FLORIDA SPECIAL SECTION
by Paris Permenter & John Bigley

For groups, Florida means fun. The Sunshine State means enjoying watersports, playing in lapping waves, soaking up some rays. For planners, this sunny coastal destination, where no city is more than 60 miles from the ocean, might also mean arranging beach Olympics, an evening reception on the sand, or a day of team building exercises on the beach.

But Florida also helps groups get down to business. When it's time to get serious, this state offers state-of-the-art meeting facilities, from convention centers to conference hotels. The state is seeing an expansion of many of its meeting facilities, increasing to meet the growing demand.

NORTHWEST FLORIDA

            Northwest Florida is home to some of the state's (and many say country's) best beaches. Stretching from Pensacola Beach to the Beaches of South Walton, these undeveloped shores offer quiet Gulf swimming, beachcombing, and sandcastle building. For attendees who would like to stay dry, the area offers over 1000 holes of golf designed by some of golf's largest names including Fazio, Dye and Cupp.

            This area may be known for its natural attractions but in January 2003, it will also be known as the site of one of Florida's newest convention centers. The Emerald Coast Conference Center is opening January 2003 with 70,000 square feet of meeting space. Over 18,000 hotel rooms are located nearby.

            Access to this region is through the Okaloosa Regional Airport with service from Air Trans, Delta/ASA , Northwest Airlines, and US Airways.

CENTRAL WEST FLORIDA
           
            In the 1880s, Vicente Martinez Ybor lead a wave of Cuban cigar manufacturers who settled in the city, founding the Latin community known as Ybor (pronounced e-bor) City.  For 50 years, the area was the "Cigar Capital of the World," a boom town with over 4,000 cigar workers.  Production was severely cut back in the 1930s, when machines could produce cigars much faster than skilled cigar rollers.
           
            Today, however, Ybor City is a boomtown once again, filled with shoppers, diners, and history lovers and perfect as a group venue.   Spanish-style architecture and cobblestone streets will take attendees back to the early days of the Latin Quarter. 
           
            During the past several years, much of Ybor City has been renovated and restored to its former glory.  Since the late 1980s, over $50 million has been invested in the district, adding Latin cafes, art galleries, restaurants, and enough music clubs to earn Ybor City the nickname "Nightlife Capital of Florida's West Coast." Most weekends draw 40,000 revelers; soon the area will have a new group attraction with Centro Ybor, a 200,000-square-foot development that will include restaurants, retail stores, a 20-screen movie theater, comedy club, Sega Game Works, and more.
           
            When it's time to get down to business, the Tampa Convention Center is undergoing a renovation scheduled for completion in October. The 600,000-square-foot will double its number of breakout rooms to 36 by reconfiguring already existing space. "The additional meeting rooms will give us the balance between exhibit space and breakout rooms we need to compete for many major events. This project fits very well with the dramatic growth Tampa is experiencing," says John Moors, Administrator, Convention Facilities and Tourism, City of Tampa.

            Groups will also find that the city is undergoing a $400 million expansion of the Tampa International Airport, considered one of the nation's fastest growing.
           
            St. Petersburg is also at work on its own mega-entertainment complex, a $40 million project called BayWalk. The 150,000-square-foot open-air plaza with a Mediterranean Revival theme will be located in downtown St. Petersburg and surrounded by a 20-screen theater complex, retail, and restaurants, all set to open this fall. In the north section of the city, the $140 million Carillon Town Center will feature fine dining, exclusive shops, a 20-screen movie megaplex and four-star hotel.
           
            It may seem like a long way to the jungles of Africa, but in Tampa it's just a drive across town.  Busch Gardens is a combination amusement park, zoo, and shopping extravaganza in one. Groups can utilize the property both during operating hours and at off hours as well, allowing groups to have the entire park to themselves. Themed parties at the park include everything from Egyptian to safari themes

            Several sports venues are also available as exhibit space. Tropicana Field, home to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, offers 140,000 square feet of exhibit space for consumer and trade shows as well as a post office, 350-seat restaurant, cigar bar, and more.
           
            Florida free time means beaches, and few places can match the offerings of this region. "First and foremost, there are not many destinations that can offer three of the top beaches in the entire United States with the variety of other amenities the St. Petersburg/Clear water Area has," said Carole Ketterhagen, executive director of the CVB. "There is wonderful weather, just about every water activity imaginable including excellent boating and fishing, fine dining and shopping, championship golf and  tennis, terrific sites for off-property functions including a number of world-class museums and other attractions and a hospitality industry that makes delegates feel welcome and appreciated."

NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA

            Surrounding Florida's capital city, Tallahassee, lie 16 counties nicknamed "the original Florida and the nature coast." With its blooming azaleas and rolling hills, this portion of Florida resembles its neighbors of Alabama and Georgia far more than it does its fellow Florida regions.

            Tallahassee has long been a meeting destination, dating back to its days as a Native American tribal center and an encampment of Hernando de Soto. Today the city welcomes many because of its role in state government; over 180,000 square feet of meeting space are found throughout its borders. The 70,000-square-foot Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center welcomes many groups but it's far from the only meeting spot in town. Groups with an historic flair can meet beneath the stained glass dome of the Old Capitol rotunda or in the ante-bellum Brokaw-McDougall House.

            A short drive south of Tallahassee lies Florida's unique Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail. Perfect for active attendees, the 16-mile trail winds through pine forest and coastal marshlands and can be explored on foot, skates, or on horseback. Nearby, the Wakulla Springs State Park offers snorkeling in designated areas; river boat cruises are perfect for seeing resident alligators.

            Inland, Gainesville is home to the University of Florida Hotel and  Conference Center. Located on campus and just 15 minutes from the Gainesville Airport, the facility offers 13 meeting rooms and a 7,000-square-foot ballroom. The conference center also includes 248 guest rooms (each with two phone lines per room).

            Gainesville offers plenty of free time options including one of the top 10 natural history museums in the country, the Florida Museum of Natural History. With a 55,000-square-foot exposition hall. The university is also home to the Harn Museum of Art, highlighting work from Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

NORTHEAST FLORIDA

            Some coastal destinations like northern Florida's Amelia Island offer groups a large variety of meeting options, from luxurious resorts to seaside condominiums to bed and breakfast inns.  "We don't have a large convention center but we do have three large resorts and some of our bed and breakfasts have meeting facilities for small groups," explains Debbie Johnson, Director of Tourism for Amelia Island Tourist Development Council (904.277.0717, www.ameliaisland.org). Amelia Island is home to the Amelia Island Plantation with 679 guest rooms and 54 holes of golf, the 449-room Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, and the 100-room Summer Beach Resort. The island offers over 100,000 square feet of meeting and conference space.

            But variety really comes into play when meeting planners begin to examine free time opportunities. The island is home to 99 holes of golf, shopping in downtown Fernandina Beach, over 40 tennis courts, fishing, birdwatching, kayaking, horseback riding, sailing, aerial tours, and historic sites like Amelia Island Lighthouse, Fort Clinch State Park, and numerous historic churches.

CENTRAL FLORIDA

            Mickey hit the town in 1971 and since then there's been no looking back for Orlando and central Florida. Today the city offers almost 100,000 hotel rooms as well as one of the nation's largest convention centers. Within the last year, the region has added even more features--from convention hotels to action-packed venues--of interest to meeting groups. And while the emphasis is definitely on fun at this destination, overlooking this city as a serious site for meetings would be, well, just plain Goofy.
           
            Currently one of the largest projects underway in Orlando is the $748 million expansion of the Orlando/Orange County Convention Center. At its completion in 2003, the center will be the second largest in the United States with 2.1 million square feet of total exhibition space.
           
            "The expansion is nearly doubling our capacity, which has already grown eightfold since our grand opening in 1983," says Orange County Convention Center Executive Director Tom Ackert. "The expansion, complemented by a strong hospitality infrastructure to support the growth and the economic impact it will bring to the area, is a win-win situation for everyone in our community."

            The expansion is being met by expansions at several nearby conference hotels. The Peabody Orlando, the Hilton Orlando Convention Center Hotel, and others are undergoing major expansions.

            Of special interest to groups that include international attendees, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex  now offers a self-guided audio tour in seven languages. The center has also opened the Early Space Exploration exhibit honoring the pioneers of space, which is attached to a state-of-the-art conference facility with 5,800 square feet of meeting space. The facility also premiered the Astronaut Encounter, making this the only place on earth where visitors can meet a real astronaut any day of the year. The Space Center is available for buffet dinners for up to 900 participants or stand-up receptions for groups of up to 2000.

            Along with growing meeting space and attractions, meeting planners will also find more hotels than ever in the area, with more on the way. Orlando is planning to add 22,000 hotel rooms by the end of 2003 in projects that range from new property to expansions of existing conference hotels.

            Many new hotels have opened recently in Orlando offering groups extensive meeting space. The Portofino Bay Hotel , a Loews Hotel, is Universal's first onsite property. The 750 guest rooms have state-of-the-art technology, guests enjoy curbside checking, and groups can utilize 42,000 square feet of meeting space. The property also has a 10,600-square-foot spa, two bocci ball courts, a full-service business center, and more.

            One of the largest new properties will be the new Opryland Hotel Florida in Kissimmee-St. Cloud, with 400,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space under one roof, planned for completion in 2002.

CENTRAL EAST FLORIDA

            Mention Daytona Beach to some travelers and spring break instantly comes to mind. Often cited as one of the world's top spring break destinations, Daytona Beach is also fast becoming known for meetings of a more serious nature.

            "The Daytona Beach area's metamorphosis into a world-class convention host is well on its way," says Sally Gardiner, director of convention sales a the Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. Gardiner cites the opening of the $8 million Adventure Landing Waterpark and Entertainment Center, a facility that can host groups of up to 5,000 attendees, as one of many new and renovated facilities in the region that are drawing the attention of meeting planners. "The opening of Adventure Landing marks the beginning of the area's transformation into a major player in the mid-sized convention market."

            Adventure Landing is the first phase in Ocean Walk Village, a beachside development project which includes everything from shops and restaurants to a $45 million expansion of Adam's Mark Daytona Beach Resort and the construction of the new Ocean Walk Resort. "Ocean Walk Village will bring visitors to the Daytona Beach area year-round as well as enhance our growing convention business," says Suzanne Kuehn, economic development administrator for the city of Daytona Beach. "From the convention-goer to families on vacation, Ocean Walk promises to have something for everyone."

            The construction of this new luxury resort has been answered by numerous renovations in the area at properties including the Radisson Resort Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Hilton, the Plaza Resort and Spa, Quality Inn and Suites, and Fountain Beach Resort. "These renovations significantly increase the number of upscale accommodations in the Daytona Beach area. The more quality accommodations and meeting facilities we have located in close proximity to each other and the convention center, the more attractive we become to meeting planners," notes Gardiner.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

            Groups looking to really get away from it all often choose southeast Florida. Here miles of undeveloped coast are known for their rare shells. Island lovers find plenty to like at Sanibel and Captiva , the two best known islands.

            Of special interest to golfers, Naples and Marco Island are home to over 50 private and public courses, earning the region the nickname "the Golf Capital of the World." During winter and spring months, demand is at a high but groups visiting during summer and fall will find reduced greens fees.

            The largest convention facilities in the region are found in Fort Myers. The Fort Myers Harborside Convention Complex has 50,000 square feet of meeting space; Lee Civil Center offers groups 63,000 square feet. Over 20,000 hotels rooms in are found in the region.

            Air travel into southwest Florida is most often through the Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers; small airports are also located in Charlotte County and Naples. Some groups opt to drive from either Miami or Tampa (each two and a half hours away) or Orlando, just over a three-hour drive.

SOUTHEAST FLORIDA

            For many groups, the allure of pulsating Miami, fun-filled Ft. Lauderdale, and elegant Palm Beach define south Florida. This easily accessible region is filled with numerous attractions for groups.

            One of the most luxurious destinations in the region  is Palm Beach County. The area is home to several museums of interest to groups including the Florida History Center and Museum, which highlights local history with the county's oldest home. In Boca Raton, the International Museum of Cartoon Art is the only facility of its kind, dedicated to preserving and showcasing the work of cartoonists. For nature lovers, West Palm Beach is home to   Lion Country Safari, a 500-acre preserve popular with nature lovers. When it's time to get down to business, The South Florida Entertainment Center offers 85,000 square feet for group use while the West Palm Beach Auditorium has 27,600 square feet. Palm Beach County is home to over 200 hotels; some local resorts can host groups of 2000 attendees or more. Soon Palm Beach will be served by the $74 million, 330,000-square-foot Palm Beach County Convention Center, scheduled to open May 2003. "The Convention Center will provide the large-scale exhibition space, technology and resources to make Palm Beach County a global leader in the meetings and conventions industry," said Warren "Mac" McLaughlin, president/CEO of the Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau. "It will be an urban center for the next generation of business executives and within arm's length of world-class culture, accommodations and leisure activities."

            The sea is the centerpiece of nearby Fort Lauderdale, known as the "Venice of America." To get out on the water and see the wealth this community has attracted, groups can cruise aboard the Jungle Queen past Millionaires Row; dinner cruises offer barbecue fare. This community is home to Florida's most visited museum, the Museum of Discover and Science, with a 3-D IMAX theater and numerous interactive displays. Fort Lauderdale is a favorite with shoppers thanks to its Sawgrass Mills, the world's largest outlet mall, and Swap Show, where over 2,000 vendors offer everything imaginable.

            Fort Lauderdale also offers a wide selection of meeting facilities. The 370,000-square-foot Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center is located at the world's second largest cruise port. The facility includes 28 meeting rooms. Expansion began in March on a 230,000-square-foot addition to the convention center. "We've seen an increase of about 15 percent in the last year from trade shows and expositions," says Dennis Edwards, Vice President, Sales and Marketing for the CVB. "A lot of it is attributable to the announcement of the convention center expansion."

            Scheduled for completion in December, the expansion is in answer to continuous growth since the center's opening in 1991. “The expansion will enable the Convention Center to accommodate increased business volume and continue to attract a growing number of conventions, trade shows, consumer exhibits, meetings and special events,” states Nicki E. Grossman, President of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau.

            The centerpiece of in south Florida remains Miami, a community that offers groups everything from a pulsating nightlife and a vibrant arts scene to world-class restaurants and museums. With 1.1 million square feet of meeting space at the Miami Beach Convention Center, the center ranks as one of the country's largest.

FLORIDA KEYS

            Does your group have any Gilligan's Island fantasies? When groups really want seclusion, an option is Little Palm Island in the lower Florida Keys. This private island can be taken over by groups for a meeting from the months of May through November for a meeting or incentive that includes plenty of bonding in an atmosphere that's elegant and pampering. Guests stay in one of the 30 thatched-roof villas, each with a one-bedroom suite, private sun deck, and bamboo-fenced outdoor shower. Attendees find themselves focusing on the meeting and their interaction with each other while at the property because there are no telephones (or televisions or alarm clocks) in the guest rooms (although a computer modem has been added for those who can't cut the umbilical cord to their e-mail for a few days.) Delegates can utilize the island's full-service marina, relax at the full-service spa, scuba dive, fish, and windsurf.

            "Little Palm Island is a really private, secluded getaway for groups," explains Susan Belanski, Director of Sales. "We do a lot of teambuilding, and the groups have no outside influences. We've done a lot of treasure hunts, some that even include snorkeling trips. Some groups have done scuba certification classes here so the entire group can bond while they learn."

            The luxury of taking over the island also means that groups can modify the island's atmosphere to their own theme. "We can cater to whatever ambiance the group wants: all day parties, water activities, high energy, four star gourmet dining, or beach barbecues," says Belanski, Groups meeting to discuss sensitive topics also find they have no need to worry about eavesdroppers. "We close off the entire island to outside guests--no dinner guests or marina visitors."

            Nearby Key West also appeals to many groups. Ocean Key , a Noble House property, offers groups the ambiance of Key West, known for its laid back atmosphere. Group members have been able to enjoy the nightlife of Key West as well as plenty of day activities. Ocean Key offers groups a 950-square-foot meeting room, with in-room catering functions and outdoor venues at the pier. The real fun, though, like just outside the property. Attendees can choose from snorkeling, deep sea or flats fishing, a sunset cruise, sailing, waverunners and catamarans. Nearby historical and cultural fun includes the Hemingway house, the Mel Fisher Museum, and many other activities.

HOTEL HAPPENINGS

Near Tampa, The Saddlebrook Resort is renovating its guest rooms, part of an $8 million project. Renovations are scheduled for completion in December. Contact 800.729.8383, www.saddlebrookresort.com.

The $37 million Westin Grand Bohemian has opened in Orlando. The 14-story hotel offers 9600 square feet of meeting space. Contact 800.WESTIN.1 OR 888.GRAND.123, www.grandbohemianhotel.com

The Abbey Hotel in South Beach has completed a $3 million renovation of its 50 guest rooms, restaurant, and lobby. Contact 888.61.ABBEY, www.abbeyhotel.com.

The Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa in Hallandale Beach is scheduled to reopen in January. The 1000-room property will include a 50,000-square-foot hall and adjacent 215,000-square-foot convention center. The Country Club at the Diplomat is now open and offers 60 guest rooms, an 18-hole golf course, and spa. Contact  800.327.1212, www.diplomatresort.com.

The $100 million Mandarin Oriental Miami has opened downtown; the 329-room hotel features spa and health club facilities and a 24-hour business center. Contact 305.913.8288, www.mandarinoriental.com

Miami Beach Ocean Resort is undergoing a $5 million renovation. The resort will feature additional meeting space. Presently the resort offers a 2,600-square-foot ballroom, a meeting room for up to 100 attendees, and a boardroom for up 20 participants. Contact 800.550.0505, 305.534.0505, www.mbor.com.

The 166-suite Ocean Point Resort and Club has opened in Sunny Isles. The resort features a European health spa and over 12,000 square feet of meeting space. Contact 305.940.5422.

Miami Beach's Roney Palace Resort and Spa in South Beach is completing a $25 million renovation. The hotel will feature a private beach area with a climbing wall, deck and party area, and outdoor movie theater. The resort offers 11 meeting rooms with over 30,000 square feet, a 20,000-square-foot exhibition hall, and over 60,000 square feet of outdoor functions. Contact 800.432.4317, www.roney-palace.com.

The 300-room Sonesta Beach Resort Key Biscayne is undergoing an $8 million renovation; the project includes a new lobby, refurbished guestrooms, new spa, expanded business center and meeting facilities. Presently the resort includes 21,000 square feet of flexible meeting and function space with 12 meeting rooms and a 7,200-square-foot ballroom overlooking the Atlantic. Contact 305.361.2021, www.sonesta.com.

Daytona Beach's Plaza Resort and Spa, formerly the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort and Conference Center, has undergone a $15 million renovation. The 322-room resort is now styled like a 1900s Spanish Mission. The resort added 11,000 square feet of meeting space and now offers 36,000 square feet for group use, the largest meeting facility in the area. Contact 877.FUN.N.SPA , www.plazaresortandspa.com.

Downtown Ft. Lauderdale's The Riverside Hotel has started an expansion project scheduled for completion in mid-2002. The project will add 116 guest rooms and four suites, bringing the total number of rooms to 221. An additional 7400 square feet of meeting space will be added bringing the total to 10,000 square feet. Contact 800.325.3280, www.riversidehotel.com.

In Hollywood, Florida, ground has been broken for the $300 million Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Resort. The 750-room resort will include a health spa, lakeside beach club, gaming facilities and a retail and entertainment complex including a Hard Rock Café and Hard Rock retail store. The complex will also include a 1,000-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue. Completion is scheduled for early 2003. Contact www.hardrock.com.

In Tampa, the 717-room Tampa Marriott Waterside opened with  50,000 square feet of meeting space. The property includes a spa, multiple restaurants, and will soon add a marina. Contact 813.221.4900, www.marriotthotels.com.

PLANNER ACCESS

Florida's Official Meeting Planner Site
www.flausameetings.com

Amelia Island Tourist Development Council
800-2AMELIA
www.ameliaisland.org/

Brevard County Office of Tourism
321.868.1126
www.space-coast.com

Central Florida Visitors and Convention Bureau
800.828.POLK
www.sunsational.org/

Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
800.544.0415
www.daytonabeachcvb.org

Destin, Ft. Walton Beach, Okaloosa Island (Emerald Coast)
800.322.3319
www.destin-fwb.com

Florida Keys, Key West, and Monroe County Tourist Development Council
www.fla-keys.com

Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau
800.955.3646
www.miamiandbeaches.com

Greater Ft. Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau
954.765.4466
www.sunny.org

Orlando/Orange County CVB
407-354-5586
www.orlandoinfo.com and www.orlandoinfo.com/meetings

Palm Beach County CVB
561.233.3000
www.palmbeachfl.com/

Tampa Bay CVB
813.223.1111
www.thcva.com