Exploring the 25 Premier Destinations for Business Travelers

Who doesn’t love a break from the office grind, especially when it means exploring a new city, shopping for unique local items, and making business connections? But let’s be real, not all cities are equal when it comes to business travel. So, here’s a list of 25 top business travel destinations for 2016, considering travel costs, industrial presence, and cultural opportunities.

1. Chicago: This Midwest hub is a powerhouse of tech, finance, and media industries. Plus, it’s a vibrant tourist spot with world-class architecture, a thriving arts scene, and renowned sports teams.

2. San Francisco: If you’re in tech, you’ll likely find yourself in this creative and forward-thinking city. It’s home to global corporate giants and offers a range of attractions from Alcatraz to the Golden Gate Bridge.

3. New York: A global business hub, New York is home to powerful financial institutions, media corporations, and communications agencies. It’s also a cultural hotspot with world-class museums, Central Park, and Broadway.

4. Philadelphia: A rising star in bio-science, Philadelphia is also a national base for tourism and financial services. It’s rich in history and offers contemporary attractions like the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

5. Rio de Janeiro: This iconic city is not just about sexy beaches and outrageous parties. It’s home to large corporations and is Brazil’s hub for media, communications, and higher education.

6. Phoenix: A rising star on the national conference circuit, Phoenix boasts a strong tech industry, rich art scene, and fantastic outdoor activities.

7. London: As Europe’s financial epicenter, London offers unrivaled access to global multinationals. It’s also a top travel destination with royal architecture, precious art museums, cosmopolitan cuisine, and brilliant nightlife.

8. Toronto: Canada’s biggest city is a center for financial services and manufacturing. It also offers some of the best shopping on the planet and the tallest free-standing structure in the west, the CN Tower.

9. Mexico City: A global leader in consumer products and pharmaceuticals, Mexico City also offers a rich and tumultuous history with a range of jaw-dropping sites.

10. Salt Lake City: A dream destination for business travelers who love nature. It’s a leading business destination for technology, computing, and outdoor retail, and offers skiing, hiking, and other outdoor adventures.

11. Dublin: Hip, chic, and historical, Dublin hosts top travel, tech, and social media conferences. It’s also a city of charming Georgian streets, quirky cafes, and rowdy pubs.

12. Louisville: More than just the Kentucky Derby, Louisville is one of America’s top healthcare hubs. It also offers never-ending firework displays, agricultural events, charming eateries, and nightlife.

13. Cancun: Known as a party spot, Cancun is evolving into a top business travel destination with world-class hotels and conference spaces. Plus, it offers fun-in-the-sun and nearby Mayan ruins.

14. Singapore: Southeast Asia’s economic powerhouse, Singapore harbors the best business growth environment on the planet, and is a major financial capital.

15. Las Vegas: Known for its decadent casinos and over-the-top shows, Las Vegas is also one of America’s top conference capitals.

16. São Paulo: Brazil’s largest city and one of South America’s most influential financial districts. It’s home to some of Brazil’s finest cosmopolitan cuisine, liveliest taverns, and most exotic nightlife.

17. Frankfurt: Europe’s top aviation hub and largest financial center. Frankfurt is one of Germany’s most cosmopolitan cities, boasting over 200 nationalities.

18. Portland: One of America’s most environmentally-friendly cities, Portland is a major hub for renewable energy companies, higher education, and scientific research.

19. Brussels: The epicenter of Europe, Brussels hosts the European Union parliament and some of the continent’s finest art collections. It also boasts a diverse music scene.

20. Istanbul: A meeting point for geographically isolated corporate partners, Istanbul offers Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman ruins, and dynamic and forward-thinking restaurants.

21. Madrid: Spain’s business capital, housing bases for some 90 percent of all Spanish companies. Madrid is a quintessentially Spanish city with a contemporary twist.

22. Gold Coast: One of Australia’s fastest growing cities, the Gold Coast is a highly competitive business center and a traveler’s paradise.

23. Denver: Home to a range of rapidly growing technology and communications companies, Denver also hosts the country’s second-largest performing arts center and a thriving music scene.

24. West Palm Beach: Hosting one of America’s top up-and-coming tech scenes, West Palm Beach offers a diverse range of events that make for fantastic marketing and networking opportunities.

25. Paris: Home to one of the globe’s highest concentrations of corporate behemoths, Paris is also a city of quaint cobbled streets, bustling markets, and ancient monuments.