(Washington, D.C., Monday, November 15, 2021) – Prior to the pandemic, the global meetings industry supported 5.9 million American jobs and spurred hundreds of billions of dollars in annual revenue. With IMEX America having just concluded last week, now is a great time to reflect on the value of business travel and in-person, large-scale meetings, and events—the building blocks of recovery for American cities.

The demand to meet in-person has only heightened during the past two years. Employees across major industries are eager to “get back out there,” as seen with heavily attended recent conferences.

The United States economy and businesses are directly affected by the meetings and events that are held across the country.

Recent industry data shows, travel overall is by far the U.S. industry hardest hit by the ongoing fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. Spending on travel for large, in-person professional meetings and events (PMEs) declined by 76% last year—a $97 billion loss in spending. A staggering 65% of all U.S. jobs lost in 2020 were supported by travel, and they cannot fully recover without a swift return of all segments of travel, particularly in-person PMEs, according to the analysis.

Meetings Mean Business is an industry-wide coalition to showcase the undeniable value that business meetings, trade shows, incentive travel, exhibitions, conferences, and conventions bring to people, businesses and communities. By rallying industry advocates, working with stakeholders, conducting original research, engaging with outside voices and more, the coalition brings the industry together to emphasize its importance. Comprised of over 60 members, the coalition unites the meetings industry with one strong and powerful voice.