Travel + Leisure “World’s Best Summit”

Billed as the premier event for all things hospitality, the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Summit brought together the brightest minds in travel, hotels, luxury experiences, and dining for two days of dynamic conversation and industry-defining insights. And who better to bring this visionary event to life than Empire? As the production partner behind the summit, we transformed Dotdash Meredith’s headquarters into a high-impact stage for thought leadership, storytelling, and connection—delivering a seamless, immersive experience worthy of the World’s Best name.

To reflect the evolving landscape of travel, a simple theater was reimagined as a dynamic forum, welcoming over 300 attendees. Discussions tackled everything from sustainability and family travel to the future of air travel, the power of cultural events, and how AI and social media are reshaping the industry.

The summit kicked off with a fireside chat between T+L Editor-in-Chief Jacqui Gifford and Dotdash Meredith CEO Neil Vogel, setting the stage for thought-provoking discussions featuring panelists like Amanda Kloots (The Talk), Andy Krantz (CEO, Paravel), Paul Tumpowsky (Founder, New Yonder), and Christine Vinesse Thomas (VP, Global Brand Leader, Hyatt). Day one concluded with a vibrant cocktail reception, where we transformed the space with bold, branded visuals that brought the World’s Best Summit identity to life.

Day two kept the momentum going with panels on delivering unparalleled guest experiences, the growing importance of wellness, and the influence of social media on modern travel. Featured panelists included renowned chef and restaurateur, Daniel Boulud, and Jack Ezon (Founder and CEO, Embark Beyond), who shared their expertise on crafting exceptional hospitality experiences. The program wrapped up with an engaging and often humorous conversation between Jacqui Gifford and Bobbi Brown, who discussed her journey from cosmetics mogul to boutique hotel owner.

The summit was a true celebration of the industry’s future and was a resounding success, with attendees praising the experience as “thoughtful and special” and recognizing the T+L team for their “warm hospitality and expert planning.” We’re proud to have played a role in bringing this extraordinary gathering to life.