WHO WE ARE

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Where Business Gets Done

Connect and BizBash are the leading resources for sourcing future events, networking opportunities and elite education at our industry leading events for event professionals. With top-flight keynote speakers and presenters, engaging networking opportunities and our signature hosted-buyer programs, we drive the industry forward while connecting the right planners and producers with well-suited suppliers and vendors to do future business. You will walk out of our conferences with several leads, new partners and with an understanding of why Connect has the best ROI of any industry event.

EVENTS

 

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Connect Mega Detroit

Connect Marketplace Detroit

August 8 - 10

Our annual summertime event, Aug. 8-10 in Detroit, draws 4,000 elite event professionals who will score multiple business leads on our Association, Corporate, Specialty, Sports and Travel tracks. Celebrity keynotes and our largest trade show to date will highlight this event. This is the industry event by which all others are measured.

Planners will experience the Connect difference with our highly curated reverse-style appointments. You will meet only with the destinations and venues that are good fit for your future meetings, conferences and events. These short meetings will be the building blocks for site selection on your events for the next several years.

Suppliers will immediately recognize the great care Connect takes in matching you with the right planners. Your future prospective partners are highly vetted. Only the top-of-the-line planners are granted access to our shows. The hosted buyers you meet with represent future events that are great events for your destination that will fill hotel rooms, meeting venues and local restaurants, generating a huge economic impact.

Connect Sports Marketplace Detroit

August 8 - 10

Our annual summertime event, Aug. 8-10 in Detroit, is the largest event in the sports tourism industry. Suppliers will connect with elite planners and organizations that only attend Connect conferences. This is the industry event by which all others are measured.

Planners will experience the Connect difference with our highly curated reverse-style appointments. You will meet only with the destinations and venues that are good fit for your future meetings, conferences and events. These short meetings will be the building blocks for site selection on your events for the next several years.

Suppliers will immediately recognize the great care Connect takes in matching you with the right planners. Your future prospective partners are highly vetted. Only the top-of-the-line planners are granted access to our shows. The hosted buyers you meet with represent future events that are great events for your destination that will fill hotel rooms, sports venues and local restaurants, generating a huge economic impact.

Connect Florida

Florida Marketplace

Sept. 13-14, 2022

Corporate event planners based in the the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern U.S. meet with suppliers to plan future meetings in that part of the U.S. It will be raining business leads for all attendees!

Planners will experience the Connect difference with our highly curated reverse-style appointments. You will meet only with the destinations and venues that are good fit for your future meetings, conferences and events. These short meetings will be the building blocks for site selection on your events for the next several years.

Suppliers will immediately recognize the great care Connect takes in matching you with the right planners. Your future prospective partners are highly vetted. Only the top-of-the-line planners are granted access to our shows. The hosted buyers you meet with represent future events that are great events for your destination that will fill hotel rooms, meeting venues and local restaurants, generating a huge economic impact.

 
Connect Pacific Northwest

Pacific Northwest Marketplace

Sept. 19-20, 2022

The best event planners based in the Pacific Northwest meet with suppliers to plan future meetings in that part of the U.S. It will be raining business leads for all attendees!

Planners will experience the Connect difference with our highly curated reverse-style appointments. You will meet only with the destinations and venues that are good fit for your future meetings, conferences and events. These short meetings will be the building blocks for site selection on your events for the next several years.

Suppliers will immediately recognize the great care Connect takes in matching you with the right planners. Your future prospective partners are highly vetted. Only the top-of-the-line planners are granted access to our shows. The hosted buyers you meet with represent future events that are great events for your destination that will fill hotel rooms, meeting venues and local restaurants, generating a huge economic impact.

 
Connect Faith + Southeast

Connect Faith + Southeast

October 3 - 5

Featuring Southeastern hospitality, this Oct. 3-5 industry-leading event will provide inspiration, education and business opportunities for event professionals who work on faith-based events as well as association and corporate gatherings in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and other popular Southeastern destinations.

Planners will experience the Connect difference with our highly curated reverse-style appointments. You will meet only with the destinations and venues that are good fit for your future meetings, conferences and events. These short meetings will be the building blocks for site selection on your events for the next several years.

Suppliers will immediately recognize the great care Connect takes in matching you with the right planners. Your future prospective partners are highly vetted. Only the top-of-the-line planners are granted access to our shows. The hosted buyers you meet with represent future events that are great events for your destination that will fill hotel rooms, meeting venues and local restaurants generating a huge economic impact.

Texas Marketplace

Nov. 14-16
El Paso, Texas

This annual event, Nov. 14-16, 2022, in El Paso, brings together the most active planners, suppliers and experts in Texas meetings and events for general sessions, round tables, preset appointments and quality networking. Just as everything is always bigger in Texas, so is the ROI if this outstanding event.

Planners will experience the Connect difference with our highly curated reverse-style appointments. You will meet only with the destinations and venues that are good fit for your future meetings, conferences and events. These short meetings will be the building blocks for site selection on your events for the next several years.

Suppliers will immediately recognize the great care Connect takes in matching you with the right planners. Your future prospective partners are highly vetted. Only the top-of-the-line planners are granted access to our shows. The hosted buyers you meet with represent future events that are great events for your destination that will fill hotel rooms, meeting venues and local restaurants, generating a huge economic impact.

Connect DC

DC Marketplace

Nov. 28-29

Enhance your skills, network with industry leaders and drive more business at Connect DC—theleading event for planners and suppliers focused on national association and corporate events.Experience a quality packed day of general sessions, roundtables, preset appointments andnetworking. Capital gains will take on a whole other meaning with the ROI of this show.

Planners will experience the Connect difference with our highly curated reverse-style appointments. You will meet only with the destinations and venues that are good fit for your future meetings, conferences and events. These short meetings will be the building blocks for site selection on your events for the next several years.

Suppliers will immediately recognize the great care Connect takes in matching you with the right planners. Your future prospective partners are highly vetted. Only the top-of-the-line planners are granted access to our shows. The hosted buyers you meet with represent future events that are great events for your destination that will fill hotel rooms, meeting venues and local restaurants, generating a huge economic impact.

Connect Midwest

Midwest Marketplace

Jan. 30-Feb. 1, 2023

Events planners sourcing events in the Midwest and nationally will meet with suppliers to plan future national association, corporate, specialty, and sports meetings and events. This event in Peoria, Illinois, is the one to kick off your 2023 on the right foot!

Planners will experience the Connect difference with our highly curated reverse-style appointments. You will meet only with the destinations and venues that are good fit for your future meetings, conferences and events. These short meetings will be the building blocks for site selection on your events for the next several years.

Suppliers will immediately recognize the great care Connect takes in matching you with the right planners. Your future prospective partners are highly vetted. Only the top-of-the-line planners are granted access to our shows. The hosted buyers you meet with represent future events that are great events for your destination that will fill hotel rooms, meeting venues and local restaurants, generating a huge economic impact.

 

West Marketplace

TBD

The best event planners based in Nevada and Arizona through to California meet with suppliers to plan future national association, corporate and international meetings in the Western U.S. The ROI here will rekindle memories of the Gold Rush of years gone by!

Planners will experience the Connect difference with our highly curated reverse-style appointments. You will meet only with the destinations and venues that are good fit for your future meetings, conferences and events. These short meetings will be the building blocks for site selection on your events for the next several years.

Suppliers will immediately recognize the great care Connect takes in matching you with the right planners. Your future prospective partners are highly vetted. Only the top-of-the-line planners are granted access to our shows. The hosted buyers you meet with represent future events that are
great events for your destination that will fill hotel rooms, meeting venues and local restaurants, generating a huge economic impact.

 

MEDIA

 

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BizBash

BizBash, which Connect acquired in 2019, powers the Connect Association and Connect Corporate editorial content. It provides the industry’s most engaging reporting on trends and experiential events.

Connect Sports

Connect Sports, including the Connect Sports Facilities Guide, can be found here. This is the home for the world of sports tourism, from case studies, new venues and business trends to open RFPs.

Connect Faith

Connect Faith can be reached here. Discover inspirational and educational content for how to organize the most effective retreats, youth events and conventions for faith-based attendees.

CONTACT US

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Connect DC + Med | Tech
Nov. 28-29, Washington, DC

Connect DC

  • Must be a Corporate or Association Planner that is physically located in the DMV area
  • Third Parties are allowed with completed Trusted Planner Form
  • Must generate 50+ rooms on peak
  • Must have the ability to rotate nationally

Connect Med | Tech

  • Must plan meetings or events that serve the Medical OR Technology industries
  • Must generate 50+ rooms on peak
  • May be located anywhere in the United States
  • Must have the ability to source meetings nationally

Connect Pacific Northwest
Nov. 14-16, El Paso, TX

  • Must be physically located in Texas
  • Must generate 50+ rooms on peak
  • Must have the ability to rotate nationally

Connect Pacific Northwest
Sept. 19-20, Boise, Idaho

  • Must be physically located in WA, OR, ID, Northern California or Vancouver
  • Must generate 50+ rooms on peak
  • Must have the ability to rotate nationally
  • Must demonstrate a solid 2-year event history

Connect Florida
Sept. 13-14, Kissimmee Florida

  • Corporate or national association planner based in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast
  • Must generate 50+ rooms on peak
  • Must have the ability to rotate nationally

Connect Faith + Southeast
Oct. 3-5, Little Rock, Arkansas

Faith

  • Must plan faith-based meetings & events
  • Must generate 50+ rooms on peak
  • Must have the ability to rotate nationally

Southeast

  • Must be physically located in the Southeastern
    states
  • Must generate 50+ rooms on peak
  • Must have the ability to rotate nationally

Connect Spring Marketplace
May 22-24, Puerto Rico
More than 2,000 event professionals are expected for this industry leading event in Puerto Rico. Tracks include:

  • Association
    • Event must be able to rotate nationally
    • 50+ room nights on peak
    • 2-year history planning events
  • Corporate
    • Financial
    • Medical
    • Technology
      • Event must be able to rotate nationally
      • 50+ room nights on peak
      • 2-year history planning events
    • Citywides
      • At least 1,000 room rights with 100,000 square feet of exhibit space
    • Diversity
      • Planners for multicultural and inclusive organizations
      • Ability to rotate nationally
      • 2-year history planning events
    • Luxury & Incentive
      • Proven history using 5-star hotels and resorts for events
      • Ability to rotate nationally
    • Sports
      • Rights holders and event planners for tournaments/competitions that rotate nationally with at least 50 room nights on peak
      • LGBTQ+ Summit

Connect Marketplace
Aug. 8-10, Detroit
More than 4,000 event professionals are expected for Connect’s largest annual event.

  • Association
    • 50+ room nights on peak
    • Solid 2-year history planning events
  • Corporate
    • 50+ room nights on peak
    • Solid 2-year history planning events
    • Event must be able to rotate nationally
  • Specialty
    • Planners of SMERF (Social, Military, Educational, and Fraternal) events
    • 50+ room nights on peak
    • Solid 2-year history planning events
    • Event must be able to rotate nationally
  • Sports
    • 50+ room nights on peak
    • Solid 2-year history planning events
    • Event must be able to rotate nationally
    • Women in Sports Tourism Forum
  • BizBash
    • Must be a decision maker who is responsible for the procurement of event activations and experiences
    • Does NOT source meetings & events with hotels or CVBs
    • Third Parties and Intermediaries are not yet allowed to participate
    • If you are a Third Party/Intermediary, we encourage you to apply for the Connect track that is best suited for you