GMID 2021 Wrap-up + What’s Next
Our April 8, 2021 GMID virtual event was a huge success with more than 850 business event professionals, supporters and stakeholders from across Canada gathering online to demonstrate that We’re Ready to reopen the business events economy as soon as travel and gathering restrictions are lifted.
Key Messages: Two key messages came out of our GMID 2021 event: Our industry is a catalyst for Canada’s economic recovery; and it’s important that Canada remain a global leader in the safe delivery of international business events.
“The markets that are the first to open up to business events will see their economies recover more quickly,” MMBC chair Clark Grue explained. “In 2022, the impact will be significant, not only with respect to the direct spend in the jurisdiction where the events are hosted, but also from induced benefits that result from business events, such as innovative concept and idea exchanges. Conversely, those economies that elect to restrict business events will lag behind.”
Over the past year, the industry has collaborated like never before and it’s important that we continue to work together. As Grue emphasized during the event, industry members need to advocate to MPs, MPPs, MLAs, city councillors and other government officials—in a “pleasantly persistent” manner—about the important role business events will play in Canada’s economic recovery.
During the panel discussion, MMBC chair Laura Pallotta described how MMBC, through its new provincial action working groups, is actively connecting industry professionals who are eager to share strategies and best practices, such as the British Columbia Safe Restart Plan.
MMBC’s role is to speak to federal government decision makers on behalf of our industry in one united, strong voice, Pallotta said.
Contact us to learn more about the provincial action working groups initiative.
Business Events Impact in Canada
• $33 billion in direct spending
• 229,000 direct jobs
• $19.3 billion directly to GDP
• Business event attendees each spend an average $668 per event
• Business travellers spend 4x more than leisure travellers
Membership Annual Spend Influence
• MPI Canada: $434.8 million
• PCMA Canada: $1.2 billion
• CanSPEP: $60 million
• ILEA Canada: $150 million
What’s Next? Here’s How You Can Take Action
- Tell government leaders at all levels that our industry is ready to host safe, in-person business meetings that comply fully with local health regulations
- Reclaim our industry’s position as a catalyst for business development. In-person business events drive positive economic impact, are controlled and safe, and should not be confused with social gatherings
- Keep government decision makers informed by sharing our GMID 2021 videos
- Visit TourismCounts.ca to download the Tourism Industry Association of Canada’s 2021 Tourism Recovery Plan and to send a letter to your MP asking them to support tourism recovery, of which business events is an important component
“You guys are the best in the world at what you do, and we need our governments at all levels to hear that message from you,” Grue told attendees of the GMID 2021 event. “It’s going to get better… we’re going to fight our way through this… we’ll continue to be a catalyst and a lead going into 2022. So let’s keep our keep our foot on the pedal.”