Visit Austin is proud to recognize Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) on Thursday, April 3, 2025, a worldwide celebration highlighting the undeniable value of professional meetings and events to local economies and communities.
As Austin embarks on an exciting transformation with the redevelopment of the Austin Convention Center, Visit Austin emphasizes that meetings are more important than ever for our city. Even during the construction period, these gatherings drive vital travel and tourism, supporting local businesses and jobs. In 2024, Visit Austin-facilitated meetings and events generated approximately $503M in related travel spending, supporting over 147,000 jobs in Austin. Meetings and events are an indispensable source of visitor spending in many destinations, including Austin.
During the Austin Convention Center’s redevelopment, Visit Austin, local hotels, venues, and event industry partners are strategically adapting to continue hosting successful events. This includes a heightened focus on campus-style events, also known as mini-wides, where meeting planners utilize multiple hotels and unique venues throughout the city to create cohesive attendee experiences. Austin's compact and walkable districts are particularly well-suited for this approach. Local stakeholders recognize the paramount importance of collaboration during this period to bring people together. This strategy will allow Austin to maintain its appeal as a meeting destination and provide attendees with the opportunity to explore the city's diverse offerings.
“This is a pivotal moment for Austin’s meetings and conventions industry,” said Tom Noonan, President & CEO of Visit Austin. “While we eagerly anticipate the opening of the expanded Austin Convention Center, we want to underscore that Austin is all in on meetings. These gatherings are crucial for our economic vitality and community well-being. With our new state-of-the-art facility, we’ll be able to create an even greater positive impact.”
The reimagined Austin Convention Center will significantly increase the rentable square footage of the facility to 620,000 square feet. This cutting-edge facility, with an expected completion in early 2029 will solidify Austin’s reputation as a premier global destination, generating over $700 million in annual economic impact. The new building will be the world’s first zero-carbon-certified convention center (International Living Futures Institute), further bolstering Austin’s image as a leader in sustainable urban development.
The new Austin Convention Center is designed with a focus on accessibility, flexibility, and sustainability, featuring expansive outdoor spaces and seamless indoor-outdoor connections. It will also be a cultural hub, showcasing public art with a significant $17.7 million investment. The redevelopment will enhance connectivity with surrounding districts and prioritize multimodal transit.
Visit Austin encourages the local community and media to recognize the significant contributions of the meetings industry on Global Meetings Industry Day.