Cvent, a market-leading meetings, events, and hospitality technology provider, today released its annual lists of the Top Meeting Destinations for meetings and events worldwide. The lists were compiled based on meeting and event booking activity across Cvent’s venue sourcing sites, including the Cvent Supplier Network, through which more than $16 billion in business was sourced in 2018.
The annual lists include top destinations located in: United States, Europe, Caribbean & Latin America, Middle East & Africa, Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Due to increased sourcing volume to the Asia Pacific region, Cvent unveiled two additional lists this year – Asia and Australia & Oceania – which were previously represented in one Asia Pacific list.
“Business events add $1.5 trillion to the global GDP and because of this positive economic impact, the cities featured in this year’s Top Meeting Destinations lists have put significant time and resources into attracting more group business to their locales,” said Chris McAndrews, vice president of marketing for Cvent Hospitality Cloud. “While the top destinations in each region have not changed significantly year-over-year, cities such as Napa, CA, Edinburgh, Scotland, and Beirut, Lebanon, are new to their respective lists and have positioned themselves as top cities to host meetings and events. Leading destinations are working closely with hotels and venues in their area to offer and promote unique experiences, helping event organizers deliver more memorable and impactful events.”
“We are honored and proud that Dallas has been recognized as one of the Top 5 meeting destinations in the U.S. by Cvent,” said Sam Coats, CEO and interim president of VisitDallas. “Dallas’ steady movement up the list year-over-year is evidence that the city is a thriving meeting destination. Located in the center of the country, Dallas boasts great air lift, a sizeable and flexible convention center, the best hotel product in Texas and uniquely fun experiences for meeting attendees.”
“To be recognized as the number one meetings destination in the U.S. by Cvent for the seventh time is a remarkable achievement,” said George Aguel, CEO and president of Visit Orlando. “With the expansion of the Orange County Convention Center, new airport terminal and additional hotels, attractions and venues opening over the next few years, our destination is focused on sustaining Orlando’s leadership position in the meetings industry.”
The top 10 cities in each region for 2019 are:
| United States | Europe | Asia |
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| Caribbean & Latin America | Middle East & Africa | Canada |
| 1. Nassau, Bahamas | 1. Dubai, United Arab Emirates | 1. Toronto, Ontario |
| 2. Playa del Carmen, Mexico | 2. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | 2. Vancouver, British Columbia |
| 3. Cancún, Mexico | 3. Cape Town, South Africa | 3. Montréal, Québec |
| 4. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic | 4. Johannesburg, South Africa | 4. Calgary, Alberta |
| 5. San Juan, Puerto Rico | 5. Marrakesh, Morocco | 5. Mississauga, Ontario |
| 6. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico | 6. Cairo, Egypt | 6. Ottawa, Ontario |
| 7. San José del Cabo, Mexico | 7. Beirut, Lebanon | 7. Edmonton, Alberta |
| 8. Montego Bay, Jamaica | 8. Doha, Qatar | 8. Québec City, Québec |
| 9. Mexico City, Mexico | 9. Nairobi, Kenya | 9. Banff, Alberta |
| 10. Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands | 10. Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates | 10. Whistler, British Columbia |
View additional lists for 2019 here: Australia & Oceania, Germany, and United Kingdom.
Methodology
Cvent evaluated more than 11,000 cities worldwide featured on Cvent’s venue sourcing sites to compile the eighth annual list. Activity was tracked from January 2018 through December 2018 and destinations were ranked according to the following criteria:
- Unique Request for Proposals Received
- Total Room Nights Received
- Awarded Request for Proposals
- Awarded Room Nights
- Percentage of Qualified Meeting Venues
- Number of Profile Views
