Uncovering Emerging Destinations

This webinar takes place on June 17, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET 
 
What up-and-coming destinations are planners considering for meetings and incentives? In this session, our panel will share the new locations they are exploring and booking for 2026 and beyond. These experts will explain how they discover and research emerging destinations, as well as how they assess a destination’s infrastructure. The discussion will also cover strategies for easing stakeholder concerns and effectively promoting and marketing events in new or emerging spots.

Session takeaways include:

• What makes a destination worthy of consideration
• Security and risk management considerations
• The role of AI in sourcing and research
• Key resources and partners for planning events in emerging destinations

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SPEAKERS

Trish Adams

Senior Director, Supplier Relations, Maritz

A 30-plus year veteran of the travel industry, Trish Adams is the senior director, supplier relations, for Maritz. In this position, Adams acts as the liaison between Maritz, the worldwide network of DMCs and cruise lines and Maritz clients. Externally, she negotiates preferred Maritz contracts, terms, conditions, and concessions on behalf of Maritz clients. Internally, she communicates supplier information to the Maritz sales, sourcing, operations and support departments. Trish’s cumulative industry experience has positioned her well to serve as the voice of Maritz and link together these critical groups.

Throughout her career, she has worked in a variety of roles at Maritz including travel director, account manager, marketing and industry relations director, event operations director, and sourcing director. Trish has been a part of SITE and participated in various hotel and DMC advisory boards. Trish received the Maritz Women of Distinction Award in 2024. Adams has traveled to over 50 countries and 6 continents and still loves to experience new destinations.

Patrick Delaney

Managing Partner, SoolNua

Hospitality, tourism and destination management veteran Patrick Delaney is managing partner at SoolNua. He and his business partner Pádraic Gilligan founded the agency that specializes in helping destinations, hotels and venues with strategy, marketing and training.

Delaney is a former president of the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence and the SITE Foundation and has held leadership positions in the key industry associations. He’s been honored with an IMEX Academy Award, the IBTM Lifetime Achievement Award and was inducted into the Events Industry Council’s Hall of Leaders and the AIPCO Hall of Fame. He is still active in meetings industry organizations and continues to give seminars and lectures across the world. Delaney also serves on the advisory board of the Northstar Meetings Group’s The Meetings Show and Destination DC’s IBEC Council.

Mary Muldoon, CMP

Senior Sourcing Manager, Brightspot Incentives & Events

With more than 30 years of experience in corporate meetings and incentive travel, Mary Muldoon serves as a senior sourcing manager at Brightspot Incentives & Events. She specializes in destination and site selection strategy, budgeting, and contract negotiations, helping teams identify the right venues and experiences while maximizing value for clients. Known for her deep industry relationships and extensive destination knowledge, Muldoon brings a thoughtful, solutions-oriented approach to every program.

She stays connected to destinations and industry trends through ongoing travel and industry events around the world. She is passionate about discovering unique experiences that elevate meetings and incentive programs and create lasting memories for attendees.

MODERATOR

Lisa Grimaldi

Editor, Incentives and Destinations, Northstar Meetings Group

Lisa Grimaldi is the editor of Incentive, overseeing all content and its live and virtual events, including Incentive Live and the Global Incentive Summit, as well as the brand's annual Motivation Masters awards. She also oversees Northstar’s digital destination coverage, including destination guides and newsletters.