Visit Raleigh joined the U.S. Travel Association in celebrating Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID), Thurs., April 11. GMID is an international advocacy day recognizing the value of meetings of all kinds. From trade shows to business meetings to conferences and conventions, these meetings can boost local economies and bring a variety of benefits to our communities, both tangible and intangible.

"GMID sheds light on the power of our industry. Meetings and events can be the catalyst to transform lives by providing an environment of intellectual capital, economic development and cultural drivers for change. GMID serves as a reminder of the vast potential our industry possesses to positively influence the world," says Visit Raleigh director of sales Malinda Harrell, CMP Fellow, CASE.

Meeting planners joined in on conversations about the industry and GMID on social media, following and using the hashtag #MeetingsMatter.

Visit Raleigh staff celebrated GMID with groups around the country this week. Here's where they represented Raleigh, N.C., on April 11:

• Director of sales Malinda Harrell, CMP Fellow, CASE, director of destination services Tammy Jeffries, CGSP^®, destination services manager Christina Laskorunsky, CGSP^®, national sales manager Nicole Keshler and regional sales manager Kathryn Short attended the Meeting Professionals International (MPI) Carolinas Chapter's GMID in Concord, N.C.
• Associate director of sales Stephen Jackson, CMP, was at the Professional Convention Management Association Capital Chapter's GMID in Washington, D.C., as well as the National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners Showcase there.
• National sales manager Loretta Yingling, CMP Fellow, was at the Industry Xchange in Chicago.
• National sales manager Marc Dooner was at the MPI Greater New York Chapter Executive Leadership Summit and GMID in New York City.