The Canadian Society of Professional Event Planners (CanSPEP) and the Canada East (CE) chapter of the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) are holding a joint Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) event in Ottawa.
The event is being held from 7:30 a.m. to 9;30 a.m. on April 12, 2018 at the Novotel Ottawa. It will include breakfast; a panel discussion with representatives from the meetings industry, and business and government sectors; and a round-table discussion on key issues facing the meetings industry. Topics open for discussion include environmental and social responsibility, security and how meetings help address social problems like isolation and work to increase dialogue in communities.
“You will never see eye-to-eye if you never meet face-to-face.” ~ Warren Buffet
“As our world becomes ever more digital, the need for real, analog, human connections becomes stronger,” says CanSPEP member Natalie Lowe, president, Celebrate Niagara. “Meetings of all sizes and types bring that human connection. Nations, businesses and personal lives are affected for the better when people meet face-to-face and, in the words of Warren Buffet, chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, ‘You will never see eye-to-eye if you never meet face-to-face.’ CanSPEP is excited to join with PCMA Canada East on April 12th in Ottawa to continue the dialogue with our business colleagues and elected representatives on issues that are worth meeting about.”
Global Meetings Industry Day brings meeting professional organizations, association chapters, corporations, destinations, partners and other supporters together at events that showcase the power and economic impact of the business events industry.
Last year, events were held throughout North America, Latin America, South America, Europe, Africa and Australia along with robust conversations online and over 40 million social media impressions. Proclamations of support were issued by the governors of Maryland and Kentucky, along with the mayors of Ottawa, Edmonton, Phoenix, Baltimore, Buffalo and Mobile, Alabama. The Empire State Building and Niagara Falls were illuminated in blue in celebration of GMID.
“Organizations such as CanSPEP will help us demonstrate the crucial role meetings play in building personal relationships, driving positive outcomes and supporting strong communities,” said Richard Harper, executive vice president at HelmsBriscoe and co-chair of Meetings Mean Business (MMB), the industry coalition created to advocate on behalf of the industry.
“GMID helps share the meetings industry’s value story, ensuring that the media, elected officials and general public understand the benefits of face-to-face,” said Paul Van Deventer, chief executive officer and president at Meeting Professionals International and co-chair of MMB. “Showcasing the industry’s strength through this global movement allows us to better advocate and generate widespread conversation.”
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