Chicago, number two now, was ranked number five last year. Atlanta, now number four, was in eighth place in 2012. And Coronado didn’t even crack the top 50 last year.
In the race to attract business that can boost a city’s coffers, municipalities pour money into convention centers and work with hotels to make sure they’re top of mind with meeting planners.
Top 50 U.S. cities for conventions in 2013
1. Orlando
2. Chicago
3. Las Vegas
4. Atlanta
5. San Diego
6. New York
7. Washington
8. Dallas
9. Miami
10. Phoenix
11. San Francisco
12. New Orleans
13. Denver
14. Nashville
15. Scottsdale, Ariz.
16. San Antonio
17. Los Angeles
18. Boston
19. Houston
20. Austin
21. Philadelphia
22. Grapevine
23. Kissimmee, Fla.
24. Seattle
25. Baltimore
26. National Harbor, Md.
27. Indianapolis
28. Tampa
29. Rosemont, Ill.
30. Fort Worth
31. Minneapolis
32. Anaheim, Calif.
33. Charlotte
34. Arlington, Va.
35. St. Louis
36. Fort Lauderdale
37. Irving
38. Tucson
39. Hollywood, Fla.
40. Portland, Ore.
41. Alexandria, Va.
42. Kansas City
43. Coronado, Calif.
44. Carlsbad, Calif.
45. Columbus
46. San Jose
47. Salt Lake City
48. Long Beach
49. Schaumburg, Ill.
50. Newport Beach, Calif.