2015 North American Meetings Industry Day

Thursday, April 16, 2015

History:

The Canadian Chapters of MPI have been successfully holding a national meetings industry day for 19 years. As part of the U.S.lead Meetings Mean Business campaign, we want to replicate this very successful concept and expand it to include our colleagues from Mexico and learn from and collaborate with our colleagues in Canada. With Canada’s 2015 date already confirmed for April 16, the U.S. and Mexico decided to follow their lead to make a powerful statement on value of the global meetings industry with North American Meetings Industry Day (NAMID). In the U.S., Congress will be in their districts that week, which will work well for the format of locally based activities.

Who Will Participate:

  • The leading meeting, travel, incentive and exhibition industry associations whether CIC members or not, and their chapters in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
  • Other Meetings Mean Business coalition members (hotels, DMOs, partners).
  • Any other stakeholders and industry supporters who wish to be involved.

Coordination of Activities:

The Convention Industry Council in collaboration with the Meetings Mean Business Coalition,

and APCO Worldwide will facilitate and support CIC members, chapters and other coalition members and stakeholders in implementing the NAMID strategy and PR materials.

Each participating national organization or local chapter will need one point person to receive information from and coordinate with CIC/MMB.

How to Participate:

1.Plan aNorth American Meetings Industry Day event within your chapter or organization. An event could be:

  • A Rally at the Capital/City Hall/Convention Center.
  • An event in conjunction with chapter/organization meeting.

A list of suggested activities will be provided in the toolkit. Canada’s MPI chapters have been holding a meetings day for 19 years and have helped to develop the list of past successful events and activities.

Participantsare encouraged to hold events on April 16th or within that week.

2.Encourage a NA Meetings IndustryDay Declaration by respective legislative bodies.

3.Engage the local media/PR channels for coverage of events

4.Sign up in advance and report back on the success of the event and lessons learned.

PR and Materials Support:

PR materials are being developed for distribution to chapters, participants and event leaders. These include:

  • NAMID Logo
  • NAMID Web Page to serve as the hub for information and materials
  • Button
  • Digital Advertisement for hosts to incorporate into event promotions
  • Association and Local ChapterToolkit:
  • Sample ideas on ways to celebrate North American Meetings Day
  • Sample proclamation to solicit support from local officials or state legislatures
  • Sample press release & media advisory in template form to be tailored for both local and national distribution
  • Messaging and talking points
  • Tweet sheet#Hashtag

In addition, APCO Worldwide will develop and support:

  • A comprehensive media strategy to ensure industry leaders and stakeholders are aware and in support of this effort.
  • Media advisory and press release outreach to trade, local and national media outlets prior to the event
  • Editorializing of events on the MMB blog through guest posts from coalition and industry leaders.
  • Develop and publish Twitter content.

Timeline

December 16th /
  • CIC announces upcoming NA Meeting Day to CIC members and 1st press release on NAMID.
  • NAMID Registration page live for Chapters/Orgs to Sign Up.

January 7th /
  • APCO delivers messaging and talking points & 2nd press release on NAMID.

January 13th /
  • APCO delivers NA Meetings Day logo, button design, webpage layout and digital advertisement.
  • CIC/MPI/MPI Canada deliver: Great Ideas to Celebrate North American Meeting Industry Day
  • Begin to populateNAMID page with host and attendee information on Rally Day Map.

January 30th /
  • APCO delivers toolkit materials: media advisory, press release, blog posts, Twitter content, proclamation

February 3rd /
  • Distribute materials for event hosts and attendees

March 5th /
  • 1st conference call with event PR leads

March 26th /
  • Distribute 3rdNAMIDpress release

April 9th /
  • 2nd conference call with event PR leads

April 14th /
  • Distribute NAMID media advisory

April 16th /
  • North American Meeting Day 2015

April 20th-May 1st /
  • APCO collects media clips and feedback from event leads and attendees