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Northstar Meetings Group will host its 2026 Destination Southeast event on August 9-11 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The gathering is designed to bring together highly-qualified meeting and incentive planners with top suppliers from Southeastern states. It will be held at the new Omni Fort Lauderdale, an 801-room waterfront hotel that opened its doors in December 2025.
The three-day event will include a mix of educational sessions and networking. Planners will also have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with representatives from top destinations, resorts, hotels and DMCs from across the Southeast region. Suppliers will hail from states such as Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
On the agenda are two keynote sessions from expert event leaders. Eli Gorin, CEO of the Americas for the ATS Group, will lead a session on August 10 about "Surviving and Thriving in a World of Mental Health Misunderstanding." He'll share his own struggles with mental health, along with strategies for better supporting yourself, your colleagues and your attendees.
On August 11, VIBE Agency CEO Valerie Bihet will hold a session on "Lessons in Creative Problem Solving for Events." With 28 years of industry experience, Bihet has built her career around turning obstacles into opportunities. She'll discuss the art of adapting to challenges, share stories from her own events and inspire others to get more creative with the planning process.
"I'm very excited to bring Destination Southeast to the brand new Omni Fort Lauderdale. The property is gorgeous and a great addition to the Fort Lauderdale landscape," said Angela Cox, vice president of events for Northstar Meetings Group. "In addition to this property, our attendees will also see Pier Sixty-Six and get some terrific education from our industry colleagues Eli Gorin and Valerie Bihet."
Destination Southeast attendees will also have the opportunity to explore the Fort Lauderdale area, which is nicknamed "the Venice of America" for its 165 miles of waterways and canals.
"Attendees have been requesting more free time during events, and that is what we are happy to provide at this year's event," said Cox. "They can enjoy the rooftop pool, experience a water taxi or just enjoy the area during their free time."