Nov. 29 - Dec. 1, 2023

South Padre Island, Texas

Destination Southwest

The premier hosted-buyer event for Southwest suppliers to connect with meeting professionals sourcing programs throughout the Southwest.

Meet with the top hotels, CVBs, DMCs and venues from across the Southwest in prescheduled one-on-one appointments and network with your industry peers.

Please click here for Northstar’s Enhanced Safety Protocols for Live Events.

ABOUT DESTINATION SOUTHWEST

Join your industry peers for the must attend hosted-buyer event bringing together the most highly-qualified meeting and incentive buyers with top destinations, hotels/resorts, attractions, DMCs, DMOs and tourism offices from the Southwest U.S. Meet buyers who are ready to book business in: Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada and Texas.

Follow along on Instagram: #NMGEvents
Follow along on LinkedIn: #NMGEvents

AGENDA

Nov. 29

All Day

Planner & Supplier Hotel Check-In

2:00pm– 5:30pm

Registration

2:00pm – 5:30pm

Exhibitor Set-Up (optional)

5:30pm — 6:00pm

Planners: Site Inspection of Host Hotel

6:00pm — 8:30pm

Welcome Reception

Nov. 30

7:30am – 8:00am

Breakfast

8:00am – 9:00am

Opening Remarks & General Session: How Event F&B Supports DEIA Efforts

Presented by Tracy Stuckrath

More Detail

What does DEIA mean, and what do meeting menus have to do with it? The cost of F&B and the benefits it can provide to our attendees — nourishment, health, wellness, employment and belonging — should propel us to think differently about what we are serving. In this session, Tracy Stuckrath, founder of Thrive! Meetings & Events, will discuss how we can create dining experiences that provide diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility for all participants.

Questions we'll discuss:

From ordering to serving, where is F&B in the event experience?
It's not just about what's on the plate, but how guests get to the plate. How does this play into the process?
What is an equitable and inclusive menu and how do I design one?
What other design elements should be considered when planning inclusive F&B events?
What is the risk for failing to create such events?

9:15am – 12:00pm

One-on-One Meetings

12:30pm

Gather for Lunch Departure

1:00pm – 3:00pm

Lunch & Site Tour

3:00pm – 6:00pm

Free Time/Activities

7:00pm – 9:00pm

Dinner

Dec. 1

7:30am – 8:00am

Breakfast

8:00am – 9:00am

Educational Session

9:15am—12:00pm

One-on-One Meetings

12:30pm—2:00pm

Farewell Lunch

After 2pm

Departures

SPEAKERS

Tracy Stuckrath, CSEP, CMM, CHC

Founder, Thrive! Meetings & Events

As a certified event planner with food allergies, Tracy Stuckrath understands that allergies and food intolerances, religious and medically necessary dietary restrictions, and dietary lifestyle preferences can create obstacles for both the planner and the guest. She is passionate about helping planners design creative, safe and inclusive menus for their gatherings.

HOSTED BUYERS

ALL QUALIFIED BUYERS WILL BE FULLY HOSTED BY NORTHSTAR MEETINGS GROUP. QUESTIONS ABOUT HOSTED-BUYER EVENTS? CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

INFORMATION

Those who are selected to attend will participate in:

Two productive days of pre-scheduled one-to-one meetings with suppliers from the Southwest
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 incentive industry, please contact Dana Kallman at dkallman@ntmllc.com.

SUPPLIER INFO

MEET WITH BUYERS LOOKING TO BOOK BUSINESS IN THE SOUTHWEST

Exhibitor Package Rates & Premium Sponsorship Opportunities

Showcase your destination, CVB, DMC, hotel, resort, venue, or related service or activity for successful meetings and incentive programs. Meet with elite planners and buyers who are currently sourcing suppliers for their upcoming meetings and conventions in 2023 and beyond.

Supplier registration includes 1:1 pre-scheduled appointments, all event networking activities and education.

Please contact your business development director or James Antaky for pricing and sponsorship opportunities.

2022 EXHIBITORS

Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau
Discover Odessa
EventPipe
Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau
Fredericksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau
Grapevine Convention and Visitors Bureau
Groups360
Holiday Inn Tyler Convention Center
Kalahari Resorts and Conventions

Kimpton Harper Hotel
Laredo Convention and Visitors Bureau
South Padre Island Convention and Visitors Bureau
Visit College Station
Visit Conroe
Visit Corpus Christi
Visit El Paso
Visit Houston
Visit Irving

Visit Lubbock
Visit McKinney
Visit Plano
Visit The Colony
Visit The Woodlands
Visit Tyler
Westin Collection at the Houston Galleria
Wichita Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau

HOTEL

Margaritaville Beach Resort — South Padre Island

310 Padre Blvd.

South Padre Island, TX 78597

Buyers: We will make your reservations for you.

Suppliers: Preferred rates for supplier accommodations are available.

Advisory Notice Regarding Outside Solicitations

Please be advised that numerous companies have been emailing and calling our attendees attempting to book them into hotels for Northstar events.

Here are the companies and their representatives that we have been made aware of:

ExpoSite
CBS International
Corporate Booking Services
EHRS
Exhibition Housing Services
Global Housing Corporation
World Wide Travel

Be advised that these companies and individuals have no relationship with our events. Our attendees are encouraged to disregard any communication received from these companies or any others that are not affiliated with Northstar Meetings Group.