Global Meetings Industry Day

Global Meetings Industry Day in Philadelphia: Navigating the Future of Events in a Changing World
April 3 | 12:00-6:00 PM EDT

As the meetings and events industry faces a rapidly evolving landscape, Global Meetings Industry Day 2025 brings together top industry leaders and experts to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities ahead. This year’s program will feature two dynamic sessions covering the state of the industry and the strategies behind hosting mega events.

• In Session 1: State of the Global Meetings Industry, speakers will discuss timely trends in events and travel, explore the impact of a new political administration on travel policies, economic advocacy, security, DEIA initiatives, and more.
• In Session 2: The Power of Mega Events, industry experts will provide a behind-the-scenes look at the complexities of bidding for and executing major global events, including the RFP process, sustainability, security, and more. Speakers will also address the long-term economic impact of large-scale gatherings on cities and communities.

Join us for a day of critical discussions, expert insights, and actionable takeaways designed to equip event professionals with the knowledge and strategies needed to navigate an evolving industry.

Learning Objectives:

• Gain insights into the latest developments in travel, event planning, and economic factors shaping the global meetings industry.
• Discuss best practices for bidding on and executing major global events.
• Discuss the long-term economic benefits of hosting mega events and how cities share practical knowledge and tools to advocate for industry growth.
• Network with other meeting and event professionals.

Speakers: 

• State of the Global Meetings Industry:
  Moderator: Sheila Hess, Former Philadelphia City Representative
  Panelists: Gregg Caren, President and CEO, Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau and PCMA Board Member; Anuj Gupta, President & CEO, The Welcoming Center; Pamela Esbrandt Wynne, Principal, PamWynne, LLC
• Power of Mega Events:
  Moderator: Paul Wong, Director of Global Events, ISPOR & PCMA PHL President
  Panelists: Mònica Garcia, Association Meetings Manager, Barcelona Convention Bureau; Maria Grasso, Chief Sales Officer, Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau; Chuck Grouzard, Executive Vice President of Business Development, GES; William Squires, FIFA Men’s World Cup 2026 New York New Jersey Host Committee Chief Venues and Operations Officer

Agenda:
12:00-1:00 PM: Registration
1:00-1:30 PM: Welcome and Sponsor Remarks
1:30-2:30 PM: Session 1: State of the Global Meetings Industry
2:30-3:00 PM: Break
3:00-3:15 PM: Sponsor Remarks
3:15-4:15 PM: Session 2: The Power of Mega Events – Strategies for Success
4:15-4:30 PM: Wrap Up
4:30-6:00 PM: Reception

Visual Note Taker:
Kelly Kingman of Kingman Ink will be joining us as our visual note taker for the day. Kelly captures the key ideas from each speaker and turns them into colorful drawings that help you remember the take-aways of each session. Our brains are great at having ideas but need a little help holding on to them — so we will be providing attendees with digital versions of the visual notes, post event. For over a decade, Kelly has captured the key ideas of hundreds of talks at dozens of events ranging from small executive offsites to conference keynotes with audiences in the thousands. Her company, Kingman Ink, is based in New York but sends artists worldwide. Check her out at KingmanInk.com.

Location & Parking:
Many thanks to Live! Casino & Hotel for hosting this event. Live! Casino & Hotel is located at 900 Packer Avenue, Philadelphia, PA. Complimentary self-parking is available for registered attendees. Valet parking is available at the posted rates.

Traffic Alert: The Phillies have a 1:05pm game on this date. Please plan extra travel time.

Overnight Accommodations:
A room block at Live! Casino & Hotel is in place if you would like to stay overnight on April 2 and/or April 3. Click the link below for more information:
Greater Philadelphia PCMA Room Block
The cut-off date is Friday, March 14, 2025.

Registration Information:

• Membership in the PCMA Greater Philadelphia Chapter is not required to attend.
• If you are not a member, click here to learn more about membership.
• If you are a member of PCMA, but not a member of the Philadelphia Chapter, please contact [email protected] to add the Philadelphia Chapter to your account. The cost to add a chapter to your membership is $30.00.
• Early registration closes on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at 12:00pm. After that, only onsite registration will be available beginning at 12:00pm on Thursday, April 3, 2025.
• Click here to register or click on the blue button below.

Education Credit:
PCMA has been approved by the Events Industry Council (EIC) as a Preferred Provider of the above-listed continuing education course, which qualifies for CMP continuing education credit. Determination of continuing education credit eligibility or Preferred Provider status does not imply EIC’s endorsement or assessment of education quality. If you plan to claim education credit, please register for this meeting with the same email associated with your EIC account. You will receive an automated message to claim credit after the meeting when the final attendee roster is uploaded to the EIC.

Accessibility:
Live! Casino & Hotel is accessible. If you need additional accessibility services or have questions, please contact [email protected].

A message from the Community Service Committee:
At GMID, we will be collecting donations for the Upper Merion Area Community Cupboard. The most needed items right now are dish soap, paper towels, toilet paper, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, and deodorant. Please consider bringing a donation with you to the event, or place an order from their Amazon Wish List.

Click here for more information about Global Meetings Industry Day.

Thank you to our host, sponsors, and supporting partners!

Note: This event will offer refreshments and light snacks. Lunch will not be served. A networking reception with food and beverage will be provided at the conclusion of the meeting.