Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (Los Angeles Tourism) is celebrating Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) on April 11 by spotlighting the economic impact of professional meetings and conventions on the local economy. With an annual contribution of $24 billion to local business sales, these events are vital drivers of employment and tax revenue across Los Angeles neighborhoods.
To commemorate GMID, Los Angeles Tourism will sponsor Meeting Professionals International’s (MPI) eighth-annual global broadcast, bringing together global leaders for a 12-hour virtual event to discuss best practices and ensure that meetings and events are delivered responsibly, equitably, and sustainably. The organization also will participate in GMID events across the country., including in Newport Beach, Calif.; Phoenix.; Arlington, Texas; Chicago; Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; and Washington, D.C.
This year’s celebration of GMID comes as Los Angeles prepares to host major travel industry events, including the U.S. Travel Association’s IPW in May, the International Association of Exhibitions and Events’ 2024 Expo! Expo! in December, and the American Society of Association Executives’ 2025 Annual Meeting and Expo. The return of IPW to Los Angeles after more than a decade is expected to attract more than 5,000 global travel buyers, sellers, and media. IPW is an important event in the tourism sector, each year generating more than $5.5 billion in future travel to the United States.
“Meetings and conventions generate a remarkable $24 billion in local business sales annually with a workforce and supply chain that reaches into every LA neighborhood, including hundreds of small and diverse-owned businesses who depend on these events for their livelihoods,” says Adam Burke, president and CEO of Los Angeles Tourism. “From the family-owned catering company in Leimert Park to the florist in Boyle Heights, event planner in Westlake, countless Downtown restaurants, and so much more, hundreds of thousands of Angelenos across the region work in careers that directly support professional meetings.”
Los Angeles is the first U.S. city to join the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, and recently completed its sustainability assessment, aligned with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. In addition, Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC) has also been certified as a Certified Green Business by the California Green Business Network. This recognition highlights LACC’s commitment to sustainability and positions Los Angeles as a leader in eco-friendly meeting and event practices. These achievements underscore Los Angeles Tourism’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility.
“Meetings not only build strong relationships, but they also drive business and provide long-lasting benefits to the communities in which they are held,” says Darren Green, chief sales officer for Los Angeles Tourism. “As stewards of the Los Angeles community, we believe that exploring our diverse neighborhoods and attractions is hugely important for meeting attendees to fully immerse themselves in the destination. At Los Angeles Tourism, we strive to provide experiences that are uniquely LA while incorporating Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives into each meeting’s agenda to ensure that these events have a lasting, positive impact on our community.”
Los Angeles Tourism is the official nonprofit tourism organization for the City of Los Angeles. It connects visitors with places to stay and things to do, while also supporting the city’s vast tourism industry. For tailored recommendations for meetings in Los Angeles, visit MeetLA.com.
