The Philadelphia CVB announced that Jennifer Nagle would take on the role of vice president of special projects. Nagle has over 20 years of experience in the fields of marketing, tourism, and hospitality and will play a key role in leading strategic initiatives in the PBLCVB’s upcoming plans. These plans include hosting citywide conventions, sporting events (such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2026 MLB All-Star Game) and international tourism. 

Simpleview’s Christine “Shimo” Shimasaki announced her upcoming retirement as managing director of 2Synergize, a Simpleview consulting company, and will pass the role to Simpleview’s newest strategic hire, Vail Ross. 

The Innov8 Meetings + Events team recently welcomed Lilly Gonzalez to the sales team as its new manager of global accounts. The full-service strategic meetings management company specializes in sourcing, contracting and connecting meeting planners with meeting locations and destinations. 

Marriott Bonvoy’s Renaissance Hotels brand made its debut in Portugal with the opening of Renaissance Porto Lapa Hotel, located in Lapa, one of the most historic neighborhoods in Porto. The new hotel offers an urban getaway situated near the iconic Lapa Church and city landmarks like Casa da Música and Clérigos Tower.

Nestled on South Padre Island’s shoreline along the Gulf Coast is the first Texas beachfront resort in the Margaritaville portfolio, Margaritaville Beach Resort South Padre Island. The property officially opened its doors in mid-June and offers all ocean view rooms reflecting the quintessential “laidback lifestyle” of Margaritaville resorts.

Following an extensive renovation, the highly anticipated Hyatt Regency Irvine, previously known as Hotel Irvine, will reopen this summer with stays beginning August 15. The 516-room hotel has been redesigned to embrace and move forward in a new direction for the Hyatt Regency brand, dedicated to pioneering new markets and experiences in its properties.

Marriott Bonvoy’s Tribute Portfolio made its brand debut in Montreal with the opening of HONEYROSE Hotel, Montreal, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel located in the city’s Le Quartier des Spectacles. The property takes guests back in time through vintage, Art Deco-inspired design elements that evoke an earlier era, while the core of the hotel’s design nods to honey as “a symbolic evocation of a golden gift from nature” and rose, “a French flower that signifies passion and love.”

The LEED Gold-certified Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland (HCCC) is undergoing an expansion as part of a $49 million investment. The project is set to enhance HCCC with new flexible meeting rooms, the creation of an elevated outdoor terrace and expansion of the junior ballroom to double its current size.

These are the 20 meetings and events professionals who have been named this year's 2023 Meetings Today Trendsetters.

According to Tourism Economics, Anaheim welcomed a record-breaking 24.9 million visitors in 2022, with tourism spending exceeding $15.7 billion across Orange County.