Leaders Convene on March 30 to Spotlight the Value of Professional Meetings, Events to People, Communities and Businesses
March 28, 2023— Manhattan, KS is championing that “Meetings Matter” on Global Meetings Industry Day, an international day of advocacy held on March 30 to showcase the essential nature and incredible value created by business meetings, trade shows, conferences and conventions.
This year’s theme, “Meetings Matter,” highlights the numerous benefits of in-person meetings—such as economic growth, deeper business connections and the sharing of knowledge and ideas that positively impact society.
Meetings are a key driver of the economy and workforce, playing a critical role in fueling other industries. In 2022, professional events drove nearly $100 billion in travel spending nationwide, accounting for 38% of all business travel spending. That spending directly supports 600,000 American jobs and helps power small and local businesses. In Manhattan, meetings are essential in stimulating the region’s economy and bringing in new visitors who stay in our hotels, eat in local restaurants and shop in local stores.
2022 was a year of meetings recovery and we booked 20 more meetings and events than 2021 with a total of 172. Already in the first quarter of 2023 we are above pace with 64 meetings and events held which has an EEI (Estimated Economic Impact) of $3.1 million dollars.
