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Yesterday, the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of PCMA (GPPCMA) gathered industry professionals at Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia for Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID)—a pivotal annual event spotlighting the enduring strength and resilience of the business events industry. Held against a backdrop of global uncertainty, the 2025 theme echoed loudly: "Meetings Matter."
This year’s GMID in Philadelphia echoed the global theme—“Meetings Matter”—by grounding it in local leadership and pride. The city’s hospitality industry has long been a cornerstone of economic development, and GMID 2025 made it clear: the meetings and events sector is not just part of the city’s recovery—it’s leading it.
The event aligned with GMID celebrations around the world, reinforcing a shared mission: to advocate for the meetings and events industry’s economic power, social impact, and role in rebuilding communities. As emphasized by Skift Meetings’ GMID coverage, 2025’s iteration came at a critical time, when the industry faces complex challenges—from labor shortages and visa policies to climate events and political pressures.
Philadelphia's event reminded attendees that while uncertainty may be global, action is local.
Before diving into the second session, attendees were treated to a special moment that underscored the importance of Global Meetings Industry Day not only to the profession, but to the city itself.
Jazelle Jones, representing the Office of the Mayor, took the stage to present a formal proclamation from Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, officially recognizing April 3, 2025, as Global Meetings Industry Day in Philadelphia.
The proclamation celebrated the significant economic, cultural, and civic impact of meetings and events—and the professionals who make them happen. It also acknowledged Philadelphia’s leadership in hosting inclusive, impactful gatherings that drive business, tourism, and global collaboration.
It was a proud moment that reminded attendees: their work doesn’t just power events—it powers cities.
GPPCMA’s GMID celebration wasn’t just about learning—it was about leading. Attendees showed up not just for sessions, but to give back. The chapter collected donations for the Upper Merion Area Community Cupboard, reinforcing that meetings aren’t just about business—they’re about connection and care.
Despite a Phillies home game next door and the usual city traffic, energy inside the venue was palpable. From hallway conversations to panel mic drops, GMID 2025 in Philly reminded us:
Moderated by Philadelphia’s ever-energetic former City Representative Sheila Hess, this opening panel wasted no time diving into the hard truths facing our industry today. Featuring Gregg Caren (Philadelphia CVB), Anuj Gupta (The Welcoming Center), and Pamela Esbrandt Wynne (PamWynne LLC), the conversation quickly shifted from trends to tensions, exploring the increasingly complex intersection of immigration, policy, and the future of global meetings.—with panelists issuing some of the most sobering statements of the day.
From the outset, the tone was clear: this is a critical inflection point.
Moderated by Philadelphia’s ever-energetic former City Representative Sheila Hess, this opening panel kicked off with urgency and clarity. Featuring Gregg Caren (Philadelphia CVB), Anuj Gupta (The Welcoming Center), and Pamela Esbrandt Wynne (PamWynne LLC), the discussion confronted some of the hardest truths facing the global meetings and events industry today.
Panelists addressed the real-time consequences of the ongoing trade war with Canada and other international partners, noting a dramatic decline in travel and business ties. For example, air bookings from Canada to the U.S. are down 70% over the same period last year—an alarming statistic that signals a chilling effect on cross-border collaboration, event attendance, and tourism.
Compounding the issue are immigration hurdles and federal policy shifts, which have made it more difficult for international attendees, speakers, and frontline workers to access U.S.-based events. The industry is also being squeezed by a wave of political backlash against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies. Panelists highlighted how recent legislation—aimed at restricting DEI in both public agencies and private enterprise—has created widespread confusion and, in some cases, forced event organizers to abandon or alter long-standing values of inclusion and accessibility. As several noted, recent legislation—both proposed and enacted—has created confusion and fear in both the public and private sectors, making it harder to justify or implement diversity-focused hiring, vendor sourcing, and programming.
Bonnie Grant shared that many of her international life sciences clients are already pushing their U.S. meetings to 2029, citing sustained uncertainty around visas, immigration policy, and global perception. “They’re not just battling logistics,” she explained. “They’re battling fear.”
Captured vividly by Kingman Ink’s graphic facilitation, two quotes stood out:
“If it’s hard to get here, they won’t come.”
“Silence, acquiescence worsens the situation.”
Anuj Gupta brought the conversation home, emphasizing Philadelphia’s proactive approach to welcoming immigrants. He highlighted the city's 2023 designation as a Certified Welcoming City and warned, “Without intentional and aggressive welcoming, communities and cities will die. There will be no tax base. There’s no baby boom coming.”
But amidst the uncertainty, Anuj Gupta offered a powerful reminder of Philadelphia’s resilience. He stressed that the city’s proactive approach to immigration has been a lifeline—not just for newcomers, but for its long-term survival.
“Without intentional and aggressive welcoming and intentional immigration policies, communities and cities will die,” Gupta said.
“There will be no tax base. There’s no baby boom coming.”
Thanks to programs led by The Welcoming Center and policies put in place by the city, Philadelphia became a Certified Welcoming City in 2023—one of only a few in the nation. This designation, awarded by Welcoming America, affirms the city’s commitment to inclusive policies and immigrant integration. As Gupta emphasized, these measures have counteracted population decline and helped Philadelphia maintain its vibrancy, even as other cities struggle.
But while the challenges are formidable, the panel emphasized that silence is not an option.
Pamela Esbrandt Wynne delivered a powerful charge to the audience:
As the discussion moved to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), the panel warned of growing backlash and policy rollbacks in both public and private sectors. Wynne emphasized that these restrictions are forcing planners to navigate legal ambiguity, while staying true to values of inclusion, access, and representation.
Pamela Wynne issued a direct call to action:
“Use your feet and your voice. Write, call, and email your representatives. The economic impact of this industry could not be stressed more.”
Her message was backed by Gupta, who urged attendees to engage strategically with lawmakers:
Her call for active, ongoing advocacy was echoed by Gupta, who stressed the importance of strategic engagement with lawmakers:
“When you reach out to legislators, demand a meeting with the Chief of Staff or Legislative Director. Talking to aides is just window dressing,” he said. “You need to go straight to the decision-makers.”
Anuj Gupta also spoke to Philadelphia’s model of resilience, highlighting that without intentional and aggressive welcoming policies, communities and cities simply won’t survive.
“There will be no tax base. There’s no baby boom coming,” he said.
But because of Philadelphia’s proactive stance—including its 2023 designation as a Certified Welcoming City—the city has been able to counteract national trends of population loss and economic stagnation.
In a moment where the free flow of people, ideas, and opportunity feels increasingly fragile, this panel reminded attendees that the meetings industry must not only adapt—but advocate boldly and lead decisively.
The second segment of the day brought a welcome shift in tone—one filled with opportunity, momentum, and excitement for meetings and events professionals, especially those in Philadelphia.
Moderated by Paul Wong, Director of Global Events at ISPOR and President of PCMA PHL, the panel featured a powerhouse lineup of global event leaders with firsthand experience in bidding for, planning, and executing large-scale international events:
Panelists provided a behind-the-scenes look at how mega events are won, including insights into the RFP process, planning timelines, international collaboration, and the economic ripple effect these events create. And in Philadelphia, the outlook is particularly bright.
Thanks to a strategic, years-long effort by the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, PHL Sports, and the city’s hospitality and tourism ecosystem, Philadelphia has firmly positioned itself as a global host city for mega events.
As highlighted during the session—and backed by Visit Philly—Philadelphia is set to host a series of world-stage events that will place it in the international spotlight:
These events aren’t just significant—they’re transformational. Panelists emphasized how they stimulate long-term investments, activate citywide infrastructure, and create opportunities for local businesses, event professionals, and community organizations.
Brea Webster-Stanko noted how these mega events serve as a “galvanizing force,” uniting public agencies, venues, labor partners, and creative professionals under one vision—showcasing Philadelphia to the world.
As captured in Kingman Ink’s visual summary, the mood during this session was energized and optimistic. While the morning’s panel emphasized advocacy and caution, this segment reminded everyone in the room of why they do what they do—bringing the world together through extraordinary events.
In a year where the global meetings industry continues to adapt and evolve, events like GMID are crucial. As Skift noted, “Meetings are a business necessity, not a luxury.” That was echoed loud and clear yesterday in Philadelphia.