ConferenceDirect Brings Meetings Industry Leaders Together for CDX 2026 in Anaheim

Folsom, CA (September 15, 2026 ) — ConferenceDirect recently welcomed association meeting professionals, ConferenceDirect Associates and industry Partners to CDX 2026, held September 1–4 at The Westin Anaheim Resort in Anaheim, California.

The annual customer event brought the ConferenceDirect community together for several days of education, thought leadership, peer-to-peer learning, networking and destination experiences designed to help meeting professionals navigate a rapidly evolving industry and create greater impact through their events.

About the Event
CDX opened with ConferenceDirect President & CEO Jerry Horan and Executive Vice President Rob McCulloch, who shared company updates, key statistics and an industry trends report. Mike Waterman, President & CEO of Visit Anaheim, welcomed attendees and provided an update on Anaheim as a meetings and events destination.

The Opening General Session also featured investor and television personality Tarek El Moussa, who presented The Pivot Playbook: Reinvention, Resilience, and Staying Relevant, sharing lessons on navigating challenges, embracing change and building resilience.

Industry trends and the future of meetings remained central themes throughout CDX. Horan joined Paul Sanford, Asset Manager and CEO of Wincome Hospitality, for Future Forward: Industry Trends Shaping Tomorrow, exploring the forces influencing the hospitality and meetings landscape.

Marketing expert Jay Schwedelson took the stage for Small Changes = HUGE Impact: New Secrets to Event Success, providing practical strategies attendees could use to strengthen event marketing and engagement.

Education continued through interactive breakout sessions and panel discussions addressing some of the most important topics facing today’s meeting professionals, including artificial intelligence, room block strategy, accessibility, inclusion, workplace culture and attendee experience.

During CD Talks: The Planner Perspective, industry experts and meeting professionals came together to share insights from both the supplier and planner perspectives, encouraging candid conversations around challenges, opportunities and the changing needs of today’s events.

CDX also brought back Braindates: Conversations That Matter, giving attendees an opportunity to participate in peer-driven conversations, exchange expertise and connect around topics most relevant to their organizations and careers.

The program concluded with researcher, bestselling author and global keynote speaker Erin King, who presented Find Your Energy Edge, exploring how individuals can better understand and harness their energy to increase their impact.

Networking and destination experiences were an important part of CDX 2026, providing attendees with opportunities to strengthen relationships while experiencing Anaheim and Southern California.

The event began with a Welcome Reception at the Anaheim Convention Center Plaza, followed by an Afterglow reception at RISE Rooftop at The Westin Anaheim Resort, sponsored by Visit Anaheim.

Attendees later traveled to Newport Beach for a Duffy boat harbor experience followed by an evening reception and dinner at VEA Newport Beach.

On the final day, attendees participated in destination exploration activities before gathering for an evening reception at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. The CDX experience concluded with an Afterglow at Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure® Park.

CDX also provided opportunities for attendees to give back through Paws with Purpose, supporting the Pet Adoption Center of Orange County. Attendees created handmade braided tug toys for local shelter dogs and had the opportunity to spend time with adoptable dogs during Puppy Play Time.

The event also included a Hospitality Industry Student Workshop, connecting the next generation of hospitality professionals from Cypress College with industry leaders and providing students with an opportunity to gain insights into careers and opportunities within the meetings and events industry.

“CDX 2026 was designed to create an environment where our customers could learn from one another, experience the magic of Anaheim, and build meaningful relationships that extend well beyond the event,” said Jerry Horan, President & CEO of ConferenceDirect. “By bringing our customers together, we created opportunities to address the real issues shaping our industry, exchange ideas and best practices, and provide valuable insights they can take back to their organizations.”

ConferenceDirect extends its appreciation to Visit Anaheim, The Westin Anaheim Resort, participating Partners, sponsors, speakers, customers and Associates whose collaboration and support helped make CDX 2026 a successful and memorable experience.

ConferenceDirect helps organizations save time and money by securing the best hotel accommodations, meeting space, conference venues and hospitality services available. ConferenceDirect’s experienced team provides strategic solutions throughout the meeting and event lifecycle, helping customers navigate an increasingly complex marketplace while maximizing value and creating successful event experiences.

Pictured:
Mike Waterman, President & CEO, Visit Anaheim; Lacey Compton, Senior Director of Professional Learning & Publishing, National Association for Gifted Children; Keith Backsen, Director of Global Accounts, ConferenceDirect; Sara Davis, Global Sales Executive, ConferenceDirect; Darrin Crittington Jr., Deputy Director, Conferences & Meetings, National Association of Counties; Teresita Trinidad, Director of Finance Administration and Conferences, Council of the Great City Schools; Leslie Jones, Director, Meetings & Events, American Occupational Therapy Association; Peter Green, Senior VP & Team Director, ConferenceDirect; Stephanie Marshall, Executive Director, Meetings and Learning Events, Achieving the Dream; Jerry Horan, President & CEO, ConferenceDirect