Meetings + Sports Leadership Forum 2026

Meetings + Sports Leadership Forum is Northstar Meetings Group's invitation-only gathering of meetings and sports-event industry leaders, planners and suppliers, for three days of education, networking and best-practice sharing. It is programmed by the teams behind Meetings & Conventions, Successful Meetings, Incentive and SportsTravel.

Meetings + Sports Leadership Forum 2026

Meetings + Sports Leadership Forum runs December 13–16, 2026 at the Inn at Spanish Bay in Pebble Beach, California. Northstar Meetings Group describes it as bringing together "the industry's thought leaders – planning professionals and suppliers – for three days of education, networking and sharing of best practices."

What it is

The forum is programmed by the teams behind Northstar's Meetings & Conventions, Successful Meetings, Incentive and SportsTravel brands, so it covers both the meetings industry and the sports-event and sports-tourism business. Northstar launched a separate SportsTravel Leadership Forum in 2025 to run alongside its meetings-industry Leadership Forum; for 2026 it lists this single combined forum.

Who it is for

• C-suite executives in the hospitality industry
• Association executives
• Destination marketing organizations and tourism boards
• Corporate sponsors and partners

How to attend

It is invitation-only. Event professionals are invited through a supplier or by Northstar directly, and all qualified buyers are fully hosted, including an airfare allowance, accommodation, meals and planned activities.

The programme mixes panel discussions with resort activities such as spa, golf and bike tours. Last year's panelists included the CEO of the U.S. Travel Association and the race director of the New York City Marathon.