Connect Will Launch Signature Conference In Puerto Rico Next Spring

September 13, 2021

Meetings, events, travel and tourism industry leader, Connect is gearing up to launch a second signature conference next year. Set for May 22-24, 2022 at the Puerto Rico Convention Center, Connect Puerto Rico will host more than 2,000 meeting and event professionals at a multi-track event designed to serve as a hub for networking and business development for corporate, association and sports planners. Connect will host a second large-scale conference in Detroit, Aug. 8-10.

The 2022 plans come on the heels of Connect’s successful 2021 marketplace in Tampa, Fla. Held Aug. 30-Sept. 1 at the Tampa Convention Center, Connect Tampa hosted roughly 2,500 corporate, association, sports and specialty event professionals. The event included a vibrant trade show with more than 100 booths, as well as featured keynote speakers such as world champion gymnast Simone Biles and storied former NFL wide receiver Jerry Rice to the delight of those in attendance.  

Connect Puerto Rico will bear all the hallmarks of the company’s industry-leading conferences, including reverse-style one-on-one appointments and a bustling trade show. It will also serve as a destination showcase for the island of Puerto Rico, which recently completed Distrito T-Mobile, San Juan’s premier entertainment center offering a mix of hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues and retail stores just steps from the convention center. 

Connect Tampa

“Connect is very excited to go to Puerto Rico next year,” said Connect President Chris Collinson. “It’s always been a great destination to bring events, but the addition of the Distrito T-Mobile takes it to a whole new level. We look forward to working together with Discover Puerto Rico to put on a great conference for 2,000 members of the best event professionals in the industry.” 

With goals to generate more than 35,000 one-on-one, private and preset business appointments between meeting and hospitality professionals, Connect Puerto Rico will be home to some of Connect’s extensive repertoire of education and events, with specific tracks to include: 

 

  • Corporate: Financial, Insurance, Technology
  • Association
  • Diversity
  • Sports, including Sports LGBTQ Summit and Women in Sports Forum
  • Luxury and Incentive
  • Citywide

In addition to hosting the conference, Discover Puerto Rico will surely be pulling out all the stops to create a memorable experience for planners, with pre- and post-event FAM trips in the planning stages that will provide event professionals with a full experience of the island, where natural beauty and attractions abound. 

“This event will further elevate Puerto Rico as a world-class meetings destination and accelerate the recovery of our island by hosting key buyers and demonstrating the spectacular and one-of-a-kind experiences that Puerto Rico has to offer,” said Brad Dean, CEO of Discover Puerto Rico.  

Encouraged by the Tampa conference’s showing and positive attendee feedback, Connect hopes to build off this momentum with its 2022 conferences, which include Connect Detroit. Set for Aug. 8-10 at TCF Center and occupying the traditional time frame that Connect attendees are accustomed to, the annual large-scale signature event is also expected to attract thousands of event professionals from across North America. 

“If attendees liked 2021, they’re going to love 2022,” said Patrick Higgins, senior vice president of industry relations for Connect Meetings. “We’ve already gone to work on how we’re going to plan and put together the trade show floor. [At Connect Tampa] the trade show floor was a huge hitnobody left that floor after their appointments, everybody stuck around, they gathered, they played, they ate together. We have some really fun stuff planned for next year!”

 

Don’t miss any event-related news: Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter HERE and engage with us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram!

Comments

Submitted by Edie I. Leibman, CIS (not verified) on Tue, 09/21/2021 - 13:16

Had to miss Tampa- heard it was over the top. Looking forward to more of the same. Good Luck! Edie

Add new comment

Partner Voices
One of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip just got an upgrade. Mandalay Bay has everything that your business needs from a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, to an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're looking for a venue that's both inviting and innovative, you have to be here. New Wave Experiences Mandalay Bay continues to invest in a new wave of enhancements both in the convention space and within the resort as a whole. New restaurant openings including Orla by Michael Mina, drawing inspiration from the award-winning chef’s childhood in Egypt and with flavors and décor inspired by the spices found in markets common to coastal Mediterranean towns, as well as Caramá by Wolfgang Puck, bringing the essence of Italy and spirit of Wolfgang into one concept, are recent additions. The Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas also experienced a recent remodel of all 424 rooms. Swingers, a high-end, adults-only golf and entertainment concept will debut in Fall 2024. Enhanced Technology Creating a truly effective conference venue requires careful thought into what a business needs: the right technology, capacity, and inspiration to bring ideas to the next level. As part of the resort’s refresh, Mandalay Bay implemented state-of-the-art technology upgrades, installing cutting-edge Cat6A Ethernet cabling throughout the convention center. This advancement doubles the frequency of data transmission, enabling lightning-fast speeds up to 9400% faster. The convention center now boasts 11 dynamic digital walls, spanning up to 24' x 13', strategically positioned for brand placements, sponsorships and targeted event messaging. Additionally, attendees can benefit from 20 double-sided 55" mobile flexible display units, facilitating effortless navigation to meeting rooms and events. RFID locks were installed on all meeting room doors, and over 200 motion detection cameras have been placed throughout the space. Refreshing New Design & Fine Art The newly remodeled convention space provides a bright and vibrant atmosphere that complements Mandalay Bay's tropical-inspired brand. Featuring white-washed walls and ceilings adorned with bold floral patterns in cerulean and coral tones, the space is complemented by warm walnut accent walls. In addition to the redesign of all pre-function spaces, meeting rooms and ballrooms, Mandalay Bay's 1 million square feet of exhibit space has undergone a rejuvenation, including new paint, covered pillars and relocated strobe lights. Sustainable Spectacles Mandalay Bay is committed to Focused on What Matters and creating more responsible meetings. Refillable water stations all available around the resort, cutting unnecessary plastic usage from single-use bottles. The Mandalay Bay campus’ recent upgrades represent a bold step forward in redefining the Las Vegas experience. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and unparalleled service, Mandalay Bay sets a new standard for excellence in business hospitality. Whether you're seeking cutting-edge conference facilities, world-class dining options, or simply a luxurious retreat, an unparalleled meeting experience awaits.