Puerto Rico to Host Connect 2021
June 11, 2019
Adding a page to the comeback story of Puerto Rico, Connect announced it has selected the destination as host of Connect 2021.
Formerly known as Collinson Media & Events (and also now owned by Corporate Event News’ parent company, Tarsus Group), Connect is known for its national marketplace-style shows for meeting planners in the corporate, sports, diversity, association and faith sectors.
Connect 2021 is expected to bring 3,500 planners, suppliers and other industry leaders to Puerto Rico for face-to-face meetings, education, networking and its signature lively receptions.
“We are confident Puerto Rico will deliver an unparalleled experience, as we anticipate another year of providing Connect attendees the exposure and face-to-face opportunities that are crucial in this industry,” said Chris Collinson, president of Connect.
This event will mark the first time Connect has been held in Puerto Rico. As TSNN previously reported in this interview with Discover Puerto Rico CEO Brad Dean, the island is on the upswing for meetings and conventions: Q1 business this year was better than three- and five-year averages for the island, exceeding even pre-Hurricane Maria levels.
Naturally, Dean is enthusiastic about the idea of this many meeting planners descending on the island to see its incredible recovery with their own eyes — with the hope they’ll want to return with their own groups.
“We’re thrilled to host Connect 2021 and have the opportunity to open Puerto Rico’s doors to the industry’s best meetings and events experts,” said Dean. “Welcoming the Connect community will be a testament to Puerto Rico being a strong force in the space — it will further elevate our status as the most technologically advanced destination in the Caribbean that offers the ease of traveling to a U.S. territory, combined with unparalleled culture and diverse natural offerings.”
Currently, Puerto Rico has 150 hotels, nearly 1,900 restaurants and bars, and 13 golf courses. A planned Times Square-inspired entertainment complex in San Juan called El Distrito, currently under construction, will feature a state-of-the-art performance center, a hotel and many entertainment options for groups when it opens in the coming year.
El Distrito is adjacent to the Puerto Rico Convention Center, where the majority of Connect 2021 events will take place. The PRCC has 600,000 square feet of convention space, a new lobby lounge, 15 meeting rooms, 29 breakout rooms and high-tech capabilities.
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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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