Growing Advocacy from Coast to Coast

Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) showcases the power that our industry has when passionate professionals come together to prove the value of face to face meetings. Join the PCMA Capital Chapter and MPI-Potomac Chapter for a day of advocacy, education, and networking as we learn to engage legislators, dive into hot topics, and support a worthy cause along the way. We are growing advocacy coast to coast and invite you along for the ride!

There are two registration options for GMID, see schedules below.

Full Hill Day Event Schedule

8:30 am – 9:00 am     Registration/Light Breakfast: Pavilion Ballroom Foyer
9:00 am – 11:00 am   Advocacy Training: Pavilion Ballroom
11:00 am – 12:30 pm Lunch on own
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm     Hill Appointments
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm     Reception: Pavilion Ballroom Foyer

Advocacy Training
Hear from Washington DC professionals with years of government experience on how to effectively advocate on Capitol Hill. This session will allow for us to explore legislation that is key to our industry and learn tools that we will then apply to our meetings on Capitol Hill.

– Learn the ins and outs of the key pieces of legislation PCMA Capital Chapter and MCI Potomac Chapter have chosen to focus on and how these pieces impact our meetings industry
– Learn effective advocacy tools that will help give maximum impact to our meetings on Capitol Hill
– Gain confidence for our interactions with Congressional offices and staff
Speakers:
– Bob Van Heuvelen, Principal, Van Heuvelen Strategies
– Ruth Hazdovac, Associate Director of Government and Public Affairs, Interel

Afternoon Education* Schedule

2:30 pm – 3:00 pm     Registration: Pavilion Ballroom Foyer
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm     Education Sessions: 1. YAY US!, 2. Advocacy, 3. CSR
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm     Reception: Pavilion Ballroom Foyer

Topic 1 – YAY US! Who Runs the World? Event Professionals!
Let’s take a look back at all we have accomplished in the past year! During this opening session, Vicki Johnson (PCMA Capital Chapter President) and Kaitlin Felix (MPI Potomac Chapter President) will showcase all that our two organizations have done for the local economy, as well as how our industry has affected the world! Get ready to see why meetings really do mean business!

– Review Current Industry Trends
– Learn how those trends may affect future business.

Topic 2 – ADVOCACY Let’s Advocate: What PCMA and MPI are doing on the Hill, and how you too can affect change.
Sad that you missed this morning’s advocacy training? We’ll have a mini training this afternoon to hear about how you can effectively advocate for causes you’re passionate about locally and nationally.

– Learn how you can advocate for our industry on Capitol Hill and in your local government with achievable steps
– Learn the ins and outs of Capitol Hill and the federal government
Speakers:
– Stephen Ward, Van Heuvelen Strategies
– Ruth Hazdovac, Associate Director of Government and Public Affairs, Interel

Topic 3 – CSR Change the World Though Giving Back
Everyone wants to talk about giving back, but how do you really incorporate Corporate Social Responsibility into your organization? We’ll hear from a Planner, CVB, and Non-profit on how they were able to do just that!

– Learn how Planners, CVBs, and Hotels can all integrate CSR into their work culture
– Case study of what three local members have done to make CSR a priority
Speakers:
– Mary Beth Baluta, Regional Director of Sales, Cincinnati USA Convention and Visitors Bureau
– Donna Jarvis-Miller, CMP, CEM, Director, Membership and Events, American Public Human Services Association
– Art Shaw, CMP, Partnership Officer, American Red Cross

*Please note the 2019 All Access Season Pass includes the afternoon education session registration. More details here.

Planner Members: apply for the 2019 Scholarship Program to attend either the full Hill Day event registration or the Afternoon Education registration. Both include the networking reception. Apply now.

Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) brings together leaders from across the meetings and events industry to showcase the real impact that business meetings, conferences, conventions, incentive travel, trade shows and exhibitions have on people, business and communities. Meeting professionals across the world participate in the international day of advocacy, with more than 200 events held across 6 continents in 2018.

Thank You Sponsors!

Ronald Reagan Building, Experience Kissimmee, San Francisco Travel, Visit Raleigh, Pike Productions and CMR

Signage Sponsor: Freeman
Photography Sponsor: EPNAC
Videography Sponsor: Performedia
DJ Sponsor: Dan Goldman Events

CSR Project

Experience Kissimmee is a proud sponsor of GMID and excited to bring a unique experience from Kissimmee. Give Kids the World Village inspires hope and creates priceless memories for the kids and families that visit. The village operates fully on volunteers and offers great team building opportunities for groups to contribute to their mission. Join us throughout the day at GMID by spending a few minutes of your time to create village amenities, enjoy a little networking during the process, and leave your mark in creating a lasting impact for many.  Those who participate will be entered into a drawing to win a Grand Kissimmee Getaway.

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” Aesop