Skip to content

Search

Latest Stories

Survey: Orlando is North America’s top meeting destination

‘Optimism dips due to economic uncertainty and rising costs’

best u.s. cities for business meetings

Orlando is again ranked North America’s top meeting destination, followed by Las Vegas and Chicago, while the top four meeting hotels are all in Nashville, according to Cvent.

Why Orlando Continues to Rank #1 for Business Meetings

ORLANDO IS AGAIN ranked the top meeting destination in North America, followed by Las Vegas and Chicago, which rose three spots from last year, according to Cvent, a hospitality technology provider. The top four meeting hotels are in Nashville.

The recent Northstar/Cvent Meetings Industry PULSE Survey found that nearly 70 percent of planners are booking or sourcing events, and 63 percent consider events more valuable than before the pandemic, despite a dip in optimism driven by economic uncertainty and rising costs.


“Since 2015, Orlando has earned Cvent’s top recognition, showing our dedication to the meetings and conventions industry. We are a community focused on providing service and aligning with our customers’ goals,” said Casandra Matej, Visit Orlando’s president and CEO. “With the upcoming expansion of the Orange County Convention Center and regular additions of new and upgraded hotels and resorts, Orlando’s commitment to innovation will continue to strengthen our position as a meetings destination.”

Atlanta also moved up, rising two spots to fifth on this year’s list, the survey said. Washington, DC made the biggest jump into the top 10, climbing 10 places to eighth.

“Cvent’s recognition of Atlanta as a top-five meeting destination in North America underscores our commitment to delivering results,” said Charlene Lopez, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau’s executive vice president and chief sales officer. “Our collaboration with Cvent helps extend the reach and impact of events, showcasing our community, venues, dining scene, hotel portfolio, and attractions.”

Top 10 meeting destinations:

  • Orlando
  • Las Vegas
  • Chicago
  • Nashville
  • Atlanta
  • Dallas
  • San Diego
  • Washington, DC
  • Phoenix
  • Denver
Top meeting hotels

Each of the top 10 hotels is known for fast RFP responses, planner collaboration and group offerings, the report said. The top four are in Nashville, with Renaissance Nashville Hotel ranked first, JW Marriott Nashville second and Grand Hyatt Nashville third.

Austin was also featured on the list, with JW Marriott Austin in fifth and Fairmont Austin in sixth. The Venetian Resort Las Vegas moved up seven spots to seventh and JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes rose 46 spots to tenth, completing the top 10.

Separately, a recent Global Business Travel Association report found that U.S. government actions are disrupting global business travel, with more than 900 industry professionals expecting declines in 2025.


More for you

Peachtree Funds Rio Las Vegas Renovations | $176M CPACE Loan
Photo credit: Hyatt Hotels Corp.

Peachtree originates retroactive CPACE loan for Rio Vegas

Summary:

  • Peachtree Group originated a $176.5 million retroactive CPACE loan for a Las Vegas property.
  • The deal closed in under 60 days and ranks among the largest CPACE financings in the U.S.
  • The company promotes retroactive CPACE funding for commercial real estate development.

PEACHTREE GROUP ORIGINATED a $176.5 million retroactive Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy loan for Dreamscape Cos.’s Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The deal, completed in under 60 days, is its largest credit transaction and one of the largest CPACE financings in the U.S.

Keep ReadingShow less
Global hotel construction pipeline reaches record 15,871 projects in Q2 2025, with U.S. and Dallas leading growth
Photo Credit: iStock

Report: Global pipeline hits 15,871 projects

Summary:

  • Global pipeline hit a record 15,871 projects with 2.4 million rooms in Q2.
  • The U.S. leads with 6,280 projects; Dallas tops cities with 199.
  • Nearly 2,900 hotels are expected to open worldwide by the end of 2025.

THE GLOBAL HOTEL pipeline reached 15,871 projects, up 3 percent year-over-year, and 2,436,225 rooms, up 2 percent, according to Lodging Econometrics. Most were upper midscale and upscale, LE reported.

Keep ReadingShow less
HAMA Launches 20th Student Case Competition in USA
Photo Credit: iStock

HAMA launches 20th student case competition

Summary:

  • HAMA is accepting submissions for its 20th annual student case competition.
  • The cases reflect a scenario HAMA members faced as owner representatives.
  • Teams must submit a financial analysis, solution and executive summary.

THE HOSPITALITY ASSET Managers Association is accepting submissions for the 20th Annual HAMA Student Case Competition, in which more than 60 students analyze a management company change scenario and provide recommendations. HAMA, HotStats and Lodging Analytics Research & Consulting are providing the case, based on a scenario HAMA members faced as owner representatives.

Keep ReadingShow less
Stonebridge hotel management expansion
Photo credit: Stonebridge Cos.

Stonebridge adds Statler Dallas to managed portfolio

Summary:

  • Stonebridge Cos. added the Statler Dallas, Curio Collection by Hilton, to its managed portfolio.
  • The hotel, opened in 1956 and relaunched in 2017, is owned by Centurion American Development Group.
  • The property is near Main Street Garden Park, the Arts District and the Dallas World Aquarium.

STONEBRIDGE COS. HAS contracted to manage the Statler Dallas, Curio Collection by Hilton in Dallas to its managed portfolio. The hotel, opened in 1956 and relaunched in 2017, is owned by Centurion American Development Group, led by Mehrdad Moayedi.

Keep ReadingShow less
Peachtree EB-5 approval
Photo credit: Peachtree Group

Peachtree’s FL development gets EB-5 approval

Summary:

  • Peachtree secured EB-5 approval for a Florida multifamily development project.
  • The 240-unit community in Manatee County is backed by $47 million in construction financing.
  • It is Peachtree’s fourth EB-5 project approval since launching the program in 2023.

PEACHTREE GROUP RECENTLY secured EB-5 approval from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for Madison Bradenton, a 240-unit multifamily development in Bradenton, Florida. It also raised $47 million in construction financing with a four-year term for the project on a 10.7-acre site in Manatee County.

Keep ReadingShow less