In-Person Meetings Resurging by 25 Percent in 2023
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.—The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce (MBACC) and Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is joining the U.S. Travel Association to celebrate Global Meetings Industry Day on March 30, 2023. The chamber and CVB will use this day to spotlight the value of in-person meetings, including the positive impacts they have on participants and the local economy.
According to U.S. Travel, meetings and events generated nearly $100 billion in travel spending in the U.S. in 2022, which directly supported 600,000 American jobs.
“Meetings and events account for a significant economic impact to our local economy,” said Karen Riordan, MBACC and CVB President and CEO. “That’s one of the reasons why this year’s Global Meetings Industry Day is so important. It’s an opportunity for us to let meeting and event planners know that The Beach is ready to host their attendees.”
As a result of decreased travel restrictions, the rescheduling of events and pent-up demand for face-to-face interactions, the demand for meetings is expected to accelerate in 2023. In fact, group business travel spending is forecasted to increase 25 percent this year alone, generating more than $110 billion in travel spending, according to U.S. Travel.
“We’re actively working with meeting planners from across the country who are increasingly booking conventions, trade shows, motor coach tours, reunions and other group events. This resurgence translates to more frequent events planned and more participants attending,” said Bob Harris, Myrtle Beach Area CVB executive vice president of sales.
As a part of Global Meetings Industry Day, the CVB is providing meeting planners in markets like Richmond, Va., and Atlanta with a Day of Appreciation. The CVB also hosts planners on a weekly basis for familiarization tours of the Myrtle Beach area and site inspections of venues and hotels.
For more information on holding meetings or events in the Myrtle Beach area, check out VisitMyrtleBeach.com/Groups.
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Editor’s Note: More information on Global Meetings Industry Day can be found HERE and images can be downloaded HERE.
About Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau:
Since 1938, the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce (MBACC) has stood as the unified voice of the Grand Strand's business community — serving Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Little River, Loris, Atlantic Beach, Carolina Forest, Conway, Aynor, Socastee, Surfside Beach, Garden City Beach, Murrells Inlet, Litchfield Beach and Pawleys Island. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has awarded MBACC its five-star accreditation — one of only a few chambers in South Carolina to earn this distinction. The Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and its destination marketing arm Visit Myrtle Beach promote tourism through various partnerships and initiatives to advance the economic success of the Grand Strand. For more information, visit MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com, MyrtleBeachAreaCVB.com and VisitMyrtleBeach.com.