What’s New for Meetings and Events Across the U.S.

Explore what's new for hotels, venues, airlines, and destination campaigns in 43 cities across the U. S.

- Miguel Neves Share

This article provides a snapshot of what's new in several destinations across the U. S., including the latest destination initiatives, products, and services for meetings, events, and incentive travel.

The snapshot is supplemented by in-depth research with input from various destination marketing organizations. It also includes the latest destination marketing campaigns, sustainability practices, and diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. It also reveals some of the latest venue and hotel openings, planned unveilings, and new airline routes.

This article is not intended to be a beginner's guide to destinations or a complete list of products and services. Please contact the respective destination marketing organization for more information.

Below is a list of destinations featured in this article, by region. Click on a destination to jump to its list.

Midwest	Northeast	Southeast	Southwest	West
Chicago (IL)	Cleveland (OH)	Detroit (MI)	Indianapolis (IN)	Madison (WI)

Milwaukee (WI)

Atlanta, GA

Minneapolis (MN)

Sioux Falls (SD)

St. Louis (MO)

Boston (MA)

Aspen, CO

New York City (NY)

Austin, TX

Philadelphia (PA)

Atlanta (GA)

Duluth (GA)

Fort Lauderdale (FL)

Lookout Mountain (TN)

Miami (FL)

Bellevue, WA

Nashville (TN)

Boston, MA

New Orleans (LA)

Orlando (FL)

Puerto Rico

Savannah (GA)

Chicago, IL

Palm Beach (FL)

Washington D. C.

Austin (TX)

Dallas (TX)

Cleveland, OH

Houston (TX)

Colorado Springs, CO

Phoenix (AZ)

Dallas, TX

San Antonio (TX)

Aspen (CO)

Bellevue (WA)

Colorado Springs (CO)

Denver (CO)

Honolulu (HI)

Las Vegas (NV) Long Beach (CA) Los Angeles (CA) Monterey (CA) Napa Valley (CA) Palm Springs (CA) Portland (OR) San Diego (CA) San Francisco (CA

This destination update is based on Skift Meetings' "What's New in Meetings and Incentive Travel 2024" report. The full report features over 800 updates for over 200 destinations. Download it here.

The 976-room Signia by Hilton Atlanta opened in January. It features 100, 000 square feet of meeting space, including a 40, 000-square-foot ballroom, the largest in Georgia. The hotel has six restaurants and bars, a wellness center, an outdoor pool, and direct access to the Georgia World Congress Center.

Denver, CO

FORTH Atlanta opened. This $150 million project includes a 196-room luxury boutique hotel, 4 It will include four food and beverage concepts, private event space and a members-only social club.

Hotel Granada will be reopened shortly after the renovation work. It is a 10 1-yea r-old Spanish colonial building located in the center of Atlanta and offers 120 rooms.

Detroit, MI

The Mott of Hilton Atlanta Old Force Word will soon open in the Old Force Word district of Atlanta. This hotel is part of a complex facility that costs $ 80 million, with 125 rooms.

MOLLIE ASPEN is a 6 8-room boutique hotel opened in December 2023. It features a rooftop spider and terrace bar, so you can enjoy a mountain panoramic view.

Duluth, GA

The Austin Convention Center launched a $ 1. 6 billion expansion and redevelopment project in 2025, and a larger and more efficient facilities will be opened in 2029, with a total area of ​​available conference spaces. Almost doubled from the current 376, 000 square feet.

Fort Lauderdale, FL

The Citizen M Austin Downtown, a 1 7-story 344 room that opened in January 2024, is within 1. 6 km from the Austin Convention Center.

The Cumbria Hotel Austin Downtown, which opened in October 2023, is located in the Rainy Street Entertainment District within walking distance of the Austin Convention Center, with a 6, 00 0-squar e-footed conference space of 6, 000 square feet in 212 rooms. Equipped.

EVEN HOTEL Austin Uptown Near The Domain has recently opened with 129 rooms specialized in fitness and wellness. Welnes s-familiar staff provides the best fitness experience in the class, select a healthy diet, and relax.

GREEN PASTURES HOTEL is a 63 boutique hotel located on a 5. 6-acre site, just south of the popular restaurant and event venue Mattie's at Green Pastures. The hotel is a site of historic farmers that have been recognized as landmarks in cities, states, and national countries. This thre e-story hotel has an event space and a pool.

1 Hotel Austin is the best skyscraper in Austin, which is scheduled to open in 2026, with 251 rooms in complex, including office space and apartments.

Houston, TX

The Intercontinental Bell View At The Avenue will soon open, with more than 12, 000 square feet, including 208 rooms and 4, 250 square fits ball rooms.

Meet Boston, the destination marketing organization for the city of Boston, has launched a workforce development and supplier diversity program to increase diversity and employee retention in the tourism industry and strengthen procurement processes. It also launched a winter group travel promotion campaign. Planners who book participating hotels in Boston or Cambridge for specific dates will receive a 10% rebate on their group's master bill for room, banquet food and beverage, and meeting room rental fees.

Raffles Boston opened in September 2023 with 147 rooms and residences in a new 33-story building in Boston's Back Bay. As the first Raffles hotel in North America, the hotel combines signature guest services with more than 4, 800 square feet of meeting and entertainment space across two floors.

Hotel AKA Back Bay is a luxuriously renovated historic Boston Police Headquarters that will be relaunched with 225 rooms.

Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) has new nonstop flights to Abu Dhabi (AUH) and will soon have summer nonstop flights to Vienna (VIE).

The St. Regis Chicago, opening in May 2023, features 159 luxury rooms and 33 exquisite suites across 11 floors of a new 101-story tower. The hotel has 11, 533 square feet of event space, including the 4, 721-square-foot Astor Ballroom.

The new Residence Inn Chicago Downtown/River North recently opened in the River North building formerly occupied by the Conrad Hotel. The 289-room hotel features two restaurants and a rooftop bar.

The Hyatt Regency Chicago will complete a $150 million renovation on June 3, 2024. Located in the heart of Chicago, this luxury hotel has renovated 2, 032 rooms and suites, as well as the Regency and Crystal Ballrooms. The Grand Ballroom renovation, along with smaller event spaces, is scheduled for completion in 2025.

The L7 Hotel by South Korea's Lotte Hotels & Resorts recently opened downtown, featuring 191 rooms (including 22 suites), unique wellness-focused amenities, and a curated contemporary art program.

Cleveland's Huntington Convention Center will soon announce an expansion and renovation, highlighting a double-sized junior ballroom, 17 new breakout rooms, and a rooftop terrace. The $49 million expansion will bring the center to 553, 000 square feet and is scheduled to be completed in time for the ASAE Annual Meeting, August 10-13, 2024.

Honolulu, HI

Hotel Polaris is planning to open a 375 rooms at the U. S. Aircraft Academy and open in late 2024. The hotel has a 26, 00 0-squar e-foot event space, which plans to provide team building experiences such as flight simulators and astronomical navigation programs.

Indianapolis, IN

Visit Dallas has launched a new unified dustination brand, and its simplest form is a powerful and executable spirit based on powerful energy, pride, welcome personality, and attitude. The FIFA World Cup 2026 will hold the most nine games held, including one sem i-final match.

Las Vegas, NV

The Kay Bailey Hatchson Convention Center, a major convention facility in the city, has an expanded in 2029, has an exhibition space with 800, 000 square feet, a 430, 00 0-squar e-foot rest space, and a 1005, 000 squar e-foot ballroom. Start again.

The Low's Arlington Hotel & Convention Center is a 88 8-room hotel near Arlington, with an indoor meeting space with 200, 000 square feet and an outdoor conference space of 66, 000 square feet.

The recently opened JW Marriott Dallas Arts District has a 267 rooms and a 20, 00 0-squar e-foot meeting space.

Hotel Swexan has 134 guest rooms and 12, 000 square feet meeting spaces that combine Swiss hospitality and Texas charm.

Intercontinental Dallas will soon provide 220 guest rooms and 21, 000 square feet meeting and event space.

Long Beach, CA

The Knox and Auberge Resorts provide 140 hotel rooms and suite, 48 private residences, spacious event spaces, lively outdoor pool bars, fitness centers, spas, and movement studios.

Lookout Mountain, TN

Four Seasons Turtl Creek, 240 hotels, up to 118 residences.

Los Angeles, CA

Dallas Fortworth International Airport (DFW) will build a new terminal for $ 1. 63 billion, and will expand 15 gates. New routes are Barcelona (BCN), Brisbane (BNE), Rio de Janeiro (GIG), and Bellacles (Ver).

The Colorado Convention Center has opened a new bluebird ball room on existing facilities. It features a multifunctional space without a pillar of 80, 000 square feet, and can be divided into 19 small sections that can accommodate more than 7, 500 attendees. The new space has a 20, 00 0-squar e-foot rooftop terrace and a 35, 000 squar e-foot pr e-family course where you can enjoy the view of the Rocky Mountains.

Popuras Hotel is a product that emphasizes sustainability. It is said to be the world's first carbon Positive Hotel and will soon open in Denver downtown. This hotel has 265 rooms.

Visit Detroit will provide up to $ 30, 000 incentives and meetings in the city until 2026.

The Water Square is scheduled to be built with a 2 5-story 600 JW Marriott Hotel, with a 50, 00 0-squar e-foot meeting room, including two ball rooms, and will be connected by the Huntington Place Convention Center and a pedestrian bridge.

The new Westin Atlanta Guinet has 348 rooms and is directly connected to the Gas South Convention Center.

The Lauder Dale Tourism Bureau has changed the "Everyone Under the Sun" campaign to "Come Be You". The new campaign emphasizes the value of inclusion, diversity, and personal freedom.

Madison, WI

The Greater Fort Lord Dale / Bloward County Convention Center is the first convention center in North America that uses the "Hidden Disabouties Sunflower" program. All convention center employees undergo Sunflower Training to find and support hidden people.

Miami, FL

The Grator Fort Lord Dale / Bloward County Convention Center ended the first stage of expansion in October 2021, expanding 800, 000 square feet conference space and 350, 000 squar e-foot exhibition hall. The remaining expansion of $ 1. 3 billion, including the waterfront ball room, conference room, kitchen facility, and 6-acres of outer waterfront plaza, continues.

The number of guest rooms is 801 and 2 9-story Omni Fort Lord Dale Headquarters Hotel will be connected to the Convention Center. The center is currently receiving LEED Gold Authentication and is expected to maintain this authentication level even after the expansion work is completed.

Milwaukee, WI

Pia 66 resort will open in the fall of 2024 on the 3 2-acres site along the Fortroad Dale Intra Castle Waterway, 325 guest rooms and 40, 000 square feet event space. There are the largest super yacht marina and 12 dining options.

Minneapolis, MN

Houston's George Bush International Airport (IAH) has been promoting a terminal redevelopment program, the largest extension plan in 53 years. The program budget is about $ 1. 43 billion, expecting to be completed in early 2025.

Monterey, CA

Houston will hold a total of seven games in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with NRG Stadium will play five group stages, one round, and one round 16 games.

Napa Valley, CA

Nya Wolf Houston will open this year, with more than 40 artists.

Nashville, TN

Recently opened hotel

Thompson Houston opened in February 2024 as a 3 6-story hotel in Historic 4 wards. It also has a 17, 00 squar e-square meeting space, including a 8, 050 squar e-foot ball room that can accommodate up to 500 people.

Hotel Vesper is a 131 boutique hotel that opened in November 2023 in the Houston Uptown area, with a unique event space, including three functions designed for groups up to 115 people. It is a feature.

MOXY HOUSTON DOWNTOWN (Moxy Houseon Downtown) opened on the main street 412 in December 2023.

New Orleans, LA

In January 2025, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Tru by Hilton jointly opened as a nin e-story hotel near the Toyota Center.

In late 2025, 275 Holiday Inn Express and Stay Bridge sweets will open in downtown Houston.

Garveston has a new Margarita Bill Resort scheduled to open in 2026, including 334 hotels, 2. 5-acres water parks, four restaurants, ballrooms, and meeting space.

Ka Laʻi Waikiki Beach (Ka Laʻi WaikīKīī BEACH) has a 462 rooms with 462 rooms with the most advanced wellness facilities, five venues indoors and outdoors, and two signature restaurants. 。 The Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa has recently opened, with 299 rooms, 8, 800 square feet or more event spaces, large lap pools, Sky terrace on the 8th floor, and Renaissance spa.

The Indianapolis Convention Center is under construction for the sixth extension, which has added a 143, 500 squar e-foot space. The new 50, 000 squar e-foot ball room is the largest in the state. In the summer of 2026, a 4 0-story 800 Signi a-Bai Hilton Indianapolis Hotel will open. In the fall, Intercontinental Indianapolis, an Intercontinental Indianapolis with 170 rooms nearby, will open.

The Las Vegas Convention Center is going to be completed at the end of 2025, continuing the renovation work of $ 600 million. The highlights of the renovation are the architectural unity of the entire campus, the new lobby between the new outdoor square in the southern hall, the indoor lobby, the new lobby between the north and the central hall, and the indoor concourse managed by air conditioning between the North Hall and the South Hall. And so on.

New York City, NY

The $2. 2 billion MSG Sphere is a whole new immersive entertainment medium, the world's largest spherical structure at 336 feet tall and 516 feet wide. Inside, 20, 000 spectators are surrounded by 160, 000 square feet of the world's highest resolution LED screen, surround sound and vibrating seating. For groups, there are 23 VIP suites and atrium rental space. The outdoor Sphere features 580, 000 square feet of fully programmable LED display.

The recently opened Fontainebleau Las Vegas is a 67-story luxury mega-resort and casino with 3, 644 rooms and over 550, 000 square feet of customizable meeting and convention space, including 33 naturally lit meeting rooms and a 105, 000 square foot pillarless ballroom, the largest in Las Vegas.

Durango Casino & Resort is scheduled to open in December 2023 and offer 209 guest rooms across 20, 000 square feet of meeting and convention space, including 15, 000 square feet of ballroom space and 83, 000 square feet of casino space.

Upcoming hotel developments include the Majestic Las Vegas, a 755-room hotel located on the former Clarion site two blocks from the Las Vegas Strip near the Las Vegas Convention Center, and Dream Las Vegas, a new 531-room hotel located on the south side of the Las Vegas Strip near Allegiant Stadium.

Fairmont Breakers, Long Beach, formerly known as the Breakers Hotel, is now part of the Fairmont family. The historic hotel is undergoing a $150 million restoration and development and is scheduled to open this year with 185 guest rooms, a rooftop pool, spa, jazz club, five dining options and 12, 000 square feet of meeting space.

The Cloudland at McLemore Resort Lookout Mountain is the destination's first new hotel since the Great Depression. It will have 245 rooms, including 19 suites, and 20, 000 square feet of meeting space.

All eyes are on Los Angeles as the city prepares for the 2028 Summer Olympics. The city recently secured $709. 9 million in federal funding to improve infrastructure for the games.

Orlando, FL

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) plans to spend $30 billion in preparation for the Olympics and beyond. Improvements include the addition of an automated, 2. 25-mile electric train that will connect all terminals, parking garages, rental car areas and Metro C-line stations.

The Los Angeles City Council has approved an expansion of the Los Angeles Convention Center. A new 700, 000-square-foot building will connect the existing South and West Halls and provide 193, 000 square feet of exhibit space and 60, 000 square feet of meeting rooms.

The Regent Santa Monica (formerly the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel) will soon open south of the Santa Monica Pier after an extensive renovation. It will reduce its room count from 342 to fewer than 200 and will include a spa and a beachfront pool deck.

Palm Springs, CA

The Jordan San Gabriel is scheduled to open in August 2024 and will feature 212 rooms and 10, 572 square feet of meeting space across six rooms, including a 7, 000-square-foot ballroom.

Philadelphia, PA

The Bvlgari Resort Los Angeles is scheduled to open in 2026, featuring 58 luxury accommodations on a 33-acre Benedict Canyon site.

One Beverly Hills will combine the Beverly Hilton and Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills into a new luxury destination on 17. 5 acres. The Beverly Hilton will undergo renovations and will include a 78-suite Aman hotel, Aman Residences and 100, 000 square feet of Aman Club private event space. The project is expected to be completed in late 2027 or early 2028.

The Embassy Suites by Hilton Madison Downtown recently opened, offering 262 rooms and 2, 000 square feet of meeting space just blocks from the Wisconsin State Capitol.

Andaz Miami Beach is a new hotel scheduled to open in late 2024, with 339 rooms in three towers overlooking the beach. It will offer 25, 000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event experience space, from an ocean-view ballroom to a pool with technology that converts into a hard surface for gatherings and activities in minutes.

The Bvlgari Hotel Miami Beach, a restored and designed 1950s modernist building planned for 2026 as part of a National Register Building District, will feature 100 rooms, mostly suites, an outdoor pool, spa and fitness facilities, and a restaurant and bar by Chef Niko Romito.

The Baird Center (formerly the Wisconsin Center) reopened on May 16 after a $456 million expansion. The center now offers 1. 3 million square feet of total space, including 300, 000 square feet of exhibit space, 52 breakout rooms, and a 2, 000-person rooftop ballroom. The convention complex is GBAC STAR certified for cleaning, disinfection, and infection prevention, and the expansion is on track to achieve LEED Silver Green Building Certification.

Phoenix, AZ

In the Twin Cities, the centrally located Hotel Indigo Minneapolis Downtown opened in May 2023.

The Kimpton Pacific Grove Hotel, a new boutique hotel by IHG, will open on the Monterey Peninsula in late 2025, offering Central Coast charm. With a California-inspired design, it will be an ideal venue for meetings and events in a picturesque coastal setting.

Portland, OR

Six Senses Napa is scheduled to open in 2026. It will offer 95 tent-style accommodations and 16 branded residences with interiors by 1508 London on a 3, 000-acre site.

Groundbreaking took place in February 2024 for the new Nissan Stadium, which is scheduled to open in 2027.

Puerto Rico

The Nashville Yards development will include AEG's 4, 500-seat music venue, The Pinnacle, scheduled to open in 2025. The site will include two hotels, the Grand Hyatt Nashville and Union Station Nashville Yards, with over 1, 000 rooms between them.

San Antonio, TX

The new Hilton BNA Nashville Airport Terminal, connected to the airport by a covered pedestrian bridge, will feature 305 rooms, 23, 000 square feet of meeting space, and one of the city's largest rooftop spaces.

The St. Regis Nashville and The Residences at The St. Regis Nashville are scheduled to open in 2025 and will feature 177 rooms and 111 residences.

San Diego, CA

The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC) is undergoing a $557 million, five-year capital renovation, including a $48 million, 40-acre "cool roof." Meeting rooms and public areas will also be renovated, a $75 million, 7. 5-acre pedestrian park will be developed, and a new headquarters hotel will eventually be connected to the center.

Construction has broken ground on the River District, a dynamic 39-acre mixed-use development on a prime riverfront site adjacent to NOENMCC. The development will include 900 mixed-income housing units and food, retail, residential and entertainment options, including Topgolf.

San Francisco, CA

Caesars Entertainment will invest $375 million to expand, renovate and rebrand Harrah's Hotel & Casino as Caesars Hotel & Casino New Orleans. A new 340-room hotel tower, currently under construction, is scheduled for completion in the fall.

Nobu Hotel & Restaurant New Orleans will also open within Caesars Hotel New Orleans. Nobu, a hotel within a hotel, is scheduled to open later this year with exclusive private check-in and multiple private dining options.

Savannah, GA

The Superdome has been renamed Caesars Superdome as part of a multi-phase renovation project that widens concourses, redefines entrances, adds a five-story atrium lobby and improves vertical traffic throughout the building. The Superdome will be renovated in time for the Super Bowl in New Orleans in 2025 to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

The Fairmont New Orleans is scheduled to open in summer 2025 as part of a redevelopment project that will transform the former Bank of New Orleans building into 250 guest rooms and 20, 000 square feet of meeting space.

Sioux Falls, SD

LaGuardia Airport (LGA) completed an $8 billion transformation, marking the first complete rebuild of a U. S. airport in more than 25 years. Terminal B was named the best new airport terminal in the world and was recognized by the Rick Hansen Foundation for its accessibility.

St. Louis, MO

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) recently broke ground on a $4. 2 million redevelopment of Terminal 6. It is also currently building a new international Terminal 1, scheduled to open in 2026.

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWD) added 33 new gates to Terminal A and is building a new 2. 5-mile elevated guideway train system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ease traffic congestion.

The Palm Beaches, FL

The Renaissance New York Harlem Hotel is located in the luxury Victoria Theater development in the heart of Harlem and will include a 211-room hotel tower, residential buildings and a new expansion to the Apollo Theater.

Washington DC

Currently open, The 5th Avenue Hotel combines the 1907 Renaissance-style landmark The Mansion with a modern 24-story glass tower. Located at 250 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan's NoMad neighborhood, the hotel offers 153 rooms and suites designed by Martin Brudnicki Design Studio.

Aloft New York Chelsea is scheduled to open in November 2023. It will offer 234 stylish rooms and amenities such as WXYZ Bar with live music, a fitness center, free wireless internet, and meeting rooms.

The Surrey, a Corinthia Hotel is scheduled to open in summer 2024. It will bring back the glamour and sophistication of the former hotel and offer 70 rooms, 30 suites, and 14 residences.

Opening in January 2024, the Conrad Orlando will be located within the Evermore Orlando Resort and will offer 433 rooms and more than 65, 000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space.

Universal Orlando Resort plans to open two new adjacent hotels in early 2025: Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort. Both hotels, owned and operated by Loews Hotels & Company, will offer 750 rooms, a variety of unique dining options and resort-style pools.

In 2026, a W Hotel and 2, 000-seat concert venue will open in downtown Orlando. The hotel will be a 22-story tower offering 400 rooms and a sleek rooftop pool that will double as a dayclub and nightclub.

Tommy Bahama's first resort, Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa, will open in October 2023. Located in the foothills of the Santa Rosa Mountains in Indian Wells, the 215-room resort will offer 20, 000 square feet of indoor function space and 15, 000 square feet of outdoor space. Thompson Palm Springs will open in September with 168 rooms and 8, 000 square feet of meeting space.

The Pennsylvania Convention Center recently achieved Gold Level Certification for venues under the Events Industry Council's (EIC) Sustainable Events Standard.