Meeting Professionals International (MPI) is setting its eyes on 2019 in anticipation of continued growth in the meetings and events sector as the industry had an exceptional year in 2018.
According to the organisations, the meetings and events industry is experiencing significant growth, but often isn’t seen as the economic driver that it is.
It said last year alone, business events generated more than $2.5 trillion of total output, larger than the consumer electronics corporate sector, supported 26.3 million jobs globally, and generated $1.5 trillion of direct GDP, ranking higher than countries such as Australia, Spain and Mexico.
“As 2018 comes to a close, I’m reaching out to connect you with Paul Van Deventer, Meeting Professionals International (MPI) president and CEO, to discuss this booming industry and what’s ahead for 2019.”
Following is a snapshot of topics and meeting trends that Paul is available to discuss — many that are included in the 2018 Meetings Outlook survey results — including:
• Meetings becoming more frequent and larger, yet shorter in duration
• Increasing focus on events for niche groups
• Engaging meeting spaces, as the ballroom trend is beginning to fade, and outdoor experiences are introduced
• Incorporating health in meetings, including healthy foods and refillable water bottles to avoid plastic cups and bottles
• Continuing to weave technology throughout meeting presentations (e.g. texting input and recording it on an electronic map on stage)
• Also employing decidedly low-tech tools such as flip charts, white boards and glass walls
• Engaging multiple generations in an impactful way
• Making meetings more mindful of diversity – of abilities, demographics, personal characteristics, cultures, professional backgrounds, etc. – and universally welcome to all
Source: mpi.org
