“Meet Safe” was announced as the main theme of this year’s edition of the Global Meetings Industry Day, which is set to take place on 8 April 2021 with meetings showcasing the potential of the events sector staged simultaneously all around the world.

The concept of the Global Meetings Industry Day is to build the image of brands and products, establish new business relationships, drive positive business outcomes and economic development, as well as to build strong local communities.

According to the official announcement made by GMID ambassadors, “The current landscape for meetings and events is one of the most challenging in our history. Even so, industry professionals rise to the occasion time and time again – from GMID 2020, where event planners in all regions swiftly pivoted to virtual; to today, where business and destinations are holding safe in-person events and embracing the hybrid model as necessary. Following this positive trajectory, we are hopeful that we will see the same success during GMID celebrations in 2021. We look forward to coming together on April 8 in all settings, stronger and more united than ever, to demonstrate the unwavering value of our industry with leaders in business, government and the media. Showcasing our industry’s value has never been more important – particularly at the state and local levels”.

The Global Meetings Industry Day was launched in 2016 by a group of Canadian professionals connected with Meetings Professionals International (MPI), who eventually formed the Meetings Mean Business Coalition (MMBC), which continues to collaborate with MPI. Comprised of more than 60 members, the Coalition showcases the undeniable value that business meetings, trade shows, incentive travel, exhibitions, conferences and conventions bring to people, businesses and communities. By rallying meetings industry advocates, working with stakeholders, conducting original research and engaging with outside voices, it brings the industry together to emphasise its importance.

“The theme of this year’s Global Meetings Industry Day is a great match for Poland Convention Bureau POT’s actions intended to support the demand for Poland and build trust with planners of meetings and events. We expect that as the vaccination rate grows, the pandemic situation in Poland and worldwide will change for the better, making a gradual comeback possible for onsite meetings and events. This turn of events will prove beneficial for the whole industry, with particular emphasis on venues included in self-certification programmes “Hygienically Safe Venue” and “Safe MICE Venue”. As Poland is now preparing for the reopening of hotels on 12 February 2021, the timing is certainly good for a reminder to join these two projects”, said Aneta Książek, Head of Poland Convention Bureau POT.

Anticipating that protocols for hosting safe in-person events may continue to shift and vary by location, MMBC urges all GMID event hosts to continue basing their planning decisions on information from local public health authorities, continuing to embrace hybrid and virtual events as mandated.

Source: meetingsmeanbusiness.com