(A fire dancer performs under a flaming “ALOHA” sign during cultural programming at SITE Classic 2025 in Maui. The three-day event at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua brought together more than 280 incentive travel professionals for education, networking, and destination experiences. Photo courtesy of SITE / Soaring Worldwide.)
From major venue milestones to creative campaigns and cultural festivals, destinations across the U.S. are making headlines this season.
Northeast
Philadelphia Campaign Targets Canadian Travelers Through Familiar Faces
The Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB) has launched a new video campaign, “You’ll Love It Here: A Canadian Welcome to Philadelphia,” to promote the city to Canadian leisure travelers. The campaign features Canadian-born Philadelphians such as Flyers GM Daniel Brière and Philadelphia Museum of Art CEO Sasha Suda, sharing why they’ve made Philly home. The ads, streaming in both English and Canadian French across major platforms, aim to drive tourism by showcasing the city’s culture, food, and welcoming atmosphere. Canada remains Philadelphia’s top international market, with 535,000 Canadian visitors in 2024.
Southeast
Atlanta CVB Drives Engagement with ‘Kids Free September’ and Workforce Panel at USHCC Conference
The Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) recently concluded its popular “Kids Free September” initiative, which offered free youth admission to top local attractions such as the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, Zoo Atlanta, and the High Museum of Art. The monthlong campaign aimed to boost family tourism and promote cultural accessibility.
Separately, ACVB’s Daniela Cintron moderated a panel titled “Unlocking Workforce Opportunities” at the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce conference on Sept. 23. The discussion explored how Atlanta’s role as a FIFA World Cup 2026 host city is driving inclusive economic growth, with insights from leaders at Invest Atlanta, Segura Marketing, and Showcase Atlanta.
Kentucky Exposition Center Taps Oak View Group as Exclusive Hospitality Partner
The Kentucky Exposition Center has selected Oak View Group (OVG) as its exclusive food and beverage provider, launching a new chapter in guest experience and culinary service. The partnership began with the 2025 Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame celebration on September 23. OVG will introduce expanded menus, regional vendor collaborations, and upgraded service technologies like grab-and-go markets and more cashless points of sale. The collaboration aims to blend Kentucky’s culinary heritage with modern hospitality to enhance the experience for millions of annual visitors.
Miami Beach Convention Center Wins Top U.S. Venue Honor, Advances Sustainability Goals
The Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC) has been named Best Convention Center in the U.S. for the second consecutive year at the 2025 Skift IDEA Awards, which recognize innovation and impact in the global travel industry. Following a $640 million transformation in 2020, the LEED Silver-certified venue now offers 500,000 square feet of exhibit space, a 60,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom, and 9 acres of surrounding green space.
MBCC is also earning praise for sustainability, recently achieving a 4 Green Keys rating from Green Key Global for excellence in energy efficiency, water conservation, waste diversion, and responsible sourcing. Already EIC Silver certified, MBCC is one of over 50 Greater Miami venues participating in the Green Key program, furthering the city’s position as a leading sustainable meetings destination.
Southwest
Austin Convention Center Begins Vertical Construction on $1.6B Sustainable Redevelopment
The Austin Convention Center has officially entered vertical construction with the start of diaphragm wall installation, a key foundational phase in the city’s $1.6 billion UnconventionalATX redevelopment. The project, which broke ground earlier this year, aims to achieve both LEED Gold and ILFI Zero Carbon certifications and will be powered entirely by renewable energy. Design features include a solar-ready roof, low-carbon concrete and steel, mass timber systems, and stormwater management. Funded through Hotel Occupancy Tax revenues and state financing, the project is expected to reopen in 2029, generate $750 million in annual economic impact, create 1,600+ jobs, and invest $17 million in public art. It is part of a larger $25 billion infrastructure plan transforming downtown Austin.
South
Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk Unveils $5.7M Event Space Renovation
Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk has completed a $5.7 million renovation of its meeting and event spaces, unveiling modernized ballrooms and conference rooms designed with warm, locally inspired finishes. The project includes new furnishings, upgraded lighting, improved restroom facilities, and enhanced audiovisual technology. Located along the city’s famed River Walk, the hotel offers event planners immediate access to cultural attractions, dining, and entertainment, positioning it as a key venue in San Antonio’s growing meetings and conventions market.
New Orleans Convention Center Launches Civic Hackathon and Holiday Festivities
The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center will host Rhythm & Algorithm, a free civic hackathon and conference on October 16–17. The two-day event invites technologists, students, and residents to collaborate on real-world challenges presented by local nonprofits. Participants will prototype solutions, pitch ideas, and attend panels exploring how innovation and AI can support community development.
In December, the center will welcome back NOLA ChristmasFest for its 12th year. Running December 20–29, the indoor winter festival features ice skating, bumper cars on ice, live music, festive rides, and visits with Santa. The annual celebration transforms 300,000 square feet of event space and remains one of the city’s most popular holiday traditions. Ticket prices remain unchanged for the fourth consecutive year.
West
SITE Classic 2025 Brings Incentive Travel Leaders to Maui
The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua hosted SITE Classic 2025 from September 25–27, drawing more than 280 senior incentive travel professionals. The event combined education sessions with cultural immersion and sustainability-focused programming, including watershed restoration and site tours across the island. Organized by the SITE Foundation, the event raised $295,000 through live and silent auctions to support industry scholarships, research, and grants.
Salt Palace Becomes First Convention Center to Earn WELL Health-Safety Rating
Salt Lake City’s Salt Palace Convention Center is the first convention center in the world to receive the WELL Health-Safety Rating, a third-party verified credential recognizing excellence in operational policies, maintenance protocols, emergency preparedness, and stakeholder engagement. Developed in response to COVID-19 by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), the rating is based on evidence-based practices informed by the CDC, WHO, and other health agencies.
To earn the rating, facilities must implement at least 15 health-focused strategies, including emergency planning, air quality management, and mental health resources, followed by a third-party review by Green Business Certification Inc. The Salt Palace also holds GBAC STAR accreditation and LEED Gold certification, highlighting its broader commitment to health, safety, and sustainability.
Green Valley Ranch to Debut Redesigned Meeting Spaces in Early 2026
Green Valley Ranch Resort in Henderson, Nevada, will unveil its fully renovated 69,000-square-foot meeting and convention space in January 2026. The redesign, part of a $200 million property-wide update, blends Mediterranean-inspired architecture with modern design and upgraded technology. Highlights include refreshed ballrooms, breakout rooms, and expansive outdoor venues like the Pool Deck and Garden Amphitheater. The project aims to elevate Green Valley Ranch as a premier destination for corporate events and social gatherings just minutes from the Las Vegas Strip.
Midwest
Detroit to Host 2028 National Sports Collectors Convention
The National Sports Collectors Convention (NSCC) will return to Michigan for the first time since 1981, with Detroit selected as the host city for the 2028 show. The event is set for August 2–6 at Huntington Place, a 2.4 million-square-foot venue on the Detroit International Riverfront. The facility is slated for a $125 million expansion beginning this fall, adding 20,000 square feet and connecting to a proposed JW Marriott hotel. Detroit was chosen over Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center in a vote by dealers during the 2025 show in Chicago.
Northeast
Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill Unveils Full-Hotel Renovation Ahead of 50th Anniversary
Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill has completed a multimillion-dollar, top-to-bottom renovation just in time for its 50th anniversary next spring. The transformation includes redesigned guestrooms and suites, fully refreshed meeting and event spaces, a reimagined lobby, and the updated Article One – American Grill. The new design pays tribute to American craftsmanship and the historic architecture of Capitol Hill, incorporating detailing that reflects the spirit and ingenuity of the nation’s capital. The updated property offers a fresh, modern experience in one of D.C.’s most iconic locations.
