Hosted Buyer Experience

Connect is renowned throughout the events industry for its reverse-style trade shows that place the emphasis on the planner. Our Hosted Buyer Experience team thoroughly vets meeting planners in all market sectors (Association, Corporate, Faith, Sports, Citywides, etc.) to participate in events held throughout the year and across the country. Connect covers travel, lodging and registration costs to hosted buyers, provided they attend all of their pre-scheduled appointments. You are the guests of honors—the individuals who sales representatives from hotels, convention centers, meeting facilities and other service providers are eager to meet.

How it Works

Cost

Nothing. You will initially pay a $99-$250 deposit that is fully refunded as long as you participate in all of your pre-selected 6-minutes appointments during Connect events.

Criteria

Each Connect event has unique criteria that must be met in order to qualify as a Hosted Buyer.  In general, you must be organizing a meeting or event with the ability to move locations and have at least 50 room nights.

Connections

Connect collects your information and preferences to select only suppliers with the ability to meet your event’s demands. As a reverse-style trade show, planners remain seated at a booth and suppliers come to meet with them.

 

Creativity

As attendees of Connect shows, hosted buyers have access to the best education in the
industry. Discover trends and innovations to better execute meetings and events

 

Complete Hosted Buyer Criteria

EVENTS WE ARE ACTIVELY RECRUITING FOR

Connect West

Connect West
Nov. 9-10, 2022
San Francisco
Do I qualify?

 

Connect Texas

Connect Texas
Nov. 14-16, 2022
El Paso, Texas
Do I qualify?

 

Connect DC

Connect Winter Marketplace
Nov. 28-29, 2022
Washington, D.C.
Do I qualify?

Connect Midwest

Connect Midwest
Jan. 30-Feb. 1, 2023
Peoria, Ill.
Do I qualify?

 

Connect Spring 2023

Connect Spring Marketplace
April 11-13
Las Vegas
Do I qualify?

 

Connect Marketplace

Connect Marketplace
Aug. 22-24, 2023
Minneapolis
Do I qualify?

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I qualify as a hosted buyer?

  • Each Connect event has unique criteria that must be met in order to qualify as a Hosted Buyer. Most events require the ability to rotate nationally and have at least 50 room nights on peak Click here.

What is expected from me as a hosted buyer?

  • Once approved as a hosted buyer, approximately two weeks prior to the event, you’ll be asked to enter the event portal and make appointment requests with your choice of CVBs, hotels, resorts and service providers. Shortly after that, we’ll finalize your appointment schedule and you’ll be provided with a schedule of pre-set appointments.  Please come to the event with business in hand, keep your appointments with Suppliers, and stay for the complete show schedule.

How much does it cost?

  • When you apply for a Connect event, you’ll be asked to place a registration deposit (typically between $99 – $200, depending on the show that you registered for). If approved, we’ll provide your flight, hotel accommodations, and your registration fee is covered as well.  Upon the successful completion of your pre-scheduled 1-on-1 appointments, your registration fee will be returned to you.

How do I apply?

  • Please review the hosted buyer criteria of the Connect event that you are interested in attending prior to completing your application. Click the registration link and make sure that you select “hosted buyer” on your application. 

I've applied - what happens now?

  • The Connect Hosted Buyer Experience Team will review your application and pay particular attention to your ability to meet the required criteria for the event which you have applied to attend. Planners that have business that is actively being sourced take priority.  Please allow us 3 business days to review your application.  Some intermediaries / Third Parties may be asked to ask a Supplier with whom they have recently worked with to complete a Connect Trusted Planner Verification Form prior to their application being approved.

Can I invite my fellow meeting planners to attend?

  • Yes! Connect is better with friends! We have special promotions and incentives for referrals.  Please contact our referral specialist, Jessica Warren, at [email protected] for more information.

CONTACT US!

If you have any questions about our Hosted Buyer Experience please reach out [email protected].

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

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

Connect West
Nov. 9-10, San Francisco

  • Must be physically located in California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and/or New Mexico
  • Must generate 50+ rooms on peak
  • Must have the ability to rotate nationally

Connect Winter Marketplace
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. 13-15, 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
Oct. 3-5, Little Rock, Arkansas

  • Must plan faith-based meetings & events
  • 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