is a TV picturing the title slide of VTW's 2024 Q4 Report.

Visit The Woodlands' Sales and Marketing Committee Celebrates GMID

THE IMPACT

The meetings industry generates billions in travel spending and directly supports hundreds of thousands of jobs in the United States each year, playing a crucial role in business success. Since 2024, more than 2,090 professional meetings and events have taken place in The Woodlands. This represents over 201,900 attendees, 127,000 hotel rooms utilized, and a modest estimate of $52.5 million in total room revenue.

"Meetings mean more than just business—they spark connections, inspire innovation, and drive economic growth in destinations like The Woodlands," said Josie Lewis, Director of Sales at Visit The Woodlands. "On Global Meetings Industry Day, we celebrate the power of face-to-face collaboration and the incredible hospitality partners who make these moments possible. Their dedication to exceptional service and seamless event experiences ensures that The Woodlands remains a premier destination for meetings and conventions."

 

Hughes Landing Bandshell

Waterway Square Fountains

The Hughes Landing Band Shell and Fountains at Waterway Square Light Up Blue for GMID

LIGHT THE WOODLANDS BLUE

To bring awareness to Global Meetings Industry Day, Visit The Woodlands is turning The Woodlands blue for the day. (Blue is the official color of GMID.) Drop by participating locations on #GMID to see our partners' shine: Fountains at Waterway Square, Hughes Landing Band Shell, Market Street, The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Patio, and The Woodlands Towers at The Waterway.

 

Josie Lewis, Director of Sales for Visit The Woodlands, at Global Meetings Industry Day Meeting Planner Roundtable in The Woodlands, Texas

Josie Lewis, Visit The Woodlands' Director of Sales, Hosts a Meeting Planner Round Table for GMID

MEETING PLANNER ROUND TABLE

To celebrate the power of meetings, Visit The Woodlands will host a Meeting Planner Round Table on Wednesday, April 2. This round table will discuss new industry trends, best practices, and common hurdles, as well as ideas and programs that Visit The Woodlands can implement to elevate the client experience.

 

Visit The Woodlands Sales Team During Partner Pop-Ins for Global Meetings Industry Day

Visit The Woodlands' Sales Team with Hilton Garden Inn Hotel Partners During GMID Partner Pop-Ins

HOTEL PARTNER POP-INS

Visit The Woodlands will also dress in blue for Partner Pop-Ins on Thursday, April 3. During this event, the team will stop by each of The Woodlands' 14 hotel properties to personally thank them for the impact they've made through professional meetings and business events.

For more information about meetings in The Woodlands, contact Director of Sales Josie Lewis.