Visit Anaheim发布白皮书《Attraction Distraction?》解析地标景点在会议规划中的价值

Skift Take

When evaluating destinations home to iconic attractions, meeting planners face a common dilemma: How can they leverage the destination’s mass appeal without distracting from the event’s purpose? A new white paper from Visit Anaheim answers that question — not just for planners, but the C-suite team they need to convince.

Bucket-list attractions may seem like an obvious advantage for a meeting destination, but some organizations see them as a liability — a distraction that can combpete with program focus and lead to higher costs. Visit Anaheim’s new white paper, Attraction Distraction?, brings together the latest research and real-world case studies to answer this very concern. The verdict: Big-draw attractions aren’t just one of the primary reasons that attendees click the register button in the first place, but the key to ensuring that they leave the event happy with their decision.

Business and leisure are increasingly seen as two sides of the same coin. According to a 2025 survey from Navan + Skift, 55% of business travelers took at least two bleisure trips in 2024. Even more compellingly, Anaheim’s own research found that 44% of business travelers had turned down at least one work trip because it didn’t include enough leisure time at the destination. 

It’s not just about bleisure appeal, either. High-traffic attractions often mean better infrastructure and safety systems, not to mention greater access to direct flights. This year alone, Anaheim is on track to welcome over 27 million visitors — equivalent to the entire population of Australia. Few destinations have more expertise in managing both massive crowds and high-profile visitors. Drawing from this wealth of experience, Attraction Distraction? provides tips for designing programming that makes full use of these built-in destination benefits.

“The key is to think of attractions as an extension of the event experience, not a distraction from it,” explained Ronnie Collins, chief sales officer for Visit Anaheim. By leaning into readymade entertainment options, planners not only provide attendees with unforgettable experiences but save themselves time and money. “Planners don’t have to create every memorable moment from scratch, which can help reduce costs around transportation, entertainment, and elaborate off-site activations,” said Collins.

Turn Top Attractions Into Custom Event Experiences

Like many major-attraction destinations, Anaheim offers a diverse range of engaging experiences within walking distance of the convention center. “For planners, there is a real benefit to having these kinds of experiences so accessible,” explained Collins. “You can move from the business portion of the program into something immersive and memorable without adding complicated transportation or logistics.”

Many of the most popular attractions are also available for private experiences, particularly after hours — perfect timing for an evening experience at a business event. Connie Strouse, vice president of events and field marketing at Telarus, was able to incorporate both small and large-scale Disneyland Resort experiences into her conference. One was an exclusive evening VIP cocktail hour for the company’s top 10 partners, and another was an After Dark buyout of Disney’s California Adventure park for all 1,800 delegates.

If the idea of negotiating with Disneyland Resort seems intimidating, take comfort: Major-attraction DMOs typically offer support in reaching out to their most popular draws. “You can leverage Visit Anaheim for contracting and logistics arrangements,” said Strouse. Visit Anaheim not only paved the way for her partnership with Disney but also helped to secure the full buyout of a hotel within walking distance of the Anaheim Convention Center.

The best part may just be that Strouse was able to inspire a complete one-eighty from the company C-suite, who initially needed convincing even to accept a bid from Anaheim. “When we got back from that event, my executive leadership team told me to book it again. I fell out of my chair!” said Strouse. “I rarely grade myself an A for an experience, but it really was. And we got a near-perfect score from our attendees.”

Take Advantage of Seasonal Opportunities

Seasonality is another key factor to keep in mind at big-draw destinations. Tourism peaks and dips can affect hotel and airfare prices at any destination, but the fluctuations are often more extreme when an iconic attraction is involved. Just as crucially, the destination’s event calendar can be a goldmine for off-site activities. This is once again where DMO partners can provide handy guidance, allowing planners to book time-limited experiences well in advance.

As a prime example, the meeting planners who attended ConferenceDirect’s CDX 2026 got to kick off spooky season with tickets to Disneyland’s Oogie Boogie Bash — a Halloween-themed experience that is already fully sold out for 2026. “This gave attendees the opportunity to see firsthand how a seasonal attraction can become part of a meeting or event program,” said Collins. Similarly, Strouse was able to book a block of tickets at Angel Stadium so that one of her conference groups could watch a baseball game together.

Offer a Mix of Local Flavor and World-Famous Attractions

Beyond seasonal opportunities, local cultural experiences provide another way to turn a generic tourist experience into a personalized connection. “One of the things we pride ourselves on at every CDX is incorporating authentic local experiences into the program,” said J.J. Wills, senior vice president of ConferenceDirect. “What made Anaheim stand out was the depth of the destination's partnerships and the variety of experiences available to our attendees.” 

With support from Visit Anaheim, Wills offered five immersive destination experiences for CDX delegates. Those interested in a hands-on connection to SoCal’s Mexican culture could join a tortilla-making and margarita mixing workshop at Paseo restaurant, followed by a self-guided exploration of the surrounding Downtown Disney District. 

For attendees looking to sample a wide range of artisanal offerings, other options included a guided tasting experience at the Anaheim Packing House and a tour of Anaheim’s top craft breweries. Each activity reinforced a deeper sense of place through elements such as storytelling, interactive trivia, and an insider’s glimpse into authentic community spaces.

“Together, we evaluated opportunities through the lens of our attendees and selected experiences that would be the most meaningful and memorable,” added Wills. “The Visit Anaheim team was knowledgeable, creative, and highly engaged throughout the process, making them a true partner in bringing the program to life.”

Build Excitement Around Destination Momentum

At major-attraction destinations, there are countless ways to offer attendees a fresh experience — not least because their iconic status makes them a magnet for new developments. For repeat events, planners have the dual benefit of familiarity with local contacts and novelty in programming options. Even first-time visitors can tap into the excitement by being among the first to preview projects in development.

“Many CDX attendees were excited to discover new dimensions of Anaheim, from its growing collection of luxury hotels and standout dining experiences to the major developments shaping its future, including OCVIBE and DisneylandForward,” said Wills. OCVIBE promises to deliver a whole new vibe to Orange County with a suite of new entertainment venues, dining options, hotels, and public green spaces built up around the Honda Center indoor arena. While the full development won’t be complete until 2029, some elements are already open for business. Similarly, DisneylandForward is a multi-year project that has already seen new attractions and amenities added to the iconic theme park.

Make Leisure a Priority With Programming & Bookings

To fully capitalize on these destination benefits, Visit Anaheim recommends two key strategies: integrating immersive experiences into the programming itself and enabling attendees to make their own time for leisure excursions. 

Your destination partner is not only able to recommend the most engaging programming options, but can also help negotiate soft-shoulder bookings with hotel venues. For attendees who want to bring their families along for the trip, this kind of flexibility can be a game-changer. Immersive destination experiences aren’t just an add-on, either. When woven strategically into the programming, these moments help to reenergize attendees and reset their focus.

“A lot of conference planners make the mistake of keeping attendees inside the hotel and the conference space,” said Connie Strouse. “We’ve learned they want to breathe fresh air, and so we move them outside. Then they’re fine the rest of the day with the structured program.”

Collins agrees that Anaheim’s big-ticket draws don’t compete with business event programming, but complement it — not least because they help to attract higher registration numbers. “There are many factors behind strong attendance, but Anaheim’s attractions are absolutely part of the draw,” she added. “Anaheim is ranked the number 3 trade show destination in North America by TSNN and number 8 on U.S. News & World Report’s inaugural list of Best U.S. Cities for Conferences.”

To learn how the most popular activities in Anaheim make an impact for planners, read Visit Anaheim’s new free whitepaper “Attraction Distraction?”

This content was created collaboratively by Visit Anaheim and Skift Studio.