News
UK – Global Industry Development Network completes 200th meetings industry project
The Global Industry Development Network this week
celebrates a major milestone in its history with the completion of its 200th meetings industry
project. Started in 2008, the Global Industry Development Network is a private company limited by
shares, and has been averaging around 40 projects a year in this sector ran by 35 staff in 16
countries.
Included in the mix of completed projects are 45 market intelligence studies which have
involved a wide range of projects from analysing over 10,000 US associations, to mapping
the corporate meeting sector across Asia, through to exploring the source markets of
meetings coming into Russia. Another 10 projects completed by the Global Industry Development Network included
research into the development of Convention Bureaux such as the Sarawak Convention
Bureau in Malaysia and the international meetings division of Destination DC, as well as
demonstrating the market potential to countries like Russia and Canada in order to have
funding approved for new convention centres.
Over 100 business development projects have been completed in the last 5 years, which are
mainly industry specific campaigns aimed at generating association conference or corporate
meeting business for their city partners.
One of the favourites with the team was the “Friends of Canada Campaign” which spent 12
months developing links between International associations and Canadian Associations. At
one point there was a synchronised lunch in Canada and dinner in London, with both events
connected by live streaming. 
On the UK side the invitations were delivered by a Canadian
Mountie, on the night of the event the international association Executives were picked up by
limousine and upon arrival at the Canadian High Commission were ushered by secret
service agents through flashing paparazzi into the High Commissioners Private chamber for
cocktails and dinner. Across the Ocean at the same time, similar activities were underway
and Canadian Associations were greeted by impersonators of the Royal Family. The
emcees on both ends worked splendidly together, and it was a great night. This campaign
alone generated 7 conference wins and over $25 million in direct delegate expenditure.
The Global Industry Development Network is already on their way to their next 200 projects
with two new projects starting this week.