Texas is a big state — the second largest in the country by size and population. Within its more than 268,000 square miles are some of the most popular meetings destinations in the country, each with its own distinct personality. IRVING Irving may not have the same global recognition as Dallas and Fort Worth, but […]

The numbers don’t lie. With 950 flights arriving daily at McCarran International Airport, and more than 150,000 hotel rooms available — most of them dedicated to the meeting and convention market — it’s not hard to understand the appeal of Las Vegas as one of the world’s top conference and incentive destinations. Research released by […]

During the Tourism Industry Association of Canada’s (TIAC) annual conference this past November, it was reported that business events now accounts for 34.4 percent of all tourism in Canada, a big part of Canada’s US$71 billion tourism industry.

The HBGCC’s meeting space configuration, varying breakout room sizes and reception spaces all fit the NCBF’s goal of meeting several needs under one convention center roof. “Our group has several receptions and it’s nice to be able to host those in one facility rather than having to host them back at a hotel,” Torres says.

DECA, which helps high school and college students prepare for careers in business and entrepreneurship, typically hosts around 19,000 students, parents, teachers, advisers and other stakeholders at its annual International Career Development Conference

Florida — the world-famous “Sunshine State,” beloved by tourists from around the world — enjoys a special status in the association meeting industry: It boasts more high-quality and unique individual destinations than many other states. And what all of them have in common are two of the things meeting planners invariably say they look for […]

Things are different in Arizona: The mountains are sharper, the desert more dramatic and the contrasts greater. The destination is where the afternoon sky paints a reddish patina over this setting known for its Native American heritage and perpetual sunshine. Celebrating a plethora of perks — from authentic cowboys, distinctive cuisine and fashion-forward shopping to […]

All of this is conducted against a backdrop of 24/7 entertainment, gaming and endless nightlife — the “lost weekend” cliché for which this Sin City is also known. Needless to say, association meetings and conferences are a big business in Las Vegas.

As above, so below? Not so. The dark stuffiness of the casino experience — where there are no windows or clocks — makes it easy for planners to forget two of Atlantic City’s most persistent realities: its abundance of waterways, and its myriad venues for offering spectacular views thereof.

Colorado, a vast and beautiful state highlighted by the Rocky Mountains and featuring numerous individual destinations large and small, has become popular with meeting planners who want to escape a typical urban setting and enjoy spectacular scenery.