In addition: other GMID celebrations of the United States
This year’s global meetings industry (GMID) was one to remember. Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and the Society for Excellence in Incentive Trips (Site) joined for a living eight -hour live broadcast full of new ideas, emerging trends and significant discussions about the future of meetings and events. Couldn’t it tune in? Don’t worry, we have the most prominent aspects for you.
1. Do not let the uncertainty drive the way
Rob Adams, president of Bishop-McCann, offered wise words during an interview about how to navigate the unpredictable global landscape. “We can only control so much. Make decisions based on what you know, not what you don’t know,” he said. Your advice? Stay rooted in fact and avoid stagnating or making decisions based on fear or speculation. At a time when the holders can change per hour, meeting professionals can be maintained in the focus on what is available and reasonable.
2. Welfare took the center of the stage
Welfare was not just a fashion word, it was an experience. The eight -hour live broadcast wove moments of calm, clarity and self -care throughout the day. Visit Galveston led the spectators in a gentle yoga flow surrounded by the underwater peaceful environment of the Moody Gardens Aquarium. Dorsy Standish, CEO of Mastermind Meditate, shared tips to develop healthier sleep habits, something that all warriors and the road planner can benefit. Caesars Entertainment supported a breathing session with Sepideh Eivazi, giving the attendees tools to restore and recharge. These experiences were not only refreshing, they were reminders that a healthy mentality leads to better meetings.
3. 2025 Trends to look
Rachel Andrews, global director of meetings and events in CVEN, delivered a fast and future rhythm forecast. This is what is reaching the view for next year and beyond:
- Scale customization: Thanks to the most intelligent event technology and AI, planners can deliver personalized experiences to large audiences without sacrificing personal touch.
- AI increases productivity: expect more creative uses of AI to handle everything, from programming and content creation to the commitment and follow -ups of attendees, releasing the equipment for more strategic work.
- Data activation is still difficult: we are swimming in data, but turning it into significant ideas remains one of the greatest challenges in the industry. Doing this may be a game change.
- Return of relationships (Ror): Beyond the ROI, relationships are important more than ever. Measuring the impact of the connection and the community is becoming a priority metric for the success of the events.
- Field marketing events are increasing: smaller local events are gaining popularity for their agility and relevance. This trend is promoting the need for more self -service tools and simplified planning options.
- Content strategy throughout the year: what happens in your event should not remain there. Intelligent planners are reusing the event content for current campaigns, keeping the public committed long after the last session ends.
- Unique places and destinations: flexibility, affordability and the creation of unforgettable experiences of attendees are promoting the demand for unreacted rhythm and destinations.
- Technology for accessibility: with new regulations such as the European Accessibility Law produced in June 2025, Tech is helping to ensure that events are more inclusive and accessible to all attendees.
- Renewed approach to data privacy: as privacy laws, places and planners evolve are doubled in compliance. Transparency and trust with attendees are essential.
4. Cultural intelligence is a superpower
Melissa Acosta, CEO of Cultural Spark, offered an outstanding session on the power of cultural intelligence (CQ) in the planning of more shocking and inclusive meetings. She emphasized that the greatest opportunities for lost businesses often come from simple cultural misunderstandings. Building cultural fluidity is not only pleasant, it is necessary. Your advice?
- Investigate before planning: Understanding the culture, values and preferences of your audience is the first step to create an event that really resonates.
- Adapt your approach: Use that research to shape everything, from your agenda and speakers to food and communication styles options.
- To commit to continuous learning: cultural consciousness is not a verification list, it is a permanent learning trip that evolves with each meeting and each audience.
5. The incentive trip is evolving
Annette Gregg, CEO of the site, shared current data on incentive trips and how it is adapting to the new world of work. Key trends include:
- Resilience in the midst of interruption: despite global uncertainty, companies are adapting and surviving. The incentive space continues to thrive as companies look for significant ways to motivate the teams.
- Demography in the workplace is changing: a new generation of employees, many in hybrid or remote roles, is influencing how and why incentive programs are designed. The planners are being called to rethink the goals and delivery models.
- Sustainability is the most important thing: more programs are being built taking into account the environmental and social impact. From carbon compensation to local supply, sustainability is no longer optional.
- The generative AI is here to stay: IA tools are restructuring how incentive trips are planned, customized and delivered. Learning to use them effectively is becoming a critical skill.
- The new destinations are trend: although inflation is inciting some to keep programs closer to home, others are becoming creative with less known destinations that offer new experiences at a lower cost.
- Design of the company’s culture impulse: more incentives are being created to strengthen internal culture, build the community and reinforce brand values, not only reward performance.
- Incentives remain a key motivator: recognition remains important. Companies see incentive trips as a powerful way to inspire, participate and retain the best talent.
Bonus: cities from all over the country joined the celebration
While MPI and the site led the position online, destinations throughout the United States appeared with all their strength to commemorate the day of the global meetings industry in their own significant forms, which illuminates the economic power of meetings, the construction of the community and the implementation of innovations.
New York City was lit blue and presented a new AI tool
New York City reminded us why it is called the business capital of the world. NYC Tourism + Conventions took out all the stops by organizing its largest tristic meetings planning event in the greenhouse. More than 300 commercial events and 120 local companies met with the help of partners such as the Manhattan Center and the Ink48 Hotel, and even received a live performance from Hamilton through Broadway Plus.
In a bold sample of support for the industry, the horizon of New York City lit blue for the night. The iconic reference points, including One World Trade Center, Rockefeller Center and Javits Center, joined the celebration. But New York not only looked back, but looked forward. The city presented Ellis, the first Chat with AI platform built specifically for commercial events professionals by a convent and visiting office. With 45 compatible languages, Ellis aims to simplify planning in the five districts.
With 13 million commercial visitors projected in 2025 and a complete recovery of expected business trips by 2026, New York City is charging forward while commemorating 400 years of New York history in 2025 and America 250 in 2026.
Denver showed the power of meetings in dollars and impact
In Denver, GMID served as a celebration and a scream of rally. Visit Denver stressed that the meetings industry brought more than $ 845 million to the local economy only in 2024, with $ 66 million directly linked to the recent expansion of the Colorado Convention Center. This development opened the door to large -scale events that previously would not have been feasible, and there is more on their way. With 19 future meetings already reserved, the expansion is expected to generate another $ 310 million in economic impact and fill more than 200,000 nights of hotel room.
Richard Scharf, CEO and president of Visit Denver, said: “The meetings industry does more than support meetings: it is a powerful economic engine that drives income to local businesses, creates jobs and encourages innovation.”
Las Vegas returned with a service day
Las Vegas adopted a sincere GMID approach by converting its celebration into a community service event. Around 40 members of the hospitality sales team of the city’s tourist centers gathered in the Just One project, a local food pantry, to pack groceries, distribute meals and give a hand to the warehouse. This service day reflected a deep connection between the vibrant city meeting industry and the local community that supports.
“(The Solo Project) delivers the food to many different resources in the city,” said Rebecca Deluca, Vice President of Sales of the Convention and Visitors Authority of Las Vegas. “They could be older citizens who live at home, an installation, schools or simply areas of high need.”
Outside GMID, Deluca also talked about the food impact of only one project reports that your team can produce for a meeting organizer. “They will show the direct impact to the community how much food was rescued from their meeting, they will also show the conservation of water that was saved,” she says. “The food is not right, but when you go to a pig farm and send your food there, there is a lot of water that is used. In Las Vegas, water conservation is huge for us, so the fact that there are water conservation efforts aligned with food rescue is simply incredible and inspiring.”
According to the Convention and Visitors Authority of Las Vegas (LVCVA), business travelers brought almost 6 million visits to Las Vegas in 2024. The convention sector generates more than $ 15 billion in annual economic impact for the region and supports more than 67,000 jobs. In a city built for events, GMID was a reminder of the powerful that the domino effect meetings, not only in business, but in people.
