In Brief: This year’s rankings reflect record sourcing volume, expanded unique venue and vendor insights, and the cities and properties redefining meetings-led business and economic success
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Cvent Announces Top Meeting Destinations and Top Meeting Hotels Worldwide for 2026 – Image Credit Marriott International
Cvent, an industry-leading meetings, events, and hospitality technology provider, today unveiled its 2026 rankings of Top Meeting Destinations and Top Meeting Hotels globally. Cvent’s rankings have become indispensable for event planners, highlighting top-of-the-line cities, hotels, venues, and suppliers for all their event needs. The annual lists are issued regionally for North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East & Africa, and Latin America & Caribbean. The rankings were announced live at a press conference at IMEX Frankfurt.
Additional lists include Top Meeting Venues in North America and UK, as well as the Top Meeting Vendors. These lists curate sourcing data for non-hotel properties, unique venues and suppliers (categories include entertainment, A/V, transportation, and experiential services) across Cvent’s robust meetings and events sourcing ecosystem.
The rankings are determined based on insights gleaned from more than $20B of global sourcing and request-for-proposal (RFP) activity through Cvent’s sourcing platforms in 2025, including the Cvent Supplier Network, one of the world’s largest group hotel and venue sourcing marketplaces. The record sourcing activity seen in 2025 reflects more than demand-driven growth. It signals a structural shift in how organizations are prioritizing face-to-face engagement in an increasingly digital-first landscape.
70%1 of event professionals predicted an increase in in-person events in 2026, 95%2 expected meetings spend to increase, and they consistently rank live experiences as among the highest-ROI investments3 in their marketing and engagement mix.
Planners are placing selective, higher‑impact bets on destinations, venues and suppliers that can deliver both memorable moments and measurable return.
Cvent Top Meeting Destinations | North America
Orlando, FL once again claimed the top spot for the eleventh consecutive year, followed by Las Vegas, NV (#2). Nashville, TN made a notable jump to #3, rising one spot, while Chicago dropped one position to #4. New York City was the standout mover this year, surging four spots to break into the Top 10 at #8, reflecting the city’s continued resurgence as a premier destination for corporate and association events. Austin, TX also impressed, climbing two spots to #9.
Top 10 Meeting Destinations
1. Orlando, FL
2. Las Vegas, NV
3. Nashville, TN
4. Chicago, IL
5. Dallas, TX
6. Atlanta, GA
7. San Diego, CA
8. New York, NY
9. Austin, TX
10. Washington, D.C.
Big-City Comebacks and Secondary Market Strength
This year’s rankings highlight a dual trend: the renewed strength of gateway cities like New York, alongside continued momentum from high-growth meeting hubs such as Nashville and Austin—underscoring planners’ appetite for destinations that pair scale with differentiated experiences unique to their locations.