• June 23, 2025

GDP Connection 2025: highlights & pics

GDP Connection 2025: highlights & pics

GDP Connection 2025: highlights & pics 1024 683 micebook.

Global DMC Partners (GDP), the largest global network of independent DMCs and specialised event service providers, brought together 227 industry leaders from 31 countries at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar in The Bahamas for its annual Connection on 12-15 June.

For the second year running, micebook was invited as media to cover the invitation-only conference, which included 63 DMC partners and 88 clients, including a group of 28 UK buyers, hosted by GDP’s UK team Maxine MacPherson and Chris Bason.

The UK group included representatives from companies such as Gartner, Emota, Ball Associates, Worldspan, Amex GBT M&E, Noble Events, DRPG, Nteractive, Parallel Blue, BCD M&E, Freshly Squeezed Events, Reed & Mackay, 1331 Events and XSEM.

The three-day programme included conference sessions featuring data-driven insights and creative inspiration, one to one meetings, experiences and meaningful connection.

The event took a deep dive into the forces reshaping the global MICE industry, from macroeconomic headwinds and geopolitical uncertainty to evolving attendee expectations and the transformative role of AI (read key takeaways from president and CEO Catherine Chaulet’s keynote on global trends here).

Sessions such as “Beyond the Obvious” spotlighted emerging destinations offering cost-effective, culturally rich alternatives to traditional meeting destinations, while “Spark Your Creativity” presented a curated collection of innovative creative ideas submitted by attendees.

“Work Smarter, Not Harder: AI in Action” provided an exploration of the AI tools already transforming the event planning landscape. Led by Anne-Marie Enns of the Applied AI Association, attendees learned about platforms beyond ChatGPT such as Perplexity, Claude, and Midjourney to discover how AI can elevate creativity, boost efficiency, and uncover new data insights.

Evening events included a welcome reception and dinner on the Palm Lawn at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, a sunset dinner at the stunning Solemar Restaurant (part of Titan Hospitality), and a final farewell dinner at Baha Bay Beach Club, complete with a welcoming committee of flamingos.

Sunbound DMC infused the event with the rich cultural tapestry of The Bahamas through curated local activations and immersive experiences. As in previous years, GDP Connection embraced a strong commitment to community impact, partnering social enterprise Colors for Good again for name badges and bracelets, and asking attendees to donate items for a local school.

We also took part in a beach clean, sponsored by the Baha Mar Foundation, working together to collect rubbish from a local beach and help protect the natural beauty of The Bahamas, demonstrating that purpose and play can go hand in hand.

Attendees could also take part in a range of optional wellness and cultural experiences, ranging from flamingo yoga, catamaran sailing, and sound healing meditation to a lively pickleball match or the immersive Sites & Tastes tour. My personal highlights included the sunrise sound healing meditation and catamaran tour, where we got to snorkel amidst a coral reef and hop on a speed boat to spot turtles, and being able to make an impact (albeit a small one) through the beach clean.

Closing the conference on a high note, Chaulet announced Lisbon, Portugal, as the next destination for the next Connection, taking place January 8–11,2026.

The UK group were also lucky enough to enjoy an extension day at Sandals Royal Bahamian – check out our Venue of the Week feature on the property.

Here’s a few photo highlights:

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