Home to the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md., sits on the mouth of the Severn River on Chesapeake Bay, just east of Washington, D.C. This lovely sailors' haven will welcome Northstar Meetings Group's Small & Boutique Meetings – Annapolis, July 8-10, with an agenda that celebrates the setting at the Historic Inns of Annapolis.
Sponsored by Visit Annapolis, this is the second of four 2026 iterations of this hosted-buyer event that highlights destinations for planners looking to book meetings of 100 room nights or fewer on peak. In May, about 100 planners and suppliers spent several fun-filled days in Anchorage, Alaska; the next event is coming up Aug. 5-7 at the Grand Hotel in Point Clear, Ala., followed by another opportunity at the Monarch in San Antonio, Texas, Oct. 26-28.
Dynamic sessions
The first education session for the Annapolis event will feature Australian-turned-Austin-resident Cameron Atlas at lunch at the Rams Head on July 9, using music as one element to underscore his message that success belongs to those who can adapt quickly, lead through uncertainty and turn disruption into opportunity.
On July 10, Jen Fry will tackle the quirks of communication, and how misheard details can derail negotiations, collaborations and more. Her session, "What You Said Isn’t Always What They Heard," will help participants prevent, not just respond to, tensions in communication.
Activities on land and sea
While in Annapolis, participants will have the opportunity to get out and about for a tasting at the Great Frogs Winery; skimming the water on paddleboards and kayaks from Capital SUP; experiencing a two-hour crew match schooner sailing race on the Schooner Winwood; or taking a scenic Severn River cruise with Watermark Journeys.
Meals and site tours will visit several area properties: Our host, the Historic Inns of Annapolis's three hotels (the Maryland Inn, the Governor Calvert House and the Robert Johnson House); the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel, a Marriott Autograph Collection property; and the Graduate by Hilton Annapolis.
For more details, visit the Small & Boutique Meetings — Annapolis event page. Northstar's full calendar of upcoming live events is available online. Industry professionals also can take advantage of the robust catalog of live and archived webinars.