Washington, DC – Commenting on the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry’s integral part of the economic and social landscape, Washington, DC Mayor Anthony Williams encouraged citizens to consider how much influence this industry has had on both local and national economic development. Mayor Williams made the remarks at a gathering of industry leaders in Washington, DC late last week.
The $850 million Washington Convention Center, which opened in March of 2003, net approximately $426.5 million in new spending in the District in its first year. The facility is projected to generate $1.4 billion in regional economic impact by 2007.
The Mayor also reflected on the positive contributions of the Convention Industry Council (CIC)’s APEX (Accepted Practices Exchange) initiative. APEX is developing and implementing industry-wide accepted practices which will create and enhance efficiencies throughout the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry. Mary E. Power, CIC’s President and CEO, says, “The participation of thousands of individuals in the many city discussions is a good illustration of the breadth and depth of support for what is really a very simple, yet powerful idea — eliminate duplication and redundancy in systems and procedures. This will save millions of dollars that can be redirected more effectively.”
Mickey Schaefer, CAE, Chair of the APEX Commission and Vice President of the American Academy of Family Physicians, highlighted some of the initiative’s accomplishments:
- APEX is within its original timeline and completion is expected on time in 2005. Some tools, such as the APEX Industry Glossary, the PER (Post-Event Report) and the ESG (Event Specifications Guide), are already available.
- Use of the on-line APEX Industry Glossary is rising dramatically, from 6,438 hits in April 2004 to 17,994 in September 2004.
- The APEX Post-Event Report was downloaded from the CIC website more than 430 times in September 2004.
- Professors at several colleges and universities are working to incorporate all three existing APEX tools into their curricula and course materials.
- Industry members have participated in large numbers on the project. Over 300 volunteers have contributed directly to the project and more than 2,500 professionals have attended 87 city discussion groups in more than 40 cities throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Formed in 1949, the Convention Industry Council’s 31 member organizations represent over 98,000 individuals and 15,000 firms and properties involved in the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry.
Reach Mary E. Power, President and CEO, Convention Industry Council, at (703) 610-9030 or mpower@conventionindustry.org.
