Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Orlando, consistently ranked by Cvent as the top meeting destination in the U.S., will join the worldwide celebration of Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) on April 11. This event underscores the importance and impact of professional meetings and events in the region.
Backed by the U.S. Travel Association’s Meetings Mean Business Coalition, GMID highlights the concrete advantages that business gatherings—like conferences, conventions, incentive travel, trade shows, and exhibitions—offer to industries, workers, and the wider economy.
“When groups meet in Orlando, they not only support our local businesses, vendors and hospitality workers, but they also make an indelible impact on our community through charitable donations and endeavors,” said Casandra Matej, president and CEO, Visit Orlando. “Celebrating Global Meetings Industry Day is a great opportunity to recognize these efforts and their positive effect on Orlando.”
In 2023, the Visit Orlando convention sales team secured numerous city-wide and in-house meetings and conventions, expected to contribute approximately $4 billion to the local economy. These events not only boost local businesses and create thousands of jobs but also enhance the well-being of the Orange County community. Last year, activities at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) led to significant charitable contributions, including:
“As we celebrate Global Meetings Industry Day, I want to highlight the significance conventions, trade shows and meetings have not only on our economy, but in our communities as well,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “Events at the Orange County Convention Center provide substantial economic impact, while also allowing opportunities for social giving and charitable donations to those in need. We are excited to commemorate GMID and showcase the impact face-to-face events have on our local community, across the nation and around the world.”
From October 2023 to September 2024, the OCCC anticipates hosting 1.7 million participants across 184 events, generating an economic impact of $2.96 billion.
This year, the OCCC celebrates the approval of Phase 5A of its expansion, which includes the creation of the Convention Way Grand Concourse, adding 60,000 square feet of meeting space and an 80,000-square-foot ballroom, as well as a new entrance to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
In honor of GMID, the Orlando community, along with Visit Orlando, the OCCC, and various local partners, will commemorate the profound influence of meetings and events through several initiatives:
Orlando continues to attract new and returning groups for meetings, conventions, and incentives in 2024, offering new or enhanced accommodations, venues, and experiences. Recent additions include the luxury Evermore Orlando Resort with its 8-acre crystal lagoon, and the Conrad Orlando, marking Hilton’s first luxury hotel in the city, thus expanding Orlando’s nearly 500 hotel and resort choices for event organizers.
Moreover, Orlando will introduce new dining and entertainment options, including venues led by Michelin-starred chefs from Food Network and Top Chef, alongside unique concepts like champagne bars, alcohol-free speakeasies, omakase experiences, and arcade bars. Downtown’s Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts now houses Judson’s Live, a new 150-seat cabaret-style music venue featuring top-notch acoustics and a menu from a scratch kitchen.
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