NYC Skyline to Shine Blue for GMID
On the eve GMID 2017,
NYC & Company, New York City's official destination marketing organization, will light several spires across the city's skyline in blue, the color of Meetings Mean Business. The Empire State Building, Four Times Square and One Bryant Park in Midtown Manhattan will be lit blue, along with One World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan, after dark on Wednesday, April 5.
Vornado Realty Trust's Times Square billboard, the largest digital billboard in the city, will display GMID logos on Thursday.
NYC & Company also will convene its membership for a panel at the Manhattan Center on Thursday. The discussion will focus on security strategies and best practices for public and private meetings and events of all sizes.
To join the NYC conversations online, use the hashtags #MMBNYC and #MakeItNYC on Twitter and Instagram.
Today, the meetings and events industry celebrating the second annual Global Meetings Industry Day led by the advocacy coalition, Meetings Mean Business. GMID is an initiative to elevate awareness of the industry and showcase the impact that business meetings, conferences, conventions, incentive travel, trade shows and exhibitions have on businesses and communities.
"GMID 2017 will once again harness the industry's passion and excitement around the globe," Michael Dominguez, senior vice president of corporate sales at MGM Resorts International and former MMB co-chair, said in a statement. "Meetings industry professionals know that advocating for our industry on the global stage helps people all over the world understand the necessity of face-to-face."
GMID 2017 follows the inaugural international day of advocacy, held in April last year. The governors of Maryland and Kentucky, along with the mayors of Ottawa, Edmonton, Phoenix, Baltimore, Buffalo, and Mobile, Ala., all signed proclamations declaring Global Meetings Industry Day in their respective locations. The Empire State Building and Niagara Falls both were lit in blue for GMID. Organizations across North America, South America, Europe, Africa and Australia held educational events, panels with industry professionals, rallies and strategic sessions.
A GMID anthem, written in 2016, was created specifically for this day, with the help of SongDivision, to celebrate the work of meetings professionals. To watch the music video for the anthem, click here.
This year, more than 90 GMID events are planned worldwide, including 70 in North America, 16 in Europe, two in Africa, one in Asia and one in Australia. Click here to see the full list of GMID events.
Participants can follow GMID conversations virtually by following MMB on Twitter @MeetingsMeanBiz and by using the hashtags #GMID17 and #MMBusiness. A GMID app is also available for download on iPhones and Android devices to access resources and to stay updated during the day.
GMID 2017 partners include the Convention Industry Council, the International Association of Exhibitions and Events, Meeting Professionals International, the Professional Convention Management Association, the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence, COCAL, the Society of Independent Show Organizers, the American Society of Association Executives, Association Forum and Destination Marketing Association International.