MEP proudly participated in GMID celebrations last week in Istanbul
Originally set up by Meetings Mean Business to rejoice and advocate for the meetings industry worldwide, Global Meetings Industry Day is celebrated on April 12th each year. Various MICE associations partake in organizing events on this day such as SITE (Society of Incentive Travel Excellence), MPI (Meeting Professionals Worldwide) and PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association).
For the first time this year, GMID 2018 was also a day of coming together in Istanbul as well led by SITE Turkey Chapter and MPI Turkey Club. MEP Family partook in the event with Business Development Director Eda Ozden (also a Board Member of SITE Global Association) spoke as a panelist about the importance of being involved in global industry associations.
While tourism is undoubtedly a major part of Turkish economy (accounting for approximately 15% of GDP and supporting about 10% of jobs in the country), numbers of MICE travel are not readily available. However as the 6th most popular Congress destination according to ICCA rankings until recently and a major incentive destination, Turkish tourism has benefitted from meetings, incentives, events and conferences sector in a significant way.
GMID ’18 Istanbul focused on the local sector makings its voice heard in the global business arena, especially with the help of global associations like SITE and MPI. The two associations, having recently come together to organize Global Forum in Rome in January; have come together across the world in support of the industry. The theme of “stronger together” in the Istanbul event was a reflection of this.
While Eda Ozden spoke on what SITE membership has meant to her, there was also a panel on the future of digital media in MICE as well as the upcoming GDPR regulations in the European Union. The strong educational elements of the day were followed by a networking party.
