Chicago Beats Dallas, Boston, New York, Phoenix as Best Cities for Business Travel in 2025 Offering Corporate Travellers for Meetings, Conferences and Events, Everything You Need To Know is Here

Published on December 22, 2025

By: Tuhin Sarkar

Chicago has emerged as the best city for business travel in 2025, surpassing Dallas, Boston, New York, and Phoenix to take the top spot. Offering corporate travellers an ideal destination for meetings, conferences, and events, Chicago provides everything that business professionals need.

With its prime location, world-class facilities, and vibrant business atmosphere, Chicago is a hub for corporate travel in 2025. Whether you’re planning a large conference or an intimate meeting, Chicago is the place to be. The city’s unmatched infrastructure and thriving business environment make it a perfect choice for corporate travellers seeking opportunities and growth in 2025.

FCM Travel, the business travel division of the Flight Centre Travel Group, has officially released the highly anticipated list of the top cities for business travel in 2025. These rankings reveal the bustling hubs that are driving the global business landscape, offering a closer look at where corporate travelers are heading for meetings, conferences, and strategic business dealings.

The insights come from FCM Travel’s extensive data analysis of U.S. flight bookings, highlighting the cities that have experienced a surge in business travel. This snapshot of the corporate travel sector shines a light on both well-established powerhouses and emerging destinations making their mark. In this article, we’ll break down the cities leading the charge in business travel for 2025, and what makes them stand out.

Chicago Takes the Lead: America’s Top Business Travel Destination

Chicago Emerges as the Front-runner in U.S. Business Travel for 2025
For the first time, Chicago has claimed the top spot as the leading city for business travel in the U.S. in 2025. As the heart of the Midwest, Chicago’s central location, excellent connectivity, and robust infrastructure make it a magnet for corporate events, trade shows, and executive meetings. With major industries spanning finance, manufacturing, technology, and healthcare, Chicago is a go-to for multinational corporations and U.S.-based companies alike.

According to FCM Travel, the city saw significant growth in flight bookings, making it the undisputed leader for business travel. Chicago’s world-class airports, like O’Hare International, have long been a hub for connecting business travellers to international destinations. The city’s diverse business landscape is another key factor in its appeal, offering opportunities for networking and growth across various sectors. As a business traveller, Chicago is the place to be if you want to tap into a rich market and collaborate with global leaders.

Dallas and Boston Follow Close Behind: The U.S. Business Travel Titans

Dallas and Boston Solidify Their Place Among Top Business Travel Cities in 2025
Just behind Chicago, Dallas and Boston have cemented their positions as top business travel destinations in 2025. Both cities saw steady growth in corporate travel, driven by their thriving industries, strong infrastructure, and accessibility.

Dallas, known for its booming tech, finance, and energy sectors, continues to attract business executives and entrepreneurs. With its extensive flight network, Dallas offers easy access to both domestic and international markets, making it a convenient and strategic business hub.

Boston, with its rich history and cutting-edge innovation, is another prime location for business travellers. The city is home to some of the world’s leading universities and technology firms, making it an ideal destination for conferences, seminars, and strategic partnerships. As a thriving centre for biotech, education, and finance, Boston remains a strong contender for business professionals looking to stay ahead of the curve.

New York and Phoenix Round Out the Top Five: Major Destinations for Business Travel

New York and Phoenix Keep Their Place as Key Business Travel Centres
New York, as the ultimate business epicentre, continues to attract millions of business travellers every year. Whether it’s for a high-stakes corporate meeting, a global summit, or an intimate networking event, the Big Apple never goes out of style. With its global financial influence, top-tier hotels, and unparalleled meeting spaces, New York remains one of the most sought-after business destinations in the world.

Phoenix, on the other hand, has made an impressive leap, moving from ninth place in 2024 to fifth place in 2025. The city’s rapid growth in the tech, healthcare, and real estate sectors has made it an increasingly popular spot for business events and corporate travel. With a warm climate and a growing infrastructure, Phoenix is attracting more international and domestic travellers who seek opportunities in emerging industries.

Santa Barbara and Greensboro: The Rapidly Growing U.S. Business Travel Destinations

Santa Barbara and Greensboro: Unlikely Business Travel Surprises
While major cities like Chicago, Dallas, and New York continue to dominate the rankings, FCM Travel’s analysis also highlights some unexpected growth. Santa Barbara, California, saw the highest year-over-year growth among U.S. business destinations. Its allure lies in its unique combination of scenic beauty, upscale resorts, and proximity to Silicon Valley and the tech-heavy Santa Barbara region. The city offers an attractive setting for business retreats, conferences, and informal networking events, making it a rising star in the business travel landscape.

Greensboro, North Carolina, also reported significant growth in 2025. Known for its excellent transport links and growing industries, Greensboro has become a popular choice for companies looking to engage with the Southeast U.S. market. As a burgeoning hub for logistics, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing, Greensboro is quickly gaining ground in the corporate travel sector.

International Business Travel: London, Tokyo, and Dubai Lead the Pack

London, Tokyo, and Dubai Are the Unbeatable Giants in Global Business Travel
When it comes to international business travel, FCM Travel’s findings show that London, Tokyo, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, and Singapore are the top destinations for U.S. business travellers. London, with its reputation as the global financial capital and its ever-growing conference and trade show calendar, continues to lead the way. The city’s ease of access, strong business connections, and high-end amenities make it a hub for executives from all over the world.

Tokyo, a major player in global technology and finance, holds steady in second place. Its status as a tech powerhouse and a growing hotspot for innovation conferences makes it a magnet for business professionals. Frankfurt, Amsterdam, and Singapore follow closely behind, thanks to their established reputation as international business centres and strategic gateways to Europe and Asia.

Dubai Emerges as the Fastest-Growing Business Travel Destination

Dubai’s Explosive Growth in International Business Travel in 2025
In a major shift, Dubai has emerged as the fastest-growing international business travel destination in 2025. The city’s rapid expansion in the hospitality, real estate, and aviation sectors, along with its strategic location as a global trade hub, has solidified its status as a top destination for business professionals. Dubai’s state-of-the-art conference venues, luxury hotels, and world-class infrastructure make it a perfect choice for international business events. As Dubai continues to grow, it is expected to see even more U.S. business travellers heading its way in the coming years.

Peak Business Travel Periods: When Are the Busiest Days for Corporate Travel?

September and May Dominate U.S. Business Travel Peaks in 2025
FCM Travel’s analysis also highlights key peak travel periods for 2025. In the U.S., September 8th, September 15th, and May 12th are predicted to be the busiest days for business travel, with high volumes of flights booked for corporate events and meetings. The months of September and May are popular due to industry conferences, trade shows, and quarterly business planning events that bring corporate executives and business travellers to major hubs across the country.

These peak periods indicate a growing demand for business travel, with more companies prioritizing face-to-face meetings, conferences, and events. As the corporate travel landscape continues to evolve, these key dates will remain essential for travel planners and corporate executives looking to maximise their travel budgets and time.

Conclusion: What Does This Mean for Business Travel in 2025?

The Future of Corporate Travel: Evolving and Expanding Across the Globe
The findings from FCM Travel’s report show a dynamic and evolving business travel landscape in 2025. The continued growth in cities like Chicago, Dallas, and Santa Barbara, coupled with the rise of international hubs like Dubai, highlights the increasing importance of corporate travel in driving business success. As companies continue to prioritise travel as a key growth strategy, we can expect to see further expansions and growth in business travel in both established and emerging destinations.

Business travel remains an essential tool for fostering global partnerships, expanding market reach, and driving innovation. Whether it’s a high-stakes meeting in New York, a conference in London, or a business retreat in Santa Barbara, 2025 promises to be an exciting year for corporate travel worldwide.