The events industry has a big impact—and here’s some research to prove it.

The Convention Industry Council recently revealed new information about the effect the industry has on the U.S. economy. Today’s Lunchtime Links explores the growing fiscal value of meetings:

Conference booster: When members requested more face-to-face interaction, associations took notice. As Associations Now’s Rob Stott recently noted, event participation increased by 10 percent between 2009 and 2012, according to early results from a Convention Industry Council (CIC) study, “The Economic Significance of Meetings to the U.S. Economy.” David DuBois, CAE, president of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) and the CIC’s chairman-elect, said that the study—released in full this week—showed the industry’s continuing strength. “Meetings really do mean business and we are proud to say that our industry is using one voice to ensure policymakers, consumers, and business leaders truly understand our worth and impact,” he said in a statement. A total of 225 million people attended 1.83 million meetings during 2012, the study notes. More highlights, including a fact sheet, are available on the CIC website.

Loosen up: As Ferris Bueller once said, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” Although this sound advice applies to teens and adults alike, it definitely should be taken by driven, dedicated workers who may lose sight of the joy they can take from their work. The Build Network’s Adam Vaccaro expands on research published by the University of Chicago and the Korea Business School that claims “staying focused on our goals detracts from inherent pleasures of the activities we need to pursue to achieve those goals.” To balance focus and fun, Vaccaro suggests less communication of goals during the execution process and more immersion in the immediate experience. “So the key is to set goals, and look around, smell the roses, and try not to focus on them,” he says.

Count on me: When work goes awry and it’s time to play the blame game, holding yourself accountable for your actions can set a new standard of responsibility among your coworkers. Inc.com contributor Lee Colan, founder of The L Group, offers several tips to boost accountability instead of pointing fingers. Among his, uh, pointers: Say what you mean and mean what you say. “Being accountable is really about being reliable,” he states. “How reliable are you to act upon what you say? The key is to be careful about what you say—and if you say something, be committed to doing it.”

How do you handle accountability in your office? Share in the comments below.

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