Joint Meetings Industry Council Strategic Communications and the “Profile and Power” Program

Who’s JMIC? Joint Meetings Industry Council is a group of meetings industry associations Members include AIPC, COCAL, DMAI,ECM,EVVC, IAPCO, ICCA, MPI, PCMA, SITE Affiliates include CIC, UFI JMIC’s objectives are to: –Facilitate information exchange in the industry –Encourage and recognize industry leadership –Increase the profile and influence of the industry

Increasing Our Profile: Our industry has traditionally had low awareness relative to leisure tourism messages, priorities We have no strong coordination or communications capabilities As a result, the industry has had little power or influence on decisions affecting its future

Our Goal: To improve the position and influence of the industry relative to other sectors competing for public and government attention.

We Need to Clarify Our Messages: Must build awareness of who we are; the benefits we create Need to define our needs, issues, expectations Explain the results and / or consequences of government action Track changes, anticipate new requirements to keep story current

Strategy: Create a distinctive identity and image Develop programs and materials to support local profile initiatives Recognize individual accomplishments to encourage more participation Recruit local politicians to become industry advocates Create global forums to leverage a greater overall impact

JMIC Supports the Program by: Maintaining an overall theme and key messages to encourage consistency Producing a “tool kit” with adaptable activity ideas, promotional materials Recognizing successful programs with the Profile and Power Award Cooperating with other industry leaders to create global forums

Success Depends on Individuals! This is a “bottom up” approach that depends on individual initiative, but… Our local members have the most credibility in their communities They also have all the local contacts and facilities It’s in everyone’s interest to make this work!

Our Progress to Date: Program, web site launched Program materials translated into 5 languages Communications strategy sessions featured in member conferences Profile events appearing in many countries Profile and Power Award has recognized three exemplary programs Politician’s Forum has created global profile for local issues

Where We Go From Here: Need to encourage more participation Refresh resources with new materials, case studies Exploit the power and representation of an expanded Council Represent the industry position on emerging issues (sustainability, economy, labour supply) Support related industry initiatives (i.e. Politician’s Forum)

Joint Meetings Industry Council Strategic Communications and the “Profile and Power” Program