WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (April 14, 2022) – On April 7, 2021, The Palm Beaches joined organizations across the globe to support Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) by showcasing how to incorporate wellness initiatives and sustainability into the meetings industry.  GMID, led by the industry advocacy coalition Meetings Mean Business (MMB), is an international day of recognition showcasing the significant value that business meetings, conferences, conventions, incentive travel, trade shows and exhibitions bring to destinations and their economy. The Palm Beaches celebrated with an environmental theme, “Meeting Today to Inspire Change for a More Sustainable Tomorrow,” recognizing one of the industry’s top priorities of operating meetings and events sustainably to keep a destination well for years to come.
 
The Palm Beaches hosted a group of meetings and event professionals to learn how the destination incorporates sustainable practices and how its community wellness thought leaders are inspiring the industry to do better.
Presenters included the host, The Pelican Club, who explained how simple changes can lead to more sustainable meetings by using locally sourced products, eliminating food waste, and using items such as biodegradable straws and rechargeable candles.  4Ocean, a purpose-driven business in Boca Raton on a mission to end the ocean plastic crisis, discussed how they hire captains, crews and boats to remove ocean trash and how every product purchased removes one pound of trash from the ocean. 
 
Juno Beach-based Florida Power & Light highlighted their commitment to solar energy with the use of clean energy solar trees at the Convention Center, train station, airport, and attractions, as well as their commitment to environmental education and wellness through Manatee Lagoon.  Garden of Life, a wellness company located in Palm Beach Gardens, spoke about using clean ingredients in the most sustainable way possible to empower extraordinary health.  According to new research from MMGY, an increasing number of travelers consider environmental efforts when making travel decisions – 15 percent said it was a consideration and 20 percent indicated it impacted their choices.  The Palm Beaches and its area partners are dedicated to environmental wellness so that the destination remains clean, healthy, and safe for many more visitors to enjoy over time. 
 
“Wellness and sustainability are now a way of life and must be part of the foundation of destination services for meeting planners,” said Kelly Cavers, Chief Sales Officer for Discover The Palm Beaches. Cavers continued, “Incorporating personal wellness into meetings with open-air spaces, walkable districts, and outdoor activities is just the beginning.  The Palm Beaches prioritizes the health and wellness of its partners, its community, and the environment.  How we all come together to ensure a positive outcome for everyone matters.”
 
GMID took place at The Pelican Club, one of The Palm Beaches’ finest meeting experiences with one of the best views in town, overlooking the Jupiter Inlet and Lighthouse.  Guests networked and partook in a delectable breakfast on the outdoor terrace that was designed by the chef at the Pelican Club and incorporated Garden of Life products as ingredients in the dishes.  The Palm Beaches highlighted its local collaboration with partners, wellness initiatives, and custom experiences to planners in attendance.
 
Guests also had the opportunity to shop 4Ocean products at the event including water bottles, bracelets, and more to help support its mission.  Further, The Palm Beaches asked attendees to fill out cards before leaving stating how they have been inspired to incorporate sustainability into their events and to share it on social media.
 
The U.S. Travel Association revealed that meetings, conventions, and other corporate travel-related events make up nearly 15 percent of all travel in the country, which results in $101 billion in spending, one million jobs and almost $16 billion in federal, state and local taxes.  While the pandemic significantly impacted this sector of tourism, meetings and events in The Palm Beaches recovered about 50 percent in 2021 from 2019 levels.  As the business travel sector continues to steadily increase, the destination anticipates 75 to 85 percent recovery of groups and meetings business in 2022.  The Palm Beaches also launched a new Between-The-Sessions marketing campaign in 2021 aimed at attracting conventions, events and meeting planners, which has helped drive the increase in bookings and growth in leads.
 
“The travel industry will not be fully recovered until the meetings industry is fully recovered,” said Jorge Pesquera, president and CEO of The Palm Beaches. “We have come a long way since 2020 and are committed to this vital part of our industry coming back better than ever.  Our dedicated team of professionals at The Palm Beaches is available to offer exceptional revamped services to meeting planners, ensuring that we drive the human value for face-to-face meetings while guaranteeing that we are good stewards of our destination,” closed Pesquera.
 
Global Meetings Industry Day shines a light on the real impact meetings have on people, businesses and the economy. GMID was created in 2016 by the MMB coalition to raise the profile of the meetings and events industry and its worldwide $2.65 trillion economic impact.
 
Learn more about The Palm Beaches at www.ThePalmBeaches.com or follow along on social media via @PalmBeachesFL.
 

About Discover The Palm Beaches

Discover The Palm Beaches is the official 501(c)(6) not-for-profit, accredited tourism marketing organization that promotes the collection of 39 cities and towns commonly referred to as The Palm Beaches, which spans more than 2,300 square miles and boasts 47 miles of pristine beaches from Highland Beach and Boca Raton to Jupiter and Tequesta. Tasked with growing visitation and the local tourism economy, the organization works year-round to bring travelers from around the state, country and globe to visit Palm Beach County. The Palm Beaches’ have a rich history in hospitality as America’s First Resort Destination® and tourism is among Palm Beach County’s major industries, generating $7.8 billion in economic impact during 2021.
 
The Palm Beaches are home to more than 18,400+ hotel rooms, and feature more than 100 family-friendly attractions, an abundance of world-class luxury, award-winning restaurants, and 125 miles of peaceful waterways for on- or in-the-water activities, including 160 artificial reefs that line the Atlantic Ocean’s Gulf Stream current. 160 golf courses have earned it the moniker of Florida’s Golf Capital®, as well as The Cultural Capital of Florida® due to its thriving entertainment scene of more than 200 art and culture organizations. Situated along I-95, The Palm Beaches are accessible via Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), which offers more than 100 daily nonstop flights to 30 cities in the United States. The Palm Beaches are also conveniently located within driving distance of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood and Miami International airports.

For more information about The Palm Beaches, visit www.ThePalmBeaches.com or on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and TikTok). Visitors and residents can take advantage of county-wide deals via The Palm Beaches Savings Pass.  They can also tune in to The Palm Beaches TV for 24/7 streaming content of the destination’s hotels, attractions, restaurants and experiences.
 
MEDIA CONTACTS:
The Palm Beaches
PR@thepalmbeaches.com