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The global meetings market just hit a record $20 billion in sourcing volume. Here's where that money is going and why.
The big picture of Meeting Destinations and Hotels
Corporate events are not recovering. They are expanding.
85% of meeting professionals say they're optimistic about 2026 the highest level in five years. 60% expect meeting attendance to increase, and 95% anticipate higher spend. The market is not just bouncing back from the pandemic it's betting bigger on in person.
It measures the percentage of RFPs a hotel actually responds to with a proposal not just an acknowledgment. The result: significant reshuffling among top meeting hotels globally.
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North America
Top destinations: Orlando · Las Vegas · Nashville · Chicago · Dallas · Atlanta · San Diego · Washington D.C. · Austin · New York
Orlando held the #1 spot for the 11th consecutive year. The city attracted 5.8 million group meeting visitors in 2025 and has a $560 million convention center expansion currently underway. Nashville climbed to #3 with venues like Music City Center and a highly walkable downtown, it keeps pulling planners away from bigger, pricier markets. New York re entered the top 10, jumping four spots.
Top meeting hotels: JW Marriott Austin · Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center · The Venetian Resort Las Vegas
Europe
Top destinations: London · Barcelona · Madrid · Lisbon · Paris · Munich · Vienna
London held #1 for the fourth straight year. The story is in the movement below: Vienna surged three spots into the top 10 for the first time, and Lisbon climbed one more place both cities investing heavily in congress infrastructure and positioning themselves as mid-sized alternatives to the traditional European circuit.
Notable hotel: W Barcelona jumped ten positions to reach #3 in the region.
Asia Pacific
Top destinations: Singapore · Bangkok · Sydney
All three held their positions for another year stability that reflects deep, consistent infrastructure investment rather than any single trend.
Top meeting hotel: Hilton Singapore Orchard
Middle East
Top destinations: Dubai · Istanbul · Abu Dhabi
Geopolitical complexity is pushing more multinational events toward neutral, well-connected hubs and this region benefits directly from that shift.
Top meeting hotel: JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai
Latin America & Caribbean
Top destinations: Cancún/Riviera Maya · San Juan · Nassau
Cancún is not coasting on beach appeal. The destination posted 15% MICE growth in 2024, generating $179 million in economic impact, and Mexico's meetings market is projected to grow at 9% annually through 2033. The product is evolving too resorts are adding modular meeting spaces and positioning directly for executive retreats and regional congresses.
Top meeting hotel: Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique
What's actually driving decisions in 2026 for Meeting Destinations and Hotels
Bleisure is now a selection criterion. 82% of corporate travelers value combining business and leisure in the same trip, and destination experience is increasingly part of the event's value proposition not an afterthought.
AI is entering the procurement process. 50% of meeting professionals plan to use AI this year. For hotels, that means slow RFP responses get filtered out before a human planner ever sees the shortlist.
Costs are stabilizing. North America's average hotel daily rate is projected at $166 for 2026 just 0.6% above last year. After years of pressure, planners finally have room to negotiate.
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