Planners and suppliers connect over intimate, impactful meetings
Rendezvous South made a big splash in Myrtle Beach, S.C., as nearly 200 event planners and suppliers gathered in the coastal destination March 2-5 for ConventionSouth Media Group’s annual conference. The 2026 event was hosted by Visit Myrtle Beach, with Embassy Suites by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Resort providing conference services and overnight accommodations.
Rendezvous South remains an in-demand conference among industry professionals, attracting 47 planners and 131 suppliers representing 65 destination teams to the 2026 event. Suppliers included representatives from some of the South’s top destinations, hotels and resorts, conference and convention centers, and event venues. This year’s conference also included a new Vendor Village, allowing planners and suppliers to learn more about Rendezvous South’s preferred vendors for furniture rentals, audiovisual and production services, and event signage and printing services.
Planners and suppliers continue to choose Rendezvous South for its boutique, appointment-based, conversational format. The exhibition-style “pods” featuring cozy lounge seating provide a relaxed setting for informal yet impactful conversations.
Tonja Taylor with Tonja Taylor Event Solutions attended Rendezvous South 2026 as a first-time planner. “From the pre-event information to the onsite experience, everything at Rendezvous South 2026 was thoughtfully organized and clearly designed to create meaningful connections between planners and suppliers,” Taylor said. “As a planner, I found the balance of structured appointments and networking opportunities incredibly valuable for holding productive conversations and building authentic relationships. These conversations provided valuable insight into new venues, hotels, and experiences that I can now consider for future programs.”
In addition to the meet-up sessions, Rendezvous South 2026 included an awards brunch recognizing ConventionSouth’s Meeting Planners to Watch and Readers’ Choice Award winners. Special guest Cameron Atlas delivered the opening luncheon keynote address, “The Edge of Possible: Unlocking Potential in a World of Rapid Change,” adding some live music for fun. The Australian native, who now lives in Austin, Texas, shared strategic tips to help planners and industry professionals embrace change as a constant, move beyond fear, and take bold, decisive steps into the unknown. “Having a vision for an event and bringing it to life is beautiful, but sometimes it requires external insights to identify where you went wrong and what you are missing,” he said, adding, “With so many moving parts and infinite tools, you have to remove the noise and focus. Get clear. Be bold. Be relentless. To achieve the extraordinary, all of these steps have to work together. Being bold and relentless won’t work without a clear vision.”
Rendezvous South also offered many opportunities for planners, suppliers, and vendors to enjoy casual conversations and connections through fun activities and networking events at some of Myrtle Beach’s top restaurants and attractions. The kick-off cocktail reception was held Monday, March 2, at the Black Drum Distillery’s Seaside Vista ballroom, located at the Embassy Suites resort, followed by the opening reception at RipTydz Oceanfront Grille & Rooftop Bar, located on the iconic Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. On Tuesday, March 3, attendees headed to Big Chill Island House at Barefoot Landing for the evening networking reception. Afterward, attendees were invited to enjoy Myrtle Beach’s local flavors during a “dine-around” of the many restaurants at Barefoot Landing. Attendees returned to Embassy Suites for after-hours Singo, a music-based Bingo game—and crowd favorite—held at Seaside Vista ballroom. For the closing reception on Wednesday evening, March 4, attendees showed off their best swings at Topgolf.
Through the evening activities, attendees experienced Myrtle Beach firsthand as an
event destination.
“Events like Rendezvous South play an important role in showcasing Myrtle Beach as a premier destination for meetings, conventions, and group travel,” said Bob Harris, executive vice president of group sales for Visit Myrtle Beach. “By welcoming influential planners and decision-makers directly to our community, we create opportunities for them to experience firsthand the world-class accommodations, venues, and hospitality that make the Grand Strand such a strong choice for future events. Visit Myrtle Beach appreciates the opportunity to welcome the Rendezvous South community to the Grand Strand and looks forward to building on the connections and momentum created during the event.”
At the end of the closing reception at Topgolf, ConventionSouth publisher John MacPherson announced Montgomery, Ala., as the host destination for Rendezvous South 2027. Aquan Robinson, senior director of destination development and convention sales for Experience Montgomery, is excited to bring Rendezvous South to Alabama’s capital city: “Rendezvous South is about relationships and discovery, and Montgomery is the kind of place where both happen naturally,” he said. “Montgomery punches way above its weight as a meetings destination. We have the infrastructure planners need, but what really sets us apart is the sense of place: the history, culture, and people. All of that creates meetings that feel meaningful, not just transactional.” Robinson adds, “Attendees can expect unforgettable experiences that only Montgomery can offer, from riverfront gatherings and whitewater adventures at Montgomery Whitewater to immersive visits at the Legacy Museum and National Memorial for Peace and Justice. Montgomery is a destination where venues have a unique story, and experiences connect people to something bigger.”
