Experience the Washington, DC difference. Meeting planners find DC’s attractiveness appealing and ease of access unparalleled. With value-added opportunities, especially for organizations within the technology, biotech/pharmaceutical, education and medical spaces, DC is a leading destination for meetings and conventions of all sizes.

Washington, DC provides access to Fortune 500 tech companies and is the top city for women in tech, according to the CBRE Tech Talent Scorecard. Selecting DC for your next meeting will benefit attendee, exhibitor and sponsor bases alike. The intellectual capital is home to 21 higher education institutions throughout the region and claims the most cybersecurity jobs—more than 27,000—in the country. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, DC is the most educated city, making it a destination with a qualified workforce and a hot spot for innovation.

The nation’s capital has built a path towards greener living and meeting by creating an accessible environment where every government building is powered by renewable energy. Sustainability efforts contributed to the U.S. Green Building Council naming DC the first LEED platinum city in the world in August 2017. The city continues to add properties that are LEED certified such the new POD DC hotel in Chinatown. As the third most energy efficient city in the U.S. according to ACEEE, DC boasts a vast number of hotels, unique sites, caterers and services that will keep your meeting eco-friendly.

Washington, DC continues to develop initiatives and invest in new development opportunities to ensure that it is one of the leading U.S. destinations for meetings and conventions. In 2018, Washington, DC will see new direct nonstop air service into Dulles International Airport from key international markets, including Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific and London Stansted on Primera Air.

“We welcome more business and hope the new flights and hotel inventory help make it easy to choose Washington, DC,” said Elliott L. Ferguson II, president and CEO of Destination DC. “Business travelers can access lawmakers relevant to their cause, meet in incredible venues and enjoy the city’s captivating free museums and Michelin-starred restaurant scene.”

In addition to its strong industries, $11.5 billion in development underway means that 15 new hotels with over 3,400 rooms in the pipeline and special events venues will continue to come online.

Hotels opening soon include:

• Eaton Hotel
  Fall 2018 

A pilot project aimed at inspiring social change, the new global hotel brand will debut with a 209-room property, 5 meeting rooms and 10,000 square feet of meeting space in downtown DC. Eaton Workshop, an on-site studio, will offer a speaker series, podcasts, artists and other programming.

• The Conrad Washington, DC
  Winter 2019 

A 360-room hotel from Hilton Worldwide adds more luxury to CityCenterDC. Features include two outdoor terraces, a rooftop bar, conference rooms and 30,000 square feet of luxury retail space.

• Residence Inn & Courtyard by Marriott
  Winter 2019 

Residence Inn will feature 140-plus rooms, while Courtyard by Marriott expects 357 rooms. The two hotels will be adjacent to the convention center.

To learn more and submit an RFP, visit washington.org/meetings.

Atlantis, Paradise Island is a lush, oceanside resort located on Paradise Island in The Bahamas. A dynamic destination that launched 20 years ago as a first-of-its-kind modern marvel of nature and engineering, Atlantis has embarked on a new chapter tied to a meaningful connection with the ocean, Bahamian culture and the spirit of the property’s 7,500 employees. The resort connects its guests and groups to the rich history, art, people, food and festivities of The Bahamas, while also staying fully committed to marine conservation, both on-property and throughout The Bahamas (through the resort’s non-profit organization, the Blue Project Foundation). Atlantis is “Bahamas at Heart.”

Atlantis features five distinct hotels, from the iconic The Royal to the original The Beach and The Coral to the luxury properties, The Cove and The Reef. The Coral reopened in July 2017 as a fully redesigned escape with a new lobby, renovated rooms and poolscape as well as new amenities including the SUN & ICE lobby lounge featuring a new ice cream experience created by Bahamian Chef Wayne Moncur.

With the largest conference center in the Caribbean, Atlantis boasts 200,000 sf of indoor meeting space highlighted by the 50,000-sf Imperial Ballroom and 25,000 sf Grand Ballroom. The total of 60 meeting rooms allows Atlantis to accommodate groups of 15 to 4,000. More than 20 distinct outdoor venues totaling 300,000 sf entertain parties of up to 5,000. Atlantis invites groups of all sizes to bring their events to life with the integration of authentic Bahamian culture.

Recent updates and announcements at Atlantis includes the relaunch of The Cove with a brand new, redesigned poolscape and bespoke cabanas by Lulu DK, new beachside dining at Sip Sip (the iconic Harbour Island restaurant’s first outpost) and an impactful art installation on the beach by renowned Bahamian Artist Antonius Roberts (“Sacred Space”). In addition, celebrity chef José Andrés recently opened Fish by José Andrés at the idyllic The Cove Atlantis.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMs8DIM0zkg&feature=youtu.be

Book a new group at Atlantis, Paradise Island, with a minimum of 1,500 room nights for travel now thru Dec 31. 2019 and the group will receive one complimentary upgrade to the iconic The Royal Bridge Suite including 24 hour Butler Service available throughout the stay. Contract must be signed by Jun 30, 2018.

For more information, please call 800-722-2449 / email [email protected]

With convention center expansions designed to accommodate client growth and attract new business; collaborative, innovative meeting spaces to inspire the mind; and the company’s first all-inclusive incentive group packages, MGM Resorts continues to lead the way in “meeting” expectations for groups of all sizes.

ARIA’s major project began in May of 2016. In an effort to enhance its LEED Gold-certified convention center they will deliver an additional 200,000 square feet of technologically advanced, flexible meeting space across four stories, for a total of over 500,000 square feet.  Highlighted by stunning indoor/open-air verandas; dramatic views of The Park and T-Mobile Arena; and the one-of-a-kind Cypress Executive Lounge with private suites, stocked pantry, conference room and library, the expanded space will put the “wow” in any event.

After breaking ground in June 2017 on an expansion of its award-winning conference center, MGM Grand is ready to top it off on January 30, 2018.  The $130 million project is adding 250,000 square feet for a total of more than 850,000 square feet when complete. Stay Well Meetings, the industry’s first-ever wellness meetings experience (which launched at MGM Grand), also is expanding its footprint. Demonstrating the demand for a new way to conduct business, Stay Well Meetings feature amenities and programs that offer the kinds of healthy, productive and creative work environments that many clients are actively seeking.  The expansion is scheduled for completion by the end of 2018.

As part of Monte Carlo’s transformation into Park MGM, the resort has introduced Phase I of its new 77,000-square-foot conference space and welcomed its first major client during CES, the city’s largest annual show. Combining innovative, non-traditional spaces, an outdoor terrace and flexible design, Park MGM will fill an unmet need in Las Vegas for small groups, while also offering the ability to host up to 5,000 attendees in the customizable Park Theater. In Phase II, opening later in 2018, Park MGM will introduce Las Vegas’ first Executive Meeting Center (EMC) and Idea Studio – high-touch, high-tech meeting venues designed to maximize productivity for small groups.  Additionally, Park MGM will include an installation of Stay Well Rooms and Meetings, the most comprehensive wellness room and meeting experiences.

Finally, set on 120 acres and home to three distinctive resort brands, this destination offers guests nearly anything their hearts desire at tropically indulgent Mandalay Bay. While listening to the waves, groups can relax and enjoy floor-to-ceiling views of Mandalay Bay Beach during their breakfast, lunch, dinner or reception.  Available any time of day year-round, planners can book a seated dinner for 80, a reception for 150 or a prime viewing area for a Summer Concert on the Beach within the 2,425-foot elevated and air-conditioned space.  For an added wow factor, planners also can book The Beach and the exclusive Villas Soleil, atop the Beachside Ballroom, for a larger soiree.

Learn more about the capacities in each of our venues and contact us to help plan your next event.

After a while on the convention circuit, every city starts to blur together – until you get to Phoenix. Unhurried and unexpected, Phoenix is a place where connections are made in boardrooms or on urban trails. The city is a mix of outdoor beauty and urban sophistication, a combination not found in many meetings destinations. Inspiration looms around every corner in the form of breathtaking desert vistas, stunning skies and colorful murals.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEMDz7hIJv8

In its downtown urban core, Phoenix emits a trendy, yet unpretentious, vibe. A spacious, award-winning convention center and three major hotels anchor the area which is filled with dining and entertainment options for attendees to enjoy during their free time.

Downtown Phoenix is growing and evolving daily. Thanks to an influx of entrepreneurs, visionaries, students and artists, the city is brimming with youthful energy and new investment. The 210-room Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown Phoenix recently opened with another hotel beginning construction next year. Also on the horizon for 2019 is the completion of Block 23, a mixed-used development that will include downtown Phoenix’s first grocery store. And all of it is within walking distance of the Phoenix Convention Center.

When it comes to getting here and getting around, few meetings and event destinations rival Phoenix for ease and convenience. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is served by 16 airlines with more than 1,200 daily flights. American Airlines, Southwest and Frontier, as well as international carriers British Airways, Condor Airlines and Air Canada, are all adding new flights in 2018. Terminal 3 is undergoing an extensive $590 million modernization. Phase 1 has been completed with Phases 2 and 3 scheduled for completion in early 2019 and 2020, respectively.

Sky Harbor is just four miles from downtown and 15 to 30 minutes from most area hotels and resorts. Arriving meeting attendees can take the free PHX Sky Train from the airport to the nearest Valley Metro Light Rail station, which can move people around town all day for only $4.

We know you’re not looking for another breakout – you want a breakthrough. When you meet in Phoenix, success can be found at every turn. Learn more at visitphoenix.com/meetings.

New York City’s excitement, energy and value are unparalleled, with iconic venues, world-class restaurants and hotels and 24/7 convenience. NYC & Company, New York City’s official destination marketing organization, never stops working to make sure your meeting is a success. The experienced Convention Development team can provide expert advice and connect you with approximately 2,000 local venues, products and services.

Our newly redesigned website is the number one resource for planning meetings and events in New York City. We keep you up-to-date on what’s happening in the five boroughs, and you can plan an NYC meeting from start to finish with our product directory, which lets you compare meetings properties.

Here are the top reasons why planners like you are choosing to Make it NYC™:

1. Booking New York City guarantees record-breaking attendance. It is truly the place to be—the City’s energy, diversity and attractions can’t be matched. See why here.
2. Since the City is one of the world’s biggest draws for business and pleasure, attendees have an additional incentive to come early, stay late, bring their families and get business done.
3. NYC is a global transportation hub. With competitively priced airfare, the City is easily accessible from anywhere in the world. Once you’re here, NYC features many reliable, inexpensive options to get around that are available around the clock, every day of the year. Learn more here.
4. Hotel development is booming in NYC, with a projected 135,000 hotel rooms by 2019. With such formidable inventory, guest rooms can be found at every price point across all five boroughs. Learn more about New York City hotels here.
5. From Radio City Music Hall to Ellis Island, the City’s venues are plentiful, beautiful and memorable. No matter your expectations, New York City has a venue to meet—and exceed—them. Search all venues here.

Read on for 5 more reasons planners are choosing New York City.

Ready to Make it NYC? Give us a call at 212-484-1218, email us at [email protected] or find us online.

When small details generate big results.

Meet in Seattle with Marriott International. Book one of our 10 brands in the greater Seattle area and earn perks with Marriott Rewards® and Starwood Preferred Guest®. With four distinct destinations to choose from, there’s a perfect fit for every meeting and event.

Impact. Made Here.

Seattle

Elevate your meeting experience in downtown Seattle. Inspiration abounds with beautiful views of the surrounding Puget Sound and lush greenery thriving in the most unexpected of places. It’s easy to see how Seattle got the nickname “The Emerald City.”

Courtyard Seattle Downtown/Pioneer Square | Courtyard Seattle Downtown/Lake Union | Seattle Marriott Waterfront | Sheraton Seattle Hotel | W Seattle | The Westin Seattle

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Bellevue

Just across Lake Washington, downtown Bellevue is the perfect location to combine business and pleasure. With a variety of innovative and flexible meeting spaces, world-class shopping and dining, and located just a short distance from Woodinville’s wine country, Bellevue offers the perfect setting for each meeting style.

Courtyard Seattle Bellevue/Redmond | Seattle Marriott Bellevue | Sheraton Bellevue Hotel | W Bellevue | The Westin Bellevue

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Redmond

Once a settlement for logging and agriculture, Redmond, Washington has evolved into a center of technology of innovation. Located just east of Seattle, downtown Redmond is host to a variety of parks, trails and biking, making it the perfect location to find inspiration in the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

Aloft Seattle Redmond | Element Seattle Redmond | Seattle Marriott Redmond | Residence Inn Seattle East/Redmond

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South of Seattle/Sea-Tac International Airport

Unmatched convenience awaits when meeting just south of Seattle. Located near the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and with easy access to downtown Seattle, our Marriott hotels put you at the center of it all.

Aloft Seattle Sea-Tac Airport | Courtyard Seattle Federal Way | Courtyard Seattle Southcenter | Four Points by Sheraton Seattle Airport South | Seattle Airport Marriott

Last year’s annual offsite was, to quote your boss, “epic.” This year, expectations are soaring, but so are meeting costs — and your budget didn’t get the memo.

What’s a professional meeting planner to do? We reached out to a few of our most trusted partners to find out how they’re doing more with less, without sacrificing the wow factor.

1. Look for venues that take pride in creative, quality F&B programs.

Although we’ve all endured typical “banquet food,” events at any of the 11 Kimpton hotels in the DC metro area come with turn-key food and beverage experiences led by the Chefs at the helm of our adjacent restaurants.

When your guests are enjoying chef-prepared food such as Duck a l’Orange from Chef Sebastien Rondier of Brabo in Alexandria, Virginia, or Kimpton Mason & Rook client-favorite Shrimp Garganelli from Radiator’s Chef Jonathan Dearden in DC, the guest experience is heightened, which in turn raises the return on investment for your event.

A recent group of meeting attendees shared a personal moment with the Chef and Sommelier at Kimpton Lorien Hotel & Spa in Alexandria, VA, as they were on hand to walk guests through a four course meal and wine pairing. Chef Rondier’s appearance “was like having a rock star in the room,” says Donna Vaughn, Kimpton Lorien’s Director of Catering. The best part, there’s no extra charge for the special attention, it comes naturally in Kimpton’s passionate culinary culture.

2. Share your budget and goals for the event upfront.

One tip passed from our expert panel of Kimpton clients is to share what you can afford, highlight any points of flexibility, and then trust the venue to create a great experience within your budget. Look for teams willing to think outside the box to develop packages that address your meeting goals directly, such as highlighting food items that don’t have a high cost but still deliver an impressive presentation. Buddee Clinton, Director of Catering at Kimpton Hotel Monaco Washington DC says, “Knowing this information up front can make the planning process much more collaborative, creative, and cost effective.”

Perks and amenities included in baseline pricing also add to a venue’s bottom-line value. Kimpton’s standard amenities — such as free Wi-Fi for IHG Rewards Club Members, complimentary morning coffee and tea, and hosted evening wine hour for hotel guests — offer a robust hospitality experience to attendees, while keeping those precious dollars focused on the creative elements of a meeting that make a lasting impression.

3. Look for venues with a track record for creating one-of-a-kind experiences.

“Every event, we feel like we have to step it up,” says Sarah Benrazek, PMP, Marketing Manager for Agility. Benrazek says to help with this, she looks for hotels that are “a little more unique, not cookie-cutter,” with experiences that are off the beaten meetings path.

Luckily, this is an area that Kimpton takes seriously, often revamping menus with new F&B creations and unique break ideas. With team-building activities like assembling bikes to be donated to a local children’s charity, or a class in the art of fruit and vegetable carving, event experiences at Kimpton are truly one of a kind.

To learn more about hosting your next event at one of our 11 DC metro area hotels, contact us at [email protected], or visit our website at www.kimptonhotels.com.

Pioneer, innovator, facilitator. Philadelphia is a lot of things. But as much as anything, we’d call ourselves hosts. Hosts for important events of every size, from the day our nation was founded. So, imagine what you could do with that history on your side.

Today’s Philadelphia? We’re expanding with a flurry of development projects we’ve spearheaded for visitors and event planners specifically, including a 15% increase in hotel rooms by the end of 2019. Anchored by the LEED-Certified Pennsylvania Convention Center (PCC), Philadelphia’s Center City district is connected to a robust mass transit system and within walking distance of tax-free shopping, our historic district and a bustling restaurant scene.  Plus, with more than 11,400 hotel rooms within a 15-minute walk of the Pennsylvania Convention Center and a flexible event space inside its walls, you won’t spend much time wondering why it’s one of the Northeast’s premier venues.

We like to think we know people who know people. The talented and well-connected team at the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau can assist in connecting meeting planners and event organizers to local speakers and thought leaders who can add considerable value to any meeting or convention. For instance, Philadelphia has a rich history of bringing academic research to life. We’re home to the country’s second largest university population—just one of the reasons the Brookings Institution named Philadelphia one of the top 19 Knowledge Capitals of the U.S. and Europe.

We’re not fussy, either. Our progressive work rules give contractors all the flexibility they need (freedom is sort of our thing, after all). We let you work the way you please, so when the time comes, you can enjoy the city the way you please. Think thousands of restaurants, six pro sports teams and mile after mile of green space. Yeah. There’s plenty of flexibility for the event after the event, too.

Speaking of after the event: The city’s eclectic and impressive dining scene has garnered global attention from Iron Chefs, Top Chefs and James Beard award-winners. Arts and culture are just around the bend from the Pennsylvania Convention Center at renowned institutions like the Barnes Foundation and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. And of course, iconic attractions like Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell are inseparable from what makes our city, ours.

Like what you’re reading? We can’t blame you. See what we can do for your next event at discoverPHL.com/meet.