Global DMC Partners held its 10th annual Connection in Mexico, focusing on economic trends, sustainability, and rising event costs, highlighting strong industry resilience and innovative approaches.
The article MICE insights shared at Global DMC Partners’ 10th Connection first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Global DMC Partners (GDP), the global network of independent destination management companies (DMCs) and specialized event service providers, recently concluded its 10th annual Connection in Punta de Mita, Mexico, June 6-9. Co-hosted by local DMC partner Tropical Incentives and host hotel Conrad Punta de Mita, this year’s highly anticipated event held up to its decade-long standing as the premier education and networking conference for meetings and events professionals. Nearly 200 attendees traveled from every corner of the globe to learn key insights and trends, share best practices and foster new and existing relationships through in-person networking, one-on-one business appointments, peer-to-peer breakout sessions and engaging off-site activities.
“Punta de Mita was the perfect choice for our milestone 10th Connection,” said Global DMC Partners President and CEO Catherine Chaulet. “Our DMC partner Tropical Incentives and host hotel Conrad Punta de Mita truly rolled out the red carpet for our attendees. We were blown away by Mexico’s authentically warm hospitality as well as the abundance of cultural, philanthropic, wellness and adventure offerings that this vibrant destination has to offer.”
Kicking off the program’s general session, Chaulet’s keynote address, “Decoding 2024 Global Business and Travel Trends,” provided a comprehensive analysis on the state of the industry with invaluable insights for business leaders and meeting planners navigating today’s ever-evolving economic landscape. These served as thought-provoking conversation starters for the learning hubs, breakout sessions and other discussions that took place throughout the conference. Highlights of these key takeaways included:
Economic Resilience and Inflation Trends:
Impact on Meetings and Events:
Creative Solutions and Trends:
Trends:
Technology and AI:
Destination Selection:
In addition to the professional development sessions, Connection provided face-to-face time and networking opportunities through pre-scheduled business appointments as well as a wide variety of local activities, including the opportunity to give back to the community by painting a local school, Telesecundaria. Attendees collectively brought a wide array of school supplies and learning materials to the conference and the items were donated to three local organizations, Telesecundaria, non-profit Entre Amigos, and an elementary school with many needs.
Before departing on the closing day, the GDP corporate team recognized its top partners and clients in a brief awards ceremony. These recipients included:
The team also then revealed the much-anticipated location for next year’s Connection in June 2025: Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, co-hosted by Sunbound, GDP’s DMC partner in The Bahamas.
The article MICE insights shared at Global DMC Partners’ 10th Connection first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.