On Thurs., April 3, Visit Raleigh will join the U.S. Travel Association and industry partners worldwide in celebrating Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID), in international day of advocacy that recognizes the profound impact of meetings, conferences, conventions and trade shows. GMID highlights how the meetings industry drives economic growth, fosters collaboration and builds lasting professional and personal connections.

As we prepare to celebrate GMID, Visit Raleigh is also recognizing the strength of our meetings industry by reflecting on an impressive year of sales performance. In calendar year 2024, the sales and sports teams secured 425 definite bookings, generating 291,125 room-nights and bringing an estimated more than $200 million in direct economic impact to Wake County.
 

What the meetings industry means to us

When asked what the meetings industry means to our Convention Sales Department, team members shared their thoughts:

"GMID matters because it puts a spotlight on the work that is accomplished by the meetings and events industry to fuel local economies, provide industry-leading education and promote face-to-face interactions that establish lasting connections. GMID creates unity in our industry that strengthens both the industry as a whole and the people who generate meetings and events worldwide." —Marc Dooner, national sales manager

"Meetings and conventions bring economic benefits that enrich the lives of residents and local businesses by creating new opportunities for economic growth, leaving a lasting positive impact on the community’s fabric. The business of connection through meetings and events brings together diverse groups of people from various industries and backgrounds, fostering collaboration, networking and the exchange of ideas, which broadens perspectives and enriches communities one event at a time." —Malinda Harrell, CMP Fellow, CASE, director of sales

"The meetings industry connects people, fosters collaboration while driving innovation and creates opportunities for networking, learning and growth across diverse sectors and communities." —Stephen Jackson, CMP, associate director of sales

"The meetings industry means relationships, connections and fun! We get to serve others and support their needs, big and small, and that is very fulfilling. Meetings truly mean business—jobs for so many, ways for families to feed their loved ones and opportunities for small businesses to grow. Meetings allow for that growth and more." —Nicole Keshler, national sales manager

"I find it very rewarding to work in an industry that has such an impact on people’s lives, not just the attendees of events, but the impact on local communities when groups meet. By bringing events to our area, we help support over 25,000 jobs in Wake County, and I’m proud to work for an organization that has that kind of effect." —Maria Lopez, convention sales and project coordinator

"The meetings industry means creating meaningful connections, fostering collaboration and driving innovation through shared experiences. It’s about bringing people together to exchange ideas, build relationships and create lasting impacts. For me, it’s not just about events, it’s about building a stronger, more connected community." —Kathryn Short, CMP, regional sales manager

"What does the meetings industry mean to me? It’s a community. A community of extremely hardworking people who consistently work long hours for the success of the events they execute. From event planners to suppliers, everything this community does provides jobs for an incredible number of people. The relationships we build as we work together will never cease to amaze me. I’ve been a part of this industry since I was 19 years old, and I am so grateful for this community!" —Loretta Yingling, CMP Fellow, national sales manager

Members of the Visit Raleigh team will be celebrating GMID in multiple cities, advocating for the meetings industry and promoting Raleigh, N.C., as a premier destination for meetings.