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Read More Articles by Taylor Smith

Profile picture for user Taylor Smith
Taylor Smith
Content Manager, Destinations

Taylor Smith serves as content manager, destinations for Meetings Today, where she leads coverage of global meetings destinations as well as the production of the biannual online magazine Incentives Today. She is also author of “The Z: Planning for the Industry’s Next Generation,” an award-winning column examining how Gen Z is influencing the future of meetings, events and workplace culture.

 

Recognized as one of Eventex’s 100 Most Influential People in the Events Industry (2024) and 50 Most Influential People in the U.S. & Canada (2025), Smith has quickly established herself as a leading voice on emerging generational shifts. In 2026, The Z earned a regional Azbee Award from the American Society of Business Publication Editors, with national honors pending.

 

In addition to her editorial work for the FOLIO: Eddies Award-winning magazine, Smith is co-host of Meetings Today’s Eventualists podcast, shedding light on the unspoken realities of a career in the events industry through authentic, raw conversations. She is also a frequent speaker, taking the stage at shows including IMEX America, MPI’s World Education Congress and SITE Global, and often appears on prominent industry podcasts and webinars.

 

Based just outside Chicago, Smith brings both professional insight and personal curiosity to her reporting, driven by a passion for the “people-people” nature of the meetings industry.

Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island Provides Authentic Group Experiences in Canada

Despite its intimate-island size, Prince Edward Island packs a mighty punch—especially for meetings groups looking for a welcoming, authentic coastal community.

Tim O'Malley welcomes attendees to 2024 Hospitality & Tourism Summit Chicago

Insights from the 23rd Annual Hospitality and Tourism Summit Chicago

The 23rd annual Hospitality & Tourism Summit Chicago (HTSC), hosted by Ateema Media & Marketing, returned to Navy Pier’s Aon Grand Ballroom April 30 and drew more than 1,300 industry professionals from across the Midwest to the Windy City. 

The Z: 6 Tips to Make Networking Less Awkward

The Z: 6 Tips to Make Networking Less Awkward

Make networking feel more natural by taking into consideration these tips and tricks from Mandi Graziano, vice president of global accounts for HPN Global, the next time you’re in a new group of people.

Views from the Baird Center, Milwaukee

Touring the Latest and Greatest Meetings Offerings in Madison, Wisconsin Dells and Milwaukee

On a recent fam trip with Travel Wisconsin, Meetings Today’s Taylor Smith visited three cities in three days—Madison, Wisconsin Dells and Milwaukee—to see what is new and experience some of the state’s top meetings and events offerings. 

Kalahari Wisconsin Dells Waterpark

The Latest New Developments for Groups Meeting in Wisconsin Dells

Meetings Today got a sneak peek of the latest developments in Wisconsin Dells on a recent press trip with Travel Wisconsin, and here’s what we learned.

The Arch of Cabo San Lucas

Day-Trip Excursions for Groups Meeting in Coastal Mexico

From the southernmost point on the Baja California Sur peninsula to the top of the Yucatán Peninsula, opportunities for groups to see more of coastal Mexico are limitless. Here are just a few day-trip excursions and experiences for groups in Cancún, the Riviera Maya and Los Cabos.

Photo of trumpeter in red coat outside MPI WEC opening reception at Churchill Downs.

Highlights From the 2024 MPI World Education Congress in Louisville

MPI’s 2024 World Education Congress (WEC) welcomed nearly 2,000 attendees to Louisville, Kentucky, for the association’s biggest WEC since 2019. Here are some highlights and numbers from the three-day event. 

Headshot of Jessie States.

Live From Louisville: MPI Academy's Jessie States on Efforts in Education

Meetings Today's Taylor Smith sat down with Jessie States, vice president of MPI Academy, to discuss all things education, from planning sessions for this year's conference to what's on the horizon for MPI Academy. 

Photo of Paul Van Deventer on stage at MPI WEC 2024.

Live From Louisville: A Conversation With MPI President & CEO Paul Van Deventer

Meetings Today's Taylor Smith sat down with MPI President and CEO Paul Van Deventer to talk WEC numbers, industry trends, the rise of AI and what's next for MPI at its WEC event in Louisville, Kentucky.

 

 

 

The Z: Navigating the World of Networking With Mandi Graziano

The Z: Navigating the World of Networking With Mandi Graziano

In this Meetings Today Podcast for Taylor Smith's "The Z: Planning for the Industry's Next Generation," Smith chats with Mandi Graziano, vice president of global accounts for HPN Global, about the importance of networking in the meetings and events industry, the reality of how awkward it can be and ideas for how to make networking feel more natural. Tune in now for some tips and tricks from Graziano to keep in mind at your next networking event. 

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