On 14 July 2020, the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC) released a Meetings Industry manifesto that outlines 15 ways that meetings, conventions and exhibitions offer a strategic advantage in a country’s economic recovery and renewal in the post-COVID-19 era.
A broad range of industry leaders contributed to the manifesto through an online forum process, with the support of four global industry trade shows – including African Tourism’s business tourism show Meetings Africa, alongside AIME, IBTM and IMEX. These were recorded, and can be viewed as a two-part webinar HERE.
A broad range of industry leaders contributed to the manifesto through an online forum process, with the support of four global industry trade shows – including African Tourism’s business tourism show Meetings Africa.
While many events cross international borders, the decision making behind re-opening events are typically local and are strongly influenced by local economic recovery strategies. Therefore the manifesto was created as a resource for industry professionals around the world to advocate for the re-opening of business events in their respective communities.
“COVID-19 has again highlighted a core weakness on the global business events industry: We struggle to share a joint message, to stand as a united industry, when it matters.”
JMIC President Kai Hattendorf says, “COVID-19 has again highlighted a core weakness on the global business events industry: We struggle to share a joint message, to stand as a united industry, when it matters. With policymakers, this puts us at the end of the queue of industries seeking to showcase their respective roles for economies and societies.”
You can download the manifesto HERE.
Further information and supporting materials can also be found at www.themeetingsindustry.org or www.the-iceberg.org.
