We Can Change the World: A Recap of GMID Philadelphia

When we meet, we change the world. 

In Philadelphia, we did just that on April 4, 2019.  MPI Philadelphia Area Chapter partnered with the PCMA Philadelphia Chapter to bring GMID to the PA Convention Center. 

Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) is an advocacy initiative led by the Meetings Mean Business Coalition that shows the impact that meetings have on business, people, and the economy.  Over 200 events were held simultaneously around the world.

Here in Philadelphia, the PA Convention Center hosted over 140 attendees that represented both MPI and PCMA organizations, and other hospitality industry leaders in the area. 

The afternoon kicked off with a community service activity, benefiting Covenant House Philadelphia, who are dedicated to supporting homeless youth.  Then attendees gathered for two timely panel discussions.

Homelessness and How it Affects the Hospitality Industry

The first panel Homelessness and How it Affects the Hospitality Industry featured John J. McNichol, President & CEO, Pennsylvania Convention Center, as Moderator; panelists Windy Christner, Sr. Director, Meetings and Exhibitions, American Pharmacists Association; Liz Hersh, Director Homeless Services, Office of Homeless Services, City of Philadelphia; and Hugh Organ, Associate Executive Director, Covenant House Pennsylvania. 

This panel discussed how homelessness impacts the hospitality industry, and what role the industry can play in combatting it. The driving theme was how meetings, conventions and businesses could partner with cities and service organizations to help the homeless adults and youth in Philadelphia and the cities they visit.

“Homelessness is a solvable problem,” said Hersh. “We do have homeless outreach that is available 24/7.”

For people in Philadelphia, they can call Homeless Outreach day or night 215-232-1984, or visit to https://www.projecthome.org/ for more information on how to volunteer, donate, or to partner with the City of Philadelphia to support those in need.

Covenant House Pennsylvania is a program for young people in desperate situations age 21 and under. Their goal is to help homeless young people become healthy, happy, responsible, productive, and ultimately independent adults.

“The kids we work with are the invisible homeless,” said Organ. “One of the things we do is build trust with the kids.  We do this with Rice Krispy Treats; we always ask first ‘are you hungry?”

To learn more about how you can help the children of Philadelphia, please visit https://www.covenanthousepa.org/

Human Trafficking in the Hospitality Industry

The second panel Human Trafficking in the Hospitality Industry featured Julie Coker Graham, President & CEO, Philadelphia CVB, as Moderator; panelists Michelle Guelbart, MSW, Director of Private Sector Engagement, ECPAT-USA; Alexis Krieger, Victim Specialist, FBI; Caroline Meledo, Director, Corporate Responsibility & Human Rights, Hilton; and Hugh Organ, Associate Executive Director, Covenant House Pennsylvania.  With over 24 million people believed to be trapped into forced labor, the hospitality industry can play a big role in combatting human trafficking to prevent this form of modern-day form of slavery.

There are many tools, such as the resources published by ECPAT-USA, to help travel and hospitality professionals recognize the signs of sex and labor trafficking, and how to take action.  For example, meeting managers can work with cities and hotels to create policies to fight human trafficking.

“Movement doesn’t have to happen in order to be the victim of human trafficking,” said Guelbart.  “Human trafficking the exercise of coercive control over persons for the purpose of exploitation.”

40.3 million people are exploited in human trafficking, and 1 in 4 are children. 

To recognize the signs of human trafficking, hospitality professionals should understand the signs although sometimes there are multiple but subtle signs such as:

-  Minimal luggage
-  Lack of identification
-  Victims seem disoriented and lost, such as not knowing what city they are in
-  Traffickers seen with many young children
-  Trafficker insists on paying solely in cash
-  Victim has indications of physical and emotional abuse

Hilton was one of the first hotel corporations to create an initiative on Human Rights.

“If you see something, say something,” said Meledo. “But don’t intervene personally. You can talk to hotel staff or security to find resources.”

Locally, the Philadelphia Anti-Trafficking Coalition aims to create a network of agencies to assist victims of human trafficking, and is chaired by the Covenant House Philadelphia.  They also offer training for service providers and community organizations.

The Polaris Project is a national network, and can be reached anytime on their hotline: 888-373-7888.

Thank you to the GMID Sponsors who made the day possible:

Diamond
PA Convention Center
Aramark

Platinum
Visit Montgomery, MD
Visit Dallas
PHL CVB

Silver
ICONA Properties
Temple University School of Tourism & Hospitality Management
Signature Boston

Bronze
Visit Toronto

Special Thanks
Photography by Todd

For more information on getting involved with MPI PHL, please contact staff@mpiphl.org for more information.