The Events Industry Council, the global voice of the business events industry on advocacy, research, professional recognition, and standards, announced that it will be releasing the next iteration of the Global Economic Significance of Business Events Study in conjunction with Global Meetings Industry Day 2026, which EIC will now lead.
EIC will once again be working with its research partner, Oxford Economics, as well as sponsoring organizations to produce the highly anticipated study.
Both the study and the evolution of GMID align with EIC’s Vision 2030 in support of workforce initiatives and advocacy efforts that champion the purpose and impact of business events worldwide.
First published in 2017, EIC’s Economic Significance Study evaluates the full scope and economic impact of the $1.6 trillion USD global business events industry (source: 2023 ESS). Regularly quoted in industry and mainstream media and leveraged by a wide swath of industry stakeholders—including corporation, nonprofit industry organizations, advocacy professionals, investors, developers, destinations, and academia worldwide—the 2023 report has been accessed by more than 10,000 users across 40 countries and has garnered an estimated earned-media reach of more than 10 billion.
The 2026 study is expected to be released on May 5, 2026 in Washington, D.C. as part of Global Meetings Industry Day and in conjunction with Business Events Week, with activations, events and campaigns organized around the world.
GMID, spearheaded by the U.S. Travel Association and supported by stakeholders worldwide since 2016, brings together industry professionals and communities globally to showcase how meetings, conventions, exhibitions, incentive travel, and other business events drive immense economic and social impact.
In addition to the events on May 5, 2026, GMID will evolve into a channel and platform for year-round advocacy on behalf of the business events industry.
“EIC’s Economic Significance Study provides the foundation for our sector’s advocacy efforts, and Global Meetings Industry Day is an essential platform for amplifying the breadth and impact of our sector and those efforts,” Amy Calvert, EIC president and CEO, said in a statement. “GMID also empowers communities to create authentic, local celebrations of the industry’s value to inspire and champion our workforce.”
Calvert added, “We are committed to uniting voices from every region and sector to ensure the contributions of business events are recognised by policymakers and stakeholders. GMID will also serve as a key driver of our strategy to build and champion the global workforce, reinforcing our ongoing advocacy to highlight the indispensable role business events play in driving economic, social, and environmental progress.”
Dr. Senthil Gopinath, EIC Board Chair and CEO of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), said, “We recognize the importance of this research and continued global collaboration. Assuming stewardship of GMID reflects EIC’s mission to be the global champion of our industry. We will build on the extraordinary foundation laid by U.S. Travel and work with our members and partners around the world, ensuring that GMID continues to grow in reach and influence as we highlight the powerful legacy impact of events worldwide.”
Kevin Hinton, CAE, managing director of Group Travel at U.S. Travel Association, commented: “We are proud to have established Global Meetings Industry Day as a unifying platform for our industry and look forward to working with EIC as they take on the leadership role. EIC is uniquely positioned to elevate GMID as a truly global initiative. U.S. Travel will continue to focus on championing the impact of in-person meetings and events with leaders and policymakers in the U.S. government. The critical research delivered in the Economic Significance Study has long been an important tool for our work championing the impact of in-person meetings and events with U.S. policymakers. We look forward to working closely with EIC on this important global initiative.”
To help organizers plan their own GMID events, EIC will be releasing an activation toolkit in November 2025.
Access the 2023 Economic Significance Study. For sponsorship opportunities, contact [email protected].
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