Taylor Smith | Meetings Today

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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.

Papel picado banners in San José del Cabo

Hospitality and Heart Make Los Cabos, Mexico, a Tried-and-True Incentive Destination

Ahead of our Meetings Today LIVE! Corporate/Incentive event in October, destinations editor Taylor Smith had a chance to experience the hotels, activities and culture that makes Los Cabos a popular choice for incentive travel programs.

White Spaces, Unscheduled Gaps Give Attendees Breathing Room

Intentionally designed gaps in event itineraries can encourage well-being and connection.

Meetings Today LIVE! Corporate/Incentive attendees at the Welcome Reception on Sunday at Le Blanc Spa Resort Los Cabos' Wind Terrace.

Meetings Today LIVE! Corporate/Incentive Showcases Los Cabos Luxury

Nearly 80 attendees traveled to Los Cabos, Mexico, for the Meetings Today LIVE! Corporate/Incentive hosted-buyer event October 19-22, experiencing firsthand what makes Los Cabos a luxurious destination for corporate meeting and incentive groups.

A man plays the trumpet at The Blue Room in Kansas City

5 Kansas City Jazz Clubs That Will Take Groups Back in Time

The only U.S. city designated as a UNESCO City of Music, Kansas City, Missouri, has a musical history rooted in the American jazz music scene. These five jazz clubs keep the scene alive for groups.

SITE's Padraic Gilligan Talks Key Findings from the 2025 Incentive Travel Index

On this Meetings Today podcast, Taylor Smith tapped Padraic Gilligan, SITE's head of research and consultancy, to get his quick, 15-minute snapshot of the 2025 ITI and the key takeaways today's incentive travel professionals need to know.

Hyatt Leaders Discuss Shifting Business Travel Trends and Meetings Outlook for 2026

Meetings Today's Taylor Smith sat down with Hyatt's Trina Camacho-London, vice president of group sales, and Christina Gambini, vice president of global sales, to talk business travel trends and how they've shifted since the first half of the year.

United States Naval Academy, in Annapolis, Maryland

Maryland’s Major Meetings Destinations Are Set for Success

Here’s a look at what’s new and what's to come in Annapolis, Baltimore and Ocean City, Maryland.

The Z: How Sports, Music and Traditional Shared Experiences Bring Us All Together

Traditional shared experiences centered around core values create community, are rooted in emotional connection and offer a sense of belonging beyond cultural and social boundaries—designed for the biggest, most diverse of crowds to leave feeling united and uplifted.

Mickey's Toontown at Disneyland Park. Credit: Disney.

Excite and Enchant With Private Event Venues and After-Hours Land Buyouts at Disneyland Resort in California

Whether you’re looking to host an onsite, multiday event for 1,000-plus attendees or simply want a special evening somewhere that sparkles, Disneyland Resort’s private event venues and after-hours land buyout options are unparalleled and unforgettable.

LinkedIn Expert Richard Bliss Talks Online Presence, Algorithms and His New Column

Taylor Smith sits down with Richard Bliss, a LinkedIn Top Voices Influencer and 2025 Meetings Trendsetter, in this Meetings Today Podcast to understand how he helps executives and meeting planners master modern communication tools for strategic business advantage, specifically through LinkedIn.