The U.S. Travel Association is celebrating Global Meetings Industry Day on April 11 under the banner theme of ¡°Meetings Matter.¡±

Global Meetings Industry Day is dedicated to championing the undeniable professional, personal, and economic benefits of business meetings, trade shows, conferences, and conventions.

Last year, spending on meetings and event-related travel totaled $119 billion in the United States, directly supporting nearly 600,000 jobs. Hosting events, conventions and trade shows can stimulate a region¡¯s economy through bookings at meeting facilities, local hotels and more.

¡°In-person meetings and events are essential to the success of businesses and individuals across every industry,¡± U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman said. ¡°Global Meetings Industry Day is an opportunity to highlight how this critical sector fuels local economies, business profits, individual growth and the professional relationships that advance common causes.¡±

More companies are returning to face-to-face meetings to grow connections and collaboration, with an American Express Global Business Travel study showing that 81 percent of respondents agreeing that in-person interactions foster greater levels of business innovation.

To celebrate Global Meetings Industry Day, around 50 businesses and organizations are holding events and activations, including Hilton¡¯s ¡°The Meeting That Meant Everything¡± contest, Meeting Professionals International¡¯s (MPI) 12-hour broadcast, NC Meetings Mean Business Alliance hosting educational sessions and more.

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