Nearly seven in 10 business travelers are planning to turn work trips into longer getaways, with 67% saying they are likely to extend a business trip or bring family before or after attending a meeting or conference, according to a study of more than 2,000 meeting attendees, planners and third-party meeting professionals in the U.S. and Canada released by Atlantis Paradise Island.
The research also points to sustained strength in the meetings industry. Three quarters of respondents said they attended a meeting, conference, awards program or other business event during the past year, while more than 92% expect to travel for meetings at least twice in 2026. Nearly four in 10 anticipate taking four or more business trips.
Among those extending their trips, 65% said they would bring adult companions, followed by teens and school-age children.
Convenience remains the top priority when choosing a meeting destination. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of respondents said ease of access and direct flights are the biggest factor influencing attendance at resort-based conferences, ahead of amenities, dining and entertainment.
Destination appeal also remains important, with 74% rating it as “very” or “extremely” important. More than half (53%) cited a variety of meeting and event space as a key consideration, while 41% pointed to accommodations and amenities.
“Today’s meetings audiences are looking for destinations that make it easy to bring people together while offering the scale, flexibility and variety that modern programs require,” said Steve Silverman, SVP, group sales, Atlantis Paradise Island.
The study also found growing interest in integrated resort experiences. Seven in 10 respondents said they prefer an all-in-one resort for off-site meetings and events, while 46% said the ability to combine work and leisure is an important benefit. Respondents also ranked consistency, dedicated meetings support teams and group booking rewards ahead of sustainability initiatives as factors driving loyalty.
While demand remains strong, travel costs continue to influence planning decisions. More than sixty percent (61%) identified airfare as the biggest challenge when booking meetings in the Caribbean.
The study also examined how attendees spend their travel time. Nearly one-third (32%) said they use flights to catch up on work emails.
Respondents were also asked about popular culture and conference experiences. Nearly 38% said the television series The White Lotus best reflects their ideal work conference, while Taylor Swift was the most popular choice to headline a future conference, receiving 29% of responses.
Overall, 52% of respondents said attendance at meetings and conferences has increased compared with previous years, while another 35% reported participation has remained steady, suggesting continued momentum for the meetings and events sector.
