25 Years of The Summit: Why This Milestone Matters

Twenty-five years is a long time for anything to stay relevant.

In hospitality, tourism, and events, it means even more. This is an industry that does not sit still. Trends change. Buyer behavior changes. Technology changes. The way people connect, sell, learn, and build relationships keeps evolving too. That is part of why I am proud of what The Summit has become over the last 25 years.

On Tuesday, April 28, The Summit Chicago returns to the West Loop for its 25th anniversary, bringing together more than 1,100 industry leaders and 100+ exhibitors.

What makes that milestone matter is not just longevity. It is usefulness and efficiency.

The Summit has lasted because it has continued to bring value to the people and businesses in the room. At its best, it has never been just another event on the calendar. It has been a place where people come to make connections, discover opportunities, buy, sell, learn what is changing, and move business forward.

And that is a big reason why the marketplace side of The Summit matters so much.

For 25 years, it has brought buyers and sellers — event planners, hotel teams, concierges, tourism professionals, media, social media influencers, venues, attractions, service providers, and business leaders — together to one place. That mix is what gives The Summit its energy.

One of the things I love most about The Summit is seeing a company show up with a product, service, or idea they believe in, and then watching them connect with buyers who are actively looking for something new. That is when The Summit gets exciting. It is not just people walking a trade show floor. It is people discovering opportunities, solving problems, starting relationships, and finding the right fit at the right time. For 25 years, that buyer-seller connection has been one of the things that gives The Summit real value.

A lot of events promise networking. A lot promise education. A lot promise visibility. What has helped The Summit endure is that it keeps bringing those things together in a way that feels useful. People learn something helpful, meet someone valuable, spot an opening, and leave with momentum. That is the kind of event people come back to.

And honestly, when the world tilts sideways, that role becomes even more important.

Over the last 25 years, our industry has been through moments when people badly needed to talk to each other, compare notes, hear what others were seeing, and figure out what comes next. That was true after 9/11. It was true during the pandemic. And it feels true again now, with global instability, travel disruption, and economic uncertainty creating new questions for hospitality, tourism, and events businesses. In moments like this, gathering matters even more. It is not just about leads or exposure. It is about people in the industry learning from each other, sharing ideas, comparing what is working, and reminding ourselves that none of us has to figure it all out alone.

It is also important to say this: this milestone does not belong only to Ateema.

It belongs to the community that has shown up, supported it, attended it, exhibited, sponsored it, spoken at it, voted in it, networked through it, and helped shape what The Summit is today. One of my favorite things about this event has always been the mix in the room. Buyers and sellers. Veterans and newcomers. Big brands and smaller businesses. People looking for answers and people ready to offer them. That mix is what gives the event its staying power.

And yes, there is a pride factor to this year too.

Chicago’s hospitality, tourism, and events industries are filled with people who work hard, adapt fast, and care deeply about what they do. That pride and hard work are a big part of what helps make Chicago a world-class destination for tourism and events. The Summit has always tried to reflect that spirit. It is a place to do business, yes, but it is also a place to reconnect with the energy of the industry, see what is possible, and be reminded that you are part of something bigger than your own inbox, sales goals, or day-to-day fires.

Also, let’s be honest: this industry deserves a little fun.

For 25 years, the energy at The Summit has been legendary. There is real business value in the education, networking, trade show, and connections, but there is also something else that happens when the industry gets together in one room. You bump into people you have not seen in a while. You have conversations you did not know you needed. You get fresh ideas. You laugh a little. You leave recharged.

This year’s event is built for that:

• It is built for people who want ideas.

• It is built for people who want connections.

• It is built for people who want visibility.

• It is built for people who want to sell.

• It is built for people who want to buy.

  
  

And it is built for an industry that does its best work when the right people get in the right room.

So when I think about 25 years, yes, I feel proud.

But more than that, I feel grateful.

Grateful to the businesses that have believed in the event. Grateful to the attendees who have made time for it year after year. Grateful to the sponsors, exhibitors, speakers, partners, voters, and team members who have helped it grow. And grateful that, 25 years in, The Summit still has the ability to bring the right people together in a way that matters.

That is worth celebrating. And it is worth building on.

Because this milestone is not just about where The Summit has been. It is about where our industry is going next, together.

Cheers to 25 years!