Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan Celebrates Global Meetings Industry Day with Proclamation
Meetings Industry Generates More Than $700 Million to Local Economy
SEATTLE – Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan officially proclaimed April 4, 2019 as Seattle Meetings Industry Day. The proclamation was made to recognize the meetings industry and its vital economic importance to Seattle and King County and in an effort to celebrate Global Meetings Industry Day with counterparts worldwide.
“We applaud the dedication of Seattle’s meetings industry professionals and call for community leaders to recognize the many ways that the meetings industry contributes to our region and vitalizes our economy,” Mayor Durkan said.
Together, Visit Seattle and the Washington State Convention Center work to book meetings, conferences and events of all types into the city and 2018 proved to be a record-breaking year for business. Last year, the meetings industry provided an economic impact to the city and region of more than $708 million.
Additionally, the two teams had a record-breaking year booking future business to Seattle. Business booked through 2027 is expected to have an economic impact of $715 million with more than 704,000 total room nights booked, in part due to the Convention Center’s additional facility. The addition of the Summit building, opening in 2022, will deliver an estimated $260 million a year in spending from in-state and out-of-state visitors.
“Meetings, conventions, and events are a vital piece of our economy,” Visit Seattle President and CEO Tom Norwalk said. “They serve our community by filling restaurants, attractions, retail locations and hotels with attendees. All of this serves to support more than 78,000 jobs in the region connected to tourism and generates additional tax revenue which helps offset the average annual tax burden in the city and county by about $900 per household.”
In May 2018 the International Trademark Association (INTA) hosted their 140th annual meeting in Seattle with more than 10,960 attendees coming from throughout the world. The group hosted more than 285 affiliated events at venues and restaurants throughout the city contributing more than $20 million in economic impact over the three-days of meetings. INTA attendees made a lasting impact for many community residents by contributing gently worn professional women’s clothing for Dress for Success Seattle and donated 1,000 backpacks to Pike Place Market Foundation which provides housing, healthcare, healthy food, childcare and community support throughout the greater Seattle community. Similarly, the American Pharmacists Association Annual Meeting and Exposition partnered with Mary’s Place in March 2019. More than 1,000 attendees contributed their time to put together cold care kits, comfort kits and birthday cards or made a financial donation to help the organization which provides shelter and services for women, children and families on their journey out of homelessness. Tomorrow, April 5, attendees of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics will present specially-adapted bikes to local Seattle children with genetic disorders.
Giving back to the community goes beyond event attendees. As part of the Summit project, the Washington State Convention Center has pledged $93 million to go toward the creation of public benefit investments and affordable housing that will positively impact the community.
“As a proud partner of this community for over thirty years, the Convention Center is dedicated to giving back to Seattle,” said Jeffrey Blosser, President and CEO of Washington State Convention Center. “We know that good housing and great public facilities are essential for the vitality of a vibrant and diverse region.”
Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) celebrates the real impact meetings have on people, businesses and the economy. Led by the Meetings Mean Business Coalition, it brings together meetings industry advocates across six continents and more than forty countries to raise awareness that face-to-face meetings and events provide a $2.53 trillion economic impact globally. Follow along at #GMID19.
Images and Video:
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About Visit Seattle:
Visit Seattle has served as the official destination marketing organization (DMO) for Seattle and King County for more than 50 years. A 501(c)(6) organization, Visit Seattle enhances the economic prosperity of the region through global destination branding along with competitive programs and campaigns in leisure travel marketing, convention sales and overseas tourism development. More than 40 million annual visitors spend $7.8 billion in the city and county each year. The economic power of travel and tourism generates more than 78,000 Seattle area jobs and contributes $806 million in annual state and local tax revenue. Visit visitseattle.org.
About Washington State Convention Center
The Washington State Convention Center (WSCC) is located in the heart of Seattle and within walking distance to world-class hotels, restaurants, entertainment and attractions. WSCC welcomes thousands of visitors from around the globe each year, offering industry-leading service, award-winning catering and a comprehensive range of services for event planners, exhibitors and guests. With a longstanding commitment to sustainability, public art and modern technology, WSCC serves its surrounding community and provides visitors with a truly unique Northwest experience. Learn more at www.wscc.com.