President’s travel shows why meetings are important
US President Barack Obama, who so far has visited more countries in his first year in office than any other US president before him, has prompted some in the meeting business to hold him up as an example of the value of business travel and face-to-face meetings.
"It is obvious by the president’s actions that he sees the importance of personally meeting with other leaders to advance the objectives and business of the US," Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) President and CEO David Gabri said in a statement. He added:
"In other words, he and his team of specialists opted to personally meet, rather than teleconference, e-mail or simply call. Shouldn’t American businesses and organizations be following these same sound business practices? After all, that is how business works."
According to the McClatchy Newspapers’ Washington Bureau, the president has visited 16 countries since taking office on Jan. 20 of this year, surpassing the 15 nations visited by Presidents George H.W. Bush and Gerald Ford during their first years in office.
"Many of [Obama’s] overseas trips have centered on international meetings, such as the G-20 economic summit," author Steven Thomma wrote in his report. "Others have included Obama’s attempts to rebuild international support for the US."
Said Gabri:
"The president’s actions visibly reinforce the importance and effectiveness of meeting together face-to-face to advance your agendas and objectives, to enhance important relationships, to recognize and motivate achievers, and to provide direction and leadership. It shows that ‘Meetings Really Do Mean Business’ and are critical to keeping businesses and organizations alive.’”
By David Wilkening
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025
U.S.A. and Israel attacks on Iran impact air movements in the Gulf (Update 1.00pm CET)
Global tourism exceeds 1.5 billion travelers announces UN-Tourism
WTTC global tourism reached record economic impact of 11 trillion in 2025