Celebrating the Impact of Meetings at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions
Today, as the industry recognizes the importance of connection through Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID), it’s an opportunity to reflect on the meaningful role meetings and conventions play within our own walls at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, as well as globally.
Across our four award-winning resorts, Kalahari proudly employs more than 5,200 associates, with an additional 1,500 team members set to join us as we open our newest resort in Spotsylvania, Virginia later this year. Behind those numbers is something even more impactful: a business model designed for consistency, opportunity, and long-term career growth.
In 2025, Kalahari hosted more than 2,600 meetings and conventions, resulting in nearly 410,000 overnight stays. These gatherings represent far more than room nights; they are the foundation of a year-round demand cycle that allows us to maintain exceptional service levels regardless of season.
The Power of Meetings Beyond the Meeting Room
Meetings and conventions are often viewed through the lens of economic impact, but their influence runs deeper. At Kalahari, group business is a stabilizing force. It enables us to retain top talent, invest in our teams, and deliver a consistently high-quality experience year-round. While leisure travel may ebb and flow, meetings provide a dependable foundation that strengthens both our operations and our culture.
The impact of business events creates an impact far beyond our resorts. Through our partnership with charity: water, Kalahari has pledged to help bring clean and safe drinking water to 1 million people in Africa. With the support of the events that choose Kalahari in 2025 alone, we completed 855 Water Projects, 40 of which were schools, impacting a total of 120,635 people lifting us over one-third of the way toward our 50 million dollar pledge to bring clean water to 1 million people across Africa. This is a powerful reminder that when people come together, the impact can extend well beyond the ballroom.
A Growing Corporate Segment and a Shift in Perception
One of the most meaningful indicators of momentum in group business is the continued growth in our corporate segment. In addition, the growth we’ve experienced in all segments, we are seeing the biggest increase in the number of corporate groups, year-over-year. This signals the increasing confidence corporations have in recognizing the value of Kalahari as a serious meetings destination. In an increasingly digital world, where the workforce relies on virtual meetings, the importance of in-person connection has never been clearer or more productive. Meetings foster collaboration, build trust, and create the kind of shared experiences that simply can’t be replicated virtually.
Built for Meetings That Matter
What keeps groups coming back is the intentional design and operational control behind every Kalahari resort. Each property offers between 150,000 to 200,000 square feet of flexible meeting and convention space, including expansive ballrooms that can be configured to meet the needs of anything from executive retreats to large-scale conventions. Generous pre-function areas allow for natural flow, networking, and activation space that enhances the attendee experience.
Beyond the meeting space itself, Kalahari’s fully integrated model sets us apart. With ample on-site guest rooms and a diverse portfolio of restaurants, all owned and operated by Kalahari, allowing us to maintain complete control over the guest experience. That consistency ensures quality at every touchpoint, from arrival to departure.
Looking Ahead
As we continue to grow, including the exciting addition of our Virginia resort, meetings and conventions will remain a growing cornerstone of our strategy. Not just because they drive business, but because they create opportunity: for our associates, our communities, and the organizations we are honored to host.
On Global Meetings Industry Day, and every day, we celebrate the power of bringing people together, and the lasting impact those moments create.