NORTHEAST
Credit: Baltimore Marriott Waterfront HotelWhat makes a meetings and events team successful? At the 753-room Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel, the answer is to work with all of the property’s departments and operate as a truly unified service-driven, family-like organization, combining experience, collaboration and a commitment to delivering exceptional outcomes for every planner and attendee. Rather than simply executing events, the team invests in understanding each planner’s goals and creates tailored experiences that reflect those priorities.
In addition, the hotel consistently pursues and hosts multi-day events with significant room blocks and extensive use of meeting space, demonstrating both operational depth and confidence in execution. Finally, through strategic partnerships and a strong understanding of the local destination, the team helps planners deliver programs that are memorable and uniquely tied to the Baltimore waterfront experience.
In New York’s Catskill Mountains, the 22-room Hotel Lilien's team provides personalized service for meetings, retreats, weddings and group events, ensuring planners have a dedicated partner from the initial planning stages through departure. The hotel’s events department oversees lodging, logistics, room blocks, food and beverage experiences, wellness programming, group activities and on-site event flow, providing planners with seamless coordination from start to finish. Further, the property's boutique size allows the team to provide hands-on support and quickly adapt to changing needs.
With more than 64,000 square feet for meetings spread throughout the property, the 942-room Resorts Casino Hotel on the famed Atlantic City Boardwalk is a popular events site with a seasoned in-house team to help planners make the most of the space. Whether helping to set up a coffee break outside any of the 24 meeting rooms or a champagne toast in one of the four ballrooms, these experts know how to wrangle the property’s prodigious resources to best help meet a group’s goals.
In this popular northern New York City suburb, the 403-room Sonesta White Plains Downtown has nearly 20,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space distributed across 18 flexible venues throughout the property. These spaces are overseen by the hotel’s dedicated event liaison team, which firmly believes in partnering with planners to ensure that agenda goals are met. A 5,940-square-foot grand ballroom able to host up to 400 guests is just one of the prime gathering spots at the hotel, ably overseen by the events team.
SOUTHEAST
Credit: Rosen PlazaIn the heart of Orlando’s busy convention district, the Rosen Plaza helps sets the standard for exceptional hospitality, personalized service and meticulous attention to detail, thanks in large part to the property’s dedicated events department. This sprawling property has 799 guest rooms and suites plus a total 60,000 square feet of cutting-edge meeting space, and the hotel’s associates know well how best to make such resources work for visiting groups.
Indeed, as one of the largest independent hotel companies in the Southeastern United States, Rosen Hotels & Resorts empowers its staff here and elsewhere to make real-time decisions without any annoying red tape, allowing team members to respond quickly, thoughtfully and creatively to satisfy planners’ needs. It is this genuine, service-driven approach that inspires groups, guests and executives to return year after year. The property is directly connected via skybridge to the Orange County Convention Center and its 480,000 square feet of meeting space.
Planners can rely on the support staff at the 82-room boutique Tennessean Hotel in Knoxville, whether planning an executive roundtable in the property’s own 5,200 square feet of meeting space or a gala awards ceremony in the nearby 500,000-square-foot Knoxville Convention Center. Either way, the hotel’s team will ensure that all participants are comfortable and have the tools they need to conduct a successful gathering. They also can direct attendees to any of the many attractions in town, whether a sojourn in World’s Fair Park or a night’s entertainment downtown.
In Kissimmee, Fla., the 1,718-room Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center has the resources — and the highly rated staff — to host meetings and events of all sizes in its 519,000 square feet of gathering space. The in-house events team knows how best to use the resort’s five ballrooms, 104 breakout rooms and special areas such as the 4.5-acre, glass-enclosed garden atrium, a unique setting for receptions and networking among some 500,000 plants, winding waterways and Florida wildlife.
A number of notable characteristics marks the events team at the 252-room DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Sunrise — Sawgrass Mills in Sunrise, Fla. For one, 95 percent of the department’s ranks have been with the property for seven or more years. Further, the team practices true collaboration across all departments, including sales, catering, banquet, culinary, housekeeping, engineering and the front office, all working together to help groups fulfill their mission. The property has approximately 10,000 square feet of flexible indoor meeting space, including a 5,700-square-foot ballroom.
MIDWEST
Credit: Hyatt Regency Bloomington – MinneapolisIn a location convenient to the mammoth Mall of America and minutes from Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, the 303-room Hyatt Regency Bloomington – Minneapolis provides travelers a setting complete with an indoor pool, a 24/7 fitness center, an on-site restaurant and a lively bar and lounge, along with more than 15,000 square feet of meeting space. Planners routinely rate the hotel’s seasoned and resourceful support staff highly for ensuring events run smoothly.
Many members of the Hyatt team have been with the hotel for years, bringing consistency, professionalism and genuine care to every interaction. From planning through execution, the staff works in tandem to customize room setups, menus, schedules and service styles based on each client’s needs. They know how best to use the property’s 11 meeting spaces and often come up with personal touches that help create memorable events. Whether supporting corporate meetings, airline crews, sports teams, weddings or other events, the staff delivers seamless experiences while ensuring planners feel supported every step of the way.
With an on-site support staff that embodies hospitality through detail, teamwork and a strong commitment to memorable events, it’s no surprise that the 352-room Hilton Indianapolis Hotel & Suites is a favorite with meeting professionals. From attendee arrival to departure, the team leads with heart and savvy, aligning greeting, catering, A/V and flow to exceed client expectations and create experiences that feel effortless, memorable and personalized. The hotel has 29,676 square feet of event and eating space across 18 dedicated rooms.
On 1,300 acres in the heart of Lake Geneva, Wis., the 358-room Grand Geneva Resort & Spa combines world-class amenities, award-winning accommodations, exceptional dining, championship golf and year-round recreation with a level of personalized service that helps set it apart from the pack. At the heart of the resort's success is its team of more than 1,000 dedicated associates, whose expertise, professionalism and commitment to guest satisfaction keep clients coming back year after year. The property’s more than 62,000 square feet for events includes lots of outdoor space, the 13,500-square-foot Forum Convention Center and additional breakout meeting rooms and ballrooms.
SOUTHWEST
Credit: JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & SpaCommitted to providing an exceptional guest experience, the on-site support team at the 1,002-room JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa routinely elevates hospitality to an art form. Composed of experts in meeting planning, technology, culinary arts and guest services, the staff ensures that every aspect of an attendee’s stay or event is executed flawlessly. Associates bring precision and attention to detail to every meeting, conference and celebration hosted within a total of almost 268,000 square feet of customizable spaces. From initial planning stages to event execution, the team works closely with guests to customize each experience to their unique needs.
The culinary experts at the resort play a crucial role in crafting custom catering menus sourced from local ingredients, too. Whether it's a grand banquet in the 40,500 square-foot Grand Oaks Ballroom or an intimate gathering at the Sunday House, the culinary team ensures that every dish is a delightful fusion of flavors. The staff’s commitment to personalized service extends throughout the guest experience, whether arranging spa experiences or coordinating golf outings at TPC San Antonio.
Serving a resort in Arizona with 247 guest rooms and villas and more than 37,600 square feet of meeting and event space, including 11 meeting rooms, three ballrooms and an indoor-outdoor pavilion, the events team at the Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas expertly manages programs of all sizes. The staff adheres to a culture of responsiveness, communication and proactive service: from conference support and catering to banquet operations, front office, A/V, and food and beverage, departments work together to anticipate needs, solve challenges quickly and ensure every detail is handled with care.
What sets the team at the 328-room JW Marriott Houston Downtown apart is the ability to anticipate needs and tailor experiences to group preferences. Whether curating itineraries, arranging personalized amenities or remembering returning attendees by name, the staff helps makes meetings and events more meaningful. Set within two historic buildings, the property offers a total of 12,849 square feet for gatherings across six event spaces, with a capacity of up to 500 guests for a reception.
FAR WEST
Credit: The Venetian Resort Las VegasEven as the mammoth Venetian Resort Las Vegas ushers in a new era with a $1.5 billion reinvestment, including a $188 million convention center refresh, the property considers the staff its most vital asset. From executing world-class culinary experiences to orchestrating complex events in nontraditional spaces and driving industry-leading sustainability initiatives, the Venetian team is continuously innovating to elevate the client experience. These on-site professionals partner with meeting professionals to ensure every event is delivered at a level that exceeds expectations.
The planning journey begins with a dedicated catering and conference manager, who serves as the primary strategic guide navigating the property’s expansive 2.25 million-square-foot campus. From there, planners are seamlessly integrated into a synchronized support system tailored to their specific needs, partnering with group housing services, group hotel services and specialized event services to facilitate complex trade show and exhibit needs, and more. The property has 4,049 luxury suites and a total of more than 7,100 such accommodations in the combined Venetian Resort Las Vegas and The Palazzo at the Venetian Resort complex.
Meeting professionals typically sing the praises of the 224-room DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel San Diego – Del Mar, noting how the staff lavishes care on events using seamless logistics, thoughtful amenities and a partner mindset that reduces planning stress. When planners need impromptu room rearrangements, culinary shifts for crowd flow or late-evening dietary accommodations, the hotel’s team responds with coordinated speed and empathy. In all, the property has 5,630 square feet of indoor meeting and event space across eight rooms, plus the pool area and patio.
When it comes to special care for meetings, the Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center consistently draws high marks. In Chula Vista, about seven miles south of downtown San Diego, the resort has 1,600 guest rooms and suites inside a 22-story tower, along with more than 477,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, and the staff knows how to maximize every inch to ensure that an event meets its stated target goals. That level of care extends to the resort’s multiple restaurants, the spa, a 4.25-acre water park oasis with a lazy river, and more.
INTERNATIONAL AND U.S. TERRITORIES
Credit: Hilton Barbados ResortThe catering and events team is central to the success of every program hosted at the 342-room Hilton Barbados Resort. From the earliest planning conversations through execution on-site, the staff is known for being responsive, adaptable and genuinely invested in creating memorable experiences for planners and attendees. Their approach combines professionalism with the warmth and hospitality Barbados is known for, helping events feel seamless while maintaining a strong sense of place.
The team works closely with planners to understand the goals and priorities of each program. Rather than delivering a one-size-fits-all experience, staff members take time to understand the goals of each event and create personalized solutions. This hands-on approach has helped the resort build strong relationships with repeat clients across corporate meetings, government functions, incentive programs and social events. Set on a private peninsula surrounded by the Caribbean Sea, the property has 10,000 square feet of recently renovated indoor and outdoor meeting space.
Since opening in 1958, the 388-room Fairmont El San Juan Hotel has been a prime mover for meetings and incentive travel in the Caribbean. The property’s events team expertly works with planners to maximize the attendee experience in more than 40,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, whether for corporate conferences, incentive programs, association meetings or sports conclaves. Groups here can incorporate programming at the on-site spa, gather across multiple pool and beachfront venues, enjoy live entertainment in the lobby and dine at a collection of acclaimed restaurants. These experiences allow planners to showcase Puerto Rico's culture while keeping attendees connected on property.
Attendees who converge at the 364-room luxury Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, Spa & Casino enjoy the smart strategies employed by an on-site team that consistently transforms meetings, incentives and corporate gatherings into memorably successful experiences. With 23,779 square feet of event space (including the 5,290-square-foot divisible Regency Ballroom) spread across 120 acres on Palm Beach in Noord, the resort is proud of a staff that manages programs of varying size while maintaining an attentive, personalized service.
Exceptional service begins long before attendees arrive at the 579-room Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico and continues through every stage of the meeting experience. From sales and conference services to catering, operations and on-site event teams, the resort's staff works collaboratively to ensure seamless planning, flawless execution and personalized support, allowing clients to focus on their objectives while knowing every aspect of the event is being expertly managed. Event space at the property totals 40,000 square feet, both indoor and out.
As distinctive as the property itself is, the events team at the 3,786-room Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas is a true partner for meeting professionals. They expertly guide planners through more than 500,000 square feet of gathering spaces, including some 300,000 square feet spread across more than 18 distinct open-air function spots. For all the vastness of the resort, planners can comfortably rely on the expertise of the Atlantis team to help meet the goals of the gathering.