TOP 10 MEETING & EVENT CITIES IN THE U.S.ACloud-based enterprise event management company Cvent recently analyzed meeting and event booking activity through its supplier network to determine the top meeting destinations across the U.S. While major cities are prevalent in the top 30, there are quite a few surprises that could ultimately inspire meeting and event planners in the future. 10. Phoenix, Arizona Phoenix is a favorite for travellers conducting business or attending events in the Southwest thanks to its warm climate and 26-mile light rail system that makes navigating the city painless. 9. New York, NY Home to a whopping 650 meeting hotels and 50-plus Fortune 500 companies, New York is always hosting meetings and events. Three nearby airports make getting here easy and the city's total convention center space exceeds 2 million square feet. 8 Dallas, Texas Nearly a dozen Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in Dallas and the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center is one of the most expansive boasting large-scale meeting facilities in the country. 7. Nashville, Tennessee There's a lot to love about Nashville but the Music City stands out as a premier business setting thanks to the scenic and spacious Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, which is located just a few miles from the airport. 6. Washington, DC There's a whole lot of power in the nation's capital so it should come as little surprise that it's among the busiest places for meetings and events of all sizes. Many occur inside of the 2.3 million-square-foot Walter E. Washington Convention Center. 5. San Diego, California With 2.6 million square feet of convention center space and 200-plus meeting hotels, San Diego is a perennial hotspot for meetings. The city's beautiful beaches and famous attractions don't hurt either. 4. Atlanta, Georgia Atlanta is a favorite among business travellers and event planners as it's one of the most accessible cities in America. There are more than 11,800 hotel rooms in the downtown Convention and Entertainment District. 3. Chicago, Illinois More road warriors travel to Chicago for overnight business than any other U.S. city. The Windy City has more than 170 meeting hotels and is home to more than 300,000 different businesses. 2. Las Vegas, Nevada Las Vegas is home to not one but three of the 10 largest convention centers in the U.S. Altogether, the beloved tourist destination offers nearly 11 million square feet of meeting and event space. 1. Orlando, Florida The theme park capital of the world is also the meeting capital of the U.S. as it boasts the second-largest concentration of hotel rooms in the country. The Orange County Convention Center in Orlando is also the second-largest convention center in America. |
