Why Group Travel is so Much More Than Just Advocacy

04/10/24 • 34 min

Why does Group Travel matter so much?

In a world full of Zoom and digital dial-ins, what makes in-person connection so essential?

Well, in this episode of Great Events, hosts Rachel Andrews and Felicia Asiedu discuss those very questions—and usher in Global Meetings Industry Day— with Ishma Haider, VP of Group Travel at the US Travel Association.

From defining the whats and whys of the Association to the broader roles of advocacy and in-person global events, it’s the perfect conversation to kick off GMID 2024.

Here are some key takeaways:

There are a wide variety of resources available to members of the US Travel Association. Take a closer look at all the areas this organization impacts and how it can help you in your corner of the industry.
To breathe innovation into events, it’s important to keep a pulse on what the industry wants. Events like IPW are a great way to do just that.
When the travel industry thrives, America thrives. In 2023, travelers in the US spent 1.3 trillion, producing an economic footprint of 2.8 trillion and supporting more than 15 million American jobs. And in the meetings and events space, 2023 travel contributed 119 billion in spending to the US economy.

Additional Resources:

GMID Toolkit to help you engage in the day: Global Meetings Industry Day Toolkit | U.S. Travel Association (ustravel.org). Reach out to your local policymakers (and neighbors) to share about our industry - what it brings, what it means to you, and why meetings matter.

Why does Group Travel matter so much?

In a world full of Zoom and digital dial-ins, what makes in-person connection so essential?

From defining the whats and whys of the Association to the broader roles of advocacy and in-person global events, it’s the perfect conversation to kick off GMID 2024.

Here are some key takeaways:

There are a wide variety of resources available to members of the US Travel Association. Take a closer look at all the areas this organization impacts and how it can help you in your corner of the industry.
To breathe innovation into events, it’s important to keep a pulse on what the industry wants. Events like IPW are a great way to do just that.
When the travel industry thrives, America thrives. In 2023, travelers in the US spent 1.3 trillion, producing an economic footprint of 2.8 trillion and supporting more than 15 million American jobs. And in the meetings and events space, 2023 travel contributed 119 billion in spending to the US economy.

Additional Resources:

GMID Toolkit to help you engage in the day: Global Meetings Industry Day Toolkit | U.S. Travel Association (ustravel.org). Reach out to your local policymakers (and neighbors) to share about our industry - what it brings, what it means to you, and why meetings matter.

Previous Episode

Growing and Scaling Your Sales Kickoff Strategy with Morningstar

What are you doing to improve the effectiveness of your SKO event planning?

In this episode of Great Events, join host Alyssa Peltier as she dives into a discussion with Caroline DeCamp and Becca Martinson from Morningstar. They share their insights and experiences in planning and executing Sales Kickoffs (SKOs) and other large-scale events.

The conversation covers various aspects of SKO planning, including challenges related to attendance, scaling content regionally, engaging stakeholders, measuring event success, and planning for the future.

Whether you aim to make your events more inclusive, leverage AI for content creation, or effectively measure their impact, this conversation offers the guidance you need.

Here are a few takeaways:

Implement strategies to accommodate demand to manage scope creep in event attendance effectively. It is essential to maintain exclusivity and relevance throughout the process.
To enhance inclusivity in event experiences, implement closed captions and quiet areas for attendees
To streamline event planning processes, improve efficiency, and facilitate data-driven decision-making, implement AI

Next Episode

How To Repurpose Your Event Content Like a Pro

Content doesn't have to go to waste.

Rather, its shelf life and value can increase over time.

In this episode of Great Events, join host Felicia Asiedu and content strategist Victoria Akinsowon as they dive deep into the art of repurposing event content.

They discuss practical tips for identifying the most resonant event themes/messages and how to repurpose them into various formats––from turning event sessions into engaging blog posts to creating captivating video snippets for social media.

They also tap into the significance of audience feedback and use real-time insights from events to guide your content strategy. They leverage tools like AI for efficient content repurposing and share insights into measuring the success of your repurposed content across different platforms.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

How to utilize your event content to the fullest potential by using real-time audience insights and feedback to create meaningful content
How to leverage a variety of content formats and channels to extend the lifespan and reach of your event content
How to stay agile in measuring and adapting your content's impact across different channels