Visit The Woodlands is looking forward to showcasing why meetings matter in The Woodlands and around the world during Global Meetings Industry Day on April 11, 2024.
Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) is an international day of advocacy for the meetings industry that highlights the value of business meetings, trade shows, incentive travel, exhibitions, conferences and conventions. Thousands of organizations are coming together on April 11th to emphasize why #MeetingsMatter, today and every day.
"We are very excited to participate in Global Meetings Industry Day this year," said Josie Lewis, Director of Sales for Visit The Woodlands. "It's a fantastic opportunity to shine a light on what meetings mean for our community and how The Woodlands plays a part in this global industry."
MEETINGS IN THE WOODLANDS
Meetings provide undeniable value to people, businesses, and communities like The Woodlands. In 2023, over 2,023 professional meetings and events took place in The Woodlands, representing over 114,000 hotel rooms utilized and over $34 million in total room revenue for local hotels.
In 2023, Visit The Woodlands rounded out the year by hosting over 200+ Meeting Planners and Industry professionals from around the country during Connect Texas. This two and a half day showcasing opportunity has already lead to multiple pieces of business booked, new RFP's generated, and great promotion and press for The Woodlands within the industry.
Looking forward in 2024, Visit The Woodlands is preparing to welcome the Texas Society of Association Executives (TSAE) New Ideas Conference in September. This three day event will welcome 550+ association planners and executives along with industry professionals from across the state. The Association market is a great group that books conferences and events in The Woodlands hotels throughout the year. Hosting this event will bring new association group business to our hotels, increase awareness, and generate exciting future opportunities for meetings in The Woodlands.
WHY MEETINGS MATTER
Face-to-face meetings offer wide-ranging benefits to the economy and businesses, both seen and unseen. Not only do they fuel professional growth, long-lasting connections, and mutual respect, they also benefit local economies and businesses by bringing conference attendees into local hotels, shops, and restaurants.
On a national scale, there was $119 billion in meeting and event related travel spending in the U.S. in 2023, which supported nearly 600,000 American jobs.
The meetings industry stimulates economies worldwide," said Brad Bailey, Chairman of Visit The Woodlands. "When people come together for conferences and events, they're creating meaningful connections with each other, and they're creating a lasting impact on the community where they're meeting."
Visit The Woodlands' Board and Staff
GMID IN THE WOODLANDS
To celebrate Global Meetings Industry Day this year, Visit The Woodlands will visit local hotel properties with a special "thank you" for their partnership and support in bringing meetings to The Woodlands.
Visit The Woodlands Chairman, Brad Bailey, has also proclaimed April 11, 2024, Global Meetings Industry Day in The Woodlands, Texas.
