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Visit Quad Cities Celebrates Global Meetings Industry Day on March 30

Visit Quad Cities Celebrates Global Meetings Industry Day on March 30

March 28, 2023

Quad Cities (Tuesday, March 28, 2023) — Visit Quad Cities is championing that “Meetings Matter” on Global Meetings Industry Day, an international day of advocacy held on March 30, 2023, to showcase the essential nature and incredible value created by business meetings, trade shows, conferences and conventions.

This year’s theme, “Meetings Matter,” highlights the numerous benefits of in-person meetings—such as economic growth, deeper business connections and the sharing of knowledge and ideas that positively impact society.

Meetings are a key driver of the economy and workforce, playing a critical role in fueling other industries. In 2022, professional events drove nearly $100 billion in travel spending nationwide, accounting for 38% of all business travel spending. That spending directly supports 600,000 American jobs and helps power small and local businesses. In the Quad Cities, meetings are essential in stimulating the region’s economy and bringing in new visitors who stay in Quad Cities’ hotels, eat in local restaurants, shop in local stores, and support 8,618 local jobs.

Some upcoming meetings being hosted in the Quad Cities include:

  • March 27-30: 2023 Annual Conference of the Iowa Parks and Recreation Association
  • April 13-15: 2023 Annual Conference of Environmental Educators Association of Illinois
  • Apr 20-23: 2023 Mid-Year Conference of Fleet Reserve Association, North Central Region
  • April 20-22: Church Women United Illinois State Assembly
  • May 22-25: Midwest Government Contracting Symposium
  • June 7-11: Illinois Association of Snowmobile Clubs
  • June 21-22: Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri

Visit Quad Cities reported at its Destination QC! event in November that in FY22 (July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022) they generated $30 million in direct economic impact by securing group business, including meetings, conferences, conventions, trade shows, group tours, military and family reunions, festivals & special events, and sports events of all sizes. 

“Meetings are a major tourism driver for our Quad Cities regional destination,” said Joan Kranovich, Vice President of Business Growth & Director, Sports QC. “From corporate meetings, including associations related to ag innovation, manufacturing, arts and culture to social meetings like reunions and national car meets, they all have a positive economic impact. Visit Quad Cities is proud to be the organization driving further regional and national meeting planners to consider our affordable, connected destination. We are there every step of the way to make sure their meeting space, hotels, promotional materials, off-site tours, and authentic visitor experience are above their expectations.”

Many Quad Citizens travel out of town to attend conferences, professional association meetings, reunions, hobby and consumer shows.  Visit Quad Cities wants to engage with area residents to bring new opportunities to the community and has created BringItQC.com.  This platform allows residents to submit qualified suggestions as we team up to potentially increase new business opportunities for the region.

Through Visit Quad Cities’ continued sales & marketing efforts and maximizing its existing industry-wide database, the DMMO is always looking to increase business relationships that create value for the destination.  Bring It QC provides another way for Visit Quad Cities to identify new business and lead generation opportunities to have an even bigger impact on our local economy and quality of life initiatives.

Messaging on social media is organized using hashtags #MeetingsMatter and #GMID2023.

About Visit Quad Cities

Founded in 1990, Visit Quad Cities is the official and certified Destination Management and Marketing Organization (DMMO) for the region. Visit Quad Cities is a private 501(c)(6) non-profit engine that drives economic opportunity through tourism, improves the quality of life, and markets the Quad Cities brand by attracting visitors, meetings/conventions, sports events, and group tours to the area. 

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Media Contact: Charlotte Doehler-Morrison, VP Marketing & Communications, Visit Quad Cities, 309-736-6821 office, 309-781-4235 cell or [email protected]