June meeting and event volume was up 30.3 percent over June 2022, according to the latest data from Knowland.
The top 25 markets in the U.S. are 90 percent recovered for year-to-date June 2023 performance compared to 2019. Austin, Texas, and Nashville, Tenn., were standouts for the month, with growth topping 74 percent and 42 percent, respectively. This reflects the return of seasonal events to these markets known for big music, art and entertainment. Both destinations provide amenities that groups need for work and play, including several new hotels on the horizon, growing nonstop flight options and distinctive meeting spaces.
Top Markets
Chicago led the top 25 markets, hosting national association meetings followed by pharmaceutical/biotechnology. Los Angeles/Long Beach,; Washington, D.C.; San Diego; and Anaheim-Santa Ana, Calif., rounded out the top five.
The markets had a range of top drivers:
- Chicago: National association, pharma/biotech, wedding, healthCare and technology.
- Los Angeles/Long Beach: Education, national association, training/education, Entertainment/media, and charity/non-profit/social.
- Washington, DC-Md.-Va.: National association, travel, charity/non-profit/social, education, federal government agency.
- San Diego: National association, wedding, education, training/education, and charity/non-profit/social.
- Anaheim-Santa Ana, Calif.: Wedding, financial/banking, technology, training/education, and national association.
The top overall U.S. markets by year-over-year growth in meetings and events were Michigan South; Delaware; Kansas; and Mobile, Ala.
The data was sourced from Knowland’s sales intelligence platform, designed to help hoteliers build and protect a hotel’s revenue base.