The 10 Best Cities for Meetings and Events in 2020, According to CWT
September 5, 2019
New York, San Francisco and Chicago top the list of the best North American cities for events in 2020, according to a new ranking released by CWT M&E, the global meetings and events division of CWT.
The list was created based on CWT’s volume of business and booking trends, including a combination of requested cities, awarded RFPs and business value.
Each of the three top cities moved up in the ranking from last year, and several cities were brand new to the list, including Atlanta, Toronto and San Diego (which took the No. 4, 5 and 6 spots, respectively). The No. 1 ranked city for 2019, which was Las Vegas, dropped to No. 10 for 2020.
Check out the full list below:
1. New York
2. San Francisco
3. Chicago
4. Atlanta
5. Toronto
6. San Diego
7. Seattle
8. Orlando
9. Dallas/Fort Worth
10. Las Vegas
CWT reports that while demand for meetings and events is on the rise in North America, the pace of growth has slowed.
“Political events have a direct impact [now] more than ever on companies’ quarterly and annual outlooks. Some industry segments are pulling back and are being a bit more cautious,” said Tony Wagner, vice president for the Americas and South Pacific regions with CWT Meetings & Events.
Fears of a potential looming economic slump, driven in part by a deepening trade war between the U.S. and China, are also impacting booking times, he added. For example, large events previously booking at least six months out are now doing so in three months.
Not making the list this year, but close to catching up to their high-ranking counterparts, are cities such as Minneapolis; Indianapolis; Austin, Texas; Houston; and Portland, Ore., according to CWT officials. These cities also typically offer better rates than top-tier cities, in addition to top-notch facilities.
Photo credit: Jo Wiggijo for Pixabay
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Partner Voices
Dallas already boasts 35,000 hotel rooms, award-winning global cuisine, and a walkable downtown. But we are just getting started.
Visit Dallas is thrilled to announce that the city of Dallas is doubling down with a massive new convention center and entertainment district. Featuring 800,000 square feet of exhibit area, 260,000 square feet of meeting rooms, and 170,000 square feet of ballroom. The center will connect business travelers with dining and shopping options in the popular Cedars District means more places to get down to business, and even more ways to unwind.
“Dallas is already a great meetings and conventions destination, with the accessibility of two major airports, affordable labor, and an outstanding hotel product,” said D. Bradley Kent, Visit Dallas senior vice president and chief sales officer. “The new center and Convention Center District will enhance Dallas’ competitive position and are exactly what our customers’ need and have been asking for."
What’s New – AT&T Discovery District
Located in the heart of Downtown Dallas, this new district on the AT&T corporate campus is tailor-made for groups of all sizes. It boasts a multi-sensory experience, including outdoor event space, the AT&T Theater, and multiple dining outlets including JAXON Beer Garden and The Exchange, a bustling food hall.
Hotels Coming Soon
Names like the JW Marriott (Downtown), lnterContinental Dallas (Uptown), and Hotel Swexan (Uptown) are adding luxury amenities and bountiful event spaces. The projects will debut in 2023 and beyond.
JW Marriott
This new, 15-story, 283-room hotel will open in the heart of the city’s downtown Arts District this year. The property features a 25,000-square-foot grand ballroom, as well as a spa, restaurant, lobby bar, fitness center, and a rooftop pool deck and bar.
InterContinental Dallas
Located in Cityplace Tower in Uptown, InterContinental Dallas will feature sweeping panoramic views of the Dallas skyline. Guests will enjoy spacious, high-end rooms and amenities, including more than 21,000 square feet of event space.
Hotel Swexan
Hotel Swexan, a new, 22-story luxury property, is rising in Uptown’s Harwood District and will make its mark on the Dallas skyline. Opening this year, it is a sculptural building with cantilevered upper floors, as well as a 75-foot rooftop infinity-edge swimming pool and a hidden underground lounge.
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