Andrew Zimmern and Renaissance Hotels The Navigator's Table

Some of the wildest food pairings—from sea urchin and deep dish pizza to squirrel and seafood gumbo—have come to life on the small screen. This month, Andrew Zimmern, host of Travel Channel’s Bizarre Foods show, and Renaissance Hotels debuted “The Navigator’s Table,” an original mini-web series that takes viewers on some incredible culinary adventures across Chicago, Nashville and New York City.

“My whole life has been a journey of discovery, traveling the world looking for the exotic, bizarre and unusual,” Zimmern says. “I know the difference between good food and good eating and how important it is to try something new and get out of our comfort zone, and I’m proud to bring those experiences to ‘The Navigator’s Table’ and to Renaissance Hotels.”

“The Navigator’s Table” is hosted by Zimmern and includes six unscripted episodes featuring famous chefs, culinary luminaries and local influencers. The television personality and James Beard award-winning chef has also lent his global culinary expertise to bar snacks served at some of the newest Renaissance Hotels opening throughout the year. The snacks will be available exclusively on June 16, during Renaissance Hotels’ annual Global Day of Discovery, which takes place at 160 properties around the world.

Iberostar Hotels & Resorts

Iberostar Hotels & Resorts will make its debut in the United States with the opening of two new hotels in New York City and Miami as part of the company’s commitment to expanding its reach in the U.S. market. Scheduled to open June 15, the Manhattan hotel located in the center of the city will be a four-star boutique hotel with 205 rooms across 16 floors. Guests will stay a short distance from key tourist attractions, including Times Square, Grand Central Station, the United Nations, Bryant Park and the Flatiron District.

“We are extremely excited to launch a new hotel in New York, one of the most vibrant cities in the world. With its prime location and focus on service, this new hotel is the perfect way to mark our entrance into the U.S. market,” says Jose Antonio Gonzalez, vice chairman and CEO of Grupo Iberostar in America. “This property will be a valued addition to our portfolio by our current customers and will also allow us to reach a new audience in the U.S.”

The new hotel in New York will be set inside an iconic stone and red brick building dating back to 1928. It has undergone a series of renovations in recent years, giving the hotel a refreshing and modern twist. The ground floor will feature a lobby area, as well as a variety of cuisine options such as Silverleaf Coffee & Tea and Silverleaf Tavern, a baroque-inspired lounge.

Iberostar Hotels & Resorts

In December, the hotel chain will introduce its second American property with the opening of Iberostar Berkeley in Miami’s South Beach. In the famous Art Deco district, the South Florida boutique property will be located in a renovated 1940s Art Deco building with 96 guest rooms. By opening its first two properties in the United States, Iberostar plans to reinforce its offerings available in the urban sector of the company’s portfolio.

Iberostar Hotels & Resorts is a chain based in Palma de Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain, and was founded by the Fluxa family in 1986. Iberostar is an integral part of Grupo Iberostar, one of the main Spanish tourist companies with over 80 years of experience. Grupo Iberostar boasts more than 100 hotels with four- and five-star ratings in 16 countries around the world.

Maui and Kauai

There is something special about the Hawaiian Islands. Some call it aloha spirit. Others point to lush natural surroundings. Whatever it is, visitors agree there’s something undoubtedly alluring about experiencing it for yourself. During a week-long, multi-island visit, Smart Meetings encountered beauty and adventure on the islands of Maui and Kauai, two of six main islands that form the archipelago. From surf and sand to Hawaiian traditions, groups should fasten their seatbelts for an exhilarating journey of once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Maui and Kauai

Maui No Ka ‘Oi

If there is one phrase to know before visiting Maui, it is Maui no ka ‘oi, which means the island is the best. Locals will tell you that no other island can lay claim to this title, and it’s easy to see why. Whether visitors want to learn about Hawaiian culture, explore the terrain or indulge in spa and relaxation, Maui provides the best of both worlds. Town centers in Lahaina and Kahului offer cosmopolitan shopping and mainland amenities while more remote places, such as Hana, are a lush getaway untouched by major development.

Maui and Kauai

Stay

For business and incentive groups, there are a number of meeting properties in West Maui along famous Ka’anapali Beach. Next to Whaler’s Village, The Westin Maui Resort & Spa is a premier high-rise hotel that integrates upscale amenities with Hawaiian flair. Two 11-story towers flank a series of pools and ponds with a giant waterslide overhead. The property has 759 guest rooms and 67,391 sq. ft. of meeting space.

Maui and Kauai

Groups are welcome to indulge at the resort’s Heavenly Spa. There are 16 rooms and an assortment of services offered, including traditional Hawaiian treatments. The award-winning facility has received accolades from Conde Nast Traveler, Destination Travel Magazine and USA Today Travel. Westin Maui Resort & Spa is also recognized for its strides in sustainability. It is actively involved in Starwood’s environmental initiative, which calls for a 30 percent reduction in energy use and a 20 percent reduction in water consumption per hotel room by 2020.

Maui and Kauai

Next door, Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa offers a laidback setting with bamboo lamps and Hawaiian prints in 508 rooms and suites. Perched atop the jagged cliffs of Black Rock, the most dramatic point is the Ali’i Suite. The interior is adorned with handcrafted furnishings and original artwork, and can be used as a venue for evening receptions. The resort has 12,419 sq. ft. of indoor meeting space and around 30,000 sq. ft. of outdoor event space. Groups at the Sheraton are able to use meeting rooms at The Westin.

Maui and Kauai

By evening, guests begin to gather around the Sheraton’s beachfront promenade. The cliff diving ceremony is about to happen. As the sky turns different shades of pink and orange, torches are lit on the path along black volcanic rock that dips into the ocean. Legend has it that the last chief of Maui, Kahekili (Thunderer), was made to prove his spiritual prowess by leaping into the ocean from the sacred cliff, known as Pu’u Keka’a. The tradition continues every night as a young diver retraces ancestral footsteps to beat of drums in the distance.

Maui and Kauai

Explore

One of the best ways to see the island is from the water. For a fun afternoon outing, groups can climb aboard a catamaran that docks at Ka’anapali beach or Lahaina harbor. Depending on the ocean current, sailing may not always be smooth and those on the boat might get splashed. But the sights are spectacular, especially from January—April, when Humpback whales come to Maui’s coast to give birth and raise calves.

Maui and Kauai

On the slopes of Haleakala Crater, clouds close in and the weather becomes cooler. Fertile fields surround the dormant volcano as the elevation grows higher. Acres and acres of green plots growing sugarcane can be seen from above. The signature crop has been a Maui staple since 1876, but sugar production will soon come to a halt. The manufacturer of C&H Sugar will transition to a more diversified crop by the end of the year.

Maui and Kauai

However, sugarcane will not disappear form the island altogether. At Ocean Organic Vodka, the award-winning distillery makes some of the smoothest spirits from cultivation of the grassy plant. Through state-of-the-art distillation techniques, fermentable sugar is extracted from the stalk and enters a continuous refinement process before it is combined with deep ocean mineral water. Ocean Organic Vodka produces vodka as well as rum, which undergoes a less rigorous distillation process.

Maui and Kauai

The Garden Isle

As the island of Kauai comes into view, airplane passengers can catch a glimpse of some of the most breathtaking scenery. Landing in Lihue Airport (LIH) is one of many ways to view Kauai’s rugged topography. Kauai Visitors Bureau encourages travelers to discover Hawaii’s oldest island through various outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, paddle boarding, kayaking, surfing and even horseback riding. While on the island, Lisa Nakamasu, director of sales for the visitors bureau, urges groups to invigorate their sense of being and soak up Kauai’s restorative spirit.

Maui and Kauai

Stay

With fewer residents and a handful of main roads, relaxation here is no challenge. Sheraton Kauai Resort is located on sunny Poipu Beach, where the sand is golden and the waves are mellow. The resort’s 391 guest rooms are housed in eight buildings no taller than a mature coconut tree—the zoning ordinance that once existed in Hawaii. Last week, Sheraton Kauai was acquired by Interval Leisure Group, which already owns Starwood’s timeshare business. The resort will undergo a multi-phase renovation beginning April 2017.

Sheraton Kauai offers more than 38,000 sq. ft. of outdoor lawn space and more than 27,000 sq. ft. of indoor meeting space, including RumFire Poipu Beach restaurant. Available for buyouts, the popular venue features an expansive view of the rocky shore and ocean beyond. Executive Chef Michael Young, who has appeared on Food Network’s Cutthroat Kitchen, creates exceptional dishes which highlight locally sourced ingredients such as Ni’ihau lamb and Makaweli beef.

in what’s become a St. Regis Princeville tradition.

On the opposite side of the island, St. Regis Princeville is a magnificent resort that overlooks beautiful Hanalei Bay. The brand’s first resort in Hawaii is also the only luxury property in Kauai, located on 9,000 acres in the community of Princeville. The resort also boasts unparalleled views of Na Molokama mountain range and Hanalei River, which can be seen from wide panoramic windows that circle the lobby area. St. Regis Princeville has 251 guest rooms and suites, plus 18,648 sq. ft. of indoor meeting space and 24,846 sq. ft. of outdoor event space.

Maui and Kauai

In the evenings, resort staff and guests toast to the good life. In what’s become a St. Regis Princeville tradition, champagne is sabered off into the sunset. The resort also pays tribute to the brand’s signature Bloody Mary cocktail with its own interpretation. The Bloody Mary was created in 1934 by a bartender at the St. Regis New York, and is now an iconic drink served at St. Regis hotels around the world. St. Regis Princeville can arrange Bloody Mary making competitions in which each team faces off to concoct the best cocktail.

Maui and Kauai

Explore

There are several ways to explore Kauai’s legendary Na Pali coast. The 17-mile stretch of mountainous cliffs and jagged ridges on the island’s North Shore rise as much as 4,000 feet above the Pacific Ocean. Inaccessible to vehicles, the coast can be hiked on the 11-mile Kalalau Trail. A less challenging option is to kayak or paddle board along the shore. But one of the best ways to see every crevice of the rugged landscape is to hop on a helicopter. Sunshine Helicopters offers tours of several natural wonders, from the Na Pali coast to Manawaiopuna Falls and Waimea Canyon. Seeing old-growth tropical rainforests, cascading waterfalls and steep emerald valleys from the air is an unforgettable experience.

Maui and Kauai

The end of the flight lands near Princeville Ranch Adventures, one of the oldest working cattle ranches on the island. It was first established during the reign of King Kamehamea III, and has been family owned and operated since 1978. Aside from raising horses and cattle, the 2,500-acre ranch offers adventure tours for individuals and private groups. Tour guides take thrill-seekers over nine zip-lines that glide over lush valleys and treetops. Groups can also explore the ranch on rough-and-tumble off-road vehicles. The dirt road is full of sharp turns and muddy ditches guaranteed to be a bumpy ride. The tour ends with a secluded dip in the water, surrounded by tropical flora and fauna. It’s one of many memories to last a lifetime.

Long Airport Security Lines

Long airport security lines are making headlines this week, as tired passengers are forced to wait until Congress, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. airlines can reach an agreement. If you’re one of 231 million travelers expected to pass through a security checkpoint this summer, it might be wise to find your own solution. Discount travel website Hotwire has found five ways to survive the lines and get through security with your sanity intact.

1. Stay Connected— Download the app of the airline you are flying on, and routinely check it for updates and boarding information. Through the app, you can also purchase inflight Wi-Fi and download your favorite movies, TV shows and albums to keep you entertained.

2. Make a List, Check it Twice— If you’re someone who has a never-ending list of things to do, now would be a great time to make it. While standing in line, jot down all of the things you need to accomplish or purchase once you land.

3. Plan Your Travels— Spontaneous travelers who might have booked a trip at the last minute can use the opportunity to plan activities and research their destination. Look up activities, attractions, groups and festivals with the wide selection of travel apps available at your fingertips.

4. Keep in Touch— While you’re waiting, is there anyone you haven’t spoken to in a while? Take the time to reconnect by making calls to friends and family members. You can chat for hours, and they’ll likely receive your full attention.

5. Multitask— Another option is to catch up on reading material by keeping your favorite book or magazine within easy reach. Or tackle your inbox and prioritize emails. It’s also a great time to set up out-of-office alerts. Who ever said waiting in line was a waste of time?

delta-airlines TSA security checkpoints

Delta Air Lines, Inc. plans to add its own staff and contractors at TSA security checkpoints at peak hours in an effort to minimize back-ups and delays that are happening all over the country as a result of decreased TSA staffing and an increase in the volume of travelers.

The cost of the additional staff adds up to nearly $4 million, but that’s not where the Atlanta-based airport is drawing the line.

Delta is consulting with industrial engineering experts on how to redesign security checkpoints for better passenger flow. The airline has already invested $1 million in redesigning two lanes at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The design depends on passengers doing things in parallel rather than one at a time so that one person’s slow habits or a bag that sounds the alarm doesn’t hold up other passengers.

“It’s the first of its kind in the U.S., and day one it increased productivity 30 percent,” said Delta Air Lines Chief Operating Officer Gil West after running a test of the new design. “The biggest constraint of the system is the X-ray screening of the bags.”

West told CNBC’s “Power Lunch” on Wednesday that although bag screening is the biggest hold-up, baggage fees are not the reason behind the recent delays. Massachusetts Democrat Edward Markey and Connecticut Democrat Richard Blumenthal recently asked executives at 12 airlines to drop checked-bag fees this summer to help reduce the wait.

About 231 million passengers will fly on U.S. airlines from June through August, up 4 percent from the same period last year.

TSA’s Perspective

Today at a Transportation Security hearing, American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) National President J. David Cox Sr. urged the House Committee on Homeland Security’s Subcommittee to enact emergency legislation to enable the TSA to hire the 6,000 additional full-time officers it needs to end the delays.

“The current crisis was both foreseeable and preventable,” Cox said, pointing out that TSA has been chronically underfunded for years.

Cox said the four main factors at fault for the delays were decline in the size of the TSO workforce; diversion of the security fees by Congress to other projects; emphasis on outsourcing duties to non-federal personnel as a temporary “fix” to staffing issues; and poor treatment of the TSA workforce.

In 2014, TSA only hired 373 TSOs to replace the 4,644 who left the agency.

Further Reading:
The Complete Guide to TSA PreCheck
5 Ways to Pass the Time During Long Airport Security Lines
TSA and Airlines Struggle to Expedite Airport Security
Survey Results: Is TSA PreCheck Worth It?

father's-day-gift-guide

In what’s become a female-dominant industry, our gift guides are often focused on the traveling women in the meetings industry, but Father’s Day is almost here (June 19), so it’s time to shine a spotlight on dad and all the great travel items he’ll love! Whether he’s traveling for business or pleasure, in the city or country, we’ve got something for every dad in this Father’s Day Gift Guide.


1. Cord and gadget organizer

Eagle Creek eTools Small Organizer is a super lightweight travel case perfect for storing cords, earbuds, adapters, USBs, memory cards, chargers and other accessories. Find it here

2. Compact binoculars
Great for nature outings and even sporting events, these 8×22 binoculars by Scout offer 8X magnification and crystal-clear optics. Find it here

3. Bottle protectors

The idea of bringing back your favorite bottle of vino after a trip to the vineyard sounds like a great idea until you’re stuck deciding between paying to ship It home or risk packing it with the rest of your belongings. These bottle protectors are lined in a heavy-duty plastic and made of ripstop nylon with a padded PVC lining to prevent breakage, so your bottles will arrive home safe and ready to taste. Find it here

 

4. Tweed & leather document holder

Keep dad organized and styling with Harris Tweed; only made in the Outer Hebrides, it feature soft, full-grain leather, 10 card slots, one large document sleeve, two large pockets and a security snap closure. Find it here


5. Spinner mobile office
Nothing says ready for business like the Samsonite Luggage Xenon 2 Spinner Mobile Office; it fits a laptop up to 15.6 inches, plus lots of expandable pockets provide plenty of storage.  Find it here

6. Charcoal travel umbrella

Keep dad dry! Arcadia outdoors umbrellas are equipped with water-wicking GlideTech, plus they’re wind-resistant, span a broad 42 inches, and feature automatic open-close function. Find it here

7. Traveler’s Choice golf travel bag
If dad’s in the meetings industry, there’s a good chance he has many opportunities to hit the links between meetings. And a true golfer knows renting clubs is the worst! So make sure he takes his own clubs along for the ride. This padded foam bag protects clubs and makes traveling with them a breeze. Plus inline skate wheels makes it easy to roll (in case his caddy isn’t with him at the airport). Find it here

8. Mini spinning reel & rod combo

Designed for anglers on the move, this Daiwa Mini System compact tackle setup comes in its own hard case, and is ideal for stowing in luggage, backpacking, or keeping under a car seat. Find it here


9. Lightweight shorts
ExOfficio Nomad Shorts will be dad’s new favorite travel clothing item. These nylon hiking shorts have a relaxed fit and transition with ease between city-wear and outdoor treks. A Teflon treatment resists water and stains, and the shorts are also quick drying, lightweight and offer UPF30+ sun protection. Find it here

10. The Routes of Man

What better read for on the road than The Routes of Man: Travels in the Paved World written by Pulitzer Prize finalist and National Book Critics Circle Award–winning author Ted Conover? His newest book explores six key roads of the world. Find it here

 

Corporate Social Responsibility

Many meeting professionals agree that it’s easy to plan meetings with the intention of giving back, but it’s often more challenging to implement those corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies. Caesars Entertainment is making it easier to do so with expanded community service opportunities. This week, the casino-entertainment corporation announced a new “Meetings for Good” menu offered through the Responsible Meetings program.

“We strive to ensure that our clients hold outstanding meetings and events while also contributing economic, social and environmental benefits to society at our meeting venue locations,” says Jordan Clark, vice president of sales for meetings and events. “That’s why it’s important to us that our corporate citizenship efforts are embedded in our meetings offerings, allowing clients to reduce costs and meet responsibly.”

Strong interest from meeting planners spurred a revamp of the Responsible Meetings program. Caesars Entertainment considered feedback that suggests planners are increasingly seeking venues which provide opportunities to actively participate in local outreach. A study from Meeting Professionals International also found that 60 percent of meeting planners are more likely to book a venue if it carries social impact benefits.

At select properties in Las Vegas, New Orleans and Atlantic City, meeting groups are encouraged to participate in stronger community engagement with local non-profit organizations. These community partnerships offer meaningful team-building experiences that include helping seniors, environmental sustainability, education, health and wellness, and serving deployed soldiers and veterans. The new menu will be available in all other national markets later this year.

For example, groups can build hygiene kits using recycled toiletries for those in need. Clean the World Foundation distributes the kits all over the world to help reduce hygiene-related illness. Conferences can also turn over unused writing materials to Teacher Exchange, which collects resources for public schools in Southern Nevada. Caesars Entertainment also partners with Second Wind Dreams and Meals on Wheels Association.

The new menu builds on the existing Responsible Meetings program, which includes a training and certification program. Groups are able to designate their event as a Certified Responsible Meeting if it meets criteria of environmentally-friendly choices, such as organic meals, electronic signage, recycled meeting materials and post-meeting environmental reports.

Each Caesars property actively works to manage and reduce material impacts on the environment through CodeGreen, an organization-wide strategy. Over the last 10 years, Caesars Entertainment has invested more than $70 million to reduce waste, along with water and energy consumption.  The corporation’s hotels and resorts in North America have earned eco-ratings ratings by Green Key Global, a leading environmental certification entity.

food-festivals2

If you have the flexibility to plan your meeting around a pre-existing event taking place at your destination, you’re in luck. Nothing inspires attendance and participation like a food festival, and these days so many cities have one, if not several, each year.

Food festivals give cities the opportunity to show off their local flavors and the myriad ethnicities that make up their neighborhoods. Plus the experience of trying something new can leave a long lasting impression on attendees, who are always craving authenticity. Often supplemented with local music and other entertainment, it’s a great way to get to know a city, and to take a well-deserved break from the boardroom to head outside.

Here is a list of some of the best food festivals worldwide, according to CNN travel writer John Malathronas.

1. Wildfoods Festival, Hokitika, New Zealand

For the adventurous palet, there’s the appropriately-named Wildfoods Festival, where you can feast on seagull eggs, mountain oysters and possum cutlets while sipping gorse wine.

2. World Porridge-Making Championships, Carrbridge, Scotland

When your country has a staple food, no matter how unappealing it may sound, you have to own it. That’s exactly what Scotland does with the annual World Porridge-Making Championships. If you’re in the area in late September-early October, stop over to Cairngorms National Park for a hardy, heaping bowl of oat-based porridge.

3. The Onion Market, Bern, Switzerland 

Be a part of the biggest folk festival in Switzerland’s capital on November 28 at the Onion Market. To call this merely a food festival wouldn’t be accurate. Sure, you can partake in the pungent aroma while sipping piping-hot bowls of onion soup, but there are also ceramic pots, jewelry, toys and other market goods, plus garlic, hot mulled wine, and a confetti war.

4. Watercress Festival, Hampshire, England

Yes, that watercress—the aquatic herb used most often in soups and sauces—gets its own grand festival. The third Sunday in May each year, everyone from local farmers to celebrity chefs turn out to whip up and taste dishes with the celebrated herb. A brass band and group of dancers announce the arrival of the Watercress King and Queen, who distribute the first shoots of harvest to visitors.

5. Salon de Chocolate, Quito, Ecuador

You should have no issue encouraging attendees to partake in this indulgent mid-June festival. It attracts 15,000 people each year and offers a chocolate sculpture competition, cooking classes and of course, tasting sessions.

6. Bacon Festival, Sacramento, California

Bacon gelato, bacon salad, bacon ramen, bacon tater tots and a side of craft beer—are you drooling yet? There’s never been a better reason to visit California’s capital in January than this savory affair. Chefs cook their masterpieces right on the street, filling the air with the heavenly scent. On the third night, a Kevin Bacon tribute band takes center stage.

7. Blue Food Festival, Bloody Bay, Tobago

What better way to immerse yourself and your team in an island meeting experience than getting a taste of a customary component like dasheen?

This root plant can be found in dishes all over the island, and it’s rare blue nature makes it a well-recognized ingredient.

The weekend-long festival is in its 18th year and attracts thousands of attendees on the coastal island of Bloody Bay.

8. PoutineFest, Ottawa, Canada

Three days of fries, gravy and cheese curds may need to be followed up by some high-intensity team-building to work it off, but Ottawa would agree, it is worth it. The mid-May event offers everything from traditional poutine to pad Thai poutine, butter chicken poutine, beef jerky, smoked salmon and pulled pork poutine.

9. Castagnades Chestnut Festival, Ardeche, France

Remember when people actually roasted chestnuts on an open fire instead of just singing about it? A visit to Ardeche, France will ensure you have the chance to do just that, and taste 62 varieties of chestnuts.  They’re used in soups, stews, baking, beer and alcoholic liqueur.

10. Dumpling Festival, Hong Kong

Every June (on the fifth day of the fifth Chinese lunar month) zongzi dumplings are feasted on as part of a national holiday. Glutinous rice and various fillings can be wrapped in bamboo, lotus or banana leaves. A dragon boat race takes place (and has grown so popular, it has its own festival).

11. National Cherry Festival, Traverse City, Michigan

Fly into the Cherry Capital Airport and rest up at the Cherry Tree Inn before embarking on the week-long cherry celebration in July. Events include pit-spitting competitions, pie-baking contests, a Grand Cherry Parade and the crowning of a Cherry Queen.

12. Pizzafest , Naples, Italy

Does this really need a description to entice you? Pizza in Italy. For one whole week in September, Napoli’s Lungomare Caracciolo area becomes a pizza village with 500,000 visitors who consume more than 100,000 pizzas. It’s home to the World Pizza-Making Championships.

13. Vegetarian Festival, Phuket, Thailand

The longest and perhaps healthiest festival on the list, the nine-day festival in September-October is about more than the food. The celebration is part of a general mind and body detoxification, and locals can be seen march through the streets driving away evil spirits, walking on hot coals, bathing in hot oil or piercing their body parts as they channel protective spirits.

The island of Phuket eats only vegetables for the duration of the celebration, cooked with soybean oil and protein substitutes.

14.Herring Festival, Hvide Sande, Denmark

In April when herring swim in to spawn, fishermen converge and the result is a fishing competition, followed by pickled, fried and ground herring.  Attendees can watch angling demonstrations, attend fishing classes and even partake in filleting workshops.

berlin top association meeting cities

Germany is surging ahead in the international meetings and events market, according to the annual International Congress & Convention Association’s (ICCA) rankings for top association meeting cities. Berlin moved up three positions to No. 1 based on the 2015 association conventions it hosted, jumping ahead of such meeting powerhouses as Paris and Vienna.

As usual, the United States ranks No. 1 as a country for association meetings, but did not have an individual city among the Top 20. The United States hosted 925 association meetings in 2015, followed by Germany at 667 and United Kingdom at 582.

Leading the way in North America is Vancouver, Canada, which stands at No. 29 for top association meeting cities. The top five North American cities also include Montreal, Washington, D.C., Toronto and New York City.

“This prestigious ranking truly underscores Vancouver’s strong reputation as a global meetings destination and the appeal of the award-winning Vancouver Convention Centre,” says Todd Stone, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “The meetings and conventions business is a vital economic driver for B.C.’s economy and to have clients who have hosted meetings and conventions in Vancouver recommending Vancouver for future events is very gratifying.”

Berlin hosted 195 association meetings in 2015 to help Germany trail only the United States. Munich and Hamburg joined Berlin in the top 100 worldwide rankings, while Dresden, Dusseldorf, Cologne, Leipzig and Frankfurt were among the top 100 European meeting cities.

“Germany’s cities are renowned for leveraging their local areas of industry expertise, history, and top-notch venues to attract and create strategic meetings, conferences and events,” says Matthias Schultze, managing director of the German Convention Bureau. “Germany’s meetings industry works hard as an integrated destination, service, venue, hotel, convention center and economic development community to deliver one-of-a-kind, successful meeting experiences.”

London has been a steady force for top association meeting cities and cracked into the top five for the first time based on 2015 numbers. In 2011, London was ranked No. 19 and has been intent on establishing itself as a first-of-mind destination for major conventions.

“Today’s figures are a great Olympic legacy and confirmation of what we’ve known for years, that London is rightly one of the world’s most attractive destinations for event organizers,” says Tracy Halliwell, director of business tourism and major events for London & Partners. “We have an unrivalled mix of venues, connectivity and infrastructure, with more exciting developments in the pipeline including new hotels and the completion of the new Crossrail in 2019.”

Bangkok broke into the Top 20 for association meeting cities, moving up an amazing 13 positions to No. 16. Dublin’s meetings prominence is also noteworthy, with a No. 18 ranking. Lisbon and Copenhagen each moved up three positions to break into the Top 10.

“In an uncertain world with ever increasing business disruption, the stability and continuing long-term growth of international association meetings are encouraging more and more suppliers and destinations to include this market segment in their mix of business,” says ICCA CEO Martin Sirk. “What also remains true is that these are the most complex and long-lead-time meetings to win, requiring excellent research and targeting, top class bidding and presentation skills, and patience.”

Top Association Meeting Cities

Rank City # Meetings in 2015 Change in Rank
1 Berlin 195 ▲3
2 Paris 186 ▼1
3 Barcelona 180 ▲2
4 Vienna 178 ▼2
5 London 171 ▲1
Madrid 171 ▼2
7 Singapore 156  –
8 Istanbul 148 ▲1
9 Lisbon 145 ▲3
10 Copenhagen 138 ▲3
11 Prague 123 ▼1
12 Amsterdam 120 ▼4
13 Brussels 117 ▼2
13 Seoul 117 ▲1
15 Hong Kong 112 ▲1
16 Bangkok 103 ▲13
17 Rome 99 ▲1
18 Dublin 97 ▲6
19 Beijing 95 ▼5
Budapest 95 ▼3

salt-lake-city

Traditionally regarded as a quiet, conservative destination, Salt Lake City is undergoing an exciting transformation that is broadening its identity and appealing to much greater variety of travelers and potential residents.

This phenomenon, which is sparked in part by Visit Salt Lake (the convention and visitors bureau), is reflected in many recent surveys, including two released during this month by WalletHub. The most recent survey, released this week, ranked SLC as the second-best summer destination in the United States, trailing only the Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise metropolitan area. WalletHub ranked 80 metro areas on a set of 30 key metrics, focusing on wallet-friendly and Instagram-worthy offerings, such as cost of the cheapest flight, number of attractions and diversity of activities.

In  another survey by WalletHub, Salt Lake City was ranked as the top U.S. city to start a career. WalletHub’s analysts compared the 150 largest U.S. cities, using 17 key metrics to determine the relative strength of their job markets as well as the attractiveness of their social scenes and other factors important to job-market entrants.

Last month, SLC was one of 10 U.S. cities noted by TripAdvisor as being among the “greenest” in the United States. The story noted the city’s commitment to climate change, conservation and improved air quality and that in recent years, it has doubled the amount of bike lanes offered and opened an extremely popular bike-share program downtown.

Also last month, Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) ranked second in passenger satisfaction, trailing only Tampa International Airport, in Phoenix Marketing International’s survey of the 250 busiest airports in the United States.

Meeting planners and others are taking note of these impressive rankings, stemming from the rapid changes occurring in Salt Lake City. While it’s still carving out its new identity, an online story from CheapOair.com would have been unforeseeable just a few years ago. The story, “Why Salt Lake City Could Very Well Be the Next San Francisco,” describes SLC’s adventurous cuisine, creative cocktails, artisanal coffee scene and colorful counterculture.