Another year, another incredible Connect Marketplace in the books! Sara and Shannon from the team headed up to Tampa for a few jam-packed days of appointments, floor-walking, and let's be honest, a little too much fun. Here's our recap of everything we saw, experienced, and learned.
Back-to-Back Appointments and Floor Time
Between running appointments and walking the floor, our team covered a lot of ground. It was the perfect mix of meeting brand-new businesses we hadn't crossed paths with before, catching up with current partners, and our favorite part of reconnecting with some of our favorite people in the industry as peers. If you stopped by our table or grabbed us in the hallway, thank you for making the trip worth it.
The Activations Were On Another Level
This year's show floor brought some genuinely cool activations, but let's address the obvious: the puppies. We will never, ever get over the puppies, and yes, Shannon actually considered smuggling one home. If you're reading this and you're the one responsible for bringing dogs to a business conference, we salute you and we will be back next year. Aside from the pups, there were insightful seminars going on every 30 min, interactive talk show games like the price is right, craft coffee stations everywhere and so much more!
Sports Track: Watching the Next Big Thing Grow
We register to the sports track, and this year didn't disappoint. It's amazing to watch how far some of these up-and-coming sports have come, and to hear directly from the organizations about what they actually need from partners like us. Add in some great conversations with hoteliers, and it's easy to see why this track is a can't-miss for us every year.
Lunch at The Pearl, Courtesy of PlayBook 365
A huge thank-you to our partner Playbook 365 for hosting an unforgettable lunch at The Pearl in Tampa. The food, the company, the vibe, all of it. Ten out of ten would absolutely recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting!
The Real MVP of Connect 2026: Coffee
Every year has its "it" treat, and this year it wasn't ice cream or the usual bar… it was craft coffee. Quality lattes were everywhere, with booth after booth showing off serious skill behind the espresso machine. Apparently we're not the only ones who love a good latte, because the lines told the story all week.
Channelside Views and a Welcome Party to Remember
We couldn't have asked for a better home base, staying right in Channelside for the week. The welcome party kicked things off in style, and the whole trip wrapped up with a high-energy set from DJ duo Two Friends. A great way to close out a great show.
Until Next Year
Between the appointments, the conversations, the sports track insights, and yes, the puppies, this was one of our favorite Connect Marketplace shows yet. We're already looking forward to seeing where all these new connections lead, so if we met you in Tampa, don't be a stranger. Reach out and let's keep the conversation going.