Unveiling attractions at Cvent’s Top 5 Meeting locations
Cvent has published its annual Top Meeting Destinations and Top Meeting Hotels lists. The lists include destinations and hotels in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and, inaugurally, Latin America and the Caribbean.
We dive into the appeal of these destinations, what awaits meeting planners and their groups should they pay a visit and more recent developments in each city.
1. Orlando
This was the 10th time Orlando topped the list, and the destination doesn’t leave you guessing how. On Visit Orlando’s website, it asks “Did you know that it takes 121 days to fully experience everything there is to do in Orlando?” If the average event is three or four days, it’ll take 30 to 40 visits for an attendee to fully experience the city. Add these attractions to the list if you want to contribute to your attendees getting the full experience.
Why Fully Experience the City?
Three new hotels have opened at Universal Orlando Resort’s complex: Universal Helios Grand Hotel, Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort. A new theme park, Universal Epic Universe, has opened as well, and is the complex’s most recent attraction.
Read More: Notes from the Road: Orlando
More than just a city to visit for its theme parks, Orlando is also becoming a major driver of sports tourism, one of 11 cities hosting the first-ever FIFA Club World Cup 2025 taking place June 14–July 13. The city will host six matches at two venues, Inter&Co Stadium and Camping World Stadium.
2. Las Vegas
Las Vegas rose three spots from last year. Las Vegas is arguably one of the meetings and events capitals of the world—and despite all the growth the city has seen in recent decades, the city seems to have no intent to slow down.
Why Check Out the Recent Developments?
With all the recent development in the city, from its ongoing The Boring Company’s tunnel project, set to connect Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), all properties on The Strip and Harry Reid International Airport; and expansion of LVCC; to the demolition of Tropicana Las Vegas last year during IMEX America, done to make way for MLB’s A’s stadium on The Strip.
Read More: Las Vegas: A Flair for the Fabulous
A $600 million renovation on LVCC’s legacy campus is scheduled for completion at the end of 2025. In 2024, an east entrance to LVCC’s east hall was completed. Through 2025, construction will continue on the convention center’s north hall, central hall and grand lobby between its north and central halls, as well as on a concourse between north and south halls. LVCC is home to several of the city’s biggest conventions, such as CES and World of Concrete.
3. Chicago
The Windy City also rose three spots from last year, and it’s also been bitten by the development bug. The city has seen multiple new developments and unveiled exciting news. Its promotional arm, Choose Chicago, recently announced its new president and CEO, Kristin Reynolds, effective just this month.
Just after this, at its Annual Meeting of Partnership, Chicago leaders celebrated record-breaking visitation in 2024—an estimated 55.3 million visitors.
Why Add to the City’s Visitation Numbers?
The first-ever American Pope is from Chicago, shining a light on the city. Last year, the city was the host of the Democratic National Convention at McCormick Place. Looking ahead, it will be the host of several events this summer, including U.S. Travel Association’s IPW 2025, Sueños Music Festival and The James Beard Foundation Awards.
Read More: Notes from the Road: Chicago
4. Nashville
Nashville may’ve dropped down from its No. 3 spot in 2024 but it has remained in the top 5 for a reason. The thriving music scene in the city has given it the nickname “Music City,” and is the birthplace of a laundry list of musicians, including Johnny Cash, Kelly Clarkson, Sheryl Crow, Faith Hill and Miley Cyrus, as well as, unsurprisingly, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
Why Go to Music City?
Along with Country Music Hall of Fame, the city is the home of handfuls of music-based event venues, like Music City Center, Schermerhorn Symphony Center, which houses various indoor and outdoor spaces, and The Listening Room Café, which has several spaces, including a 45-person VIP balcony.
5. Atlanta
Atlanta jumped to No. 5 from its previous No. 8 spot. The city is home to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), the world’s busiest airport for 26 of the last 27 years, due to its position as a major hub for domestic and international connections.
Why Touch Down in the World’s Busiest Airport?
The city has been on a run of development in recent years, having opened the tallest property in 40 years, the 976-room Signia by Hilton Atlanta, owned by and connected to Georgia World Congress Center, which offers 1.5 million sq. ft. of space.
Right next to the convention center, meeting profs and their groups can also explore the 22-acre Centennial Olympic Park, Mercedez-Benz Stadium, Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame and State Farm Arena, all of which have ample indoor and outdoor event space.
The remaining five in Cvent’s Top 10 Meeting Destinations are as follows:
- Dallas, Texas
- San Diego, California
- Washington, D.C.
- Phoenix, Arizona
- Denver, Colorado
