In This Issue
July/August 2026
Our Smart Speakers Awards winners hit the stage! And after taking a look and saying congrats, they can hit the stage at your next event! Featured stories in this issue include "What Luxury Leaves Behind" highlights what it means to experience a true luxury experience, "The Rx for Medical Meetings" discusses the trends behind medical meetings and "$1.3 trillion" uncovers the global impact of an industry that generates just that number in direct spending.
Features
August 28, 2026
TrendsTraversing 2026 Travel Trends
Research shows that travelers are embracing artificial intelligence to simplify planning, venturing beyond traditional hotspots and investing in experiences that deliver clear value. For meeting and event professionals, these evolving…
August 21, 2026
Bling Your MeetingsWhat Luxury Leaves Behind
Luxury has long been easy to recognize. It looked like marble-clad lobbies, impeccable service, Michelin-starred restaurants and suites with butlers who seemed to anticipate your every need before you did.
August 3, 2026
Industry Awards2026 Smart Speaker Awards
From AI to Wellness, these keynotes mastered the stage with expertise and inspiration. This is why they are the winners of the 2026 Smart Speaker Awards.
July 31, 2026
Health and WellnessSpaces That Connect
The demand for secondary cities and towns is occurring at a moment when development possibilities are more restrictive. Construction costs remain elevated, and financing pressures—coupled with longer project timelines—continue to…
July 28, 2026
TrendsThe Rx for Medical Meetings
From hybrid meeting formats and AI-powered engagement tools to real-time translation and sophisticated attendance tracking, the industry is embracing innovations that extend the reach and effectiveness of events while helping…
July 9, 2026
Reports & Surveys$1.3 Trillion: Business Events Economic Impact
Bringing more than two people together for business events has an outsized impact greater than the sum of its parts. This fusion-level exponential amplification on inputs goes unappreciated because the…
July 1, 2026
TrendsASAE: On a Mission
As ASAE, the Center for Association Leadership, prepares to gather thousands in Indianapolis for three days of learning, growing and inspiration Aug. 15-18, we asked ASAE President and CEO Michelle…
In Every Issue
September 10, 2026
StrategyMeet Sam. Make It New, or Lose Her.
We will call this persona Sam. She is around 34 years old and works as, let’s say, a creative strategist. She has been to enough conferences to start tuning them…
September 2, 2026
TrendsThe List: Where Art Checks In
Art has long played a role in hospitality design, but some properties are taking the relationship a step further. From mentorship programs and artist residencies to immersive galleries and locally…
August 26, 2026
Health and WellnessParticipants Are Telling Us What They Value
The Global Wellness Institute reported that the global wellness economy reached $6.8 trillion in 2024, growing 7.9% from the year before. Wellness tourism reached $893.9 billion. These are not small…
August 19, 2026
Bling Your MeetingsOutdoor Team-Building Basics
Ah, the great outdoors. What can be more motivating than taking a group out in the fresh air for healthy activity to form bonds and make memories. Unless it isn’t…
August 7, 2026
Brilliant ExperiencesHidden Gems: Below the Radar
Millions of years ago our hominin ancestors dwelled within caves, and some 20,000 years ago Paleolithic artists created the Lascaux Cave paintings, often called the Sistine Chapel of Prehistory, in…
August 5, 2026
SustainabilityIs Your Hotel Greenhushing?
Have you ever wondered why some hotel brands—and individual hotel websites—almost seem to avoid mentioning their sustainability practices? There’s a word for that. It’s greenhushing.
August 4, 2026
StrategyMeetings MBA: Return on Feeling
How do we measure an event's value. For a while, it's been ROI and ROO., but there's a third dimension our industry rarely names, let alone measures: return on feeling…
Notes from the Road
September 11, 2026
Hotels & DestinationsNotes From the Road: Naples, Florida
For meeting planners seeking luxury alongside variety, Naples, Florida, is an ideal destination. Along the Gulf of Mexico’s shimmering blue waters and seemingly endless stretches of white sand, attendees can…
September 2, 2026
Hotels & DestinationsNotes From the Road: Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
I love visiting places I’ve never heard of before. There’s something really enthralling about diving into an experience without any preconceived notions and seeing everything through the eyes of a…
September 1, 2026
Hotels & DestinationsNotes From the Road: Peter Island, the British Virgin Islands
Arriving at Peter Island Resort was a spectacular experience in and of itself. After a first-class transfer via Island Time charter company, I was greeted on the dock by the…
August 31, 2026
Hotels & DestinationsNotes From the Road: Burlington, Vermont
There’s a certain confidence that comes with knowing exactly what you are. Burlington isn’t trying to become the next booming convention city or compete with destinations several times its size.…
August 19, 2026
Hotels & DestinationsNotes From the Road: Boise, Idaho
On my first visit to the clean, walkable foodie town for Smart Meetings Innovation Experience, I found a foodie wonderland with fresh trout and abundant vegan options on every menu.
July 27, 2026
Hotels & DestinationsNotes From the Road: Spokane
Along with the Davenport Hotel, Spokane itself is one meeting attendees should experience, from the dining options to the lively Riverfront Park.
July 22, 2026
Hotels & DestinationsNotes from the Road: Chicago
For a live demonstration of what “the world’s most welcoming events” can feel like, I dropped in on a Hilton Live customer event at Hilton Chicago in May and found…
July 16, 2026
Hotels & DestinationsNotes From the Road: Sydney, Australia
Sydney is one of those destinations that seems instantly familiar, even if you’ve never visited. The Harbour Bridge, the waterfront and the skyline are recognizable around the world. Neighborhoods blend…
July 14, 2026
Hotels & DestinationsNotes From the Road: Toronto
Three years ago, the epicurean raters at Michelin discovered the bounty being lovingly presented in the capital of Ontario and revealed one of the worst-kept secrets in the culinary world.
Destination Features
September 15, 2026
Hotels & DestinationsHawai’i: Paradise Found
Whether it’s an executive retreat overlooking the Pacific or a convention paired with unforgettable island experiences, Hawai’i continues to stand out as one of the world’s premier meeting destinations.
August 27, 2026
Hotels & DestinationsCentral Florida: A Region Reimagined
Central Florida is full of untapped gems for planners. Renowned for its diverse cultural influences, Michelin-recognized restaurants, distinctive event venues and nature-based offerings, the region offers plenty of options for…
August 25, 2026
Hotels & DestinationsDallas & Fort Worth: Big Texas Possibilities
The versatility of Dallas and Fort Worth is worth appreciating. Planners have a range of options that turn activity planning and venue scouting into an exciting à la carte menu.…
August 3, 2026
Hotels & DestinationsMississippi: Mud Pie & The Blues
Meeting in Mississippi imparts the authentic flavors this unique melting pot has birthed—the legendary musical traditions of both the blues and rock ‘n’ roll, distinctive culinary practices and pivotal moments…
July 7, 2026
Hotels & DestinationsCentral & Northern California: California Dreaming
Few regions offer meeting planners as much flexibility as Central and Northern California. Within a few hours’ drive, attendees can move from the headquarters of the world’s most influential technology…
Past Issues
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