Skift Take
To say that it is a difficult time to work in the meetings and events industry would be quite the understatement.
As the industry sorts through the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us have found comfort, humour, and support from the global community that emerged. During the last few weeks, the events industry has come together like never before. Resources, new technology, training, education, advocacy efforts, virtual happy hours, and peer groups are pouring out from every corner of the industry to help support and protect each other.
It is this spirit that makes our industry undefeatable, and it is out of this spirit a grassroots initiative called #GMIDGoesVirtual was born.
A few weeks ago, Meetings Mean Business issued an announcement postponing all live events for Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID), the international forum for celebrating the event industry. Upon hearing this news, a group of event professionals, connected only by their passion for the industry and their social media accounts, set out to create something that would hopefully deliver some positivity and hope to the industry.
It all started with a tweet from Anh Nguyen, Principal and Founder of Spark Event Management.
Maybe for #GMID this year, we should just try to break the world record for largest, virtual meeting ever held. How many #eventprofs can we get to an online meeting? Everyone just shares their favourite thing about working in this amazing industry. @meetingsmeanbiz @MPI @pcmahq
— Anh Nguyen, CMP (@atnguyen) March 13, 2020
Within a few days, the movement received international support from major industry associations like Meetings Mean Business, PCMA, MPI, ILEA, SITE Global and many other industry leaders and organizations. Very rarely do you see all of the industry associations, who typically compete with another for members and professional development dollars, come together to support one universal initiative. But this year, everyone has a common goal.
It has become clear to everyone that, this year more than ever, we need to celebrate GMID. We need to celebrate the resiliency, tenacity and perseverance of the people that make up this industry.
The project #GMIDGoesVirtual was created and, within a few weeks, has turned into a global movement, which includes over 45 event professionals working together to achieve their targets.
On April 14, 2020, the group will attempt to bring together 15,000 #EventProfs from all over the world for a 30-minute, interactive virtual event to break the Guinness World Record for most participants in a virtual meeting, while connecting a community who desperately need something to celebrate.
For more information on the project and to sign up to be part of the Guinness World Record attempt check out GMIDGoesVirtual.com
