Planners have a unique opportunity to make a positive impact by incorporating sustainable practices into their events and including sustainability mandates into their RFPs.

There is a growing trend of hosting corporate and incentive meetings in second-tier cities, which can provide a cost savings as well as a change of pace for groups that have frequented the same big cities year after year.

Renewal of body and mind can help facilitate attendee connections, cohesion and productivity, and there’s no better setting for that than America’s inspiring mountains.

Attendees don’t just want to be taken to a luxury beach spot and left alone. They want to experience local customs, local foods and feel welcome.

Thanks to a wealth of new, renovated and “coming soon” properties, meeting planners have an unparalleled canvas to offer them for their next meeting or event.

Professional planners are seriously considering stepping out of their first-tier city comfort zone and exploring the vast potential of second- and third-tier destinations.

Knowing an organization’s history is the first step in finding the next best destination and can be useful in negotiating rates with the next one.

Historic venues are excellent options for meetings and events given their unique ambiance, cultural and historical value, and memorable setting.

Beach destinations, with their calming vibe and stunning settings, have long been a favorite for corporate meetings and incentive programs, their appeal being magnified during the current challenging times.

Meeting planners have always dealt with challenges — it’s their job — but sometimes it’s time to mix it up and operate beyond the boundaries.