Meeting Planner Appreciation Month launches with Caesars, Prevue backing

A new global observance started Aug. 31 and runs through September to recognize meeting and incentive planners for their role in connecting people, supporting organizations and driving local economies. Prevue Meetings + Incentives and Caesars Entertainment Meetings & Events are leading the effort with support from destinations, hotels and industry partners.

Why it matters: - Meeting planners shape attendee experiences, business outcomes and economic activity in destinations around the world. - The new observance gives the meetings, incentives, conventions, exhibitions, hospitality, travel and tourism sectors a shared campaign to show appreciation. - Organizers want to turn recognition into a recurring annual tradition.

What happened: - Meeting Planner Appreciation Month began Aug. 31 and runs throughout September. - Prevue Meetings + Incentives, published by Worth International Media, spearheaded the initiative with presenting sponsor Caesars Entertainment Meetings & Events. - The campaign was announced in Miami and formally unveiled in August during The Next-Gen Experience Summit at Caesars New Orleans. - The industry is being urged to use the hashtag #ThankAPlanner and participate throughout September.

The details: - Gold sponsors include Visit Orlando, Hilton Incentive Collaborative and New Orleans & Company. - Silver sponsors include Riverside Luxury Cruises, Meliá Hotels International and Destination DC. - Supporting partners include SITE Florida & Caribbean and TUMI. - Planned activations include thank-you videos, planner recognition opportunities, the inaugural Meeting Planner Appreciation Month Yearbook, giveaways and voting for Prevue’s 2026 Planner of the Year. - Prevue’s 2026 Planner of the Year will be announced at IMEX America in October. - The campaign website offers participation ideas, downloadable materials and social media resources: More information. - Participants are encouraged to share how they are celebrating using #ThankAPlanner. - Prevue is marking nearly two decades as a resource for meeting and incentive professionals with destination insights, news, education, research, thought leadership and live experiences. - Caesars Entertainment says its meetings and events team gives planners access to more than 50 properties, more than 2.1 million square feet of meeting space and more than 50,000 guest rooms under one call or email. - Caesars Rewards Meeting Diamond Program offers elite perks, rewards and privileges. - CaesarsEntertainment’s meeting and event business also allows planners to mix and match properties and venues within a destination under a single contract and minimum.

Between the lines: - The launch gives suppliers, destinations and planners a low-friction way to promote the value of meetings work across social channels and live events. - The yearbook, giveaways and awards voting add participation hooks that can help the observance spread beyond a single announcement. - By positioning the month as inaugural, the organizers are signaling an intent to build an annual industry ritual rather than a one-time campaign.

What's next: - Industry organizations are expected to recognize planners, host appreciation events, offer professional development, spotlight teams and share planner stories throughout September. - The first observance will culminate in the announcement of Prevue’s 2026 Planner of the Year at IMEX America in October. - Organizers are asking the global industry to help make the first year the model for future Septembers.

The bottom line: - Meeting Planner Appreciation Month gives the meetings industry a single, public moment to celebrate the professionals who help power events, relationships and destination economies.