LEGENDARY EVENTS CITY GUIDE

Planning an Event in New York?

Unmatched air access. World-famous hotels, dining, and entertainment. Serious convention infrastructure. And a destination that gives attendees almost unlimited possibilities once the meetings end.

124,000

Hotel Rooms

850,000

Sq. Ft. of Exhibit Space

3 AIRPORTS

International Access

122

Meeting Rooms

500,000 SQ. FT.

CONTIGUOUS EXHIBIT SPACE

New York Event Planning Guide

LEGENDARY EVENTS CITY

New York

Why Event Planners Keep Choosing New York

New York combines serious business-event infrastructure with one of the most recognizable destination experiences in the world. Javits Center anchors Manhattan's rapidly developed West Side near Hudson Yards, while more than 120,000 hotel rooms across the city give planners an extraordinary range of lodging choices.

But New York's greatest advantage may be what happens after the meeting ends. Broadway, world-class restaurants, museums, professional sports, rooftops, nightlife, architecture, shopping, parks, and countless neighborhood experiences are already built into the destination.

For organizations that want attendees to remember not only the conference but also where the conference happened, few cities can compete with New York.

How New York Compares to Other Choices

These are the things you might be considering when choosing a location.

GETTING THERE 5/5

New York is one of the world's great transportation gateways. JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark provide extensive domestic and international air service, while Amtrak and regional rail make the city especially accessible for attendees traveling from the Northeast.

HOTEL SELECTION 5/5

New York City had approximately 124,000 active hotel rooms across the five boroughs in 2025, with thousands more in development. Options range from enormous convention hotels and international luxury properties to boutiques and more budget-conscious accommodations.

EVENT INFRASTRUCTURE 4.5/5

Las Vegas offers nearly 15 million square feet of meeting and exhibit space. The 4.6-million-square-foot Las Vegas Convention Center is joined by massive resort convention facilities at properties throughout the Strip.

DINING & ENTERTAINMENT 5/5

This is one of New York's greatest strengths. Broadway, restaurants representing cuisines from around the world, museums, sports, concerts, nightlife, observation decks, cruises, and distinctive neighborhoods give planners almost unlimited off-site possibilities.

GETTING AROUND 4.5/5

New York's subway, commuter rail, buses, taxis, and rideshares make it possible to move large numbers of attendees without relying entirely on charter transportation. The downside is congestion: cross-town trips and transfers between distant neighborhoods can take longer than the mileage suggests.

OVERALL COST 2/5

New York can deliver an extraordinary event, but it is rarely the budget choice. Hotel rates, event space, food and beverage, labor, transportation, and parking can all be expensive. The city's average hotel rate reached approximately $334 in 2025, making careful date and property selection especially important.

New York Event Venue Planning Guide

LEGENDARY VENUE PICK

Javits Center

Javits Center is New York City's primary venue for major conventions, trade shows, and large-scale exhibitions. The six-block West Side campus encompasses approximately 3.4 million square feet and offers more than 850,000 square feet of exhibit space, including more than 500,000 contiguous square feet, along with 122 flexible meeting rooms and premium special-event spaces.

Best For

Major conventions, trade shows, exhibitions, corporate conferences, and large multi-day events.

Location

Manhattan's West Side beside Hudson Yards and the Hudson River.

Standout Feature

More than 850,000 square feet of exhibit space combined with 122 meeting rooms.

Planner Advantage

The 7 subway line gives attendees plenty to explore around the convention district.

Why We Like It

Javits Center gives planners the scale required for a major New York event without removing attendees from Manhattan. The expanded campus provides huge exhibit halls, extensive breakout space, modern event venues, and sophisticated logistics while sitting beside one of Manhattan's newest neighborhoods. Hudson Yards, the High Line, restaurants, hotels, and easy subway access all help turn the convention center into a practical base for experiencing the city rather than an isolated event campus.

LEGENDARY HOTEL PICK

New York Marriott Marquis

New York Marriott Marquis places a true large-scale convention hotel directly in the middle of Times Square. The property has approximately 1,971 guest rooms and 101,000 square feet of meeting space, including 49 event rooms and major ballroom facilities capable of hosting gatherings numbering in the thousands.

1971

Guest Rooms

101,000 SQ. FT.

Meeting & Event Space

49

Event Rooms

TIMES SQUARE

In the Heart of Midtown Manhattan

New York Hotel Planning Event Guide

Why We Like It

New York Marriott Marquis gives attendees exactly the kind of New York experience many people imagine when they register for an event in the city. They step outside into Times Square, Broadway theaters, restaurants, shopping, and major subway lines while the hotel itself provides enough meeting space to operate as a substantial event venue. The 7 train also creates a convenient connection between Times Square and Hudson Yards for programs using Javits Center. For planners who want a large convention hotel surrounded by unmistakable New York energy, it is difficult to find a more recognizable headquarters.

New York Event Group Dining Guide

LEGENDARY GROUP DINING PICK

Tony's Di Napoli — Times Square

Tony's Di Napoli is built around a dining style that works particularly well for groups: oversized Southern Italian dishes served family-style for the table. Its Times Square location combines a lively New York atmosphere with private-event options and structured party packages for groups of 15 or more.

Best For

Corporate dinners, conference groups, welcome meals, team celebrations, and relaxed networking events.

Location

West 43rd Street in Times Square, between Sixth and Seventh Avenues.

Standout Feature

Large family-style platters turn dinner into a shared social experience rather than a collection of individual meals.

Planner Advantage

Private rooms, group menus, party packages, and a central Times Square location make the restaurant easy to incorporate.

Why We Like It

Tony's feels like a New York group dinner rather than another formal banquet. Large platters arrive at the table to be shared, which naturally encourages conversation and gives the evening an energetic, communal atmosphere. The Times Square location makes it easy to combine dinner with Broadway, nightlife, or another Midtown activity, while established group packages help simplify planning for larger parties. It is especially appealing when you want attendees to relax together after a structured day of meetings.

LEGENDARY EXPERIENCE PICK

Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises

Circle Line gives groups the opportunity to experience the Manhattan skyline from the water. Cruises departing from Midtown provide views of major New York landmarks including the Statue of Liberty, Hudson Yards, Lower Manhattan, and the famous skyline, with group options designed specifically for corporate outings & private events.

Best For

Conference outings, client entertainment, incentive groups, team experiences, and attendees visiting New York for the first time.

Location

Pier 83 on Manhattan's West Side, convenient to Midtown and the Javits Center area.

Standout Feature

Panoramic views of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty from the water give attendees an unmistakably New York experience.

Planner Advantage

Options range from group tickets for 15 or more to semi-private spaces for approximately 30–70 and private charter experiences.

New York Event Guide Experience

Why We Like It

Circle Line lets the destination provide the entertainment. Instead of transporting attendees from attraction to attraction, the group can relax, socialize, and watch New York's most recognizable landmarks pass around them. It works especially well for mixed-age groups because the experience requires very little walking and gives first-time visitors an efficient introduction to the city. For planners with limited free time, a skyline cruise can deliver an enormous amount of New York in a single outing.

THE CASE FOR NEW YORK

Unmatched Attendee Appeal

The destination itself can be why people are excited to attend.

Top Notch Dining & Entertainment

Broadway, restaurants, & museums make free time easy to fill.

Memorable Sense of Place

Few destinations make an event feel as recognizable.

Exceptional Air Access

Three airports make New York accessible from anywhere

Deep Hotel Selection

More than 120,000 rooms provide choices across neighborhoods.

Strong Public Transportation

Attendees can explore without as much private transportation.

VS.

THINGS TO CONSIDER

New York is Expensive

Everything adds up to create a substantial event budget.

Traffic Can be Unpredictable

Driving a short distance can take much longer than expected.

The City Can Feel Overwhelming

Crowds, noise, and the pace may not be ideal for everyone.

Neighborhood Choice Matters

An event can feel very different based on the section of town.

Winter Weather Can Disrupt

The cold and snow can affect flights & outdoor programming.

Summer Can Be Hot and Humid

July's normal Central Park high is approximately 85°F.

THE CASE FOR NEW YORK

Unmatched Attendee Appeal

The destination itself can be why people are excited to attend.

Top Notch Dining & Entertainment

Broadway, restaurants, & museums make free time easy to fill.

Memorable Sense of Place

Few destinations make an event feel as recognizable.

Exceptional Air Access

Three airports make New York accessible from anywhere

Deep Hotel Selection

More than 120,000 rooms provide choices across neighborhoods.

Strong Public Transportation

Attendees can explore without as much private transportation.

THINGS TO CONSIDER

New York is Expensive

Everything adds up to create a substantial event budget.

Traffic Can be Unpredictable

Driving a short distance can take much longer than expected.

The City Can Feel Overwhelming

Crowds, noise, and the pace may not be ideal for everyone.

Neighborhood Choice Matters

An event can feel very different based on the section of town.

Winter Weather Can Disrupt

The cold and snow can affect flights & outdoor programming.

Summer Can Be Hot and Humid

July's normal Central Park high is approximately 85°F.

IS NEW YORK RIGHT FOR YOUR EVENT?

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

You want a destination with exceptional flight and rail access for attendees coming from almost anywhere.

MEMORABLE DESTINATION

You want attendees to bond over remembering the event location as an important part of the destination experience.

ATTENDEE EXCITEMENT

You want the destination itself to generate additional interest and to help provide a reason for attending the event.

BUILT-IN EXPERIENCE

You want world-class dining, entertainment, culture, and attractions available outside scheduled meeting hours.

If these priorities sound like your event, New York deserves a place near the top of your destination list.

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