Global Meetings and Tourism Specialists
GMTS is a boutique consulting firm committed to build bridges of trust and understanding within the Global Meetings and Travel Industries through diverse consultancy services:
Services
Destination Management/Marketing
Specialized Meeting and Tourism Strategies
Market Research and Economic Impact Studies
Association Conferences Bidding Processes
Ambassador Programs
Training for Meeting Industry Certifications
Consulting, Strategy, Measurement and Accompaniment
GLOBAL MEETINGS INDUSTRY
GMTS, LLC aims to help its clients build commercial and understanding bridges with various stakeholders in the Meetings Industry in the Americas through marketing, operation, management and representation strategies in Congress and Convention matters.
GMTS, LLC has practical experience in the operation, management and representation of conferences and conventions.
Operations, management and representation projects.
GLOBAL MEETINGS AND TOURISM SPECIALISTS LLC
Global Meetings and Tourism Specialists, LLC has global experience in the design of strategies and impact measurements before national and state governments, convention offices, conference operators, hotel chains, developers, international organizations in the sector and multilateral organizations.
Services
GLOBAL MEETINGS INDUSTRY
Training and expert advise to obtain international certifications in the Meetings Industry
International certifications are a key asset for the holder and for the destination. Experience has taught us that a key element to instill trust in customers is through professional credentials which qualifies the holders to command the language used by all the players in our Industry. At the end, it is the exchange currency around personal and professional interactions. Through our strategic alliances with the Event Industry Council (EIC), PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association), and other industry organizations, GMTS provides guidance to help attain these industry credentials.
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Sustainability Strategy Development for destinations in Latin America
GMTS joins capabilities with the Global Destination Sustainability Movement with whom is planning to accelerate the sustainable development of destinations specialized in the meetings, events and business tourism industry in Latin America.
We want to become your partners to enable your destination to become a better place to visit, work and live in through environmental and social capabilities improvement within the ecosystem of your region.
We offer bespoke options to your destination aligned to your resources, market, budget and vocation.
Consultancy for organizations (corporate and associations) in North America looking for ways to increase commercial or knowledge interaction with Latin America
Our consultants have a deep understanding about the global language needed to match their requirements and growth concerns. We act as a bridge to enable their potential members in Latin America to connect with their partners in North America. GMTS is an expert consultancy firm seeking to integrate regions and induce mutual understanding in the Meetings Industry arena.
International Conference Bidding Processes
Globalization unleashed a worldwide competition among cities to host international conferences, elicited by an increase of potential venues. GMTS and its expert team can assist you through all the steps of the bidding process, starting from prospecting for opportunities, bidding preparation, presentations to decision makers, and scouting visits up to the nomination contest.
We support venues, companies, destinations in each step of the way to increase chances to win international events.
Destination Management and Marketing
GMTS and its partners have extensive experience in various segments of the meetings industry. Comprised of an expert multidisciplinary team, we are your expert voice when strategies need to be developed regarding management and destination marketing in order to succeed in this global marketplace.
Measuring Economic Impact of the Business Events Activity
In alliance with STA Consultancy firm, we measure the economic, social and educative impact of the meetings industry in countries or specific destinations. We conduct sophisticated studies, with a comprehensive methodology to generate key performance indicators which allows better decision making on public policy and private investment.
Feasibility studies and tendering processes for Convention Centers and Venues
In alliance with Gaining Edge and other specialized companies, we offer feasibility studies for projects around convention center or convention districts developments. We prepare and support our clients through all the tendering process of specialized operations on venues and convention centers.
OUR CLIENTS
Our CEO
GLOBAL MEETINGS INDUSTRY
Eduardo is the Global General Manager for Latin America at Maritz Global Events, he also owns the consultancy company Global Meetings and Tourism Specialists LLC, serving as bridge builder between the Mexico-Latin American industry members and the Global Meetings community.
Chaillo worked for 12 years at the Mexico Tourism Board. His last position there, was as the Executive Director for the Meetings and Incentive Industries in their office in Washington, D.C. He was responsible for developing alliances with all the organizations, associations and players from the meetings and conventions arena as well as to conduct Mexico’s effort towards the Association, Corporate and Destination Weddings markets. He started his tourism career as Secretary of Tourism in the State of Zacatecas, Mexico.
Chaillo has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Mexico Institute of Technology (ITAM) and a master’s degree in finance at the Monterrey Technological Institute (ITESM). He got his EIC’s global Certification as a Meeting Professional (CMP) in 2004, MPI’s CMM on Meeting Management in 2006, CASE (Certified Association Sales Executive) and DES (Digital Event Strategist) from PCMA in 2013/2020, and his CITP (Certified Incentive Travel Professional) from SITE in 2020.
He served for 6 years in the ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) Board of Directors representing North America; he also served at the PCMA’s Board of Trustees and occupied for 5 years the international representative seat for the CMP Board of Directors within the CIC umbrella. He also served at the DMAI (Destination Marketing Association International), COCAL (Latin American Meeting Industry Association), and MPI (Mexico Chapter) Boards of Directors. Currently he serves as a member to the Grupo Hotelero Santa Fe BOD (public company), the Expo Guadalajara technical committee, as well as Chair Elect in EIC’s APEX Commission.
Eduardo was given the JMIC’s Profile and Power Award, was recognized by Successful Meetings Magazine as one of the 25 Most Influential People in the Meetings Industry, and he was inducted to the CIC´s Hall of Leaders 2013 class. Eduardo obtained the Latino Leader award from Fiexpo Trade Show in 2015 and the MPI Mexico Chapter recognized him with the HEEL Award for the Leader of the Industry in Mexico in 2016. Finally, he was recognized with the PCMA Visionary Award for his Lifetime Achievement as an industry supplier in 2019.
Arik Staropolsky
GLOBAL MEETINGS INDUSTRY
Arik is the founder of STA Consultores and with his 23 years’ experience in the tourism industry always related to tourism research and measurement, he has participated in various projects, both public and private, to establish metrics, evaluations and measure the impact of tourism. His projects have helped to improve decision-making and planning processes in the companies and governments in which he has collaborated.
At the Mexico Tourism Board, he designed and implemented an Information System for Tourism Markets (SIIMT), which was the largest repository of tourism information and knowledge that has existed in Mexico. It implemented the Conacyt Sectur Sector Fund of the Ministry of Tourism.
As an individual, he has created the PEIIR (Strategic Information Portal of the Meetings Industry in Mexico and Latin America) in addition to being a pioneer worldwide in the measurement of the meetings industry, developing in addition to the 2 studies of Mexico on the economic contribution of the meetings, the studies of Colombia and Guatemala as well as of 6 provinces in Mexico. He has implemented several tourist observatories for states and destinations in Mexico and has recently created Radar Turístico, a permanent study on the Mexican traveler.
He has worked both for governments in Mexico and in other countries (Colombia, Guatemala, El Salvador, Peru, Jordan, United Arab Emirates) and has collaborated with international organizations such as USAid, Giz, Tui Foundation, ECLAC-UN, Organization of American States, among others.
Arik holds a BA in Economics by the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM) and a master’s degree in MA in Latin American Politics. University of London – Institute of Latin American Studies (ILAS), 2001 – 2002. UK and also has a graduate diploma in Marketing Research by the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM).
Benitez has been the President of the Association of Secretaries of Tourism of Mexico (2013-2016); As a consultant (2018 to the date), she has participated in various projects, highlighting the creation of the program for the incubation of tourist destinations for México (2018).
Bettyna holds a BA in Law and a Master Degree by the Instituto Tecnológico Autonomo de Mexico (ITAM) in Tax Law as well as a Ph. D in Law. She has been awarded by MPI with the heel award for “Excellence Leader of the Meetings Industry” in 2017.
Bettyna is the current President of the Commission of Honor, Justice and Awards of the Bar Association of the State of México, and Finance Vice President of MPI Mexico Chapter.
Rosalinda Benitez
GLOBAL MEETINGS INDUSTRY
Rosalinda (better known as “Bettyna”) currently collaborates as a consultant in several strategic projects in the public and private sectors for México and other countries, in the areas of tourism, culture and meetings industry. She is also a communicator on the same topics on weekly facebook and youtube programs, for nine years.
As the Secretary of Tourism of the State of Mexico (2012-2017), Bettyna positioned the State of México on the domestic and international tourism map through a diversification strategy and destination management which elicited 5 more Magic Towns in the State, and consolidated the Charming Town program owmed by the State. She also integrated the religious tourism route and ignited the Meetings Industry which cultimated with the construction of a convention and exhibition center that has served to bring economic benefit to the state.
Deborah Sexton
Former President and CEO of PCMA and funder of DLS & Associates
GLOBAL MEETINGS INDUSTRY
From her early days with her own consultancy, Sexton Hospitality Services, to her most recent post as PCMA’s President and CEO for more than 12 years, Deborah Sexton has been synonymous with the pioneering spirit of innovation for the Meetings Industry. At PCMA, Deborah foresaw the digital age and how it could enhance face-to-face events, everything began with PCMA’s purchase of the Virtual Edge Institute [and rebranded to the Digital Experience Institute DEI].
Sexton has been the recipient of the Association Forum’s Samuel B. Shapiro Award for Chief Executive Achievement. She was included in Successful Meetings’ 25 most influential people in the meetings industry, Meeting News’ 25 most powerful people in the meetings industry, Tradeshow Week’s 100 most influential people in the exhibition industry and BizBash’s Chicago Hall of Fame. Her leadership is recognized outside North America, too, with the highly coveted Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME) Outstanding Contribution International Award for best practice and overall commitment to the industry.
Deborah’s most important contribution to the industry is her constant and driving pursuit to elevate our industry.
Currently, Sexton is the funder of DLS & Associates, in which she has found ways to help associations, DMOs, and hospitality/event professionals become more successful
She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration at the Swiss Management Center and is a senior consultant specialized in helping companies improve their results through the implementation of Performance Management Systems, development of Dashboards and Indicators. Keys to Performance, Project Management, Qualitative Research as well as Continuous Improvement projects in organizations.
Brenda Yáñez
GLOBAL MEETINGS INDUSTRY
Brenda has more than 20 years of experience working for public and private organizations. She has worked for the government of Mexico in the United States and for the government of the United Kingdom, as well as for multilateral institutions such as the World Bank in Washington, D.C.
In the meeting industry, she worked for Mexico Tourism Board in Washington, D.C. where she was the North America Association Market Director. She has worked in consultancy in the software, pharmaceutical, and meetings industry where she has designed business strategies to increase the profitability of companies, has defined new business markets, has increased and improved brand perception, has built dashboards , performance indicators and continuous improvement for various organizations.
Brenda has a BA in Administrative Informatics from La Salle University, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from IPADE Business School, Project Management certificate from Georgetown University, a leadership course with a financial focus by Cornell University.
Eduardo Chaillo