Today the LGBT Meeting Professionals Association (LGBT MPA) announce the results of independent research revealing the make-up of the organization’s growing membership and its projected financial and industry impact.
The LGBT MPA, founded in August 2016, today has more than 1200 members. The research, led by Dr. Eric D. Olson of the Iowa State University’s Department of Apparel, Events, & Hospitality Management and sponsored by the LGBT MPA and the Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB, provides a clear picture of the member’s backgrounds, programming interests and projected financial impact.
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Membership Highlights:
· Length of time in meetings industry: 34% 11-20 years followed by 27.8% less than 10 years.*
· Most importance membership benefits: networking and education
“We were not surprised with the research’s conclusion regarding our member’s backgrounds and professional development requests. Networking and education are key elements in our mission and two of the reasons we started the association,” said Dave Jefferys, Founder and Executive Director of the LGBT MPA. “What was surprising is our membership’s financial impact.”
One-third of LGBT MPA’s members planned 6-10 events and spent over $2 million annually. In addition, thirty-five percent of members spent between $100,000 and $500,000 annually. Taken as an average, the LGBT MPA’s 1200 members spend approximately $250,000 per event translating into an excess of $300 million per year.
“The financial impact is significant. Based on industry destination statistics** that number alone could easily reach $690 million annually,” continued Jefferys.
“We are fast approaching a new position of influence in our industry,” said Jim Clapes, LGBT MPA Board Chairman and Conference & Events Manager for the Drug Policy Alliance. “This influence is based on what we do with our networking – we build community. We involve other organizations, different industry segments and vendors. We are inclusive and diverse; we are not a standalone organization. This is what’s important to our members. This is influence.”
