Building business beyond bedrooms: Turning meetings into momentum

06 Oct 2026
Social Business Space
Business Solutions , Vision / Strategy , Revenue & Profit

The days of the uninspiring meeting room could be numbered. As businesses look for more flexible, characterful and convenient places to bring people together, independent hotels have a growing opportunity to rethink how their spaces are used. Yet meetings and events are still often treated as an afterthought, rather than a valuable source of revenue. Led by Shonali Devereaux, CEO of The Meetings Industry Association, this interactive session will explore the rise of smaller meetings, short-lead bookings and growing demand for more interesting, non-traditional spaces. Attendees will discuss what’s working, where the opportunities lie and how hotels can make more of the meetings market.

Presenter
Shonali Devereaux
Shonali Devereaux, CEO - The Meetings Industry Association