AUSTIN, TX—The Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau (Austin CVB) today is participating in the second annual Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID). GMID, led by the industry advocacy coalition, Meetings Mean Business (MMB), will continue to showcase the real impact that business meetings, conferences, conventions, incentive travel, trade shows and exhibitions have on people, business and communities.

“Austin CVB is excited to host GMID to meet and discuss the most important topics facing our industry,” said Tom Noonan, President and CEO of Austin CVB. “GMID is hosting two informative panels that will focus on economic impact and safety and security of the meetings industry and I look forward to taking part in these discussions with other members of the meetings and conventions industry.”

GMID 2017 will consist of a local economic impact panel which will discuss the benefit meetings and conventions have on communities and how they drive business growth across the state of Texas. They will also discuss the value of hosting events as well as the long term economic impact from meetings attendees. The panel will include: Tom Noonan, President & CEO, Austin CVB; Bill Keese, Executive Director, The Association of Progressive Rental Organizations; Cindy Lo, DMCP, Owner, Red Velvet Events; Mike Shea, Executive Director, SXSW.

The second panel for GMID 2017 will discuss safety and security and the importance among attendees, members, stakeholders, employees and the general public that attend meetings, conferences, conventions and exhibitions every day around the world. Panelists include Brad Mayne, CFE, President & CEO, International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM); David DuBois, CMP, CAE, FASAE, CTA , International Association of Exhibitions & Events (IAEE); Larry Arnaudet, Executive Director, Exhibition Services & Contractors Assn (ESCA); Bill Flynn, Former Dir of Homeland Security; Mike Shea, Executive Director, SXSW; Diane Gallatin, CPP, PSP, ISP, President, Integrated Security Solutions.

GMID 2017 will be held between 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. CT at Brazos Hall. 

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About Austin CVB
The Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing and sales organization for the City of
Austin. An accredited member of the Destination Marketing Association International, the Austin CVB is charged
with marketing Austin nationally and internationally as a premier business and leisure destination, thus enriching
our community's overall quality of life. In 2015 the greater Austin MSA welcomed 24.1 million visitors who
contributed to $7 billion in economic impact and 124,000 jobs.