April 2013 | MeetingsFocus.com Periodical supplement to Meetings Focus April 2013
The Destination Experts
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Behold, a destination designed for meetings. Getting down to business in Greater Fort Lauderdale has never been more uplifting. With convenient airport access, affordability, and all you need within close proximity to the Convention Center, inspiration is always on hand. Visit sunny.org/meetings to learn more.
Scan now to view a meetings video. Get the free mobile app at gettag.mobi Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau • 800-356-1662 • meetlauderdale@broward.org
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On-property relaxing spa, golf, three pools. Adjacent tennis. Nearby’s include Everglades adventures, Sawgrass Mills Mall, BB&T Center (NHL, concerts). 60,000 square feet of intelligent space, including three ballrooms and dedicated amphitheatre.
An oceanfront resort on South Florida’s largest private beach, featuring 100,000 sq. ft. of indoor/outdoor meeting space, including a breathtaking 10,000 sq. ft. oceanfront ballroom and outdoor terrace, worldclass dining, full-service spa and minutes to the airport.
South Florida’s ultimate casino and entertainment destination offers 40,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, including a 16,000 sq. ft. grand ballroom divisible into eight sections and several smaller rooms for breakouts or board meetings. A 7,000 sq. ft. pool side function area is also available.
250 Racquet Club Road Weston, Florida 33326 954-389-3300 bonaventureresortandspa.com
3030 Holiday Drive Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316 954-766-6133 MarriottHarborBeach.com
1 Seminole Way Hollywood, Florida 33314 954-797-5499 | 800-937-0156 SeminoleHardRockHollywood.com
Minutes away from the airport and across from the Broward Convention Center, this resort-style, waterfront destination hotel offers 21,000 sq. ft. of function space, 589 rooms and accommodates groups up to 450 people.
Presiding over 127-slip marina on the Intracoastal Waterway, in the heart of Fort Lauderdale. Within 30,000 sq. ft. of meeting facilities, we offer exquisite venues ranging from the 7,500 sq. ft. Crystal Ballroom to conference rooms accommodating up to 12.
South Florida’s premier beachfront resort located between the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway, offers meeting rooms with private balconies and ocean views. Mindful meetings flow smoothly for groups from 8 to 5,000 in over 209,000 square feet of space.
1881 SE 17th Street Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316 954-463-4000 FortLauderdaleMarinaHotel.com
2301 SE 17th Street Causeway Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316 954-525-6666 HyattRegencyPierSixty-Six.com
3555 South Ocean Drive Hollywood, Florida 33019 954-602-8600 DiplomatResort.com
sunny.org/meetings
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Cummer Museum, Jacksonville
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Visit Jacksonville
State of the Arts Hold that sunset cruise—you can get a lot more creative with after-hours fun in Florida.
floridacontents David Barton Spa and Gym at the Perry South Beach
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Neighborhood Watch
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Shape Up!
Novel programs have attendees staying fit and fabulous.
Florida’s distinctive new districts are the place to be, starting with Miami.
Mache Ayisyen Building, Little Haiti, Miami
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The Many Sides of the Sunshine State
Distinguishing experiences define the diverse regions of Florida.
er For Dan
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The Green Scene
Considering the environment in the agenda
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Fast Forward
Hyatt Place Delray Beach
New and noteworthy developments set Florida in motion.
Departments
Key Notes 6 Advertisers’ Expanded Listings 39 Convention and Visitors Bureaus 42
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Say hello to paradise with 40,000 square feet of meeting space, plenty of rooms, a casino, and amazing nightlife. No one will want to say goodbye.
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Must be 21 years of age or older. Persons who have been trespassed or banned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida or those who have opted into the self-exclusion program are not eligible. If you or someone you know has gambling problem, please call 1.888.ADMIT.IT.
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Key Notes A Stamats Publication Editorial
New Day Dawning Forget the typical perceptions of Florida; there are exciting developments and fresh perspectives on paradise everywhere you turn in the Sunshine State. Whether groups are into sustainability, trendy urban experiences, fitness programs, artsy adventures or the hottest hotels to grace the scene, this year’s Meetings Focus Florida has it covered. For our lead story, “The Green Scene,” Florida/Caribbean Contributing Editor Lisa Simundson checked in with a number of key players to get the scoop on some of the state’s most unique sustainability practices and greenest lodging options. In “Neighborhood Watch,” Simundson dives straight into two of Miami’s edgiest enclaves, Wynwood Arts District and the Design District, and the section also profiles other emerging hot spots throughout the state—from F.A.T. Village
Arts District in Fort Lauderdale to Seminole Heights in Tampa. Pumping new life into the usual active team-building program, “Shape Up!” delivers the skinny on staying fit in Florida, a state that is definitely hip to the latest trends—Flo-Yo and stand-up paddleboarding included. “State of the Arts” appeals to an attendee’s creative side with some intriguing hands-on programs, while also exploring Florida’s literary landscape, including exclusive interviews with two famous resident authors: Robin Cook and Janet Evanovich. The 2013 edition of Meetings Focus Florida also features “The Many Sides of the Sunshine State,” examining the distinctive experiences that set each region apart, as well as “Fast Forward,” providing a snapshot of meetings business and info on the latest and greatest hotels and restaurants that are popping up throughout the state. Be sure to check out MeetingsFocus. com—sporting a colorful new design and improved functionality—for more Florida coverage and a comprehensive listing of meeting facilities. Here’s to seizing the day in the Sunshine State! mf
Lori Tenny Managing and Destinations Content Director
Meetings Focus Florida is published annually by Stamats Meetings Media Inc., 615 5th St. S.E., Cedar Rapids, IA 52401. Periodicals Postage paid at Cedar Rapids, IA and additional mailing offices. Sales and Editorial offices located at 655 Montgomery St., Ste. 900, San Francisco, CA 94111-2688; (415) 788-2005. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Meetings Focus, P.O. Box 1888, Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-1888. Meetings Focus is a trademark of Stamats Meetings Media, Inc. Meetings Focus is not responsible for facts as presented by authors and advertisers. Copyright ©2013 by Stamats Meetings Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Contents may not be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission from Stamats Meetings Media, Inc. Canada Post: Publications Mail Agreement #40612608 Canada Returns to be sent to Pitney Bowes, P.O. Box 25542, London, ON N6C 6B2
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Chief Content Director Tyler Davidson tyler.davidson@meetingsfocus.com Managing and Destinations Content Director Lori Tenny Content Director, Features and News Zachary Chouteau Content Developer, Departments/Features Kelsey Farabee Florida/Caribbean Contributing Editor Lisa Simundson
Design/Production Brand Design Director Scott Easton
Brand Designers Evan Brownfield, Gwen Dyrland Brand Production Candy Holub, Megan Kommes, Gail Utt
marketing
Brand Design Marketing Steve Maxfield
Circulation/Audience Development
Vice President of Information Services Kim Leonard
Senior Manager– Audience Development Meetings Focus Florida was written by Lisa Simundson and edited by Lori Tenny. Heather Bernhard
Content Advisory Board
Main Office
Stan Aaronson, CSEP, Aaronson Marketing; Joan Eisenstodt, Eisenstodt Associates; Charles Massey, CMP, SYNAXIS Meetings & Events; Sheryl Sookman, CMP, The MeetingConnection; Nancy J. Zavada, CMP, MeetGreen
655 Montgomery St., Ste. 900 San Francisco, CA 94111-2688 415.788.2005 Fax: 415.788.1358 President and CEO Guy Wendler guy.wendler@stamats.com EVP/COO Peter S. Stamats peter.stamats@stamats.com
Sales
Karen Smith Vice President, Group Brand Solutions 319.861.5023 karen.smith@meetingsfocus.com
Bill Freeman Brand Solutions Director FL, TX, Caribbean 319.861.5175 bill.freeman@meetingsfocus.com
Gregg Anderson Vice President, Brand Solutions Eastern Canada, New York City, MD, DE, DC, Galveston/Houston, KY, TN, VA 319.861.5180 gregg.anderson@meetingsfocus.com
Shawne Hightower Brand Solutions Director HI, ID, Northern CA, NV, OR, WA 415.782.2248 shawne.hightower@meetingsfocus.com
Jim Krotz e-Media Brand Solutions Director 319.861.5079 jim.krotz@meetingsfocus.com
Tom Bibby Brand Solutions Manager AL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC 319.861.5145 tom.bibby@meetingsfocus.com
Lynne Richardson Executive Director, Brand Solutions Las Vegas, Mexico, UT, Western Canada 415.782.2247 lynne.richardson@meetingsfocus.com
Jenny McCann Brand Solutions Manager AZ, CO, NM, Southern CA 415.782.2249 jennifer.mccann@meetingsfocus.com
Debbie Richards Director, Brand Solutions IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD, WI 319.861.5177 debbie.richards@meetingsfocus.com
Taylor McGurk Brand Solutions Executive AK, AR, IA, MT, OH, OK, WV, WY 319.861.5087 taylor.mcgurk@meetingsfocus.com
Steve Zarolnick Director, Brand Solutions CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT 319.861.5130 steve.zarolnick@meetingsfocus.com
In Europe: Emanuela Castagnetti, +33.619.371.987 emcastagnetti@gmail.com In Asia: Quentin Chan, +852.2366.1106 quentinchan@leadingm.com
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White Sand. Turquoise Water. Excellent facilities. Network all along 16 unique Florida beach neighborhoods.
visitsouthwalton.com/meetings
800-822-6877
MIRAMAR BEACH • SEASCAPE • SANDESTIN • DUNE ALLEN • GULF PLACE • SANTA ROSA BEACH • BLUE MOUNTAIN • GRAYTON BEACH W AT E R C O LO R • S E A S I D E • S E A G R O V E • W AT E R S O U N D • S E A C R E S T • A LY S B E A C H • R O S E M A R Y B E A C H • I N L E T B E A C H
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some meetings just feel more natural in southwest florida. surround yourself with the things that matter most.
HOLIDAY INN AIRPORT AT TOWN CENTER
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SUNDIAL BEACH RESORT & SPA
Awarded 2012 Torchbearer! Centrally located hotel, with 7,000 SQFT of flexible space. Minutes from Shopping, Golf & Beaches.
Sundial Beach Resort & Spa, Sanibel Island’s only oceanfront meeting facility, boasts 12,000 square feet of flexible space.
239-561-1655 • HiFtMyersAirport.com
239-472-4151 • SundialResort.com
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F ind warm, Gulf waters and endless sunshine as the backdrop for a picture-perfect gathering.
Find group activities like shelling, kayaking and dolphin watching and plan a meeting that will be remembered as a treasured experience. Innate accessibility and affordability are just minutes from Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW). Visit FortMyers-Sanibel.com to find your island today or call 888-231-5061 for more information.
THE TARPON LODGE & RESTAURANT This 1926 waterfront gem has cozy rooms, a superb restaurant, casual bar & unique amenities in a peaceful piece of paradise!
239-283-3999 • TarponLodge.com
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The Gr een Sc Consideri ng th e
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hen you factor in its many parks, preserves and golf courses, Florida seems very green indeed. But in ways that concern many meeting planners—sustainable practices, environmental impacts and carbon footprints—how does the Sunshine State measure up? Pretty well, according to data from the Tallahassee-based Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which oversees the Florida Green Lodging Program, a voluntary initiative recognizing hotels and resorts that make a commitment to conserving and protecting Florida’s natural resources. The latest figures show 689 designated Florida Green Lodging Properties, and in order to qualify properties must implement a specified number of environmental practices in five areas of sustainable operations: communication and education; waste reduction, reuse and recycling; water conservation; energy efficiency; and indoor air quality.
Green Thumbs
“[The program] is growing at a decent pace,” says Brad Stombock, the DEP’s director of sustainable initiatives. However, he acknowledges that the number of properties applying for and reaching Green Lodging status has declined somewhat during the recession,
a trend he expects will reverse in the near future. “I believe that as our economy continues to pick up, we’ll see more hotels come in,” Stombock says, noting also that the DEP has expanded its system of “palm” designations to potentially include more properties, implementing a four-tiered point system that will allow more hotels to apply for Green Lodging status, even if at the lowest level. “They can come in at any level they choose. Of course, we’d love to see folks come in at a higher impact, but we still want to recognize those who come in at all.” He says there are a lot of very small changes that people can make that either cost very little or cost nothing at all. “We’re not asking them to replace all their heating and cooling systems,” he says. “Just things like, if you replace your incandescent bulbs, please use the CFL [or spiral] bulbs.” Additionally, the program has been revamped to include regular follow-ups or “spot audits,” as Stombock calls them. “It used to be that once a hotel was designated, they went off into the sunset and we never heard from them again,” he says. “Now we’re keeping track of their progress and maintenance. We contact them and schedule the audit for two weeks later. It gives them enough time to comfortably accommodate our visit, but it’s not enough time for them to correct any issues they may have.” However, following a number
of spot audits, Stombock says he and his team have been pleasantly surprised by the number of properties that have remained in compliance of Green Lodging requirements. “We’ve only had a handful that haven’t met the standard,” he says. On the flip side, Stombock says there are hotels that go above and beyond the DEP’s Green Lodging specifications, implementing ingenious practices to save on energy and water. “One of the larger hotels in our program worked with chemical companies to find a detergent that works at a lower temperature, so they’ve gone from a 180-degree water temperature to 140 degrees, and it saves them a ton of money,” Stombock says. “We know other properties that implement rainwater collection initiatives to use that water for landscaping.” Stombock says another way properties are watering more efficiently is by using drip lines that send water directly into the root zone. “It allows them to directionally water the plant,” he says. “A lot of places you see using sprinklers, what they’re really doing is watering the pavement.”
Spinning Green into Vacation Gold
To that end, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Northwest Florida irrigates nearly a quarter of its 2,400-acre property with reclaimed water, while a huge on-site recycling program Casa Monica Hotel, St. Augustine
J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Sanibel Island
Community Efforts
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nvironmental protection has become a community effort in a number of Florida cities. Here are a few examples of some high-impact local initiatives. ➤ Key West is one of Florida’s most walkable cities, but other modes of transportation can be nearly as eco-minded. Five 6’s Taxi (www. keywesttaxi.com) recently debuted 10 environmentally friendly hybrid vehicles as the first step in converting its entire fleet. The company projects that the new fuel-efficient vehicles will get about 38 miles per gallon in the city, compared to its previous 12- to 13-mpg gas guzzlers. ➤ The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel (www.fortmyers-sanibel. com) is addressing habitat loss and climate change by donating to The Conservation Fund’s Go Zero program to offset the carbon footprint of meetings in the destination. The VCB already offsets its own events with the Fund and is encouraging meeting properties and meeting planners to do the same. ➤ In downtown Punta Gorda, fuel might be rendered obsolete thanks to the city’s free Yellow Bike Loaner Program (www.teampuntagorda. org). All you need to enjoy a bicycle for an hour or a day is a credit card, driver’s license and signature of waiver. Bicycles are offered on a space-available basis at various locations, including the Four Points by Sheraton, Fishermen’s Village Marina and the Wyvern Hotel.
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LEED-ing the Way
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n addition to hotels, other venues in Florida have kept an eye on the environment by becoming LEED-certified. A program created by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environment Design) bestows its designation on individual buildings and homes, and even entire neighborhoods and communities that meet the group’s standards for lower operating costs, waste reduction, energy and water conservation, healthier environments and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In Florida, LEED-certified facilities include the Greater Fort Lauderdale/ Broward County Convention Center, which achieved LEED gold certification as an existing building. “We’re one of only four Gold-certified LEED existing buildings in the country and the first convention center in Florida to be LEED-certified on any level,” says Christine Roberts-Tascione, vice president of convention sales and services for the Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB. “Gold LEED certification is a long-term investment.” Roberts-Tascione points to some of the convention center’s modifications, which included everything from waste and energy reduction to renovating exterior landscaping and swapping concrete pavement for pavers that allow rain and water to flow into the ground. “We also guide planners to find what they can do to conserve as far as
includes tons of cardboard, newspaper and plastics, scrap aluminum and copper, unused soap and even old tennis balls. Sandestin has a host of other green initiatives, including a new resort transportation
The Peabody Orlando
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system estimated to reduce fuel consumption by nearly two-thirds, but they’re hardly alone in being environmentally aware. A number of Florida properties have implemented similarly creative green and sustainable practices, including The Breakers in Palm Beach, which maintains its own organic herb and vegetable garden, landscapes using native plants, and has constructed an on-site deep well and water facility for reverse osmosis irrigation. In addition, Breakers conference specialists work with groups to integrate such green practices into their programs as self-serve water stations and reusable glassware rather than plastic bottles; purchasing renewable energy credits to offset electricity usage; and reducing paper waste by offering electronic storage devices for conference materials and presentation outlines. In Southwest Florida, SunStream Hotels and Resorts does its part for the environment by supporting the Adopt-A-Road program in Lee County, gathering team members to help clean sections of local roads. “It’s become a fun, feel-
Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center food and beverage,” she says. Meanwhile, in downtown Orlando, the new $380 million Amway Center recently became the first NBA facility to earn Gold LEED certification and among its eco-friendly attributes, uses 20 percent less energy and 40 percent less water than similarly sized arenas. In addition, 20 percent of the materials used to build the 875,000-square-foot center came from local sources and 15 percent from recycled materials. Also designed with LEED specifications in mind, the new Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport modifies its electricity use in order to be more energy efficient, says Parker McClellan, the airport’s deputy executive director. In addition, once the facility was built, the adjacent West Bay Preservation Area moved 41,000 acres of environmentally sensitive land into preservation.
good monthly event that we are proud to be part of,” says Stefanie Eakin, SunStream’s marketing account planner. SunStream properties Bellasera and DiamondHead are part of the Florida Green Lodging program but all SunStream hotels and resorts are committed to environmental issues, Eakin says. “This past Earth Day, our properties gave an Acts of Green pledge to find ways to improve the environment and become more eco-conscious,” she says. The Peabody Orlando has found myriad ways to become more eco-aware, developing an algorithm that calculates the cost of “carbon neutral” meetings, adding more natural light to its meeting space and committing to sustainability through its on-site restaurants; Peabody chefs purchase locally grown and organic products whenever possible, including organic and biodynamic wines and fair trade coffees, creating a truly farm-tofork dining experience. The Peabody also maintains ChargePoint electric vehicle chargers in its self-parking garage for guests driving electric
vehicles, a measure also taken last year by the Hampton Inn & Suites at the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, which added an electric station capable of charging four electric/ hybrid cars.
Turtle Tracks
Meanwhile, other hotels keep sea turtles in mind when it comes to environmental practices, including the resorts lining the sands along Florida’s Space Coast. “This is the world’s secondlargest turtle nesting area, and we get hundreds of turtle nests during the season,” says Rob Varley, executive director of the Space Coast Office of Tourism. “Our hotels have to maintain a certain type of lighting, because otherwise the turtles and the hatchlings will go toward the light and not the ocean.” In Northwest Florida, new deck areas at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa were designed to minimize disturbances to nesting sea turtles, their hatchlings and other coastal wildlife. The resort also installed more than $250,000 in habitat-friendly lighting to protect sea turtles and other
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Corporate Meetings & Receptions
Convention Center, West Palm Beach
350,000 SQ.FT. CONVENTION CENTER 18 CONFERENCE HOTELS WITH 5,000+ SQ.FT. OF MEETING SPACE STRESS-FREE PALM BEACH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (PBI) MINUTES FROM CONVENTION AND ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT
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PalmBeachFL.com/MPpackages 877.722.2821 DMAI Accredited Convention and Visitors Bureau
Pristine Beaches
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waterfront animals, and planted more than 30,000 new sea oats to protect the dunes. Also supporting sea turtle conservation is the B Ocean Fort Lauderdale, and plush toy turtles (available for purchase) are left on guest beds as a reminder. A portion of the proceeds benefits sea turtle conservation organizations.
Clean Marinas
Together with the sunshine and palm trees, Florida is defined by water. With more than 1,350 miles of coastline and 50,000 miles of inland and coastal rivers, not to mention countless lakes and springs, clean water is absolutely essential to the state’s $56 billion tourism industry, which includes activities
The Breakers, Palm Beach
Going Green There are 689 designated Florida Green Lodging properties, including the following. ➤ The Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables ➤ Bohemian Hotel, Celebration ➤ Caribe Royale All-Suite Hotel & Convention Center, Orlando ➤ Casa Monica Hotel, St. Augustine ➤ Crowne Plaza Pensacola Grand Hotel ➤ Gaylord Palms Resort, Kissimmee ➤ Loews Don CeSar Hotel, St. Pete Beach ➤ Mission Inn Resort & Club, Howey-in-theHills ➤ The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island ➤ Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa, Ponte Vedra Beach ➤ The Shores Resort & Spa, Daytona Beach ➤ TradeWinds Island Resorts (Island Grand and Guy Harvey Outpost), St. Pete Beach
meeting planners go green, including tips on selecting a destination and choosing accommodations, venues and environmentally conscious transportation companies, as well as suggestions on how to communicate the meeting’s green goals to attendees. mf
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like swimming, boating and fishing. As with the Florida Green Lodging Program, the DEP maintains a Florida Clean Marina Program, another voluntary designation initiative designed to increase awareness of environmentally friendly practices, though the challenges to meet the standards can be quite different, Brad Stombock of the DEP notes. “Marinas have issues with fueling, storm water run-off, storage tanks, painting. It all depends on what kind of facility they have,” he says. According to DEP figures, there are 263 Clean Marinas in Florida, or about 14 percent of all marinas, along with 38 Clean Boatyards and 17 Clean Retailers throughout the state. “Marina operators tend to understand that if their water isn’t clean, people aren’t going to use them,” Stombock says. “Both our Clean Marina and Green Lodging programs are the largest in the country. They’re what other states base their programs on.” Learn more about Clean Marinas at www. dep.state.fl.us/cleanmarina; and Green Lodging at www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging, which also has a section devoted to helping
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The Atlantic Ocean serves as the dramatic b a c k d r o p f o r t h e AAA Five –Diamond rated Ponte Vedra Inn & Club. 250 luxurious rooms and suites, beach, golf, tennis, fitness, spa, fine dining, shopping and award-winning hospitality since 1928. Attractive rates and packages are available.
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
Oceanfront. 20 minutes from Jacksonville. (800) 234-7842 www.pontevedra.com
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lagomar.com 1.800.LAGOMAR
Ten lush acres on the Atlantic Ocean | 12,000 square feet of contemporary, flexible facilities
P R I VA C Y Y O U D E M A N D. S U R R O U N D I N G S Y O U D E S E R V E. At Lago Mar Resort & Club you can gather outside of the limelight in the quiet seclusion of a AAA Four-Diamond oceanfront resort. Your group will enjoy the memorable meeting experience and you’ll enjoy all the glory.
1700 South Ocean Lane Fort Lauderdale, FL lagomar.com | 1.800.LAGOMAR
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WATCH Florida’s distinctive new districts are the place to be, starting with Miami
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ith the development of any big city, there can be real estate casualties. Expressways cut through once-quiet enclaves. People move to the suburbs, taking their patronage with them. Big-box stores put small retailers out of business.
It can be easy for some areas to get swallowed up or marginalized. But with the help of investors and determined residents, a good number of these distinctive neighborhoods are reinventing themselves and being rediscovered by a new generation of visitors.
Downtown Miami on the Edge
Arty, hip and compelling, the Design District and Wynwood Arts District have emerged as one of Greater Miami’s most popular dining and entertainment hubs. Following in the steps of South Beach, and indeed conceived by the same team of developers, these once blighted areas, forgotten by locals and ignored by tourists, have been reborn as hip, happening, must-see spots on Miami’s cultural map. Set just north of the downtown hub but considered part of downtown Miami, Wynwood and the Design District have joined other emerging downtown enclaves, including the Arts and Entertainment District, home to the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, and Midtown Miami, where glass-and-steel condos, showrooms and trendy restaurants have replaced abandoned storefronts. Radically transforming the cityscape for 40-plus blocks, these vibrant enclaves are fully invested in the future of the “Magic City,” and it shows. “Downtown is really coming on strong, especially in neighborhoods like Wynwood and the Design District,” says Barry Moskowitz, vice president of convention and group sales for the Greater Miami CVB. “They’re up-and-coming and thriving, and there’s no slowing it down.”
Wynwood Arts District
In a relatively short time, Wynwood has vaulted from downtrodden drive-by to acclaimed center for the arts. A former manufacturing area known as “Little San Juan” or “El Barrio” due to its strong Puerto Rican population, the neighborhood was given
new life by South Beach developer Tony Goldman, who looked at the area’s neglected warehouses and shuttered factories and saw giant canvases. “He came up with the mural idea and brought it to fruition,” says George Neary, associate vice president of cultural tourism for the Greater Miami CVB, referring to the enormous, colorful and compelling works of art that have taken over building walls throughout the neighborhood, created by street and graffiti artists from not only the U.S. but Brazil, Belgium, Mexico, Portugal, Greece Spain, Germany, France and Japan. “That led to even more art venues coming in, including the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Rubell Family Collection and the Margulies Collection at the Warehouse.” The latter refers to an extensive collection of contemporary and vintage photography, video and sculpture from the holdings of Miami real estate developer and art collector Martin Z. Margulies. Today, the Wynwood Arts District is home to more than 70 art galleries and four museums, including the acclaimed Center for Visual Communication, which recently exhibited the spectacular images of landscape photographer Clyde Butcher, and Gary Nader Fine Art, where a 55,000-square-foot exhibition space showcases contemporary and Latin American art. Mitrani Warehouse, Locust Projects, A. Dale Nally Studio and Gregg Shienbaum Fine Art are just a few of the galleries making artistic waves here. Some galleries are by appointment only while others keep regular hours, but groups can take in several venues at once during Wynwood’s Second Saturday Art Walks. You also might catch the next superstar of the art world in Wynwood’s Bakehouse Art Complex, an artists’ collective housed in, yes, a former bakery warehouse and dedicated to giving emerging and mid-career artists the opportunity to develop their talents by providing affordable studios, exhibition galleries and professional development opportunities. Visitors are encouraged to browse and watch the artists at work, or if you call ahead, a group tour can be arranged.
The Design District
Bordering Wynwood to the north, the Design District stays true to its name as a crossroads for new concepts in interior and fashion design. While Wynwood’s renaissance began with Tony Goldman, the Design District’s ascent started with developer Craig Robins. “[He] cut his teeth in South Beach and
Groovy Gulfport
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rt walks. Funky shops. And one of the biggest dance floors in Florida. No wonder groups are quick-stepping over to Gulfport (www.mygulfport.us), south of St. Petersburg. “You can drive down the main drag and you will not see a chain restaurant, or a Starbucks, or anything like that,” says David Downing, deputy director of Visit St. Pete/Clearwater. “It’s almost like time travel in a certain way. It has this old America feel.” There’s a good reason for that. Gulfport was literally bypassed by geography. “It was the original port coming into the Gulf, and over the years, the bay became filled with resorts. You can’t even get straight out to the Gulf anymore,” Downing says. “The town’s kind of hidden from the main road, and you have to go find it.” Once you do, you’ll find a quirky vibe that’s expressed on a local bumper sticker: “If you’re too weird for Gulfport, you’re too weird.” But stay, because the shopping and dining are just as one-of-a-kind as everything else. Here are a few gems: ➤ Gulfport Casino Ballroom (www.mygulfport.us) This vintage grand ballroom features a 5,000-square-foot authentic 1930s hardwood dance floor, along with a bandshell stage and sound equipment. Group dance lessons and dance sessions are offered, or groups can rent the entire facility, which accommodates up to 750. ➤ Peg’s Cantina (www.pegscantina.com) This bungalow-turned-restaurant offers fresh Mexican favorites washed down by its own micro-brewed beer, or as Downing calls the facility, “a nano-brewery.” ➤ Gulfport Art Walks (www.gulfportma.com) Artists work and sell their wares from booths all along Beach & Shore boulevards as visitors stroll and browse. Free trolley rides are available from off-site parking areas. The walks are held twice monthly from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. year-round. ➤ GeckoFest (www.geckofest.com) GeckoFest gives summer a memorable sendoff every September with stage musicians, strolling street characters, vendors selling weird and wonderful merchandise, costume contests, a street dance and a parade down Beach Boulevard that starts in front of the Gulfport Casino.
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The Hot List The following Florida towns and districts are emerging as fascinating destinations in their own right.
The Skinny on F.A.T.
The F.A.T. Village Arts District (www.fatvillage.com) is gaining the weight of recognition. Standing for Flagler Art and Technology Village, F.A.T. is the only urban arts district in Fort Lauderdale and one of the largest in Florida. “It’s an area in redevelopment, taking older buildings and turning them into studios,” says Christine Roberts-Tascione, vice president of convention sales and services for the Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB. Indeed, village streets are lined with open artists’ studios, galleries and theaters, including the community theater, Andrews Living Arts. While many of the galleries are open daily, businesses band together at impromptu times to host events showcasing painting, photography, sculpture and other art forms. You never know what will be next or when, but something’s always going on here. One regular event is the Village Art Walk that takes place every last Saturday of the month, when art is on display and food trucks are on hand to feed hungry art aficionados. The Refinery, Tampa Another striking attraction of F.A.T. Village is the graffiti wall located along the railroad tracks near N.W. 5th Street. Take a camera because you’ll want to remember it. “F.A.T. is something new, and people are loving it,” Roberts-Tascione confirms.
A Touch of Europe
Fort Lauderdale’s North Beach Village (www.northbeachvil lage.com) aims to bring a slice of Europe to the heart of the city. The six-block area is the brainchild of Swedish investor Par Sanda, who has sunk $57 million into the local economy, purchasing and renovating more than 25 North Beach properties. Hotels are connected with cafes and outdoor areas, creating a pedestrian-friendly European feel two blocks from the beach.
The Refinery, Tampa
One makeover has resulted in the new hotel Aqua (www.aquafortlauder dale.com), which took over the former Angela’s Beach Resort and an unused building next door and is now a 39-room boutique property offering deluxe studio and suite accommodations.
Reaching the Heights
Up-and-coming in the heart of Tampa is Seminole Heights (www.historicsemi noleheights.info; www.oldseminoleheights.org), a tree-shaded community of bungalow homes reflecting the charm of the early 1900s. Some of the homes have been restored and are listed on the National Historic Register. But there’s nothing dated about the dining scene, with choices ranging from Cuban cuisine to soul food. “The Refinery and Ella’s are local favorites,” says Liana Lopez, Tampa Bay & Company’s director of communications. “The Independent is a great bar, and Bo’s is a Tampa treasure if you love ice cream.” Seminole Heights also hosts a seasonal outdoor market from October to May, held the second Sunday of each month when up to 130 vendors offer hydroponic and conventional produce, plants, herbs, fresh flowers and gourmet foods.
and galleries filled with incredibly inventive the Art Deco District,” Neary says. “Then he took that ethic to the Design District. He has objets d’art and textiles. Catch the latest (and future) looks in home decor at designer an amazing eye for art and culture, shops showrooms like FENDI Casa, Ligne Roset, and designers, and artists from all over the mobili moderni and Poltrona Frau. Stop world.” Robins, the CEO of Miami-based Dacra, a in at Markowicz Fine Art, home to pop art and works from the Mourlot collection of real estate development company known for its cultivation of “creative communities,” says French lithographs, or linger at the De La Cruz Collection, which supports the local the area is a great place to spend a couple of arts scene by providing artist residencies hours in Miami. while promoting the arts through lectures, “It’s chic, central, relaxed,” he says, adding artist-led workshops and docent-led tours by that it’s due for further growth. “We’re planning more luxury retail, a Ricart Gallery, hotel and residences but also Design District, Miami a continuous evolution of the area, and that includes public art projects, beautiful architecture, green spaces,” Robins says. “It’s about creating a thriving neighborhood.” Robins’ vision is clear to those strolling the bustling streets of the District, passing showrooms 18
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request. Meanwhile, the lighter side of art is celebrated at Swampspace Gallery, an artist-run space that calls itself the “un-gallery” as it presents cutting-edge exhibitions. The many galleries of the Design District are showcased during Art + Design Night, featuring gallery walks, that, like Wynwood, are held the second Saturday of every month. In addition to the visual, applied and decorative arts, cultural happenings take place all over the Design District as well. At the Haitian Heritage Museum, frequent festivals complement the museum’s collection of paintings, artifacts, music, films and literary works. You might also catch a poetry reading or theater performance at Etra Fine Art, where walls are filled with jaw-dropping works of art. Or head south a few blocks to O
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Cinema in Wynwood, screening new works, classics, rarely seen films and newly restored master works.
Shopping & Dining
On the other hand, if a good old-fashioned shopping expedition is on the agenda, the Design District is a retail nirvana, with boutiques that represent the top names in fashion: Christian Louboutin, Celine, Marni, Anya Ponorovskaya, Sebastien James and En Avance. And the list grows longer seemingly by the day, as the roster recently expanded to include Louis Vuitton, Prada and the new kid on the fashion block, Hermes. After exploring the worlds of art and design, it’s easy to make an evening of it in the Design District and neighboring Wynwood. Specialties from the wood oven and daily fresh offerings from local farmers and fishermen are on the menu at Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink, helmed by James Beard Award-winning chef/owner Michael Schwartz. Schwartz is also the culinary mastermind behind the casual Harry’s Pizzeria, serving up hand-formed pizzas using dough made in-house daily. Diners wash them down with a rotating tap of local and craft
beers before rounding the meal off with daily biscotti and zeppole. There are dozens of other dining choices here as well, from Egyptian pizza and vegetarian delights to Latin favorites and Caribbean cuisine. In Wynwood, the claim to the “best pizza in Miami” is made by Joey’s, whose thincrust pies have won rave reviews from critics and diners alike. The menu also includes classic Italian dishes served indoors or al fresco on a garden terrace.
Also in Wynwood, Cafeina is equal parts lounge, gallery, tapas-style restaurant and event space, where miniature Angus sliders are savored under a dramatic chandelier and the bar serves up cocktails like cafe con leche martinis and pomegranate mojitos. Outside, an old-school DJ spins vinyl on a turntable, while a more tranquil ambience awaits in Cafeina’s gallery, featuring a rotating collection of drawings, paintings, photographs, installations and electronic media by local and international artists. mf
Furniture store, Design District, Miami
HISTORY IS NO LONGER A THING OF THE PAST. THE COLONIAL QUARTER. NOW OPEN.
MEETINGS HERE AREN’T THE SAME OLD
In fact, they’re many stories, woven in and out of a place where meetings and events are marked by success. They’re grand galas and intimate gatherings. They’re challenging the infamous 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass. Cozy cafes and oceanfront dining. Hot stone massages and fresh sugar scrubs. Remarkable forts and legendary landmarks. And with our attentive service, you’re ensured a success story. Plan your next meeting where it all began on Florida’s Historic Coast. Call 800 -418-7529, or visit MyFlorida Meetings.com
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Shape
Up!
Novel programs have attendees staying fit and fabulous
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Florida FFA Leadership Training Center, Haines City
eeping a group alert, refreshed and ready to learn is no small feat during a busy convention. Everyone’s schedule is off kilter, attendees might be eating more than usual and staying up later to socialize and enjoy the destination. So instead of the typical boat-building or bead-stringing team-building activity, why not awaken everyone’s resting heart rate with a workout before they go back to work? “These programs are a good way to get fit and participate in an event,” says Drew Toth, director of sales and marketing for Mission Inn Resort & Club near Orlando, which has a full array of active team-building choices. “We all want to do something we don’t normally get to do.” Following are some ideas to get your group up and at ’em during your next Florida meeting or event.
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, Miramar Beach www.sandestin.com
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort combines team building and fitness with a variety of activities ranging from moderate to extreme. In the latter category, the Baytowne Adventure Zone Challenge includes a YOLO board relay (stand-up paddleboarding), a zipline challenge, the Sandestin Sky Trail (a ropes course), a golf challenge and a climbing tower challenge. Groups can choose one activity or mix and match all five challenges for “the ultimate experience,” says Penny Jackson, Sandestin’s director of sales. “It’s such a wonderful way for attendees to have lasting memories and enjoy quality time outdoors with fellow colleagues,” she says.
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Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, Miramar Beach
Omni Amelia Island Plantation
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We call it belonging.
Here, seaside life is at its finest. Endless horizons punctuated by mangrove islands and coral reefs. Where privacy is honored and everyone is made to feel special. The pace is tranquil yet engaging with unsurpassed amenities, and attentive service that treats our guests as if they were members. What makes “The Reef” truly exceptional, however, is not the myriad things to do, but the common belief in authenticity and tradition that is shared by all who visit. Put this unique environment to work for your company.
Register today at www.meetings.oceanreef.com. Not only will you receive our entertaining and informative newsletter, if you also provide us with an RFP we will send you our new 80-page coffee table book Flavors of the Reef featuring the favorite recipes of our master chefs!
Scan here to register for your Flavors of The Reef recipe book.
Ocean Reef Club • 35 Ocean Reef Dr, Suite 200 • Key Largo, FL 33037 • www.oceanreef.com
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Greater ‘Fit’ Lauderdale
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t’s “goodbye gym, hello fitness” with Fort Lauderdale’s new citywide fitness initiative, focused on offering fit-centered opportunities for visiting groups and individuals. “We’ve developed wellness programs in conjunction with our medical facilities, to be sure of their healthful qualities,” notes Christine Roberts-Tascione, vice president of convention sales and services for the Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB (www.sunny.org), and to that end, the fit tips come with a calorie guide. One option is Flo-Yo (211 calories/hour), a new fitness craze created in Fort Lauderdale by yoga expert Dashama Konah Gordon, which involves holding yoga poses while balancing on a board, on a lake. Rentals and lessons are offered at Fort Lauderdale’s George English Park. Visitors can two-wheel it on a Tour de Fit (281 calories/hour) using the city’s new B-Cycle bike sharing program. Some bikes come equipped with onboard GPS to track mileage, calories burned and carbon offsets. Anyone looking for something a bit more extreme can take a Flight of Fantasy (422 calories/hour), strapping on a water-powered pack and soaring up to 30 feet above the waves. “It’s something that’s very cool and popular,” Roberts-Tascione says. “We had a group from Bacardi do it. They get up there for a few minutes and scream, but they love it.” Tango, fox trot and waltz lessons (387 calories/ hour) are also part of the program, along with organized marathons (563 calories/hour) and dive tours of Greater Fort Lauderdale’s multitiered natural reef system (352 calories/hour). “Groups want something unique to give them peace and balance—something more than going to a spa or gym,” Roberts-Tascione says. Flo-Yo, Fort Lauderdale
Jackson also notes that more requests are coming in for programs combining both fitness and team building. “It’s becoming more and more popular with our meetings,” she says. “YOLO in particular is a trending sport right now. It works your core muscle groups. However, most people are so busy enjoying the scenery and fun of the sport, they never know they’re working out.”
Florida FFA Leadership Training Center, Haines City www.flaltc.org
Located in Haines City, midway between Orlando and Tampa, the Florida FFA Leadership Training Center specializes in group bonding through team building in a secluded environment that fosters closeness. Activities include canoeing and kayaking across an on-site lake, as well as paintball tournaments, basketball, volleyball and bicycling. The center’s signature team-building event, though, is its rope courses, featuring different elements and challenges along the way. “Everyone gets involved,” says Evie Nagel, the center’s director of sales. “We offer a low ropes and high ropes course. It doesn’t
On the sugar-white beaches of
Northwest Florida
Bring your next meeting to Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, the largest full-service beachfront resort on Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast, and let our experienced team of professionals create an enviable meeting that only looks like you worked hard to put it together! With 598 guest rooms, every conceivable amenity, and meeting and banquet facilities for more than 2,000, we will make planning your next meeting easy…freeing you to disconnect, relax and enjoy your time with us. Visit hiltonsandestinbeach.com/meetings today to learn how Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa can create an enviable experience for you and your guests.
4000 Sandestin Blvd. South, Destin, Florida 32550 • 1-877-705-6641 • (850) 267-9600 • info@hiltonsandestinbeach.com
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Mission Inn Resort & Club, Howey-in-the-Hills
matter what kind of shape you’re in, everyone can participate on the low ropes to get the team-building and trust components in. The facilitator meets with clients to discuss the individual dynamics of their group and designs the course accordingly.” The center offers 60 lodging rooms, including five-, six- and seven-bedroom villas with individual bathrooms and large common areas, along with 13,000 square feet of meeting and dining space. “You sleep, eat and meet all on property,” Nagel says.
Corporate Resort Services, St. Petersburg www.crsevents.com
When groups need to work off that sumptuous evening buffet, St. Petersburg-based Corporate Resort Services is there with their black lights, which come in handy for Night Spiker volleyball, a fun alternative to the traditional game but just as good a workout despite the fact that players sport glow-inthe-dark body paint that matches the glow of the net, the ball and the out-of-bounds lines. “We have multiple courts and hold competitions with single or double eliminations,”
says John Harbet, president of the company. “We give out medallions to the winning teams and provide custom T-shirts. Those who don’t play cheer the rest of the team on.” The company can stage Night Spiker volleyball and other events all over the state.
Omni Amelia Island Plantation, Amelia Island www.omnihotels.com/ameliaisland
The Omni Amelia Island Plantation gets physical with an Island Survivor Challenge, which splits teams into four to six people, assigning each team a name, a war cry and a
Omni Amelia Island Plantation
team flag before they compete in six unique challenges. Options range from moderate archery and walk-the-plank challenges to more physical activities like the Fire Brigade, which sends participants to the ocean and back, filling buckets of water, and relay races that include lots of running, strategizing and solving brain teasers. One of the resort’s newer team-building options is GenMove, which is “an ultimate game, like ultimate Frisbee,” says Kate Biava, the property’s corporate recreation manager. “There are different balls and nets, and you can create different physical fitness and team-building games incorporating the equipment.”
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Sandestin Beach and Golf Resort, Miramar Beach
Mission Inn Resort & Club, Howey-in-the-Hills www.missioninnresort.com
Set in Central Florida’s lake region south of Tavares, Mission Inn Resort & Club is its own sports capital, with a state-ofthe-art fitness center complete with personal trainers, a tennis academy, two golf academies, cycling trails and even a trap and skeet range. “Trap and skeet is becoming really popular,” says Drew Toth, the property’s director of sales and marketing. “People love the competitive aspect of clay shooting. We also have a ropes course on-property, so we have plenty of options for team building. We just did a program a few weeks ago, and the group used both the golf and tennis courts.” Toth says the resort’s self-contained setting covering 1,100 acres in the Florida foothills also contributes to a group’s team-building efforts. “The property itself is somewhat isolated. You can’t just go next door to restaurants or bars,” he says. “The atmosphere in itself builds camaraderie.”
South Seas Island Resort, Captiva www.offshoresailing.com
Attendees set sail toward fitness at the Offshore Sailing School, 24
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located at South Seas Island Resort on Captiva. Claiming the “ultimate platform for interpersonal development, discovery and learning,” the firm offers full- and half-day sailing programs that encourage groups to work together to navigate boats under sail power alone.
The Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa gets groups going with active pursuits like pool and beach volleyball, relay and raft races, beach Olympic events and an Amazing Race-style challenge that involves a 3.5mile bike ride. But don’t worry if some in the group might balk at the level of difficulty; the resort’s recreation department can customize programs to meet
individual needs. “Everyone’s fitness levels are different. You might get triathlon runners and people who are sedentary in the same group,” says Alexandria Rowe, the resort’s recreation manager. “Our printed material is just the starting point. We cater to anything and everything.” The Hilton’s spa, Serenity by the Sea, also gets serious about fitness with a Beach Boot Camp that pairs exercise with scenic oceanfront views and can be tailored to various fitness levels. mf
Gym Dandy
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lorida’s hotel and resort fitness centers are in great shape, offering top-ofthe-line equipment, strength training, cardio, weights and classes that allow guests to maintain their exercise routines while traveling. Following are some examples. ➤ Orlando’s Caribe Royale All-Suite Hotel & Convention Center (www.cariberoyale. Caribe Royale All-Suite Hotel com) offers complimentary access to an impressive two-story, 3,500-square-foot & Convention Center, Orlando fitness center featuring 40 pieces of strength training and high-tech cardio equipment. Amenities include 10 32-inch flat-screen TVs and a stash of sports drinks, health snacks and chilled towels. ➤ The David Barton Spa and Gym at the Perry South Beach (www.perrysouth beachhotel.com) claims the largest gym floor in South Beach—42,000 square feet of fitness space—along with two floors of interactive cardio machines and tons of free weights. The center also offers private training sessions, private Pilates and mat classes and semi-private apparatus classes. Meanwhile, there are four group training studios where the faithful can participate in yoga, group cycling, boxing and Krav Maga combat self-defense. ➤ The Boca Raton Resort & Club (www.bocaresort.com) boasts three state-of-theart fitness venues: the 6,200-square-foot Cloister Fitness Center, featuring cardio, Pilates, fitness classes and personal trainers; the Boca Beach Club, where a Kinesis wall offers high-tech resistance training and guests work out with personal wireless flat-screen entertainment centers; and the Country Club Fitness Center, offering a unique Hydra-Fitness Circuit workout and heated outdoor lap pool. ➤ An oceanfront gym at the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club (www.pontevedra.com) on Ponte Vedra Beach features more than 8,000 square feet of fitness space on two levels, with room for more than 75 equipment stations and four individual fitness studios for aerobics and Pilates. Classes include core training, step combo circuits, David Barton Spa and Gym aquacizing and indoor cycling. at the Perry South Beach ➤ In case you left your gym bag at home, the Westin Imagine Orlando (www. westinimagineorlando.com) has your fitness gear covered, partnering with New Balance to provide athletic shoes and apparel during a guest’s stay (for a fee). Just call, request your shoe and clothing size and they’ll be delivered to your room. Shoes come with brand-new socks and apparel is freshly laundered. Dan FOrer
Groups also may opt for a run and walk along a custom-designed, three-mile course, stopping at bottled water stations and taking in the island’s natural beauty as they compete. Prizes are awarded for the best times. Scavenger hunts via bicycle, paintball contests and group sails are among the other active choices for team-building experiences.
Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, Miramar Beach www.sandestinbeach hilton.com
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It’s All Here!
Mission Inn’s 1,100 acre Spanish Colonial Resort provide the perfect backdrop to engage your program attendees. Wide-open vistas and fragrant orange groves enhance your overall learning experience. Our 30,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space provide the perfect classroom settings. A variety of free time options include two championship golf courses, rejuvenating spa, trap & skeet range, and teambuilding programs. Discover the Mission Inn advantage nestled in the hills of Central Florida!
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Just 35 minutes from Orlando • 10400 County Road 48 • Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida 34737 www.MissionInnResort.com • (800) 523-2289 MeetingsFocusSOUTH_FP_9x10.875.indd 1 Untitled-5 4
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State of the Arts
Hold that sunset cruise—you can get a lot more creative with after-hours fun in Florida
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hen it comes to group activities, the choices aren’t always black and white. Sometimes what you want is color, and lots of it, to lighten the load of a busy day. That’s where Florida’s art museums come in. Many offer group classes and hands-on art encounters that get the creative juices flowing while building rapport among attendees.
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here. The center also has a stateof-the-art pottery studio with 11 wheels, a computer studio with 11 stations, a jewelry and stainedglass studio and specialty classes in decorative painting and basket-weaving. “The group can come in for a d ta Gor everything from an hour-long er, Pun t n e C Arts demonstration by someone at Visual the wheel to a three-day workshop,” says Michele Valencourt, the center’s executive director. “We can pretty much arrange “Painting is one of anything with enough advance notice.” the few things you do that demands total concentration, when you have to focus on one thing,” says Maria Barry, Doris Bardon Community Cultural president of the Kissimmee-based artists’ Center, Gainesville co-op, Gallery One Artists. “It’s therapeutic www.thedoris.org because your brain’s not all over the place. A striking geometric exterior distinguishes And when you’re detached from daily life, this new center for the arts, which houses it’s refreshing.” a gallery, classrooms and a clay studio, and Group can enjoy that refreshment at the welcomes artists-in-residence who also following venues. teach community art classes. The center is open to customizing group experiences. For example, classes of up to 20 Visual Arts Center, Punta Gorda could be accommodated if 10 worked with www.visualartcenter.org ceramics while the others did print-making, The traditional arts of watercolor, drawing, says Lytha Nicholson, director of the center. pencil and sculpture are only the beginning
“If they’re in town for a few days, they could come here, make something in ceramics, and we could fire it up and deliver it to their hotel,” she says.
ArtsPark at Young Circle, Hollywood www.hollywoodfl.org/index. aspx?nid=65
This 10-acre circle in the middle ArtsPark at Young Circl of busy Hollye, Hollywood wood Boulevard is home to a 9,750-squarefoot amphitheater with a lawn that seats 2,500, as well as a Visual Arts Pavilion where regular glass-blowing demonstrations draw curious crowds. Groups can schedule a private lesson with the artist, “learning the basics of how to blow glass and getting an overview of how glass is made,” says Karl Chuck, park manager. “It can be tailored
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Florida’s Literary Map
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hether they were born in Florida or chose to live and work here, a number of acclaimed authors have churned out their masterpieces in the Sunshine State.
Mentioning “writer” and “Florida” in the same breath usually brings a few
names to mind, including Ernest Hemingway, who lived for a time in Key West, where he wrote a number of classics, including To Have and Have Not; and Tennessee Williams, another Key West resident who wrote Summer and Smoke and Night of the Iguana, among other works, from his cottage at 1431 Duncan St.
Key West Business Guild
Hemingway’s home operates as a museum today and is available for special events, while a new exhibit honoring Tennessee Williams was just unveiled by the Key West Business Guild and includes personal photos of the playwright at home with his partner and friends, as well as books of poetry and drama, playbills and a typewriter he used. Away from the free-spirited ambience of Key West, another writer found inspiration in the swampy scrublands of north-central Florida—Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, a former New York journalist who chronicled the hardscrabble life she encountered in the tiny town of Cross Creek, shaping her experiences into several acclaimed novels, including The Yearling, a Pulitzer Prize-winner. Today, Rawlings’ cracker-style homestead is preserved at Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park. In addition to literary giants past, writers still living
Key West Business Guild
and working in Florida today include Carl Hiaasen, who was born and raised in the state; humorist Dave Barry and crime novelist Edna Buchanan, both Miami residents; Dexter creator Jeff Lindsay, who lives in Southwest Florida; and that master of horror, Stephen King, a seasonal resident of the Sarasota area.
routine—like alligators.” Happily for Cook, he can go to the Everglades whenever he wants because as a Naples resident, it’s basically in his backyard. In a recent conversation, the native New Yorker and former New Jersey resident explained how he found his way to the Sunshine State. Robin Cook: It was 1981 and I heard Marco Island was a place where it might be good to invest a little money. So I got on a plane and flew down to Naples, got off the plane and looked around, and never made it to Marco. Meetings Focus: What was it about Naples? RC: It was a fun, sleepy little town full of nice people, right on the water, and I’ve always liked the water. And I realized that since it was sleepy, I might be able to write some books. [By his own reckoning, Cook has written at least 20 books in Florida.] MF: Is there anything about Florida you found surprising? RC: Well, I’d never met anyone from the Midwest until I went to Florida. I grew up in New York and I thought everyone in the world was a New Yorker. I think that when you live in Florida, you’re going to meet people from lots of different places. For me, that was very stimulating. MF: Can you tell us about your next book? RC: I’m working on it right now. It’s going to be my 32nd book, believe it or not, and I think it’s going to be my best book. I finally figured out a way to write about a very important issue that usually puts everyone to sleep. It’s a thriller about health care reform. And I think it’ll be very fun to read.
Meanwhile, Naples holds bragging rights to being the home of novelists Robin Cook and Janet Evanovich. They share what they love about living in Florida
She’s Just Warming Up
below.
Janet Evanovich Naples resident and best-selling author of the
The Doctor Is In
Stephanie Plum Series and The Husband List (co-au-
Robin Cook
thored with Dorien Kelly), Janet Evanovich tells us what she really thinks of Florida.
He single-handedly invented the “medical thriller” genre, starting with his breakthrough novel, the blockbuster book-turned-movie Coma and rolling through 28 New York Times bestsellers, including
snow up to my armpits in the north, I can look out at the sparkling water and
Outbreak, Vital Signs and Contagion. He’s a Colum-
take a walk on the beach. What’s not to love?
bia University Medical School graduate, Harvard Medical School faculty member and practicing physician. It might be tough to picture Robin Cook tramping through the Everglades. But that’s exactly where the author was recently, searching for just the right setting so that the naturalist painter who accompanied him could transfer it to “I don’t know why, but the Everglades has always been an attraction for me,” he says. “It’s a mysterious place and has things that are not part of your daily
Meetings Focus Florida
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MF: What is it about Florida that inspires you? JE: I love the bright, blue water and the sand. Also, it’s nice not to have to wear gloves and a hat six months out of the year. MF: Is there a particular experience you would recommend to groups visiting Florida? JE: I know it has the reputation of being a place for kids, but you can’t top
a canvas.
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Meetings Focus: What brought you to Florida? Janet Evanovich: I chose Florida because it’s a beautiful state. When there’s
Walt Disney World. I get there two or three times a year and love it. Our family loves the place so much, my daughter got married there.
April 2013
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to specific groups, and we can schedule sessions on weekdays or weekends, based on the artist’s availability.”
Gallery One Artists, Kissimmee www.galleryoneartists.com
Maria Barry travels for her art. As the president of Gallery One Artists and a member of other Central Florida art groups, Barry has brought artistic team building to various venues throughout the region. A former sales and marketing exec herself, Barry says she’s experienced at gauging the mood of the group and knows how far she can push inexperienced students. “We’ve had groups that were a mix of management and lower-level employees, and usually the lower-level do
Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, Jacksonville www.cummer.org
Home of Art Connections, an interactive learning center where visitors paint on digital canvases and create self-portraits on computer screens, the Cummer leaves the tools of artistic creation at the door—literally. Art boxes containing paint (or pencil) andCOV-2000 paper areMeeting available in theHP lobby, and Focus 2013_Layout 1
guests are free to take them and use them at their leisure. Many people end up painting or drawing in the gardens, says Maggie Reynolds, associate director of education.
Tampa Museum of Art www.tampamuseum.org
There are virtually no limits on what groups can do at this riverfront facility showcasing a collection and classi2/26/13 9:41 of AMcontemporary Page 1
m of Art
Tampa Museu
better,” she says. “The higher-ups would get frustrated and quit. I try to make it as non-intimidating as possible.” To that end, she says budding artists in her classes start with a stencil instead of freehand drawing. Barry also encourages an informal atmosphere and says for an evening class, groups are free to bring wine and a snack.
BOOK SMART. The Ocean Center. World-class conventions at the world’s most famous beach.
Sarasota’s Selby Gardens www.selby.org
Selby Gardens provides a peaceful botanical setting for artistic encounters. In addition to community art classes, the gardens can arrange group sessions, with classroom space for about 14 and the bayfront Great Room for larger groups. Instructors keep it simple, says Marilynn Shelley, the venue’s manager of community classes and exhibits. “One group coming in soon will be doing Georgia O’Keeffe flowers with markers,” she says. “It’s good for any level. You don’t have to be an artist but you can learn some techniques.”
101 N. Atlantic Ave. Daytona Beach, FL 32118 855-755-4440 oceancenter.com
WHEN THE MEETING BREAKS, THE OCEAN AWAITS!
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DeLand mural, West Volusia
Wall-to-Wall Art
I
n Lake Placid, a nimble Florida panther makes its way along a tree branch. In Palatka, the Hiawatha steamboat churns its way up the Ocklawaha River. And in DeLand, a mother bear and her cubs stroll through the morning mist.
You haven’t gone back in time, but murals in Florida have. Once the domain of creative graffiti artists making political and social statements, murals in Florida have become outdoor canvases reflecting the history, culture and natural beauty of the towns and cities surrounding them. “We have visitors come in and they’re surprised to discover our murals,” says Dena Scroggins, marketing and projects manager for Visit West Volusia, located just inland from Daytona Beach and featuring the downtown DeLand mural, West Volusia
cal art, sculpture and acclaimed traveling exhibits. “The beauty of our museum is that we have a lot of flexibility,” says Leslie Langford,
district of DeLand, home to 14 colorful murals, including
scenes of the town at the turn of the last century and a mural depicting DeLand’s role as a Naval Air Station during World War II. The bureau offers a pamphlet detailing murals and locations, and a PDF can be e-mailed to planners interested in group walking tours, according to Scroggins. “We have a lot of cultural activities here,” she says. “Every fourth Friday, we have an art walk through Artisan Alley, and we’re also home to the Museum of Florida Art.” Murals are also a big attraction in the Central Florida town of Lake Placid, set midway between Sarasota and Port St. Lucie and home to 44 murals, soon to be 45, according to Harriet Porter, president of the Lake Placid Mural Society and Tourlakeplacid.com. The society offers 1.5-hour mural tours. “We have a very walkable downtown area—very friendly and safe,” she says. But murals are only part of the public art that groups will see on walking tours here, because even the trash cans are themed, and there are bird and clown sculptures positioned throughout the downtown area, the latter in recognition of the fact that Lake Placid is home to Toby’s American Clown Museum & School, which claims to have graduated more than 1,500 clowns since 1993.
director of external affairs at the facility. “We can arrange classes in chalk drawing, painting or clay. We can take a group on a sketching tour through the galleries. We can
create a theme night with music and dining.” In fact, past group activities here have included everything from a jazz band to Cirque du Soleil dancers. mf
B R A N D . N E W. MEET IN THE CENTER OF IT ALL. With its recent $35 million makeover, the DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld, formerly the DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld, has transformed into the premier Orlando meetings destination. We now offer 1,094 renovated guest rooms, 60,000 square feet of remodeled meeting space, the new Bamboo Grille and superior location. Experience our oasis situated in the middle of Orlando’s world famous attractions and close to the Orange County Convention Center. For more information, contact our sales department at 407-345-0056 or groups@doubletreeorlandoseaworld.com.
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10100 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32821 Phone 407-352-1100 www.DoubleTreeOrlandoSeaworld.com
April 2013
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B
Everglades National Park
eautiful beaches, pampering resorts, great shopping and dining, fishing and golf. Now you know what each region of the Florida peninsula has in common. But what sets each area apart probably makes the greater, and more memorable, impact on visitors.
The Many Sides of the Sunshine State Distinguishing experiences define the diverse regions of Florida
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The Geography of Good Times
➤ Some of Central Florida’s “mane” attractions are its horse farms and equestrian events, especially in the countryside surrounding Ocala, known as the “Horse Capital of the World” due
Following are some great group activities by region.
to its concentration of thoroughbred breeding
➤ Southern vistas in North Florida (www.floridas
Circuit (www.hitsshows.com/ocala) is a series
and training farms. Among the many events, Horse Shows in the Sun (HITS) Ocala Winter
tateparks.org/wilderness) include its old-growth
of horse-jumping competitions held over a sev-
forests bisected by tranquil rivers once paddled
en-week period. Heading east, St. Lucie County
by native populations, a practice still enjoyed by
(www.stlucieco.gov/tdc/horseback.htm) is one
visitors today. Groups can traverse the fabled
of the few places in the state where you can ride
Suwannee River, which begins its 170-mile trek
horses on the beach. Guided rides depart from
to the Gulf of Mexico in the riverboat-era town
Frederick Douglass Memorial Park on South
of White Springs. Some intrepid paddlers go the entire distance, but your group can make a day trip out of it, stopping to explore historic towns
Hutchinson Island. ➤ In South Florida, the southern end of Miami Beach is dotted with Art Deco hotels, the trop-
or take a dip in the refreshing springs that dot
ical jewel boxes sporting the rounded corners
the entire area.
and geometric ornamentation of 1930s architecture and part of what is today the largest
Art Deco architecture, Miami
collection of Art Deco buildings in the world. Groups can explore the treasures on guided walking tours offered by the Miami Design Preservation League (MDPL) (www.mdpl.org), a nonprofit organization devoted to preserving the area’s architectural heritage. The MDPL also spotlights Miami Beach’s other architectural styles, including Miami Modern (MiMo), which is defined by asymmetry, cheese-hole Greater Miami CVB
“Florida’s regional variety adds a special flavor to each geographic area,” says Cheryl Hatcher, director of marketing and events for Visit Florida, the state’s official tourism marketing corporation. “Going from north to south and into the Florida Keys is like discovering a new world each time. It’s part of what makes Florida such a popular destination for travelers from across the globe.” It might also help you decide where to site your next meeting, or even convince you to give each region a try.
North Florida
cutouts and futuristic forms, a style associated with the 1950s and most common in MidBeach and points north.
the place that holds the title of “America’s Oldest City,” St. Augustine. However, it’s North Florida’s Southern flavor that is perhaps its most striking characteristic, whether you’re visiting an antebellum plantation home, driving down a magnificent canopy road or exploring a Civil War-era fort. “There’s a saying that the farther north in Florida you get, the farther South you get,”
says Gary Stogner, senior marketing director for Visit Tallahassee. “Few things scream ‘Southern’ more than oak trees draped in moss, and we certainly have that, along with the hills, which a lot of people don’t expect.” Indeed, it was the just-like-home landscape that drew early settlers from Georgia and the Carolinas to North Florida in the early to mid-1800s. They set about creating the grand plantations that still exist today in the rolling countryside surrounding Tallahassee and including the towns of Monticello—a typical Southern locale complete with a courthouse square and opera house—and Havana, a former hub of the cigar industry and now known for its many antique shops. While the genteel South lives on in North Florida’s plantation homes and historic districts that include Fernandina Beach, filled with Victorian homes, many now operating as B&Bs, remnants of the region’s roughand-tumble frontier days are everywhere. One example is the Arcadia Mill Archaeological Site in Milton, an industrial park of the 1830s and ’40s, according to Lynne Robertson, chief curator of West Florida Historic Preservation and Historic Pensacola Village. “It was the first major textile mill in Florida and they produced an incredible amount of material in a short time,” she says. The site offers a visitor center and museum, as well as an elevated boardwalk through the archaeological remains of the mills. Other remnants of frontier Florida can be found at the Forest Capital Museum State Park in Perry, home to a museum dedicated to the state’s early forest industry, and the Tallahassee Museum, where a re-created 1880s farmstead includes a real garden planted with corn, sweet potatoes and cotton.
Central Florida
Not to be outdone in the history department, Central Florida is bracketed by two major historical enclaves: New Smyrna Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche, Mission of Nombre de Dios, St. Augustine
It started out Spanish, then the British were coming, and finally North Florida became a U.S. territory and state. You’ll find vestiges of each time period in the region stretching from the Atlantic to the Alabama border. In fact, the 500th anniversary of Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon’s landing is being celebrated year-round all over North Florida, from Pensacola to Tallahassee and 32
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Walt Disney World, Orlando Ybor City, Tampa
Beach on the east and Ybor City on the west, the former one of the largest single attempts at British colonization in the New World and the latter a former cigar capital that was a flourishing hub of industry in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Today, the modern town of New Smyrna Beach, a surfing and arts mecca, surrounds the remnants of a sugar mill dating to 1832 as well as the purported homesite of the city’s founder, Scottish physician Andrew Turnbull. Meanwhile, Ybor City, also known as Tampa’s Latin Quarter, is as lively as it was a hundred years ago, with restaurants galore, social clubs, shopping enclaves and frequent festivals. But a momentous event from Central Florida’s more recent history has come to define the entire region—the day Walt Disney decided to open his second amusement park in the rich pastureland surrounding Orlando and Kissimmee. More than 40 years after the Magic Kingdom first opened, not only has Disney World expanded to encompass four theme parks and 35 resorts, but all of Central Florida is known for a thriving attractions scene that spans every interest, from the exotic cultures and ani-
mals of Africa at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay to the wonders of space exploration at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral. But just as Disney has expanded over the past four decades, more growth is on tap for Central Florida’s attractions. “We’re so fortunate because so many people in the destination are so visionary and realize that it’s not about today, it’s about tomorrow,” says Danielle Courtenay, chief marketing officer for Visit Orlando, pointing to an expanded Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom among the many ongoing improvements throughout the region. “All the theme parks have new things,” she says. “Universal relaunched Spiderman. SeaWorld will also be opening their new Antarctica experience, and Animal Kingdom will start construction on Avatar Land.” Courtenay adds that the Atlantis orbiter
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decommissioned space shuttle will be landing in a new $100 million hangar at the Kennedy Space Center this summer. Even before Disney came to town, though, this region was still attractions central in the Sunshine State, beloved by travelers for unique sites like Silver Springs near Ocala, home of the famed glass-bottom boat tours that glide across crystal-clear springs, and Weeki Wachee, which is located north of Tarpon Springs and features daily mermaid performances.
South Florida and the Keys
Huge wilderness expanses like Everglades National Park, set between Southeast and Southwest Florida, and the Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in Punta Gorda often come as a surprise to those who identify South Florida more closely with its glittering cities and bustling urban areas. In Miami, visitors hope to see and be seen along the busy streets of South Beach, home of critically acclaimed restaurants, casual
Venue Variety
E
ach region of Florida offers a full spectrum of off-site venues to fit virtually any theme and budget. Some, though, reflect the special char-
acter of the area. Following is a sampling of what’s available. FloridasHistoricCoast.com
NORTH FLORIDA • In St. Augustine, the Lightner Museum (www.lightnermuseum. org), formerly the Alcazar Hotel, contains treasures from the Gilded Age, including Victorian art glass can be hosted in the magnificent lobby, a third-floor ballroom or a cavernous ground-floor space that was once the hotel swimming pool. • Mission San Luis (www. missionsanluis.org) in Tallahassee transports meetings back to 1703, when Apalachee Indians and Spanish settlers lived together in a community. One of over 100 Spanish Colonial missions, Mission San
Luis is the only one that has been reconstructed and is open to the public. Among the group venues, the elegant Mission Room banquet hall can accommodate 250 seated or 500 standing. • Pensacola’s National Naval Aviation Museum (www.navalaviationmuseum.org) displays more than 150 restored aircraft representing Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard aviation. The museum has 10,000 square feet of function space hosting more than 1,000 people.
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outdoor cafes, designer shops, laid-back lounges, extreme clubs and an entire universe of entertainment options, from art galleries and live theater to trekking through history. To the north, Fort Lauderdale’s trendy Las Olas Boulevard is touted as the place “where the beach meets chic,” and you might agree, strolling this “style mile” lined with boutiques fea-
CENTRAL FLORIDA • Daytona Lagoon (www.daytonalagoon.com) is next door to the Ocean Center convention venue and offers 12 waterslides, mini-golf, a go-kart speedway, a rock-climbing wall and laser tag. Event space can hold more than 5,000 people. • Legoland (www.florida.legoland.com) in Winter Haven features more than 55 rides, shows and
and Tiffany lamps. Group events
Lightner Museum, St. Augustine
Everglades National Park
attractions, along with lush botanical gardens that make colorful settings for group events. • The Florida Aquarium (www.flaquarium.org) in downtown Tampa is home to more than 20,000 aquatic plants and animals. Events go “under the sea” with special lighting and a spectacular underwater view. SOUTH FLORIDA • The National Croquet Center (www.croquetnational. com) in West Palm Beach is billed as the largest croquet complex in the world. A 19,000-square-foot clubhouse and manicured lawns can host groups of up to 600. • Fort Lauderdale’s African-American Research and Cultural Center (www.broward.org/Library) houses more than 85,000 books, documents and artifacts. Groups may use the auditorium and seminar rooms. • The Audubon House & Tropical Gardens (www. audubonhouse.com) in Key West provides a garden setting for corporate parties of up to 250, with the 1840s house serving as a picturesque backdrop. Mission San Luis, Tallahassee
turing everything from couture and jewelry to home decor and art galleries. When the sun sets, Las Olas restaurants stay up late with live bands and full dance floors. In Palm Beach, art meets shopping and dining in a number of cultural districts, including stylish Worth Avenue, Florida’s answer to Rodeo Drive; downtown West Palm Beach’s Clematis Street, featuring weekly open-air concerts; and the CityPlace District, featuring shops, galleries, nightclubs and restaurants that are accented by tranquil fountains. “We think Palm Beach is the best way to experience Florida,” says Jorge Pesquera, president and CEO of the Palm Beach County CVB, noting the county’s mix of cultural opportunities and outdoor activities, including golf, polo and croquet. Across the state in picturesque, walkable downtown Naples, trendy restaurants and galleries line popular Fifth Avenue South while downtown Fort Myers and the River District host such regular events as monthly music and art walks. Past the southern tip of the peninsula, the islands of the Florida Keys hopscotch across Florida Bay and the Atlantic toward the tiny island of Key West, which is as removed from the everyday as it is from the Florida mainland. By day, Old Town Key West’s Duval Street bustles with activity as visitors check out the art galleries, souvenir shops and outdoor cafes. Following the nightly sunset celebration in Mallory Square, though, Old Town lights up with dining, clubbing and live entertainment, as revelers do the “Duval Crawl,” a 2.5-hour trek through the island’s famous (and infamous) drinking establishments. mf
april 2013
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fast forward New and noteworthy developments set Florida in motion
❯❯❯❯❯❯❯❯❯❯ Hyatt Place Delray Beach
f
lorida always seems to be going in one direction—forward. And 2013 is no exception, as tourism bureaus report strong gains in group business complemented by ongoing improvements that include new and improved hotels, new restaurants and more services for meeting groups.
Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Universal Orlando
Orlando World Center Marriott
universal studios
Guy Harvey Outpost, St. Pete Beach
“We came out of the recession very strong. We’re seeing strong demand growth, our forecast is continued growth, and we’re seeing excellent reception from our meeting planners,” notes Danielle Courtenay, chief marketing officer for Visit Orlando, the Orlando Tourism Bureau, adding that third-party planners and the SMERF markets are prolific sources for increased group business in Orlando. Contributing to the positive outlook in Orlando is the fact that many groups are bringing back some program components that were cut when times were leaner. “They’re looking at CSR opportunities, and they’re looking at the theme parks and the special experiences they offer, along with our arts venues, to create that inspiration that groups are looking for,” Courtenay says. Other CVBs concur that groups are reinstating elements such as pre and post activities and off-site venues, albeit at a conserva-
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Midsize and larger groups can add these new venues to their short lists of convention contenders. ➤ The Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate (www.omniorlandoresort.com) dramatically increased the size of its meeting space with the December opening of the 55,000-square-foot Osceola County Conference Center, featuring a 28,800-squarefoot ballroom, prefunction space, eight flexible meeting rooms and an event lawn. The resort now offers a total of 128,000 square feet of function space, including three ballrooms and 46 meeting rooms. ➤ Located on the same Omni Orlando Resort 25-acre oceanfront property at ChampionsGate in Islamorada as the Islander Resort, the 4,000-square-foot Florida Keys Conference Center (www.meetinislam orada.com) offers three large meeting rooms and prefunction space with a two-story grand entrance featuring a detailed map mural of the Florida Keys. Other highlights include the Blue Marlin Ballroom, verandas with Atlantic Ocean views, a boardroom and library, and a movie theater that seats 40.
tive pace. “We’ve seen some growth, but everyone would like to see more,” says Tamara Pigott, executive director of the Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel. But with fingers crossed that group expenditures will grow, this Southwest Florida enclave is staying busy with capital improvements throughout the destination. “We take more than a quarter of our bed tax and put it into beach and shoreline projects. It’s a very strong commitment for us,” Pigott says. “The dollars are allocated so that the next time you come, everything is as beautiful as the last time you were here. And we have a high repeat rate.” Major improvements are also on tap in downtown Fort Myers, where a $150 million Riverfront Development Plan will encompass an 80,000-square-foot addition to the 36
The bureau has also noted an increase in lead time from planners bringing groups in, another indication of an improving market. “With demand coming back, planners are getting the signal that they have to start earlier, and we now see them planning into 2014,” says Doug McLain, the Palm Beach CVB’s senior vice president of global sales. “The incentive meetings are also starting to bubble back. They were all but dead in 2008 and 2009. So that’s a good sign as well.”
Hotel Happenings
Another good sign of recovery is a strengthening infrastructure—new hotel projects and major hotel renovations. Florida is seeing both in a big way, including a new 119-room Aloft property for downtown Orlando this summer, new Club Level suites at Naples’ luxurious Inn on Fifth, and coming to Miami in 2014, the Edition, complete with a nightclub, a bowling alley and an ice skating rink. Following are additional hotel developments. • Coming to the Walt Disney World Resort in 2014, the $360 million Four Seasons Orlando Resort (www.fourseasons.com) will offer 444 rooms, nearly 38,000 square feet of meeting space, a 14,000-squarefoot spa and the existing Tom Fazio-designed Osprey Ridge championship golf course. • Also due in 2014 is a new on-site property for Universal Orlando, the Cabana Bay Beach Resort (www.universalorlando. com), sporting a unique vintage look that
Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Universal Orlando universal studios
Space Permitting
Orlando World Center Marriott
city’s main convention venue, the Harborside Event Center, along with a 200-room convention hotel, a riverfront amphitheater and 100,000 square feet of retail and restaurant spaces. The project is already under way, as a new water feature now connects the downtown historic district to the Caloosahatchee River. “We’re on the cusp of some major changes,” Pigott says. Meanwhile, group business is slowly but steadily getting back to normal in the Southwest Florida city of Naples, where overall, the destination is getting close to 2007 ADRs, reports Jack Wert, executive director of the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB. “Our group meeting hotels are reporting advance bookings for 2013 and are above pace,” he says. “However, the booking window continues to be short.” Booking windows and bookings in general are on the rise in Palm Beach County, where group business is up 9.2 percent for year-end 2012 and group occupancy is up 20 percent for the last quarter of 2012. “We’re seeing improved occupancy and attribute a great deal of that to the return of the meetings market,” says Jorge Pesquera, president and CEO of the Palm Beach County CVB. “The economic recovery is taking hold and corporations are feeling a little better about spending money and getting their meetings out there.” Part of the county’s ascending tourism figures relate directly to its own robust marketing efforts. “Some of our success can be traced back to an extraordinary effort we made when the bottom was falling out,” Pesquera says. “We presented a stimulus package and instituted an aggressive meeting rebate program. We’re still benefitting from the effects of that.”
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recalls family roadtrips of yore, including bright period colors and touches of neon. The new property will feature 900 family suites and 900 standard rooms. • Ground broke last fall on the Holiday Inn Resort Destin West (www.innisfree. com), a 152-room, $25 million project slated to open in spring 2014 on 17 beachfront acres in Northwest Florida’s Okaloosa County. Resort amenities will include a waterfront lazy river, a tiki bar, an on-site restaurant and 2,000 square feet of meeting space. • Newly opened south of Sarasota, the Ramada Venice (www.ramada.com) is
Hyatt Place Delray Beach
located minutes from the beach and offers 10,000 square feet of meeting space as well as suite accommodations, an on-site restaurant and a fitness center. • The Hyatt Place Delray Beach (www.delray beach.place.hyatt.com) opened last summer in the city’s Pineapple Grove arts district, steps from Atlantic Avenue shopping and dining. The new property features 134 rooms and more than 2,000 square feet of meeting and function space. • Fort Myers-based SunStream Hotels & Resorts recently welcomed its first resort property outside Southwest Florida, the Oceanside Inn Daytona Beach (www. oceansidedaytona.com), with 171 rooms and 2,250 square feet of meeting space. • The Orlando World Center Marriott (www.marriottworldcenter.com) has completed phase one of a multimillion-dollar transformation, enhancing guest rooms, suites and 13 meeting
Orlando World Center Marriott
rooms in its North Tower. The new upgrades are the beginning of a multi-faceted overhaul at the 200-acre, 2,000-room property. • The former TradeWinds Sandpiper Suites on St. Pete Beach just became what is touted as the country’s first Guy Harvey Outpost (www.guyharveyout posttampabay.com), reflecting the art and marine wildlife themes of artist, scientist, diver, angler, conservationist and explorer Guy Harvey. Part of TradeWinds Island Resorts, the combined meeting space of Guy Harvey and its sister property, TradeWinds Island
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a waterfront dining option for lunch, Bay Bistro, located on the ground floor of the center and offering views of Tampa’s busy and picturesque Riverwalk. An eclectic menu offers everything from Southern-fried green tomatoes and “Brie-L-Ts” to grilled mahi-mahi and Portobello steak salad. ➤ Miami’s South Beach has yet another new hot spot, Dolce Italian (www. dolceitalianrestaurant.com), serving a moderately priced menu of updated Italian classics, including selections from the mozzarella bar, Neapolitan pizzas, comforting spaghetti and meatballs, and the adventurous grilled octopus served on a bed of chickpeas and ginger pistachio farro grains. The
Tampa Convention Center and Riverwalk
restaurant offers semi-private dining space for up to 20.
Food Finds
➤ The new Naples Food Tours (www.naplesfoodtours.com) provides an opportunity to sample a variety of restaurants, markets and artisan shops in one
Expanded dining options for groups gathering in Florida range from French pastry on the go to scrumptious Italian specialities worth lingering over. ➤ The new Chanticleer Bakery & Eatery (www.sowalbakery.com) in Grayton
taste and talk as they interact with chefs and proprietors of locally owned restaurants and discover hard-to-find markets. Custom tours and dinearounds are available for private groups. ➤ In Fort Lauderdale, the Wine Cellar Lounge at Lago Mar Resort and Club
Beach tempts diners with treats such as sweet potato pound cake and Scot-
(www.lagomar.com) has a new look. Fresh colors, textures and patterns
tish scones, as well as a full range of fresh-baked breads. Open for lunch and
suggest the British West Indies, with tropical-fruit hues, dark-stained
dinner, a 32-seat dining area is split into two separate areas, should groups
hardwoods and rattan, and palm frond-patterned carpeting. It makes
want some privacy. It also offers outdoor seating and take-out service.
happy hour even happier.
➤ One of the Florida Keys’ largest meetings properties, Hawks Cay (www.hawk
➤ Daytona Beach’s Ocean Center (www.oceancenter.com) shows off its culinary
scay.com), just unveiled two new restaurants: Ocean, with an open kitchen
creativity with new “chef’s table” dinners just for meeting planners interest-
that turns out fresh seafood, homemade pasta and signature pizzetas;
ed in booking the facility. “We used to take clients out to dinner somewhere
and Tio’s Cantina, which is located at the resort’s marina and features such
in the area, but now we do a personalized chef’s table with our chefs in the
delectable menu items as fresh shrimp ceviche, mahi-mahi tacos and frozen
room to go through the menu,” says Angela Cameron Daniels, the center’s
Key lime margaritas, a refreshing treat after a hard day at the beach.
marketing director. “We have samples of linens and setups. It really lets the
➤ The Tampa Convention Center (www.tampaconventioncenter.com) added
Grand, can host up to 1,000. • Originally a 360-room property, the Mainsail Suites Hotel & Conference Center in Tampa (www.mainsailtampa. com) is transitioning to 120 one- and two-bedroom suites, converting the remaining 240 rooms to rental residences. The conversion will include $1.5 million in
planners know what kind of unique presentations we can do.”
interior upgrades to guest rooms and the lobby, and is scheduled for completion by August. Mainsail offers 12,000 square feet of flexible indoor meeting space and 6,000 square feet of outdoor space. • The Doubletree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld (www.doubletreeorlandoid rive.com) recently put the wraps on a $35
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of Florida’s top foodie towns. On guided three-hour mini-bus tours, guests
million makeover and now boasts renovated guest rooms and meeting facilities, as well as a new restaurant. • Following an extensive renovation, the Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village (www.westincapecoral.com), formerly known as the Resort at Marina Village, opened in December as Starwood’s first Westin property in Southwest Florida, equipping all 263 rooms and suites with the brand’s signature Heavenly Bed and other amenities. The property is home to more than 25,000 square feet of versatile event space. • Key Largo’s Ocean Reef Club (www. oceanreef.com) just finished a multimillion-dollar remodeling of its Spa at Ocean Reef, which expanded its offerings to include 10 individual massage and treatment rooms, plus a VIP couples suite. • Seminole Paradise (www.seminolep aradise.com) at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood welcomed Playa Boutique to its popular retail lineup. If you can tear yourself away from the casino, you’ll be set for fun in the sun after shopping the boutique’s selection of swimwear, activewear and accessories. mf
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advertisers’ expanded listings
The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel Pamela Johnson, Director of Sales 2201 Second St., Ste. 600 Fort Myers, FL 33901 Tel.: (239) 338-3500 Toll free: (800) 237-6444 vcb@Leegov.com www.fortmyers-sanibelmeetings.com Facebook: FtMyersSanibel Find your island and find nothing inspires a successful meeting like an inspired setting. On the breathtaking Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel, find a diverse array of inspiring group accommodations that are perfect for small to midsize groups. For attendees, meetings naturally feel different. For planners, the area’s innate accessibility and affordability adds to the charm of this island paradise. Located on Florida’s southwest Gulf coast, the destination is easily accessible via Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), which services most major domestic and international carriers. Total guest rooms: 12,000; Total sq. ft. of indoor MTg. space: 256,000; Total sq. ft. of largest MTg. space: 45,000
Bellasera Hotel 221 Ninth St., S. Naples, FL 34102 Toll Free: (800) 548-5284
naplessales@sunstream.com www.BellaseraNaples.com/MeetingsGroups Located in the heart of Olde Naples, the Tuscan-inspired Bellasera offers spacious studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom suites with private balconies. Bellasera Hotel offers 4,000 square feet of meeting space, including ballrooms, an executive boardroom, meeting rooms, Zizi’s Restaurant and Lounge, and a terrace overlooking the pool. Total guest rooms: 100; Total sq. ft. indoor MTg. space: 4,000; MTg. rooms: 4; Total sq. ft. exhibit space: 4,000; Max. classroom cap.: 100; Max. theater cap.: 140; Max. banquet cap.: 120
Caribe Royale Orlando All Suite Hotel and Convention Center 8101 World Center Drive Orlando, FL 32821 Tel.: (407) 238-8100 Fax: (800) 823-8300 www.cariberoyale.com Twitter: @The_Caribe; Facebook: TheCaribe At Caribe Royale, our ABC Meeting Package is designed to save you money and time by offering the basics for most meetings on a complimentary basis. Amenities such as meeting space, parking, Internet connections and other benefits are included. At Caribe Royale, Central
Florida’s largest all-suite convention hotel, we make it our business to exceed the needs of your business. *See cariberoyale.com for terms and conditions. Total suites: 1,338; Total sq. ft. indoor meeting space: 15,000; MTg. rooms: 57; Max. classroom cap.: 2,700; Max. theater cap.: 4,400; Max. banquet cap.: 3,300
DiamondHead Beach Resort and Spa 2000 Estero Blvd. Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931 Tel.: (239) 765-9400 Toll Free: (888) 865-5844 sales@sunstream.com www.DiamondHeadFL.com/MeetingsGroups With 8,000 square feet of event space, including an executive boardroom, ballroom and outdoor terrace overlooking the Gulf, DiamondHead Beach Resort & Spa is the perfect spot for your next meeting. Special Features: Heated pool; beach with cabana rentals; team building; nearby championship golf; on-site causal to upscale dining at Chloe’s; newly renovated Cabana’s Beach Bar and Grille; within walking distance of Times Square, the entertainment district of Fort Myers Beach. Total suites: 121; Total sq. ft. indoor MTg. space: 8,000; MTg. rooms: 7; Total sq. ft. exhibit space: 8,000; Max. classroom cap.: 200; Max. theater cap.: 400; Max. banquet cap.: 250
Fresh Thinking We keep an eye on the details so you can focus on the agenda. With clutter-free meetings and great room rates, you’ll discover what a pleasure it is to do business here. FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO MAkE A REsERvATION , vIsIT wEsTINIMAgINEORlANdO.cOM OR cAll 888.946.9501.
FORMAlly ThE wEsTIN IMAgINE
©2012 starwood hotels & resorts Worldwide, inc. All rights reserved. sPg, Preferred guest, Aloft, element, Four Points, Le Méridien, sheraton, st. regis, The Luxury Collection, W, Westin and their logos are the trademarks of starwood hotels & resorts Worldwide, inc., or its affiliates.
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advertisers’ expanded listings
Discover the Palm Beaches, Florida Douglas McLain, Sr. Vice President, Global Sales 1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., Ste. 800 West Palm Beach, FL 33401 Toll free: (877) 722-2821 Fax: (561) 233-3009 DMcLain@PalmBeachFL.com www.palmbeachfl.com/MPpackages With its soaring windows and rich accents, the 350,000-square-foot Palm Beach County Convention Center is a premier facility offering a full-service staff, exceptional culinary talent and the most comprehensive technology available. Meeting space includes a 100,000-square-foot exhibit hall, a 25,000-squarefoot ballroom, 23,000 square feet of flexible breakout space divisible into 23 rooms, and elevated glass atriums for ample prefunction space. Total guest rooms:16,000; Total sq. ft. of indoor MTg. space: 145,000; Total sq. ft. of largest MTg. space: 100,000; Total sq. ft. of exhibit space: 350,000
Doubletree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld Larry Goldman, Regional Vice President 10100 International Drive Orlando, FL 32821 Tel.: (407) 352-1100 Fax: (407) 352-2632 www.doubletreeorlandoseaworld.com Showcasing our recent $35 million makeover, the Doubletree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld, an official on-site SeaWorld partner hotel, has transformed into the premier Orlando meetings destination experience. Conveniently located adjacent to SeaWorld®, we’re also just minutes away from the Orange County Convention Center, Universal Orlando®, and the Walt Disney® World theme parks. Orlando International Airport is less than 10 miles from the hotel, and numerous other local attractions, restaurants, and world-class shopping venues are nearby. Total guest rooms: 1,004; Total suites: 35; Total sq. ft. of indoor MTg. space: 60,000; Total sq. ft. of largest MTg. space: 12,000; Number of MTg. rooms: 28; Max. theater cap.: 1,500; Max. banquet cap.: 925; Max. classroom cap.: 750; Total sq. ft. of exhibit space: 12,000
Florida Keys & Key West/Monroe County TDC 1201 White St., Ste. 102 Key West, FL 33040 (305) 296-1552 (800) 648-5510 Fax: (305) 296-0788
have available to them. Full service and full access for all your group event needs. With three major airports: Key West Int’l., Miami and Fort Lauderdale Int’l. Total sq. ft. MTg./exhibition space: 123,000; Value periods: September-December
Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB Christine Tascione, CMP, Vice President 100 E. Broward Blvd., Ste. 200 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 Tel.: (954) 765-4466 Toll free: (800) 356-1662 Fax: (954) 765-4117
gflcvb@broward.org www.sunny.org/meetings @meetlauderdale Facebook: visitlauderdale Transform ordinary meetings into Sunconventional success stories in Greater Fort Lauderdale. Twenty-three miles of Blue Wave beaches keep inspiration on everyone’s agenda. Find over 33,000 hotel rooms, including the Lauderdale Convention Collection, with premier accommodations just a mile-and-a-half from the waterfront convention center. Start with 600,000 square feet of flexible conference and exhibit space.
Twitter:
Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa Karen Cooksey, Director of Sales & Marketing 4000 Sandestin Blvd. Destin, FL 32550 Tel.: (850) 267-9600 Toll free: (877) 705-6641 info@hiltonsandestinbeach.com www.hiltonsandestinbeach.com Twitter:@hiltonsandestin Facebook: HiltonSandestinBeach Our award-winning resort is recognized as the largest full-service beachfront resort, featuring an award-winning spa; salon; fitness center by Precor; six restaurants; three bars; three pools; a whirlpool; a deck overlooking the Gulf; children’s and teen programs; and a recreation department that can help with team-building programs. Total guest rooms: 600; Total suites: 27; Total sq. ft. of indoor MTg. space: 32,000; Total sq. ft. of largest MTg. space: 10,000; Number of MTg. rooms: 20; Max. theater cap.: 1,100; Max. banquet cap.: 900; Max. classroom cap.: 700; Total sq. ft. of exhibit space: 18,000
Tel.:
Toll Free:
sales@fla-keys.com www.fla-keys.com Known as America’s Caribbean, the 126 miles of islands that make up the Florida Keys and Key West are connected to the mainland by 42 bridges in between the pristine waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Golf, snorkeling, kayaking and wind surfing are only a few of the options attendees
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Lago Mar Resort and Club Patricia Paul, Director of Sales 1700 S. Ocean Lane Fort Lauderdale, FL 3316 Tel.: (945) 523-6511 Toll free: (800) 524-6627 fax: (954) 524-6627 paul@lagomar.com www.lagomar.com Situated on 10 lush acres on the Atlantic Ocean,
Lago Mar offers 12,000 square feet of flexible conference facilities and four contemporary meeting rooms that open onto the Fountainview Lobby, a 5,000-square-foot prefunction area with a relaxed, airy ambience. With our in-house catering, complete AV capabilities and 204 guest rooms, including 160 suites, you’ll discover the perfect setting for any size of gathering. Features the area’s largest private beach, manicured gardens and two tropical pools. Total guest rooms: 204; Total suites: 160; Total sq. ft. of indoor MTg. space: 12,000; Total sq. ft. of largest MTg. space: 3,000; Number of MTg. rooms: 4; Max. theater cap.: 250; Max. banquet cap.: 160; Max. classroom cap.:160
Mission inn resort & Club Vicki Ford, Director of Sales 10400 County Road 48 Howey-in-the-Hills, FL 34737 Tel.: (352) 324-3101 Toll free: (800) 523-2289 Fax: (352) 324-2350 VFord@missioninnresort.com www.MissionInnResort.com Twitter:@Mission_Inn Facebook: MissionInnResortandClub Mission Inn Resort & Club is an upscale hotel, an ideal destination for a meeting environment to achieve corporate objectives. Located on 1,100 picturesque acres, the resort features 183 deluxe guest rooms and suites, 30,000 square feet of conference space and an array of recreational and team-building amenities. Whether your objectives are to share trends or build upon sales team camaraderie, Mission Inn has the resources for you! With a total of 19 meeting spaces, including a 5,000-square-foot ballroom and 14 individual breakout rooms, every group can be accommodated. Located 45 minutes from Orlando Int’l. Airport, Mission Inn is easily accessible by land or air. Total guest rooms: 176; Total suites: 7; Total sq. ft. of indoor MTg. space: 30,000; Total sq. ft. of largest MTg. space: 5,000; Number of MTg. rooms: 19; Max. theater cap.: 600; Max. banquet cap.: 375; Max. classroom cap.: 417; Total sq. ft. of exhibit space: 6,500
Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB Debi DeBenedetto, Sales & Marketing Manager 2800 N. Horseshoe Drive Naples, FL 34104 tel: (239) 252 2384 Toll free: (800) 688-3600 Fax: (239) 252 2404 debide@colliergov.net www.paradisecoastmeetings.com Twitter:@ParadiseMeetings Facebook: TheParadiseCoast From world-class accommodations and recreation to one-of-a-kind venues and team-building adventures, the Paradise Coast of Naples, Marco Island
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and the Everglades is where the best of Florida all comes together. Whether you’re planning a large conference, corporate meeting, family reunion or destination wedding, we’re ready to help you host an unforgettable event.
Ocean Center Convention Center Angela Daniels, Assistant Director/Director of Marketing 101 N. Atlantic Ave. Daytona Beach, FL 32118 Tel.: (386) 254-4500 Toll free: (800) 858-6444 www.oceancenter.com In the heart of Daytona Beach, only 400 feet from the Atlantic Ocean, the Ocean Center is the area’s convention, entertainment and sports complex. The Ocean Center is surrounding by first-class hotels and plenty of shopping, dining and entertainment options. The Ocean Center is a world-class venue designed to meet the exacting needs of meeting planners. New features in the newly expanded center include 179,000 of interior meeting space and 100,000 square feet of exterior exhibit space. The space includes an exhibit hall, arena, ballroom and over 32 spacious meeting rooms. Total sq. ft. of indoor MTg. space: 179,078; Total sq. ft. of largest MTg. space: 42,146; Number of MTg. rooms: 32; Max. theater cap.: 1,540; Max. banquet cap.: 1,872; Max. classroom cap.: 900; Total sq. ft. of exhibit space: 93,028
Ocean Reef club Jeff Homad, Executive Director of Sales 35 Ocean Reef Drive, Ste. 200 Key Largo, FL 33037 Tel.: (305) 367-2611 Toll free: (800) 843-2730 fax: (305) 367-5909 orcsales@oceanreef.com www.oceanreef.com Secluded on the northernmost tip of Key Largo, Fla., Ocean Reef Club offers 2,500 pristine, secure acres less than an hour’s drive from Miami and easily accessible by car, yacht or through our private airport. Special services/features: There are a variety of meeting spaces indoors and out, from Buccaneer Island for waterfront events of virtually any size to 30,000 total square feet of indoor space. At Ocean Reef Club, select from more than 275 accommodations, including Inn rooms, one-, twoand three-bedroom villas and beautiful private homes. Total sq. ft. of indoor MTg. space: 30,000; Total sq. ft. of largest MTg. space: 7,350; Number of MTg. rooms: 13; Max. theater cap.: 675; Max. banquet cap.: 500; Max. classroom cap.: 450
Ponte Vedra Inn & Club Tony Fitzjohn, Director of Group Sales 200 Ponte Vedra Blvd. Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
(904) 285-1111 234-7842 Toll free:(800) 234-7842 sales@pvresorts.com www.pontevedra.com Framed by graceful palms and rolling dunes, the oceanfront Ponte Vedra Inn & Club is nestled in the picturesque seaside village of Ponte Vedra Beach, 20 miles southeast of Jacksonville, Fla. Since its celebrated opening in 1928, this AAA Five Diamond-honored resort has hosted some of the nation’s most influential meetings and conferences. Special services/features: More than 25,000 square feet of flexible function space (17 rooms) ideally suits groups from 10-450. Total guest rooms: 250; Total suites: 33; Total sq. ft. of indoor MTg. space: 17,000; Total sq. ft. of largest MTg. space: 6,340; Number of MTg. rooms: 17; Max. theater cap.: 500; Max. banquet cap.: 450; Max. classroom cap.: 360; Total sq. ft. of exhibit space: 6,340 Tel.:
Fax:(800)
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Mark Tascione, Director of Sales and Catering 1 Seminole Way Hollywood, FL 33314 Tel.: (954) 327-7625 Toll free: (800) 937-0010 Fax: (954) 797-2368 mark.tascione@seminolehardrock.com www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com Twitter: @SHRHollywood Facebook: SeminoleHardRockHollywood Play, stay, dine and shop at South Florida’s ultimate entertainment destination. Our 140,000 square foot casino features over 90 tables offering various games of Blackjack, Mini-Baccarat, Pai Gow Poker, Three-Card Poker, Casino War, Texas Hold ‘em Bonus, Spanish 21 and Let it Ride. Additionally, over 2,600 of the most popular slot titles are all ready for play 24/7. Our Green Lodging Certified, AAA Four Diamond-rated resort showcases 21 boutique shops, 17 restaurants and 13 bars, nightclubs and lounges, a 27,000 square foot full-service Rock Spa, a 4.5acre lagoon-style pool area and the 5,500-seat Hard Rock Live arena. Dining: Council Oak, Hard Rock Cafe, Bongos Cuban Café, Martorano’s; Total sq. ft. of indoor MTg. space: 36,000; Total sq. ft. of largest MTg. space: 16,000; Number of MTg. rooms: 12; Max. theater cap.: 2,000; Max. banquet cap.: 900; Max. classroom cap.: 1,000; total sq. ft. of exhibit space: 100
St. Augustine, PontE Vedra & The Beaches VCB Evelyn Vazquez, Director of Sales 29 Old Mission Ave, St. Augustine, FL 32084 Tel.: (800) 418-7529 Toll free: (800) 418-7529 Fax: (904) 829-6149 EVazquez@floridashistoriccoast.com
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advertisers’ expanded listings
www.floridashistoriccoast.com/meetings Twitter: @FlHistoricCoast Facebook: St-Augustine-Florida Wherever you step, history is at your feet. And 2013 marks the 500th anniversary of Juan Ponce de Leon’s discovery and naming of La Florida, with new attractions and special events planned for the year. A true golfing Mecca, Florida’s Historic Coast is home to PGA TOUR Headquarters, more than a dozen championship courses, the World Golf Village and the World Golf Hall of Fame. Visit MyFloridaMeetings.com to learn more or call (800) 418-7529. Total guest rooms: 7,500; Total sq. ft. of indoor MTg. space: 86,000; Number of MTg. rooms: 14
Visit jacksonville Katie Kurycki, Director of Marketing 208 Laura Street N., Ste. 102 Jacksonville, FL 32202 Tel.: (904) 798-9111 Fax: (904) 798-9103 toll free: (800) 733-2668 amcauliffe@visitjacksonville.com www.visitjacksonville.com Twitter: @Visit_Jax Facebook: Visitjacksonville Jacksonville, perfectly positioned along the Atlantic Ocean in Northeast Florida, is a natural paradise for visitors looking for an affordable yet luxurious destination. Whether you are looking to discover the undiscovered, ignite romance, reconnect with family or be inspired by the city’s cultural offerings, unique cuisine or vivid sunrises, anything is possible in Jacksonville. The “River City by the Sea” boasts over 20 miles of wide and uncrowded beaches, close to 40 miles of the tranquil Intracoastal Waterway canal and the longest stretch of the beautiful St. Johns River.
Visit South Walton Shannon Hagen, Website Coordinator 25777 U.S. Highway 331 S. Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 toll free: (800) 822-6877 www.visitsouthwalton.com Whether you’re planning a large conference or an intimate corporate retreat, South Walton’s dynamic combination of business and beach make it the perfect destination for your next Florida meeting. Located in Northwest Florida, South Walton has 16 eclectic beach neighborhoods with sugar-white beaches and turquoise waters that can infuse any meeting with fun, sun and sand. South Walton’s distinguished meeting facilities, award-winning accommodations, gourmet dining and creative team-building activities offer groups of three to 1,300 memorable and productive meetings with a tan.
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advertisers’ expanded listings
Westin Orlando Universal Boulevard Mike Magnelli, General Manager 9501 Universal Blvd. Orlando, FL 32819 Toll free.: (888) 946-9501 Fax: (407) 233-2961 www.westinimagineorlando.com The AAA Four Diamond Westin Orlando Universal Boulevard, formerly The Westin Imagine Orlando, is located across the street from the Orange County Convention Center and just minutes from Universal Orlando®, SeaWorld Adventure Parks and the Walt Disney® World theme parks. Orlando International Airport is only 12 miles east of the hotel and numerous other local attractions, restaurants, and world-class shopping venues are nearby. Special services/features: The hotel features 315
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WYNDHAM GRAND ORLANDO RESORT, BONNET CREEK Arlette Reyes, Sales Coordinator 14651 Chelonia Parkway Orlando, FL 32821 Tel.: (407) 390-2300 Fax: (407) 390-2349 Infowyndhamgrandorlando@wyndham.com
Visit Florida 850.488.5607 www.meetings.visitflorida.com
Indian River COC 772.567.3491 www.indianriverchamber.com
CENTRAL
Space Coast Office of Tourism 321.433.4470 www.space-coast.com
Central Florida VCB 863.551.4750 www.visitcentralflorida.org
St. Lucie County TDC 772.462.1535 www.visitstluciefla.com
Experience Kissimmee 407.742.8200 www.meetinkissimmee.com
CENTRAL WEST
Gainesville/Alachua County VCB 352.374.5260 www.visitgainesville.com Lakeland Area COC 863.688.8551 www.lakelandchamber.com Ocala/Marion County VCB 352.438.2800 www.ocalamarion.com Seminole County CVB 407.665.2900 www.visitseminole.com Visit Orlando 407.363.5872 www.orlandomeeting.com CENTRAL EAST Daytona Beach Area CVB 386.255.0415 www.daytonabeachmeetings.com
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www.wyndhamgrandorlando.com The Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek is a one-of-a-kind experience with the compelling local flavor of Orlando. You will find dedicated service, relaxing surroundings and the thoughtful touches you expect from Wyndham— on a grand scale. Guest rooms are comfortable and refined; dining experiences are crafted by expert chefs; and artfully appointed lounges and public areas invite you to linger. Total guest rooms: 400; total suites: 12; Total sq. ft. of indoor MTg. space: 25,000; total sq. ft. of largest MTg. space: 8,000; Number of MTg. rooms: 15; max. theater cap: 630; max. banquet cap: 580; max. classroom cap: 3,043
Convention & Visitors Bureaus
FLORIDA (STATEWIDE)
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guest rooms and suites along with 7,000 square feet of meeting space. A new 5,000-square-foot ballroom will open in January 2014. total guest rooms: 315; Total suites: 159; Total sq. ft. indoor meeting space: 7,000; total sq. Ft. of largest mtg. space: 1,650; Meeting rooms: 5; Max. classroom cap.: 75; Max. theater cap.: 200; Max. banquet cap.: 120
Bradenton Area CVB 941.729.9177 www.floridasgulfislands.com Tampa Bay & Company 813.223.1111 www.visittampabay.com Visit Sarasota County 941.955.0991 www.sarasotameetings.com Visit St. Pete/Clearwater 727.464.7200 www.floridasbeachmeetings.com
St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and the Beaches VCB 904.829.1711 www.floridashistoriccoast.com/ meetings Visit Jacksonville 904.798.9111 www.visitjacksonville.com
Greater Miami CVB 305.539.3000 www.miamiandbeaches.com
NORTHWEST
Hollywood Office of Tourism 954.921.3478 www.gohollywoodfla.com
Emerald Coast CVB 850.651.7647 www.emeraldcoastfl.com
Martin County CVB 772.288.5451 www.martincountyfla.com
Panama City Beach CVB 850.233.5070 www.visitpanamacitybeach.com
Palm Beach County CVB 561.233.3000 www.palmbeachfl.com
Visit Pensacola 850.434.1234 www.visitpensacola.com
SOUTHWEST
Visit South Walton 850.267.1216 www.visitsouthwalton.com/meet ings
NORTHEAST
Visit Tallahassee 850.606.2305 www.visittallahassee.com
Amelia Island CVB 904.277.4369 www.meetonamelia.com
SOUTHEAST
Palm Coast and the Flagler Beaches 386.437.0106 www.palmcoastandtheflagler beaches.com
Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB 954.765.4466 www.sunny.org/meetings
Florida Keys and Key West TDC 305.296.1552 www.fla-keys.com
Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel 239.338.3500 www.fortmyers-sanibelmeetings.com Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf Islands Visitors Bureau 941.743.1900 www.charlotteharbortravel.com Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB 239.252.2379 www.paradisecoastmeetings.com
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WYNDHAM GRAND ORLANDO RESORT BONNET CREEK - ORLANDO, FL
PLAN TODAY. GET REWARDED.
Whether planning a gathering for 10 or a meeting for 100, our Pick Your Perk by Wyndham Event Rewards® offer is a personalized thank-you for all your hard work. For a limited time, when you book a group event at a participating Wyndham Hotels and Resorts property, choose from: • • • •
3% discount to the Master Account Folio Charges American Express®-Branded Reward Card Charitable donation Or double Wyndham Rewards® Points
WYNDHAM.COM 1-800-WYNDHAM
Pick Your Perk by Wyndham Event Rewards® Terms and Conditions: Meeting planner and attendees must be Wyndham Rewards® members to receive Wyndham Rewards points. Enroll at www.wyndhamrewards.com. Wyndham Rewards points are awarded only on the following charges billed to the master account: All group room revenue exclusive of taxes, resort fees, gratuities or related charges; meeting room rental; and group food and beverage. “Pick Your Perk by Wyndham Event Rewards” must be stated within event/group hotel contract. Room charges must be on a master bill to qualify toward total event spend. Points awarded based upon actual group room nights consumed during the event regardless of contracted amount. Selected reward will be issued upon conclusion of the event and verification by both property and Wyndham corporate office. Offer also available to SMERF groups. Hotel blackout dates and some restrictions may apply. Cannot be combined with other offers. Additional American Express - Branded Reward Card terms and conditions may apply*. *American Express-Branded Reward Card Terms: Reward cards are issued in connection with a loyalty, award or promotion program. Reward card can be used virtually anywhere that welcomes American Express Cards in the U.S. as detailed at www.encompasscard.com. The card is point based with 1 point = $1 in purchasing power. Card valid for up to 12 months; unused points will be forfeited at midnight MST the last day of the month of the valid thru date, subject to applicable law. Usage restrictions and guidelines apply. Card cannot be redeemed for cash and is not transferable. Card terms and conditions apply. The card is issued by InteliSpend Prepaid Solutions, LLC. All Wyndham® hotels are either franchised by the company or managed by Wyndham Hotel Management, Inc., one of its affiliates or through a joint-venture partner. ©2013 Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, LLC. All rights reserved.
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Meet in the heart of the magic, away from it all. The best meetings in Orlando happen at the Caribe Royale All-Suite Hotel and Convention Center. Just 1.5 miles from the happiest place on earth. Why? Maybe it’s the executive dinners in our Four Diamond Venetian Room. Or maybe it’s the hi-tech yet warm and spacious Grand Caribe Convention Center. Whatever it is, meeting magic happens every day here, in your own private group hub, away from it all, in the middle of everything.
THE C A RIBE ROYA LE 407.238.8100 | CARIBEROYALE.COM
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