Las Vegas Tops U.S. News' Inaugural Conference City Rankings
Event summary
- U.S. News & World Report released its first-ever Best Conference Cities and Best Conference Hotels rankings for 2026-2027.
- Las Vegas ranked No. 1, followed by Chicago and Orlando in the top three conference cities.
- Marriott Marquis properties earned four top distinctions across the top 10 conference destinations.
- The rankings evaluated 52 major U.S. destinations and over 250 hotels based on infrastructure and attendee experience.
The big picture
The inaugural rankings reflect a broader industry shift towards prioritizing face-to-face connections and memorable attendee experiences. As organizations increasingly value hybrid events that combine business with leisure, destinations like Las Vegas and Orlando are poised to benefit from their strong infrastructure and recreational offerings. The performance of Marriott's Marquis properties underscores the strategic importance of flexible meeting spaces and central locations in attracting large-scale events.
What we're watching
- Market Positioning
- How Marriott's dominance in the conference hotel rankings will affect its competitive positioning against Hilton and Hyatt.
- Industry Trends
- Whether the resurgence of in-person conferences will sustain the growth trajectory for top-ranked cities like Las Vegas and Chicago.
- Strategic Investments
- The pace at which other cities may invest in improving their conference infrastructure to compete with the current top performers.
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