Business
Why We Gather: Hilton Reveals Behavioral, Emotional and Cultural Drivers Defining 2026 Meetings and Events
MCLEAN, Va., January 20, 2026--As technology and artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly redefine how we connect, today’s most impactful meetings and events continue to be anchored in authentic, in-person moments that digital platforms can’t replicate. Today, Hilton introduces the Why We Gather Report, a new special section of its 2026 Trends Report, which explores the behavioral, emotional, and cultural shifts redefining how people are planning to connect in 2026 through meetings and events.
About this update from Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.
[{"type":"image","alt":"Hilton introduces the Why We Gather Report, a new special section of its 2026 Trends Report, which explores the behavioral, emotional, and cultural shifts redefining how people are planning to connect in 2026 through meetings and events. (Photo: Hilton)","displaySize":"","headline":null,"caption":"Hilton introduces the Why We Gather Report, a new special section of its 2026 Trends Report, which explores the behavioral, emotional, and cultural shifts redefining how people are planning to connect in 2026 through meetings and events. (Photo: Hilton)","credit":null,"className":"","disableSlideshowImg":false,"size":{"original":{"width":480,"height":306,"url":"https://media.zenfs.com/en/business-wire.com/f69ce61ac0d6c4117c93f883be0af186"},"resized":{"url":"https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/59r173By.YXDCVX_YnkIrw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxMjtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/business-wire.com/f69ce61ac0d6c4117c93f883be0af186","width":480,"height":306}}},{"type":"image","alt":"","displaySize":"","headline":null,"caption":"","credit":null,"className":"","disableSlideshowImg":false,"size":{"original":{"width":480,"height":248,"url":"https://media.zenfs.com/en/business-wire.com/8114d9ba34cbcfdd60f984057f9bbe7d"},"resized":{"url":"https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/sKnxZEgoceIU7cKYr8fPJw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTQ5NjtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/business-wire.com/8114d9ba34cbcfdd60f984057f9bbe7d","width":480,"height":248}}},{"type":"text","content":"Trends Report special section explores how the digital era is redefining in-person connection and the attendee motivations reshaping meetings and events","length":152,"tagName":"p","attribs":{}},{"type":"list","items":[{"val":[{"type":"text","content":"According to new Hilton research, 84% of attendees say they love bringing their "authentic selves" to work events—highlighting the growing demand for genuine, in-person connection.","length":190,"tagName":"p","attribs":{}}]},{"val":[{"type":"text","content":"Nearly half (49%) of respondents say meeting new people and bonding with their team will be the main reason they attend work events in 2026, underscoring the shift toward purpose-driven gatherings that fuel collaboration and career momentum.","length":241,"tagName":"p","attribs":{}}]},{"val":[{"type":"text","content":"Two-thirds (67%) of attendees report...