With travel bolting up from its COVID-19 slumber of the past few years, Meetings Today took full advantage of many travel opportunities to visit some of the top meetings and events destinations. From intriguing international destinations to amazing opportunities domestically and some of the largest industry events of the year, we’ve been lucky enough to fully immerse ourselves while on the road.
Below are some of our favorite places we visited this year. We hope 2024 brings even more opportunities for travel and the ability to connect with meeting and event professionals around the world.
Tyler Davidson
Columbus, Ohio, Is a Creative City of Superlatives for Meetings and Events
Ahead of the 2023 PCMA Convening Leaders convention, the city’s DMO, Experience Columbus, invited Meetings Today on a fam trip to experience Columbus’ surprisingly large amount of meetings and events draws.
New Orleans Marks GMID 2023 With Its Authentic Brand of Hospitality
Meetings Today got the opportunity to attend Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) in New Orleans in March, where our own Tyler Davidson got the opportunity to experience a fam trip and all of the meetings, events and hospitality offerings in the Crescent City.
Why the Heartbeat of Philly’s Life Sciences Meetings Beats Strong
Philly is a city of firsts on a variety of fronts, including life sciences achievements. Meetings Today got a chance to check out some of Philadelphia’s life sciences superlatives, including participating in a PHL Life Sciences Advisory Council dinner during a June press trip to the City of Brotherly Love.
Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort Provides Stunning Meetings Options Along With Inspiration
“Driving through western North Carolina to Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, one notices quaint reminders of the region’s family vacation past.” Meetings Today got the opportunity to visit the resort as part of a fam trip in July and got to see everything this unique, Native American-owned resort had to offer.
Atlanta Shows Off Its New Conventions Developments During ASAE Annual
Meetings Today editor Tyler Davidson traveled to the “Capital of the New South” ahead of ASAE’s Annual Meeting & Exposition to learn more about Atlanta’s newest meetings and events spaces, including the Georgia Aquarium, National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Georgia World Congress Center and more.
Seattle's Summit and One-of-a-Kind Vibe Have the Emerald City Soaring
“My fall tour of Seattle provided a great snapshot of the city’s iconic meetings and events attractions, from bustling Pike Place Market to Seattle Center, hotels large and small and even a jaunt outside of city limits to experience three very different venue options.”
Danielle LeBreck
6 Unique Event Venues in Madison, Wisconsin
When Danielle LeBreck was invited to speak at PRSA’s Travel + Tourism Conference in June she also got the opportunity to tour its host city of Madison, Wisconsin, and explore some of the unique venues outside of its staple convention center and hotels.
The Massive New Omni PGA Frisco Is a Golf Resort Game-Changer
On an exclusive tour just weeks before its grand opening, Meetings Today discovered that the mammoth $520 million project set on 600 acres in Frisco, Texas, is a destination of its own and offers an immersive product with incredible indoor-outdoor meeting venues that will leave groups starry eyed.
Exploring the Food Heritage and Culinary Highlights of Tucson, Arizona
UNESCO designated Tucson as the U.S.’s first City of Gastronomy in 2015. Our own Danielle LeBreck decided to experience the city’s local dining scene and learn more about the ingredients of the region during a three-day fam trip in October.
Taylor Smith
Destination Canada’s Legendary Winter Incentive Experience in Quebec City
While attending Destination Canada’s Incentive Canada–Winter 2023 event in Quebec City, Quebec, Meetings Today’s Taylor Smith got to experience some amazing incentive experiences that are sure to astonish attendees with the history and magic of its historic buildings.
Exploring Toronto, Canada’s Diversity Capital, Through Venues and Cuisine
Taylor also got the opportunity to revisit our neighbors to the north and explore Canada’s diversity capital, Toronto, and experience the cultural mosaic of the city as well as its meetings and hospitality offerings.
The Beauty and Bounty of Boise, Idaho’s Meetings and Events Offerings
“Boise’s natural beauty and booming downtown paired with its famous “Boise Nice” charm sell the city almost as soon as you experience it firsthand. Boise’s hardest task, it seems, is simply to tell people who haven’t been what they’re missing.”
Contributing Editors and Writers (Jeff Heilman, Jennifer Juergens and Gary Singh)
Preview Las Vegas: The Region Revs Its Economic Engines
Back in January, the excitement and anticipation about the year’s upcoming events in Vegas were leaving everyone with questions, so Senior Contributor Jeff Heilman got the opportunity to get an inside scoop on what was to come in Las Vegas in 2023.
On the Scene in Patagonia: Exceptional Group Encounters With Lindblad Expeditions
Jeff also got the opportunity to explore Patagonia with Lindblad Expeditions in December. From the beautiful landscapes to the invigorating expeditions, Heilman recounts his 12-day exploration of Patagonia and what it means for planners wanting their next incentive event to be quite an adventure.
Waterfront Venues and Attractions in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater
Contributing Content Developer, Florida and Caribbean Jennifer Juergens got the opportunity to visit some of Florida’s most exciting and beautiful destinations, including the area’s luxurious hotels, expansive meeting spaces and breathtaking vistas of the Gulf of Mexico.
Puerto Rico Offers a Warm “Boricua” Welcome for Groups
In Puerto Rico, where all the beaches are public and U.S. citizens don’t need a passport or international phone plans, the ability to feel like a local is not only possible, it’s heartily encouraged. Meetings Today contributing writer Gary Singh recently experienced the island's inclusive vibe, anchoring at the Royal Sonesta San Juan, situated on the northern side of the island overlooking Isla Verde Beach.
Calgary Meeting Venues Saddle Up for an Inclusive Future
On a recent visit to Calgary, Gary learned that new hotels, revamped meeting spaces and urban development projects are taking the city in progressive new directions. And while the Calgary Stampede remains the greatest outdoor show on Earth and Alberta still produces some of the world’s best beef, the city offers so much more.
