In This Issue
May/June 2026
Say congrats to our 2026 Smart Stars winners! Made up of 41 categories of airlines, cruise lines, destinations, hotels and venues, our Smart Stars gives recognition to our hospitality friends who're helping event planners show their groups the best experience yet. We also delve into the incentive appeal of island meetings, look into our crystal ball at the convention centers of the future and check in on the latest developments of integrated casinos.
Features
June 29, 2026
Brilliant ExperiencesTyson’s Take: A Three-Day Meeting Agenda
When Visit Rapid City's Tyson Steger walks a planner through the city for the first time, he doesn’t start with venues or hotels. He starts with the destination itself. When…
June 18, 2026
Hotels & DestinationsLas Vegas Doesn’t Quit!
Las Vegas is a shape-shifter. While the city does indeed have an identity—Las Vegas is a haven for entertainment, food and, increasingly, sports—its offerings are constantly evolving and becoming more…
June 10, 2026
Brilliant ExperiencesConvention Centers of the Future
Attendees expect buildings and operations that minimize their toll on natural resources. We asked LMN Principal Brian Tennyson, AIA, and Associate Partner Leonardo da Costa what convention centers of the…
June 1, 2026
Industry AwardsSmart Stars 2026: Partners Unveiled
When only the best will do, the Smart Meetings Community can always turn to their peers as a trusted source to learn the real deal on the grandest ballroom, who…
May 22, 2026
TrendsNext-Gen Casinos
Now that betting anywhere, anytime online is the norm, gaming has become one facet of the stay-and-play opportunities offered at integrated resorts around the world. Concerts, unique shopping, theme parks…
May 14, 2026
TechnologyThe Best Tech You Don’t See
AI-powered personalization, immersive environments, predictive data tools—the list of possibilities keeps growing. And yet, the most impactful events don’t necessarily feel more high-tech. They feel easier. More intuitive. More human.…
In Every Issue
June 29, 2026
ObsessionsObsessions: Conversation-Starters
This Smart Meetings Obsessions features card that can start a conversation, a monitor that acts as a perfect second screen, shoes that can keep up with the planner lifestyle and…
June 18, 2026
Health and WellnessWellness That Works: Sonic Power
Most of us already know music changes a room. We feel it when a walk-in track builds anticipation, when a soundtrack makes a video land harder or when one familiar…
June 15, 2026
StrategySmart Reads: The Curiosity Advantage
How embracing the unknown fuels innovation and fresh thinkingWhat if the smartest person in the room is the one asking the most questions? In The Wisdom of Ignorance, Alan Gregerman…
June 9, 2026
StrategyYour No-BS Tech Demo Script
Event tech is one of meeting planners' most frustrating areas. If you're one of them, this is your demo script and RFI cheat sheet. Use it live on vendor calls.…
June 8, 2026
StrategyWell Done: The Art & Science of Arrival
When arrival is rushed, crowded or overstimulating, attendees often remain in a heightened, reactive state, making it harder to focus, absorb information and build meaningful connections. When we intentionally design…
June 3, 2026
StrategyGoodbye, Post-Event Survey
For years, event measurement has followed a familiar pattern. The event ends, the survey goes out and planners wait with fingers crossed, hoping enough attendees respond to provide meaningful insight.…
May 20, 2026
TrendsStraight Talk: Global Pulse Check
At first glance, the numbers in California looked like a cautionary tale, but there were some bright spots and some lessons for how to overcome some of the headwinds in…
May 18, 2026
Health and WellnessRavish: Flower Power
Chefs, in luxury hotels especially, love meticulously tweezing blooms onto their plated presentations. And for more than prettiness: Edible flowers have been prized since ancient Rome, Greece and China. They’re…
Notes from the Road
June 30, 2026
Hotels & DestinationsNotes From the Road: Central Oregon
For planners looking to incorporate more white space and outdoor time into their agendas, Central Oregon delivers a strong balance of both. The main-character energy of Mother Nature presents in…
June 25, 2026
Hotels & DestinationsNotes From the Road: Seattle, Washington
The city’s unique position, a few hours from the Vancouver games, makes it a convenient home base for a month of sports tourism. And, if all those rooms don’t fill,…
June 9, 2026
Hotels & DestinationsNotes From the Road: Kansas City
With more than half a million residents, 2.25 million in the metropolitan area (including the Kansas side of the Missouri River), Kansas City brings big city amenities with Midwest charm.
Destination Features
June 15, 2026
Hotels & DestinationsIllinois: Gathering on the Prairie
There’s plenty to experience across Illinois’ diverse cities and towns, whether you’ve visited once or are making your 11th trip.
Past Issues
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