Beyond the Big Cities: Fresh Perspectives from Unexpected Destinations

Join us as we explore the rise of selecting smaller market cities for meetings and the opportunities available. With input from both corporate and association planner perspectives, regional CVB’s, a national hotel brand, and a boutique destination property, attendees will learn more about how these partnerships work and leave with creative destination ideas to consider beyond the scope of hosting in the usual “big five” cities!

Industry experts and destination representatives will share real-world examples and practical insights into how these markets are evolving to meet modern planner needs. Attendees will gain strategies for evaluating destination potential, negotiating creative partnerships, and enhancing attendee satisfaction while staying on budget.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify key benefits and unique opportunities offered by smaller market cities.

• Evaluate how these destinations can align with organizational goals and event outcomes

• Apply practical strategies for destination selection, stakeholder engagement, and value-driven planning.