Los Angeles Tourism Shines on Global Meetings Industry Day with a Series of Power-Packed Events

Friday, April 12, 2024

Los Angeles celebrates Global Meetings Industry Day, highlighting the sector’s vital role in boosting the economy and supporting local jobs and businesses.

Today marks a significant occasion as the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (Los Angeles Tourism) joins others nationwide in recognizing Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID). This sector is a pivotal yet often overlooked economic powerhouse, fueling job creation, boosting local businesses, and generating tax revenues critical for Los Angeles residents.

Adam Burke, President & CEO of Los Angeles Tourism, states, “Annually, meetings and conventions bring in an astounding $24 billion in local business revenue, supporting a vast network that spans every corner of LA, including numerous small and minority-owned businesses. This sector is a lifeline for locals from Leimert Park’s family-run catering services to florists in Boyle Heights, event organizers in Westlake, numerous downtown eateries, and beyond, sustaining hundreds of thousands of jobs across the region.”

To underscore this sector’s national importance, Los Angeles Tourism is backing the eighth annual global broadcast by Meeting Professionals International (MPI). This 12-hour online event will gather global leaders to share best practices and promote responsible, equitable, and sustainable event management. Los Angeles Tourism is also engaging in various GMID activities alongside partners and planners from Newport Beach to Washington, D.C.

As GMID unfolds, Los Angeles is gearing up to host major travel industry gatherings, including the U.S. Travel Association’s IPW in May, the International Association of Exhibitions and Events’ Expo! Expo! in December, and the American Society of Association Executives’ Annual Meeting and Expo in 2025.

IPW, returning to LA for the first time in over a decade, expects to draw over 5,000 attendees from around the globe. This premier event for inbound international travel is anticipated to inject over $5.5 billion in future U.S. travel, marking a significant economic resurgence for Los Angeles, which has seen major investments in local attractions and infrastructure.

Los Angeles, known as the global hub of entertainment, offers a unique backdrop for event organizers, allowing them to transform their visions into reality. The city is preparing for a decade filled with significant global sports events, providing unique experiences at venues like the Intuit Dome, SoFi Stadium, and the Crypto.com Arena.

“Meetings are crucial not just for fostering strong relationships but also for driving business and benefiting local communities,” remarks Darren Green, Chief Sales Officer of Los Angeles Tourism. He highlights the importance of exploring LA’s diverse attractions and incorporating corporate social responsibility into events to ensure a lasting positive impact.

In the past year, Los Angeles Tourism has amplified its commitment to social responsibility with initiatives aimed at workforce development, diversity in supply chains, and collaborations with local organizations like the Skid Row Running Club and L.A. Works.

Recent initiatives include the Los Angeles Career Academy, launched in 2021, which exposes local students to the professional meeting industry, providing them insights into various fields such as medicine, technology, and entertainment.

“We’re grateful to the City of Los Angeles and the LA Convention Center for connecting us to the LACC Career Academy,” says Sara Haywood, Assistant Vice President of Conference & Events at the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. “This program has opened new career possibilities for students in underserved communities, inspiring them to explore new paths.”

Los Angeles Tourism also encourages meeting participants to engage with local community needs, such as through partnerships with the Skid Row Running Club.

At the forefront of LA’s environmental commitments in the events sector is the Los Angeles Convention Center, recently recognized as a Certified Green Business. This certification highlights its role in leading sustainable practices, making Los Angeles a prime destination for environmentally conscious planners and attendees.

As Los Angeles celebrates GMID, it reinforces the value of meetings and events in driving business, sharing ideas, and fostering community growth and learning.

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