Connect Spring Marketplace Selects Louisville For 2026 Meeting

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (June 9, 2025) — Informa announced that Louisville, Kentucky will host Connect Spring Marketplace on April 14-16, 2026. North America's largest show producer will bring thousands of events, travel, and sports industry leaders to Louisville, continuing a successful partnership between the city and the renowned event portfolio.

Connect Spring Marketplace exists to connect buyers and suppliers in the MICE industry utilizing a unique, reverse-style trade show format. The three-day event features pre-scheduled appointments, education sessions, and networking opportunities.

Louisville offers a strategic central location, world-class convention facilities, and authentic Southern hospitality. The walkable downtown district, anchored by the host venue, the Kentucky International Convention Center, combined with the city's rich bourbon heritage and culinary scene, creates the perfect environment for meaningful business connections and networking opportunities.

"We're thrilled to bring Connect Spring Marketplace to Louisville in 2026," said Matt Johnson, Managing Director at Informa Connect. "Louisville has consistently proven to be an exceptional host city for our events. Since hosting Connect Marketplace in 2019 with 3,600 attendees—which featured our first-ever experiential trade show—the city has demonstrated its commitment to delivering outstanding experiences for our attendees. This will mark our fourth Connect event in Louisville, underscoring a longstanding partnership that both parties are incredibly proud of."

“We’re honored to host the Connect Spring Marketplace in 2026 and welcome the industry’s top professionals to experience Louisville’s signature hospitality,” said Cleo Battle, President & CEO of Louisville Tourism. “Our city takes pride in creating memorable, welcoming experiences for every visitor, and this event offers a powerful platform to showcase Louisville as a premier meetings destination, showcasing our authenticity, bourbon, culinary scene and unique brand of Southerness to industry leaders who shape the future of travel and events.”

Learn more and register for the event.

While planning your trip to experience Bourbon & Beyond or any of Louisville’s world-class events, download Louisville Tourism’s free Visitor Guide for information on local attractions, bourbon experiences, lodging, and dining.