This manifesto summarises the results of the EU Dialogue: driving positive change in the Meetings Industry conference, which took place in Brussels on April 17th, 2024. It was organised, under the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, by visit.brussels in partnership with the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC), City Destinations Alliance (CityDNA) and the European Exhibition Industry Alliance (EEIA). More than 180 industry professionals and 52 speakers - including many European policy makers - from 15 countries attended the conference.
The event provided insights into some of the most relevant issues for the Meetings Industry and the EU institutions, with the aim of fostering close, agile and mutually respectful cooperation in the future. On the one hand, this meant creating a better understanding within the Meetings Industry of the workflows and the procedures in the EU political system as well as the impact of EU legislation and the national implementation on our sector. On the other hand, it meant raising the awareness among the representatives of the EU institutions of the positive impact and the current challenges of the Meetings Industry.
The Meetings Industry encompasses a wide range of cross-sectoral actors with a high degree of relevance to nearly all EU policy areas and respective European Parliament Committees and European Commission General Directorates. These include academic institutions, start-ups, scale- ups, SMEs, large companies, local and national governments, clusters, trade organisations, innovation hubs, research institutes etc., as well as venues, organisers suppliers, associations and destinations involved in hosting, planning and organising business events, meetings, conferences, trade fairs, and exhibitions.
Throughout the day, participants engaged in in-depth discussions on a range of critical issues, including sustainability and mobility legislation, the impact of EU trade policy on business events, talent development strategies and the need for digital innovation. By highlighting the contribution of meetings and events across all sectors, industry professionals underlined their integral role in driving innovation, collaboration and economic growth across Europe.
The conference highlighted that meetings and events are universal drivers of positive change for society. The Meetings Industry is recognised as a key contributor to the future growth of the global economy across all sectors and plays a vital role in disseminating knowledge and fostering professional practices.
By providing the meeting platforms and marketplaces for all sectors and industries, meetings have the power to drive science and innovation, trade and economic prosperity and to achieve the EU's objectives: to build a resilient economy; to embrace digital transformation; to build a green, fair and social Europe; to promote European interests and values on the global stage; and to strengthen Europe's competitiveness.
In addition, the Meetings Industry makes a significant contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals and plays a crucial role in tourism and the visitor economy* in general. This contribution enriches destinations through social inclusion, cultural diversity, knowledge sharing and community engagement.
This manifesto summarises the results of the EU Dialogue: driving positive change in the Meetings Industry conference, which took place in Brussels on April 17th, 2024. It was organised, under the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, by visit.brussels in partnership with the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC), City Destinations Alliance (CityDNA) and the European Exhibition Industry Alliance (EEIA). More than 180 industry professionals and 52 speakers - including many European policy makers - from 15 countries attended the conference.
The event provided insights into some of the most relevant issues for the Meetings Industry and the EU institutions, with the aim of fostering close, agile and mutually respectful cooperation in the future. On the one hand, this meant creating a better understanding within the Meetings Industry of the workflows and the procedures in the EU political system as well as the impact of EU legislation and the national implementation on our sector. On the other hand, it meant raising the awareness among the representatives of the EU institutions of the positive impact and the current challenges of the Meetings Industry.
The Meetings Industry encompasses a wide range of cross-sectoral actors with a high degree of relevance to nearly all EU policy areas and respective European Parliament Committees and European Commission General Directorates. These include academic institutions, start-ups, scale- ups, SMEs, large companies, local and national governments, clusters, trade organisations, innovation hubs, research institutes etc., as well as venues, organisers suppliers, associations and destinations involved in hosting, planning and organising business events, meetings, conferences, trade fairs, and exhibitions.
Throughout the day, participants engaged in in-depth discussions on a range of critical issues, including sustainability and mobility legislation, the impact of EU trade policy on business events, talent development strategies and the need for digital innovation. By highlighting the contribution of meetings and events across all sectors, industry professionals underlined their integral role in driving innovation, collaboration and economic growth across Europe.
The conference highlighted that meetings and events are universal drivers of positive change for society. The Meetings Industry is recognised as a key contributor to the future growth of the global economy across all sectors and plays a vital role in disseminating knowledge and fostering professional practices.
By providing the meeting platforms and marketplaces for all sectors and industries, meetings have the power to drive science and innovation, trade and economic prosperity and to achieve the EU's objectives: to build a resilient economy; to embrace digital transformation; to build a green, fair and social Europe; to promote European interests and values on the global stage; and to strengthen Europe's competitiveness.
In addition, the Meetings Industry makes a significant contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals and plays a crucial role in tourism and the visitor economy* in general. This contribution enriches destinations through social inclusion, cultural diversity, knowledge sharing and community engagement.
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