I came across this article on Meetings Mean Business which perfectly sums up the top signs you're in the meeting industry. I love a good top ten list. I also love when they have animated GIFs that correlate to the point being made. BuzzFeed is notorious for having its articles contain these hysterical, yet appropriate animations. Sometimes you find that someone else can say it best.
I laughed out loud at this top ten list and thought, yeah, this my life most days. Being in this industry is rewarding, stressful, important, impactful, growing, and meaningful. (Yes, my English teacher would have a field day with the lack of parallel structure in that last sentence, but that's how it needed to be said). I take pride in the work that I do on a daily basis, believe in the mission of my organization, and try to continually put together solid meetings for my clients.
The organization that posted this article was very witty in its selection of movies and television show references and they should be commended. However, they are doing work everyday on behalf of meeting planners nationwide. They are researching the impact that our meetings have on the U.S. economy and showcasing it to just about everyone they can.
This organization is a coalition created by the U.S. Travel Association in 2009 to showcase the importance and value that business meetings, events, and travel bring to the U.S. economy. It has a vast board of directors which includes a variety of hotels, event service leaders, audio/visual companies, and professional organizations for meeting planners.
It is this kind of research and campaigning that will keep the meeting industry alive and flourishing. Below is a post from another industry professional I know in Raleigh.
“Twitter does just NOT give me enough room! This is too big not to share in it’s entirety!
Record-Breaking Tourism Numbers Released:
•A record-setting 14.3 million domestic travelers visited Wake County in 2014, an increase of 7.7 percent over 2013. These visitors contributed $2.2 billion in direct spending to the local economy.
•Tourism here generated $219 million in state and local tax revenues last year. By generating these revenues, area visitation saved each Wake County household $627.
•Tourism continues to be one of the largest employment sectors in Wake County and is leading the way in Raleigh’s economic recovery with above-average job growth and an estimated $656 million in labor income paid to local hospitality sector employees in 2014. Tourism now directly sustains more than 24,461 jobs in Wake County.
#visitraleigh”
So yes, I had a great laugh at the top ten list, but it is what Loretta describes that keeps me excited about the meeting and events industry. I greatly appreciate the work that Meetings Mean Business is doing on a daily basis: campaigning for the importance of meetings!