The age-old concern of how to keep the whole family entertained and happy on vacation also rings true for bringing kids and spouses along to a conference. It’s the solution that is ever-changing. We checked in with four industry experts who have first-hand experience with groups that welcome kids and spouses for their strategies to ensure successful family-friendly meetings based on today’s trends.

Yes, cageless shark diving is a thing. As is moonlight ziplining and skateboarding on water, aka flyboarding. All around North America, the variety of coastal adventures available to groups offers intriguing diversions from the confines of a meeting room.

After finding herself tasked with planning a portion of the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers' 2018 Annual Member Meeting, Jill A. Notini turned to Lulubelle Animal Rescue and brought in some adorable puppies!

Just planning and executing meetings is deserving of a medal in many cases, but there are some in our industry who truly go above and beyond to set the bar higher. Following are 20 professionals—selected by polling our readers, consulting with past Meetings Trendsetters and our editors and contributors, and reaching out to others in the industry—who have taken a leading role in the last year.

Now more than ever, people want to be immersed in destinations and have a sense of well-being when they visit. When it comes to incentives at resorts, the same holds true. Authentic experiences, locally inspired food and design, and plenty of wellness options are high in demand, according to five industry experts we contacted to get their take on 2018 market trends.

Urban districts are heating up in a multitude of places around the country. We asked meeting planners for input on what cities they think are up-and-coming and why the locations are trending nowadays.

Conventions are becoming increasingly savvy when it comes to CSR initiatives, and MPI’s 2018 World Education Congress (WEC), held June 2-5, 2018, in Indianapolis, was no exception. Visit Indy and MPI incorporated a wealth of unique initiatives into the program to support local charities and help create a model and methodology by which future meetings all over the world can emulate.

One of the best ways for planners to incorporate wellness into meetings is by gifting attendees with health-conscious amenities during the agenda. From essential oils to bath products to nutritious cookbooks, the choices nowadays are endless. Following are four great options.

Port Aransas and Mustang Island (Texas), San Antonio, St. Louis, Richmond, Virginia, and Providence, Rhode Island, are boosting their branding and group appeal through culinary programming.

Unique, booze-infused venues, including traditional bars, speakeasies and distilleries, await groups that would like to toast over delicious handcrafted cocktails after a meeting. Across the country, group-friendly destinations feature standout bar settings with inviting decor, ranging from rustic to industrial, and menus starring world-class wines, microbrews and exquisite specialty mixed drinks.