[Grammar] The most influential is or are

[hhs010120]

Hello, Great teachers!!
Please help me out.
In the next sentence, which is correct is or are?

Perhaps the most influential in determining authenticity of souvenirs is /are the meanings that the tourists themselves assign to their merchandise through a process of attribution of meaning.

Thanks in advance.

 

[richysensei]

You're referring to 'meanings' so it should be 'are'.

 

[Tdol]

It's a weak sentence, though.