Travel expert Peter Greenberg shared the latest airline and hotel news with the audience of planners and international suppliers. Photo Credit: Matt Klinger, Mad Pix Pro
The 21st edition of SMU International, Northstar Meetings Group’s hosted-buyer event for planners who organize events outside the United States, drew a record 475 attendees. The global event took place March 10-12 at the New York Marriott Marquis in New York City.
The state of travel
In his opening keynote, CBS News travel editor Peter Greenberg outlined the main issues affecting travel today. He pointed out that in early March, there was a 22 percent drop in foreign visitors to the United States due to perceived unwelcoming policies (that number has since increased, according to news reports). He also explained what he terms “the CFO effect,” which is leading to airlines, including American and Southwest, to cut back on services, perks and, in the case of Southwest, to implement the new policy of charging passengers for bags.
Greenberg did have reveal a silver lining for planners: He predicts a buyer's market for travel in the near future, due to the current economic uncertainty.
Embracing AI
In her presentation on the second morning of the event, Janette Roush, senior vice president, innovation and chief AI officer for Brand USA, encouraged the audience to experiment with the many ways AI can enhance their planning capabilities.
Among her recommendations are using AI for tasks, such as tweaking speaker bios, creating meeting agendas and using detailed attendee data and past-event feedback to improve future gatherings.
Busy hosted-buyer appointments
Business was brisk during the one-on-one appointments between buyers and the international suppliers, who represented 177 hotels, tourist boards, DMCs and other global event suppliers.
For SMU's CSR activity, organized by SITE’s Northeast chapter and Northstar, attendees packed 400 welcome kits for Light the Candle, a charity for foster children that was started by Jordan Lacey, MBA, CMP.
The event featured numerous networking opportunities, including the opening reception at the host property and an evening at City Winery, one of New York’s top live-music venues, where Diane DiMaggio, Northstar's global business development director who launched SMU International, was honored.
The generous sponsors who made SMU International possible are the Costa Rica Tourism Board; Dubai Business Events; Korea National Tourism Organization; Madison Avenue; Marina Bay Sands & Sands Hotel Macao; Meet in Ireland; Meet Manchester Convention Bureau; Meetings & Exhibitions Hong Kong; Pinnacle Live AV; PC Nametag; ProColombia USA; Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau; The Shackman Group and Zurich Convention Bureau.
SMU International 2026 will take place March 9-11 at the New York Marriott Marquis in New York City. Please register interest in SMU International and other Northstar Meetings Group Events here.