The Top 5 Meeting Destinations in North America

It's amazing how the right destination can set a positive vibe for the entire event, whether it's a team-bonding outing or a small, indoor gathering. Many of the meeting professionals surveyed in our 2025 Meetings & Events Forecast agree, location can add to the event's appeal. So, what are the best places to hold my meetings and events?

From a survey of over 170 Amex GBT meeting professionals and our clients' meeting data, we came away with the top five cities in North America. Survey results were based on:

• Ease of travel.
• Cost-effectiveness.
• Safety and security.
• Facilities and local attractions.
• Distinctive amenities.
• Commitment to environmental, social, and governance.

If you follow our Forecast from year to year, you may notice that New York rises from number two in 2024 to the number one place to hold meetings and events in 2025. Here's what makes it the top choice:

1. New York

Plane, train, or car, there are plenty of ways to get to New York. Domestic and international flights fly in and out of three major airports - John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia, and Newark Liberty. Once you arrive, you'll have enough public transportation options to get around town, 24/7. The vibrant city offers versatility. An estimated 6,000 new hotel rooms are expected to pop up in 2025. The city's tourism site claims in-person and hybrid meeting options are at a variety of top meeting destinations throughout the city's five boroughs. And the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center (aka Javits Center) is typically buzzing with more than 170 events a year, including trade shows, conventions, and special events.

A cultural melting pot

In New York, diversity is embedded in everything from culture to cuisine to gender identity, making all types of people feel welcome. And with sustainability on many corporate agendas, it's good to know the city prioritizes waste reduction, recycling programs, and has a concrete plan in place to address climate change.

2. Chicago

Chicago is home to the largest convention center in North America, McCormick Place. Yet, it also boasts incredible architecture, so if you're looking for an out-of-the-box, unique experience, you're in the right place. You'll find everything from outdoor spaces to waterfront venues, to high-tech hotels. And considering all the museums, tours, and breweries, there are dozens of entertaining things to do and see. Plus, the city has a train system that connects to popular tourist sights.

Best times to go

Hotel rates are generally higher in summer, Chicago's peak season. You can expect to find affordable places to stay in spring and fall when temps are milder than in winter. Between the meeting venues, affordable stays, and easy transportation, it's easy to see why Chicago is number two (up from number four last year) as meeting planners' top destination.

3. Miami

New to our "Top 5" list for 2025 is Miami, boasting sunlit beaches, eclectic dining, and cultural diversity. Miami is easy to access for meeting organizers and attendees, with over 400 flights traveling through Miami International Airport. If you're planning or organizing large events, you'll find a choice of state-of-the-art convention centers, conveniently located in downtown Miami, Miami Beach, and at the airport. Yet, large-scale convention centers aren't the only types of venues that draw meeting planners to Miami.

Unique experiences

The city also has its share of unique venues, ranging from museums and gardens to beachfront resorts, to penthouses with panoramic views. Sounds tempting? It sure is. Considering all the lush outdoor spaces, luxurious spas, and trendy boutiques in Miami, you'll want to extend your stay a wee bit longer than planned.

4. Las Vegas

With a multitude of meeting and convention spaces, and over 150,000 hotel rooms, it's easy to see why Las Vegas makes it to our "Top 5" list year after year. May, June, and September, when the desert sun cools, are the best months to visit. The city's vast outdoor spaces and celebrity chef dining experiences, bring plenty of reasons to host a team-bonding event in Las Vegas. And since downtown Las Vegas is only a few miles away from McCarran International Airport, to-and-from transportation is easy.

Distinct needs

For those with mobility challenges, there are a variety of hotel options with accessibility features in showers and tubs, and lifts in swimming pools. You'll also find most hotels offer assistive listening devices for the hearing impaired. Las Vegas is a city that's ever evolving with many hotels and venues doing massive redesigns and upgrades, so that it continues to entice visitors.

5. Dallas

If you're considering Dallas for your next meeting or event, you're on the right track. Dallas has scores of flexible venues, meeting service providers, as well as low operational costs, making it ideal for almost every type of meeting and budget. Based on the city's website, Dallas is accessible from nearly anywhere in the US via a four-hour flight and the city maintains high safety and sanitation standards.

Thriving art scene

Easy to access and lots of venue options, Dallas checks off all your must-haves for a meeting destination, including fun things to do. The arts district in downtown Dallas is considered the top arts district in the US by USA Today, with an array of museums, theatres, restaurants and performing arts centers. From arts to entertainment to people, cultural diversity thrives in Dallas, creating a persuasive feeling of inclusion.

Your ultimate planning guide

With so many vibrant cities and so many reasons to get together, it's a great time to put your meeting plans in place. Need help? Click through our 2025 Global Meetings and Events Forecast to uncover the strategies and technologies that set plans in motion.