--- title: "13 Hidden Conference Gems" id: "28841" type: "post" slug: "13-hidden-conference-gems" published_at: "2015-06-08T20:18:58+00:00" modified_at: "2026-11-09T17:51:29+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2015/06/08/13-hidden-conference-gems/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2015/06/08/13-hidden-conference-gems.md" excerpt: "We’ve collected 13 relatively hidden event destinations to consider as you plan your next event." taxonomy_category: - "Meetings / Events" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "conference venues" - "event destinations" - "meeting locations" - "Meetings" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "Executive Team" - "VP" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » 13 Hidden Conference Gems In the latest issue of *Associations Now*, we looked at [three cities that are surprisingly robust meeting venues](http://associationsnow.com/2015/06/meeting-destinations-expect-unexpected/) : Pittsburgh, Reno, and Detroit. Each boasts a wide array of accommodations that rival those of popular destinations like Las Vegas, Chicago, and New York. With some help from *Cvent*‘s 2014 list of the [Top 50 Meeting Destinations in the United States (opens in a new tab)](http://www.cvent.com/rfp/2014-top-50-us-meeting-destinations-06945d34a4bb441c85408f55453e46e5.aspx) , we’ve added a few more to the list. Take a look at these 13 event destinations you may not have considered before. *For the best experience on mobile, turn your device to view in landscape mode.* ### A Few sneak peeks *[Nathan Jones/Flickr (opens in a new tab)](https://www.flickr.com/photos/nathanajones/14480263784/)* **National Harbor, Maryland:** You may not think that an area with a population of less than 4,000 could host a major association event, but National Harbor is full of surprises. Outdoorsy types can ride bikes along the Mount Vernon trail that leads across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge into Alexandria, Virginia, and continues into downtown Washington, DC. **Chandler, Arizona:** Once largely devoted to ostrich farms, the legacy of which remains with the [Chandler Chamber Ostrich Festival (opens in a new tab)](http://ostrichfestival.com/) , Chandler is now a hub for golfing and spas. With plans for future growth already in place, Chandler seeks to define itself as more than just a suburb of Phoenix. *[Prayitno/Flickr (opens in a new tab)](https://www.flickr.com/photos/prayitnophotography/7746480116/in/photolist-cNwJE1-t7RCkj-t82PFz-pACtsZ-9AxS6z-nEuyCu-pACisZ-9AxRZk-h2rjS-2b17KC-scwJB1-nGdjSi-nJjpLK-nq2B28-nq534g-nGyyXX-pGqwj7-qnSrek-nq1HYV-nq4qq4-nGgJun-nGkFEh-nJjzzn-nGwc13-nq29jG-nGyeWR-nq1oLP-an28sA-nJjb2k-nq1jHj-nJjXEz-nq3VHT-4DP7X8-4QVT8X-dYa9LY-nGewF6-nJhCHF-nGvcY8-nGxdk6-nEscs7-nq1B4J-nGmL83-nEvqHE-nq2LC1-nGw6t2-nq15C4-akC4wC-h2rsi-7JZs2o-9AAMcy)* **Coronado, California:** This locale is unique not only for its gorgeous beaches and scenic views, but also for its structure. The city is an island and tombolo, a narrow strip of land that connects it to the mainland. Linked to downtown San Diego by the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge, Coronado offers a mix of work and play, with professional events taking place downtown and leisurely networking occurring on the beaches. (06photo/ThinkStock) [Morgan Little](https://associationsnow.com/author/morgan-little/) Morgan Little is a contributor to Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/morgan-little/) Tags: [#conference venues](https://associationsnow.com/tag/conference-venues/) [#event destinations](https://associationsnow.com/tag/event-destinations/) [#meeting locations](https://associationsnow.com/tag/meeting-locations/) [#Meetings](https://associationsnow.com/tag/meetings/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [VideoNew Factors in Selecting Meeting DestinationsJanuary 5, 2024](https://associationsnow.com/2024/01/05/new-factors-in-selecting-meeting-destinations/) - [TemplateMembers onlyCode of SustainabilitySeptember 28, 2009](https://associationsnow.com/2009/09/28/code-of-sustainability/) - [ArticleThe Palm Beaches: Where Every Meeting is a MasterpieceJune 13, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/06/13/the-palm-beaches-where-every-meeting-is-a-masterpiece/) - [ArticleWhere Innovation and Inspiration MeetMay 15, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/05/15/where-innovation-and-inspiration-meet/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2015%2F06%2F08%2F13-hidden-conference-gems%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !