Where Independent Planners Grow Their Business
February 21–23, 2027
Saddlebrook Resort
Tampa, Florida
More Than a Conference.
A Community Driving the Independent Meetings Industry.
245+
Attendees
84%
Source International Destinations
2,319+
Pre-Scheduled Appointments
ABOUT IPEC
Built for Independent Planners. Designed for Business Growth.
Created exclusively for independent meeting planners, IPEC is the only hosted-buyer event focused on the unique challenges and opportunities of running an independent planning business.
IPEC offers a collaborative environment where planners and suppliers can:
- Connect through pre-scheduled one-to-one appointments
- Gain actionable insights from business-focused education
- Build meaningful relationships through peer networking
- Discover new destinations, venues and event solutions
- Strengthen partnerships with highly qualified decision-makers
WHO ATTENDS
HOSTED BUYERS
Independent meeting planners who own or operate their own businesses and are actively sourcing hotels, destinations, venues and event solutions for meetings, conferences, incentives and special events.
- Independent Meeting Planners
- Boutique Planning Firms
- Small Business Owners
- Corporate Meeting Consultants
- Entrepreneurial Event Professionals
- Active Decision-Makers
SUPPLIERS
Leading destinations, hotels, resorts, CVBs, DMCs, convention centers, technology companies and event service providers connect with independent planners actively sourcing venues and solutions for current and future business.
- Hotels & Resorts
- Destinations & CVBs
- Convention Centers
- DMCs
- Technology Providers
- AV & Production
- Event Services
- Experience Providers
HOSTED BUYERS
Independent meeting planners face unique challenges—from winning new clients and pricing services competitively to sourcing the right partners and growing a profitable business.
That's why IPEC was created.
Unlike traditional industry conferences, IPEC is designed exclusively for independent planners, combining business-focused education, peer collaboration and one-to-one appointments with leading industry suppliers in one highly productive experience.
Every session, conversation and connection is designed to help you strengthen your business, expand your professional network and stay ahead in an evolving meetings industry.
Build Your Business Through:
- Business growth strategies
- Sales and marketing best practices
- Pricing and contract negotiations
- Financial planning and operational efficiency
- Technology, AI and innovation
- Client relationship management
- Industry trends and emerging opportunities
- Peer collaboration and knowledge sharing
Leave IPEC with actionable ideas, trusted partnerships and practical strategies you can immediately apply to grow your business and better serve your clients.
The Right Buyers.
Real Business Opportunities.
80%
Organize Programs for 101-250 Attendees
49%
Manage Annual Budgets Over $1 Million
90%
Partner with CVBs & Tourism Boards
SUPPLIERS
Each year, IPEC brings together an exceptional community of independent meeting planners alongside leading destinations, hotels, convention centers and event solution providers committed to supporting the independent meetings industry.
Designed to deliver measurable business value, IPEC connects supplier partners with qualified planners through pre-scheduled one-to-one appointments, strategic networking and high-impact sponsorship opportunities that increase brand visibility and foster meaningful business relationships.
Whether your objective is generating qualified leads, building brand awareness or developing long-term partnerships, IPEC provides direct access to one of the meetings industry's most engaged and influential audiences—all within a collaborative environment built for lasting business success.
TRUSTED BY LEADING INDUSTRY BRANDS
AIC Hotel Group
Atlantis Paradise Island
Awesome Alpharetta
AV Concepts
Avad3 Productions
Big Cedar Lodge
Boise Centre
Caesars Entertainment
Canopy by Hilton at Deer Valley
Cedar Rapids Tourism
Chattanooga Tourism Program
Club Med
Crowdcomms
Destination Ann Arbor
Destination Irvine
Destination Missoula
Discover Denton and Embassy Suites Denton
Discover Flagstaff
Discover Puerto Rico
E Hawaii Destination Services
Embassy Suites St. Augustine
Event EQ
Experience Columbia SC
Experience Grand Rapids
Experience Rochester
Experience Scottsdale
Explore Branson
Explore Charleston
Explore Utah Valley
Gila River Resorts and Casinos
Grand Sierra Resort
Great Wolf Lodge Grapevine
Greater Zion Convention and Tourism Office-Southern Utah
Greenville-Pitt County Convention & Visitors Bureau
Groups by Classic Vacations
Guy Harvey St. Augustine Resort
Hilton Sedona at Bell Rock
Hilton UK & Ireland
Hilton West Palm Beach
Hiltons of Branson
Huntsville Madison County
Kalahari Resorts and Conventions
Louisville Tourism
M Resort Spa Casino
Marina Del Rey Tourism Board
Meet Chicago Northwest
Meetings Michigan
Memphis Tourism
Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades
Ocean City
On-Services
Opal Collection
Outbound Sedona
Pinnacle Live
Rosen Hotel and Resorts
Sage Hospitality
Salem Convention Center
San Diego Travel Authority
Sedona Tourism Office
See Monterey
Seiko Watch of America
Sheraton Suites Fort Lauderdale at Cypress Creek
South Point Hotel Casino & Spa
St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches CVB
Tempe Tourism Office
The Biltmore
The Classic Center
The Florida Keys & Key West
The Monarch San Antonio
The Pacific Palms Resort
The Peabody Memphis
The San Francisco Peninsula
Tourism Santa Fe
TradeWinds Island Resorts
Travel Costa Mesa
Travel Salem
Travel Santa Ana
Travel Tacoma - Pierce County
Traverse City Tourism
Turning Stone Resort Casino
Visit Anchorage
Visit Aurora
Visit Bellevue
Visit Bentonville
Visit Chandler
Visit Charlotte
Visit Denton and Embassy Suites Denton
Visit Denver
Visit El Paso
Visit Frisco
Visit Grand Prairie
Visit Grapevine
Visit Henderson
Visit Huntington Beach
Visit Jacksonville
Visit Loudoun
Visit Lubbock
Visit Newport Beach
Visit Omaha
Visit Orlando
Visit Oxnard
Visit Pasadena
Visit Plano
Visit Rancho Cordova
Visit Reno Tahoe
Visit Sacramento
Visit Sarasota
Visit Savannah
Visit Tucson
Visit Walnut Creek
Visit Winston Salem
Waldorf Astoria New Orleans
Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino
Westgate Resorts
Wilmington and Beaches CVB
Windrose on Hudson
YHB Hospitality Group
AGENDA
|
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2027 |
|
|
All Day |
Planner & Supplier Hotel Check-In |
|
2:00pm – 5:30pm |
Registration |
|
2:00pm – 5:30pm |
Supplier tabletop set-up (optional) |
|
5:30pm – 6:30pm |
Planners: Site Inspection |
|
6:30pm – 8:30pm |
Welcome Reception |
|
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2027 |
|
|
7:30am – 8:00am |
Breakfast |
|
8:00am – 9:15am |
Opening Remarks & Educational Session |
|
9:30am – 12:15pm |
One-on-One Meetings |
|
12:30pm – 2:30pm |
Lunch & Site Tour |
|
3:00pm – 4:00pm |
One-on-One Meetings |
|
4:00pm – 6:00pm |
Free Time/Activities |
|
7:00pm – 9:00pm |
Dinner |
|
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2027 |
|
|
7:30am – 8:00am |
Breakfast |
|
8:00am – 9:15am |
Educational Session |
|
9:30am – 12:00pm |
One-on One Meetings |
|
12:45pm – 2:00pm |
Lunch |
|
Afternoon |
Departures |
PAST FEATURED SPEAKERS
Emily Hardin
Associate General Council
Maritz
Howard Givner
CEO
Heathcote Advisory Group
Debbie Garcia
Founder & CEO
Virsitour
Blake Leeper
Paralympic Medalist
Brett Sterenson
President
Hotel Lobbyists
Brett Sterenson
President
Hotel Lobbyists
VENUE & TRAVEL
Saddlebrook Resort
5700 Saddlebrook Way
Wesley Chapel, FL 33543
Surrounded by 480 acres of pristine natural beauty, Saddlebrook Resort blends refined accommodations, championship golf, premier tennis and pickleball, and exceptional hospitality.
Special room rates available for attendees.
A First Look at Your IPEC Experience
LOCATION
- Recently transformed through a $92 million renovation.
- 95,000+ sq. ft. of flexible indoor and outdoor event space.
- Campus-style "Walking Village" with everything just steps away.
- Multiple restaurants, lounges and outdoor gathering spaces.
- Designed for memorable networking, team building and outdoor experiences.
BUYERS
We will make your reservations for you.
SUPPLIERS
You will receive information as the event approaches to book your accommodations.
WHAT ATTENDEES ARE SAYING
"This was the best conference I have ever been to. I made so many great connections and friends. I am so grateful to be part of such an amazing community."
Past Attendee
Your Next Business Opportunity Starts Here
Explore our portfolio of industry-leading events designed to bring together qualified buyers, influential suppliers and the decision-makers shaping the future of meetings, incentives, sports and business events worldwide.
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Telephone: (201) 902-2000