Connect Winter Marketplace 2026
Event Date
November 18–20, 2026
Location
West Palm Beach, FL
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryConnect Winter Marketplace is a business-to-business event for the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) industry, built around a reverse-style trade show format. Rather than a traditional exhibit floor, the show centers on curated one-on-one appointments that pair event buyers with destinations, hotels, venues, and hospitality suppliers for focused, pre-scheduled meetings.
The event brings together corporate and association meeting and event professionals, with a particular focus on planners from the New York and Washington, D.C./DMV regions, alongside suppliers and vendors from across the country. Attendees include hosted buyers, non-hosted buyers, and suppliers who source and sell event services.
Over three days, participants take part in scheduled marketplace appointments, high-impact networking functions, and educational sessions featuring case studies, panels, and keynotes from industry leaders. It is worth attending for planners who want to efficiently source vendors and for suppliers seeking direct access to decision-makers with real purchasing power, all set in the Florida sunshine.
Show Highlights
- One-on-One Meetings: Signature pre-scheduled appointments connect event professionals and decision-makers face-to-face. Hosted buyers receive up to 45 marketplace appointments, and suppliers are guaranteed up to 40 appointments with qualified buyers.
- Cutting-Edge Education: 4+ hours of educational content, including case studies, panels, and keynotes delivered by top event-industry performers and thought leaders.
- High-Impact Networking: Diverse networking formats and immersive experiences designed to build lasting business relationships across all career levels.
- Regional Focus: Programming tailored to Association and Corporate event buyers and suppliers from the DMV and New York regions.
Registration
Registration is handled online through the show's registration portal, with separate paths for buyers and suppliers.
- Hosted Buyer: For qualified meeting and event professionals who source vendors. Includes 3-day event access, entrance to networking events, 4+ hours of education, and up to 45 marketplace appointments. Travel and hotel accommodations are covered for those who qualify.
- Supplier: For companies selling into the conference, trade show, meetings, and sports industries. Includes 3-day access, networking events, education, and up to 40 guaranteed marketplace appointments with hosted buyers.
- Buyer Power Pass (Non-Hosted Buyer): Provides 3-day event access, networking events, and 4+ hours of education without the commitment of one-on-one appointments.
Suppliers should note the hotel room block closes October 27. Register via the buyer or supplier links on the official website.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is Connect Winter Marketplace 2026?
The event takes place November 18-20, 2026 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, located at 650 Okeechobee Boulevard in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Who should attend Connect Winter Marketplace?
It is designed for corporate and association meeting and event professionals, especially buyers from the New York and Washington, D.C./DMV regions, along with destinations, hotels, venues, and hospitality suppliers who serve the events industry.
How does the show format work?
It uses a reverse-style trade show format centered on pre-scheduled one-on-one appointments. Hosted buyers receive up to 45 appointments and suppliers are guaranteed up to 40 appointments, complemented by networking events and educational sessions.
How do I register and what pass types are available?
Registration is online via the official website, with three options: Hosted Buyer (travel and hotel covered for those who qualify, with one-on-one appointments), Supplier (guaranteed appointments with buyers), and the Buyer Power Pass for non-hosted buyers who want access without scheduled appointments.
What hotels and parking are available near the venue?
The Hilton West Palm Beach is connected directly to the convention center, and the West Palm Beach Marriott is about a quarter mile away. The venue has an 8-story parking garage with roughly 2,000 self-parking spaces at $2 per hour, capped at $30 per 24 hours, and it accepts cashless payment only.
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