MMBC Co-Chairs Provide GMID 2022 Update, Announce ‘Meet Safe’ Theme

November 24, 2021

The co-chairs of the Meetings Mean Business Coalition (MMBC), an industry-wide coalition created to showcase the undeniable value that business meetings, trade shows, incentive travel, exhibitions, conferences and conventions bring to people, businesses and communities, recently provided an update about next year’s Global Meetings Industry Day. Set for April 7, 2022, GMID is the meeting and event industry’s annual day of advocacy that shines a light on the positive impact that conferences, conventions and trade shows have on people, businesses and the economy.

“For the seventh consecutive year, we invite meetings industry professionals to come together with leaders from across business and government to advocate for the value of in-person business meetings and events,” said Fred Dixon and Michael Massari, MMBC co-chairs who also serve as president and CEO of NYC & Company and chief sales officer of Caesars Entertainment, respectively.  

They continued, “Countries, including the United States, are taking steps this month to lift travel restrictions for vaccinated foreign travelers. We applaud these actions and understand that GMID may be one of the first moments we have to unite at scale and champion the industry’s value globally, together with MMBC members and partners all over the world.”

Dixon and Massari added that while the services provided by the meetings industry often go unnoticed, the economic impact is unmistakable. Hosting a conference, convention or trade show enables cities to spur economic growth by bringing in new visitors who stay in area hotels, eat in local restaurants, shop in neighborhood stores and bring in new revenue, they explained.

Prior to the pandemic, in-person meetings supported 5.9 million American jobs and spurred hundreds of billions of dollars in annual revenue, with professional meetings and events sustaining more jobs than the telecommunications and oil and gas extraction industries, they added.  

“Right now, our cities are suffering and it’s difficult to overstate the value of in-person meetings, business travel and hospitality services to their return, resilience and recovery,” Dixon and Massari continued. “The demand to meet in person has only heightened during the past two years and for businesses large and small, meetings remain essential to employee education, training, collaboration and retention.”

The pair announced that like 2021, the theme for GMID 2022 will be “Meet Safe,” in support of the fact that successful in-person meetings are possible and taking place around the world in accordance with local protocols and government regulations. 

“GMID will shownot just tellthe enduring value of participating and investing in such events for years to come,” they added.

Leading up to GMID next year, Dixon and Massari encourage all past and future GMID participants to look to MMBC for news and resources in the coming months as well as contribute to the multiple examples of replicable events being held on MMBC’s Meet Safe platform, which showcases how in-person and hybrid meetings and events can take place now and into the future by adhering to local gathering limits and health and safety best practices. 

“As an industry, we have led the charge as early adopters of the measures required to carry forward safe in-person business meetings,” Dixon and Massari continued. “Raising the bar to meet health and safety standards was a necessity, not an option. Proudly, we have been uncompromising in our effort to ensure the well-being of every meeting attendee. That will never change.” 

With more than 60 members, the MMBC works to unite the events industry, rally industry advocates, work with stakeholders, conduct original research, engage with outside voices and bring the industry together to emphasize its importance through one powerful voice. To learn more about MMBC and GMID 2022, go here.


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Partner Voices
Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact