The global business events industry is navigating a time of heightened uncertainty, from shifting regulatory frameworks and macroeconomic volatility to geopolitical tensions. Two major industry organizations are teaming up to help event professionals make sense of it all—and make a difference.
The Events Industry Council (EIC) and the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC) announced a new collaboration to align their efforts in three critical areas:
- Advancing sustainability within the global events sector
- Advocating collectively on behalf of the business events industry
- Producing the next global Economic Significance Study in partnership with Oxford Economics
Both organizations bring large worldwide networks to the table and hope to leverage their combined influence to help industry stakeholders respond proactively and strategically in a period of rapid change.
“This collaboration is built on the principle that unity brings strength,” said James Rees, president of the JMIC and executive director of Excel London. “Using our areas of strength, together, we can deliver greater impact, influence policy and demonstrate the immense value of our industry on a global scale—in particular, as we adapt to the evolving global landscape.”
“This partnership reflects our mutual commitment to advancing the role of global business events as a driver of global economic and social progress,” said Amy Calvert, president and CEO of the EIC. “By working in concert, we can accelerate these efforts, advocate more effectively and provide the resources and data our stakeholders need to build capabilities and make informed decisions—especially in this era of growing complexity and unpredictability.”
[Related: The Journey to Hosting Sustainable Events With Eric Zimmerman]
Sustainability Alignment
Both JMIC and EIC have made sustainability central to their missions. In an effort to unite these goals, the JMIC’s Net Zero Carbon Events initiative and the EIC Sustainable Event Standards will be leveraged in parallel to accelerate the industry’s transition toward more sustainable events. The organizations hope that by aligning resources and frameworks, they will support a more coordinated and effective approach to environmental and social responsibility across all levels of the events ecosystem. support a more coordinated and effective approach to environmental and social responsibility across all levels of the events ecosystem.
Unified Global Advocacy
Travel restrictions, carbon regulations and geopolitical tensions are evolving rapidly. This fast-changing policy environment has made planning meetings and events even more complex. To combat this, EIC and JMIC plan to collaborate on advocacy efforts to amplify the industry’s voice and ensure it is recognized as a vital contributor to economic development, innovation and societal progress.
2026 Economic Significance Study
Research and concrete numbers can greatly aid in communicating the importance of events to stakeholders. In this spirit, beginning this year, the EIC and JMIC will work together with Oxford Economics to produce the next global Economic Significance of Business Events Industry report, to be released in 2026.
This research will provide updated insights into the size, scope and strategic importance of the business events sector across international markets, offering critical data to inform public and private sector planning.
“The business events industry plays a critical role in knowledge exchange and economic growth,” said Dr. Senthil Gopinath, 2025 Chair of the EIC Board and CEO of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). “By aligning our priorities and actions, we send a powerful message about the collective value we bring to communities and countries around the world—and reinforce our ability to thrive amid uncertainty.”
