“We are increasingly realizing the importance of rigorous measurement of the benefits associated with meetings and conventions in order to document this in a form that will be convincing to government decision-makers”, said Philippe Fournier, JMIC President. “The work and energy that was invested by Mr. Chaillo demonstrates a level of commitment to the industry and to his country that should be an inspiration to us all”.
The study, which was carried out under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Tourism, through the CESTUR (Center for Higher Studies in Tourism) established a point of reference for measuring the economic revenue generated from Congresses, Conventions, Incentive Groups and Trade Shows, estimated market size by event type, origin and spending; and generated a model to estimate the direct economic contribution generated by meetings held in Mexico.
Amongst the findings were that the 197,400 meetings held in Mexico in 2010 involved 23 million participants and 24.2 million overnight guest stays, representing 18% of the total Travel and Tourism demand. This generated direct spending of $18,120 million USD into the national economy, of which 48% was spent on tourism with the balance attributed to other sectors of the economy, meaning that the impacts went far beyond the hospitality-related areas traditionally associated with meetings and conventions.
“Studies such as these demonstrate the broad scope of economic impacts resulting from the meetings industry, and go a long way to broadening perceptions of the value we bring to the overall economy”, said Fournier.
The JMIC Power and Profile Award was established by the Council as a way of recognizing individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to advancing the awareness and influence of the Meetings Industry in their respective communities. The winner is selected each year based on criteria which evaluate the efforts of an individual or organization in increasing industry profile and bringing about structural or policy changes that reflect that better appreciation. JMIC – the Joint Meetings Industry Council – was established in 1978 as a vehicle for creating a forum for the exchange of information and perspectives amongst international associations engaged in various aspects of the Meetings Industry. It has met annually each year and served as a link between its member organizations as well as a means of reviewing industry conditions and strategies.
