Happy Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) from all of us here at Meetings Today! On this special day, Meetings Today wanted to honor both the people and places that make our industry so unique. We posed a question to leading professionals in our industry to find out more about how meetings and events have impacted their lives.
"What is one thing or moment that you’ve experienced at a meeting or event that changed your life or made a significant positive impact on you?”
Courtney Stanley
Host of the Dare to Interrupt podcast and keynote speaker
"I have experienced a number of moments at events over the years that changed the course of my future. One of those transformative moments was when I attended the Association for Women in Events’ Elevate! conference in 2020, where Judi Holler was the keynote speaker.
Watching Judi work her magic on stage left me feeling inspired—and encouraged—about my own career journey. Her performance positioned me to believe that I, too, could build a business as a full-time keynote speaker. So, I did. Judi also became a mentor for me—I’m truly grateful for that moment.”
[Related: No Hidden Agenda - How Are You Celebrating GMID 2024?]
Annette Gregg
CEO, Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE)
“I led the events/conferences team for a large financial corporation and we had two annual incentive programs. One financial advisor qualified to attend for many years but never attended. We were shocked when he finally decided to participate, and I checked in with him often during the week.
At the end of the program, he tearfully thanked me for continuing to encourage him to come. As a longtime financial advisor running his own practice, he often felt isolated and didn’t realize he was part of a larger community until he came to our incentive program. He said he finally understood the resources, colleagues and support available to him. That conversation always reminds me of the reason we do what we do—to bring people together in community, bridging and building cultures.”
[Related: How a Tech-Savvy Generation Is Changing Incentive Travel Programs]
Carina Bauer
CEO of the IMEX Group
“As a child I would attend my father’s tradeshows every year: EIBTM in Geneva and Incentive World in London. From a young age, I learned how to interact with the industry and was even put in charge of hosting a gala dinner table as a young teenager.
In hindsight, these experiences had a massive impact on my future career and also my confidence in navigating the industry. By the time I entered the industry in a true working capacity, it felt familiar and natural.”
Bruce MacMillan
Chief Operating Officer, PCMA
“In 2006, we hosted the International Conference on AIDS in Toronto. It was an incredible event. Tens of millions in economic impact. Global glitterati in attendance such as President Clinton, Bill and Melinda Gates. Global media coverage. And it was beautiful weather. Everything a DMO could hope for.
But what really mattered to everyone in the community were the human connections between AIDS researchers, patients and hospice workers from around the world, sharing experiences and ideas. Those are the images I will never forget. It was then that I realized that the power in what we do is not only measured in money.”
[Related: An Introduction to PCMA’s AI Tool, Project SPARK]
Michael Dominguez
President & CEO, Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI)
“In 2013 as chair of MPI’s International Board of Directors, I was blessed to attend the Canadian National Meetings Industry Day with Paul Van Deventer [president and CEO of MPI]. The energy we witnessed was palpable as the meeting brought together academia, governmental leaders and those from our industry.
That impact led to discussions with many shortly after that led to the first North American Meetings Industry Day with Canada, Mexico and the U.S. Of course, that shortly after led to Global Meetings Industry Day. It was not only significant for me personally, but so impactful to our message as an industry that moves the world forward.”
Sherrif Karamat
President & CEO, PCMA and CEMA
“I am always humbled when so many participants take time to volunteer and help others in need of help while they attend a conference. When we were last in San Diego (not 2024), many PCMA members selflessly gave of their time to paint a school for autistic kids. It moved me beyond words that the kids wanted to come and see the school while we were there.
It might be a small gesture by our members but the impact and joy on the kids’ faces were a reminder of how little it takes to make a positive difference in someone’s life. This is the reason why I am resolute about the power of business events and not just about economic outcomes.”
Bill Reed, FASAE, CMP
Chief Event Strategy Officer, American Society of Hematologists (ASH)
“Early in my career, being at an industry meeting helped me to see that I belonged in the conversation with the iconic people who were the leaders of that time. It provided a platform to learn from them but it also became a forum to begin building my reputation on a larger scale and in a wider circle.
I continue to be grateful to those who embraced me and let me find my voice, and I remain loyal to those events that created the welcoming environment where multiple generations can meet and discover together.”
[Related: 4 Benefits of Incorporating Hybrid Elements in Your Meetings]
Paul Van Deventer
President & CEO, MPI
“It was 1985 and I was an impressionable young adult who was two months into his career in a large global sales organization, when I was invited to my first sales conference with around 2,000 of my colleagues. To this day I remember the energy and excitement of walking into the opening general session, as well as the music that was being blasted through the sound system.
As one high-performer after another was called out and being recognized for their achievements, I made two commitments to myself that day: First, that I would be called up on the big stage and recognized at the next year’s conference, and secondly, that someday I would be in a position to design and lead this type of inspirational experience. To me, that is the enduring power of live events!”
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