Full travel guide for MAICON 2026, and how to get the most out of the trip

MAICON is designed to be hands-on, with workshops, Build Sessions, and conversations focused on applying AI in real marketing teams. Planning your hotel, budget, and schedule ahead of time leaves more room to explore new ideas, connect with peers, and return with practical takeaways instead of a notebook full of unfinished notes.

What is MAICON and who is it for?

Hosted by the Marketing AI Institute, the Marketing Artificial Intelligence Conference (MAICON) focuses on helping marketing teams apply AI in practical ways through keynotes, breakout sessions, workshops, and an expo hall.[1] The seventh annual conference takes place from Tuesday through Thursday, Oct. 13–15, 2026, at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland.[1][2]

Attendees include CMOs and marketing executives shaping AI strategy, content and demand generation leaders evaluating new tools, marketing operations professionals improving workflows, and agency teams looking for practical ideas they can bring back to clients. Rather than a broad technology conference, MAICON is designed specifically for marketers exploring how to use AI across campaigns, operations, and team processes.[1][3]

If you're making the case to attend, define measurable goals before you arrive. Plan to compare AI tools you're actively considering, gather ideas you can apply to current marketing initiatives, and leave with recommendations you can confidently share with your team.

What makes MAICON 2026 worth the trip

MAICON will focus on practical ways to use AI across modern marketing teams. From executive strategy sessions to hands-on workshops, the conference is designed to help attendees evaluate new tools, improve workflows, and learn from organizations already putting AI into practice.[1][3]

Block time for these onsite experiences:

• Optional preconference programs: Choose from the AI for CMOs Summit or hands-on workshops covering tools like Microsoft Copilot, Gemini, ChatGPT, and Claude with an All-Access or Summit pass.[3][6]
• Opening Night Party: Connect with fellow attendees at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on Tuesday evening while experiencing one of Cleveland's best-known attractions.[5]
• Applied AI track: Explore practical sessions that showcase real-world AI applications, marketing workflows, and lessons learned from organizations already using AI.[4]
• Strategic AI track: Hear marketing leaders discuss AI strategy, governance, organizational change, and long-term planning.[4]
• Build Sessions: Create a practical AI workflow, agent, automation, or other hands-on project during working sessions designed for active participation. Bring your laptop.[4]
• AI Transformation Stage sessions: Learn how organizations are approaching executive buy-in, governance, adoption, and measurable business outcomes.[4]
• MAICON expo hall: Compare AI marketing platforms, watch product demonstrations, and speak directly with solution providers throughout the conference.[2][3]

The most valuable takeaways often come from combining sessions with conversations in the expo hall and networking events. Leave time to compare vendors, ask detailed questions, and connect with peers facing similar challenges so you return with ideas you can apply long after the conference ends.

Where to stay for MAICON 2026

Choosing the right hotel comes down to balancing convenience, budget, and how you plan to spend your time outside conference sessions. Staying near the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland keeps keynotes, the expo hall, and evening events within easy reach, while nearby neighborhoods can offer better value if you don't mind a short walk or rideshare.

Hotels by distance to Huntington Convention Center

Compare neighborhoods by distance, character, and typical MAICON-week rates:

Staying near the convention center makes it easier to get to morning keynotes and return to your hotel between sessions if needed. Gateway offers plenty of restaurants within walking distance, while Ohio City and Tremont can be good options if you're comfortable taking a short rideshare to save on lodging.

MAICON hotel pricing

Navan analyzed anonymized hotel booking patterns near the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland during the same week in 2025 to provide helpful context.[12] Use these benchmarks while planning your trip:

• Median hotel rate: The median nightly rate was $287 near Huntington Convention Center.[12]
• Booking window: Median nightly rates ranged from $330 for bookings made more than two months ahead to $217 for bookings made two–four weeks before check-in. Travelers who booked one–two weeks ahead paid the highest median rate at $344.[12]
• Stay length: Business travelers stayed an average of 2.1 nights.[12]
• Late bookings: Roughly 55% of bookings were made within two weeks of check-in.[12]

Official MAICON room blocks include Hilton Cleveland Downtown ($275/night), Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Center ($259/night), Westin Cleveland Downtown ($255/night), and Drury Plaza Hotel Cleveland Downtown ($224/night).

Official room blocks close on Sept. 14, 2026, but they often sell out earlier.[7] If the official room block is sold out, compare nearby downtown hotels before expanding your search outside the city center.

MAICON flight trends

Most attendees fly into Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE), roughly 12 miles southwest of Huntington Convention Center.[7][8] During the October 2025 MAICON travel window, Navan data showed 162 business flights into Cleveland, primarily from Midwest and East Coast hubs, with a small percentage arriving from international origins.[12]

How Navan Edge helps you book conference travel

With Navan Edge, the business travel assistant powered by AI and human experts, you can plan and book your MAICON trip in one chat. Compare flights, hotels, and restaurants using live availability and the amenities you need, and book everything in one chat — without juggling multiple apps or websites.

Continue earning your usual airline miles and hotel loyalty points, get credit card points, and earn 5% back in Amazon Gift Cards on eligible hotel stays on top. See our travel rewards on business trips guide for how it works.

Set your Cleveland budget before traveling

Before you book your trip, estimate the total cost of attending MAICON, including your conference pass, meals outside conference programming, transportation, and other business travel expenses.

Federal per diem for Cleveland

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) sets federal per diem rates by city and season. As a benchmark, the following October rates applied to Cleveland (Cuyahoga County) for FY2026:

• $239 per day combined: Includes $159 nightly lodging, plus $80 daily meals and incidental expenses (M&IE)
• M&IE breakdown: Includes $20 for breakfast, $22 for lunch, $33 for dinner, and $5 for incidentals; reduce for meals provided during the conference[9][3]
• First and last travel days: Includes an M&IE allowance of $60 (75% of the daily M&IE)[9]

Updated FY2027 (October 2026–September 2027) rates are expected to be published in mid-August 2026 at gsa.gov. During MAICON, hotel rates near the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland often exceed the federal lodging rate, so budget for the difference or confirm with finance before booking.

Other expenses to consider

Include these expenses in your budget before you book so you can estimate the full cost of the trip and avoid surprises during conference week.

• Conference registration: Regular Main Conference passes cost $1,999 online and $2,099 if you purchase your pass onsite at the event. Verify current pricing before registering.[3]
• Preconference passes: Workshops and the AI for CMOs Summit require the appropriate All-Access or Summit registration package. An All-Access pass costs $2,499, and an All-Access + On-Demand pass costs $2,899. The AI for CMOs Summit + Main Conference package costs $2,899.[3][6]
• Conference-provided meals: Breakfasts, lunches, and snacks are included during the main conference, so adjust your meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) reimbursement accordingly.[3]
• Airport transportation: The RTA Red Line from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) to Tower City costs $2.50 one way or $5 for a day pass, while rideshares typically cost $25–$40.[8][10]
• Client dinners: Expect to spend about $75–$150 per person at downtown Cleveland steakhouses and seafood restaurants.
• After-hours networking: Registration includes the Opening Night Party at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but you may also want to budget for additional happy hours, partner events, or informal networking gatherings.

Plan your MAICON agenda

MAICON has published the overall structure for its 2026 program, with optional executive programming on Monday and Tuesday, followed by two full days of keynotes, breakout sessions, Build Sessions, expo hall programming, and networking events.[4][5][6] As the detailed session schedule becomes available, build your agenda around the topics and hands-on sessions most relevant to your work, then leave room for vendor conversations and informal discussions throughout the conference.

• Monday (Oct. 12): Optional AI for CMOs Networking Reception for Summit participants
• Tuesday (Oct. 13): Optional AI for CMOs Summit, preconference workshops, and the Opening Night Party at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
• Wednesday (Oct. 14): Keynotes, Applied AI and Strategic AI breakout sessions, Build Sessions, AI Transformation Stage sessions, the expo hall, networking breakfast, and lunch
• Thursday (Oct. 15): Keynotes, breakout sessions, Build Sessions, AI Transformation Stage sessions, the expo hall, networking breakfast, lunch, and happy hour

Topics on the official agenda include practical marketing AI applications, AI strategy, governance, organizational adoption, workflow development, automation, and measurable business outcomes.[4]

Build flexibility into your schedule

Start by reviewing the published agenda and identifying the sessions, Build Sessions, workshops, and speakers most relevant to your work. Leave room between sessions for expo hall conversations, meetings, and notes.

Here are some tips to get ready for the event:

• Sessions: Save your must-attend Applied AI, Strategic AI, and Build Sessions once the detailed scheduler is available, and register early for any programming that requires advance sign-up.[4]
• Meetings: Reach out to vendors, speakers, colleagues, or agency partners about one to two weeks before the conference to schedule time while calendars are still taking shape.
• Logistics: Confirm your hotel reservation, plan your airport transportation, set your out-of-office message, and review badge pickup details before the main conference begins.[7]
• Contacts: Decide how you'll exchange contact information, whether through LinkedIn, QR codes, or digital business cards, and jot down a quick note after each conversation so you remember the context later.

Alongside this checklist, use our business trip planning guide for pre-trip logistics that apply to any conference.

What to pack and wear at MAICON

Business casual is appropriate for MAICON, including blouses or collared shirts, slacks or chinos, and comfortable shoes. Bring a blazer or polished layer for executive programming, client dinners, and the Opening Night Party at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Cleveland weather in mid-October can be cool, windy, and variable, with daytime highs often in the low 60s°F and evening temperatures falling into the upper 40s°F.[11] Pack layers you can add or remove as you move between convention spaces and outdoor walks. A water-resistant jacket is also useful for rain and wind coming off Lake Erie.

Conference essentials

A few practical additions to your suitcase can make long days of sessions, meetings, and networking events more manageable:

• Two pairs of comfortable shoes: Alternate between pairs during the conference to stay comfortable while walking downtown and spending hours on convention center floors.
• Portable charger: Session alerts, notes, messages, and badge scans can drain your phone before the day ends.
• Reusable water bottle: Keep water with you during long blocks of sessions, Build Sessions, and expo hall visits.
• Hand sanitizer and throat lozenges: These can be useful during three days of crowded sessions and conversations.
• Water-resistant jacket and compact umbrella: Cleveland's October weather can shift quickly, and lakefront wind may make temperatures feel colder.
• Laptop and charger: Bring both for Build Sessions, where attendees can create a workflow, agent, automation, or other practical AI application onsite.[4]

Getting from the airport to the MAICON venue

Most attendees arrive via Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE), roughly 12 miles southwest of Huntington Convention Center.[7][8] If your schedule and travel policy allow, arrive on Monday so you're settled before Tuesday's optional workshops, AI for CMOs Summit, and Opening Night Party. The convention center doesn't operate a complimentary airport shuttle, so plan your transfer before you land.

If you're traveling solo with a carry-on, the RTA Red Line offers an inexpensive, direct trip from the airport to downtown, with Tower City about a 5–10-minute walk from the Huntington Convention Center.[8][10] Rideshares and taxis are more convenient if you're traveling with luggage, arriving after dark, or simply want door-to-door service.

Beyond sessions: Make time for the MAICON expo hall and networking

Some of the most valuable MAICON conversations happen outside scheduled breakout sessions. Leave time in your agenda for the expo hall, Build Sessions, conference meals, and informal conversations with marketers working through similar AI questions.

Here are a few ways to make the most of your time onsite:

• Join the Opening Night Party: The event at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame gives attendees an early opportunity to connect before the main conference begins.[5]
• Explore the MAICON expo hall: Compare AI marketing tools across content, analytics, operations, and customer experience, and ask vendors how their platforms fit your team's current workflows.[2][3]
• Take part in Build Sessions: Use these hands-on sessions to create a practical workflow, agent, automation, or other AI application you can continue developing after the conference.[4]
• Attend AI Transformation Stage sessions: Hear how marketing leaders are approaching adoption, governance, executive support, and measurable business outcomes.[4]
• Use conference meals for conversation: Networking breakfasts, lunches, and the official happy hour offer natural opportunities to meet peers and continue discussions from earlier sessions.[5]
• Schedule important meetings before you arrive: Reach out to speakers, peers, agency partners, and vendors one to two weeks before the conference while calendars are still flexible.
• Leave room for unexpected conversations: Avoid filling every hour with sessions. Some of the most useful introductions may happen over coffee, between expo booths, or after a Build Session.
• Follow up while details are fresh: Send a brief message within two business days with a clear next step, such as sharing requirements, scheduling a demo, or introducing a colleague.

MAICON is designed around practical application as much as presentations. Giving yourself time to compare tools, exchange ideas with peers, and continue conversations outside the session rooms can be just as valuable as the talks you planned in advance.

What to eat at MAICON 2026

Conference breakfasts and lunches are included with most MAICON registrations, so you won't need to plan every meal in advance.[3] Even so, long days of sessions, Build Sessions, and networking can make it easy to skip meals or delay dinner. Eat breakfast, keep a protein bar or other easy snack in your bag, and carry a reusable water bottle so you're prepared if conversations or workshops run longer than expected.

When it's time for a client dinner, team outing, or meal away from the conference, these downtown Cleveland restaurants are convenient options near the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland:

• Client dinner: The Burnham inside the Hilton Cleveland Downtown offers upscale American cuisine and is just steps from the convention center, making it a convenient choice for business dinners.[13]
• Team meal: Blue Point Grille in the Warehouse District serves seafood in a setting that's well suited to group dinners, about a 10-minute walk from the venue.[14]
• Executive lunch or one-on-one: Fahrenheit on Public Square offers downtown views, private dining options, and a comfortable setting for business lunches or smaller meetings.[15]
• Quick meal between sessions: Café options at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown and nearby restaurants around Public Square and Tower City make it easy to grab a quick bite without straying far from the conference campus.

If you need help making reservations, Navan Edge can book Cleveland restaurants in the same chat where you arrange your hotel and flights.

Finish strong on departure day

Your trip isn't over when the MAICON networking happy hour ends. A little preparation before you leave Cleveland can make it easier to turn new ideas, vendor conversations, and AI workflows into action once you're back at work.

• Pack the night before: Charge your devices, set aside your travel clothes, and check your hotel room for chargers, business cards, conference swag, and anything else you picked up during the conference.
• Confirm your checkout time: If you have a later flight, ask about late checkout or let Navan Edge request it for you so you can work comfortably before heading to the airport.
• Leave extra time for the airport: CLE is generally easy to navigate, but give yourself at least two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international departure.
• Submit your expenses while they're fresh: Upload receipts and complete your expense report before you get pulled back into your regular workload.
• Follow up with new contacts: Send a quick LinkedIn message or email while conversations, product demos, and introductions are still fresh.
• Share what you learned: Schedule time with your team to review promising AI tools, compare notes from sessions and Build Sessions, and decide which ideas are worth testing first.

Make your MAICON 2026 trip count

MAICON is built around practical AI adoption, so a little planning before you arrive goes a long way. Book your hotel early, build your schedule around the sessions and Build Sessions most relevant to your goals, leave time for the expo hall and networking, and follow up with new contacts while the conversations are still fresh.

Heading to MAICON 2026? Use Navan Edge, your travel assistant powered by AI and 24/7 human travel experts, to book your flights, hotel, and restaurants in one chat.

Navan is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by MAICON or their organizers, and this guide is not an official Marketing AI Institute publication. MAICON and all other third-party trademarks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners and are used for identification and descriptive purposes only. All schedules, pricing, venue details, and program information are subject to change; verify current details with the official organizers before you travel.

Navan publishes this guide as part of its Navan Edge content series. Navan Edge is a Navan product referenced throughout this post. Card benefits, fees, loyalty program thresholds, earning structures, reward values, and AI capabilities described in this article are subject to change and were accurate as of the date of publication. Verify current terms with your card issuer, loyalty program operator, or the relevant program's website before making decisions. Amazon Gift Card rewards are subject to Navan Edge Terms and Conditions for eligible hotel bookings.

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