Destination Southeast

ABOUT DESTINATION SOUTHEAST

Destination Southeast — Northstar's destination-specific hosted-buyer event — brings together the most highly-qualified meeting and incentive buyers with top destinations, hotels/resorts, cruise lines, attractions, DMCs, DMOs, technology and merchandise providers, and tourism offices from the Southeastern states including: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Attendees participate in one-on-one pre-scheduled appointments, gain industry insights from our guest speakers and network with this exclusive group. This unique event is hosted by Northstar Meetings Group's leading brands — Successful Meetings, Meetings & Conventions, and Incentive magazine.

Follow along on Instagram: #NMGEvents
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Learn

Learn from, and be inspired by, our guest speakers who will provide targeted education specific to your needs as a meeting and incentive planner.

Connect

Connect with premier suppliers from the Southeast U.S. during pre-scheduled one-on-one business appointments.

Enjoy

All qualified buyers will be hosted by Northstar Meetings Group.

HOSTED BUYERS

ALL QUALIFIED BUYERS WILL BE FULLY HOSTED BY NORTHSTAR MEETINGS GROUP.

Those who are selected to attend will participate in:

• Pre-scheduled one-to-one meetings with key suppliers from the Southeastern U.S.
• Insightful educational presentations from inspiring speakers
• Networking opportunities with other elite buyers and suppliers

To learn more why past buyers say this event is the best networking and education experience in the meetings and incentive industry, please contact Dana Kallman at [email protected].

SPEAKERS

Valerie Bihet

CEO, VIBE Agency

Valerie Bihet is an award-winning event producer with more than 28 years of experience designing and delivering high-impact events that achieve clear business objectives. As Founder of VIBE, a global event design and destination management company, she has produced more than 1,800 events across five continents for luxury and global brand including Dior, Cartier, LVMH and Barclays.

SUPPLIER INFO

MEET WITH BUYERS LOOKING TO BOOK BUSINESS IN THE SOUTHEASTERN U.S

Exhibitor Package Rates & Premium Sponsorship Opportunities

For exhibitor package rates and premium sponsorship opportunities, please contact your business development director:

Caroline Smythe
[email protected]
918-688-0607

Ben Stauss
[email protected]
513-295-2155

Chris Meegan
[email protected]
708-774-5165

2026 EXHIBITORS

ATL Airport District CVB
Alpharetta Convention & Visitors Bureau
Casa Marina & The Reach, Key West
Chattanooga Tourism Co.
Cobb Travel & Tourism
Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center
Conrad Orlando at Evermore
Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter
Crystal Coast Tourism Authority
Daytona Convention and Visitors Bureau
Destination Augusta
Destin-Fort Walton Beach
DiamondHead Beach Resort
Dolly Parton's Song Teller Hotel
Dreamscape Luxury Journeys Ever After Travel Corporation LLC
EES Agency
Embassy Suites St Augustine Beach Oceanfront Resort
Evermore Orlando Resort
Experience Columbia SC
Explore Ashville
Explore Gwinnett
Florence Center
Fort Myers-Islands, Beaches & Neighborhoods
Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau
Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau
Guy Harvey Resort St Augustine Beach
Hard Rock Daytona Beach
Hilton Head Island Visitor & Convention Bureau
Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa
Hilton West Palm Beach
Huntsville/Madison County CVB (Alabama)
The Inn on Biltmore Estate / Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate
Kahalari Resorts and Conventions
Kingston Resorts
Knoxville Convention Center
LPC Worldwide
Luminary Hotel & Co; A Marriott Autograph Collection
Maui Jim Sunglasses and Zeal Optics
Memphis Tourism (CVB)
Meridiant Global
Naples Grande Beach Resort
Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau
Ocala/Marion County VCB
Omni Fort Lauderdale
Omni Hotels
Opal Collection
ON Services
Palm Beach Marriott, Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa
Pier Sixty-Six Resort
Punta Gorda Englewood Beach VCB
Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa
Rosen Hotels & Resorts
Seiko Watch of America
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood
South Seas Resort
The Classic Center
The Graylyn Estate
The Island Resort, Fort Walton Beach FL
The Peabody Memphis
The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, Autograph Collection
Topper Worldwide
Tradewinds Resort
TTC
Valdosta-Lowndes Co. Conference Center & Tourism Authority
Visit Athens GA
Visit Charlotte
Visit Franklin
Visit Greensboro, NC
Visit Hot Springs
Visit Knoxville
Visit Jacksonville
Visit Mobile
Visit Myrtle Beach
Visit Peachtree City
Visit Raleigh
Visit Sandy Springs
Visit Savannah
Visit St Pete-Clearwater
Visit Tallahassee
Visit Tampa Bay
Visit Winston-Salem
VisitGreenvilleSC
voco Sandpiper All-Inclusive Resort
Walton County Tourism
Westgate Resorts
Wilmington & Beaches CVB
Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach

AGENDA

Sunday August 9
Monday August 10
Tuesday August 11

Sunday, August 9

All Day

Planner & Supplier Hotel Check-In

3:00pm - 5:30pm

Registration & Gifting Lounge + Legends Lounge

5:30pm - 6:30pm

Planners: Site Inspection of Our Host Hotel (gather at 5:15pm)

6:30pm - 8:30pm

Welcome Reception

Hosted by Omni Fort Lauderdale

Monday, August 10

8:00am – 8:30am

Breakfast

Sponsored Omni Fort Lauderdale

8:30am – 9:45am

Opening Remarks & General Session

10:00am – 12:30pm

One-on-One Meetings (9 w/ break at 11:15am)

11:15am – 11:30am

Break

Sponsored by Omni Fort Lauderdale

12:30pm – 1:45pm

Lunch

Sponsored by Explore Ashville

2:00pm – 3:00pm

One-on-One Meetings (4 w/cheers at 3:00)

Sponsored by Kalahari Resorts

3:15pm- 5:30pm

Free Time (water taxi, shopping, pool)

7:00pm

Planner Departure for site tour & the reception at Pier Sixty-Six

7:15pm - 9:15pm

Reception

Sponsored by Pier Sixty-Six

Tuesday, August 11

8:00am – 8:30am

Breakfast

Sponsored Omni Fort Lauderdale

8:30am – 9:30am

Education: "Lessons in Creative Problem Solving for Events"

Presented by Valerie Bihet, CEO, VIBE Agency

More Detail

What do the 2008 financial crisis, the 2020 pandemic, and the geopolitical and economic uncertainty of 2026 all have in common? These moments have shown us that the best event planners stay calm under pressure, adapt quickly and always find solutions to whatever challenges are thrown their way.

As an event producer with more than 28 years of experience, including 21 years running her own business, Valerie Bihet has built a career around turning obstacles into opportunities. In this session, she'll share real-world examples and strategies for how creative problem solving can help event professionals grow and thrive professionally.

Attendees can expect to learn:

The art of solving challenges behind the scenes and maintaining a smooth attendee experience
How planners can draw inspiration from other industries to create more memorable event design and engagement opportunities
Tips for mastering multicultural event production without losing brand cohesion

9:45am - 12:15pm

One-on One Meetings (9 w/ break at 10:45am)

10:45am – 11:00am

Break

Sponsored by Omni Fort Lauderdale

12:15pm – 1:30pm

Farewell Lunch

Sponsored by Visit Jacksonville

After 1:30pm

Departures

Sponsored by LPC Worldwide

HOTEL

Omni Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Buyers

We will make reservations for you.

Suppliers

Preferred rates for supplier accommodations are available.

CONTACT

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT YOUR SALES REPRESENTATIVE OR:

Suppliers Contact

Shalise DeMott

Vice President, Sales

[email protected]

Buyers Contact

Cindy Binder

Director of Buyer Development

[email protected]

Event Logistics Contact

Angela Cox

Vice President of Events

[email protected]