What happens in Florida, creates camaraderie and lasting memories
If the last couple of months have proved anything, it’s that Florida is one tough state. With an abundance of dynamic coastline and tropical beauty, along with verdant forests and plenty of man-made attractions, the allure for attendees in the Sunshine State is unshakable.
Meeting professionals and their attendees can take their pick of beachfront properties, marine-based excursions and—being surrounded by two large bodies of water—you know the seafood must be out of this world. The diverse mix of features in this East Coast meeting magnet also includes arts, history, shopping and nightlife. But don’t take our word for it. Let’s take a deep dive.
The Florida Keys
The Florida Keys—Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine Key and Key West—are at the southernmost reach of the United States. What awaits here is a 113-mile strip of islands that offer memorable views should meeting profs decide to bring their meetings here. Given the geography of the location and its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, the water is the star of the show for many of the activities groups can engage in.
Key Venues
Arguably, there isn’t a wrong venue to choose in The Keys. The views are beautiful, the beach-themed decor of guest rooms and meeting spaces, and the out-of-meeting activities and delectable F&B are something to behold. From there, it’s simply a matter of picking from the nuances and what’s most suitable from your group’s style and size.
Baker’s Cay Resort (200 guest rooms, 12 outdoor/indoor venues) in Key Largo offers a long list of outdoor adventures and experiences for groups, be they thrill-seekers—see jet skiing, snorkeling and parasailing—or those who like to sit back and relax—see aqua cycle rentals and calming fishing excursions.
Over in Islamorada, there are several properties that could be the perfect fit for smaller groups or executive retreats. For one, Islander Resort Islamorada (114 guest rooms, 129,000 sq. ft. of indoor/outdoor meeting space) and its nearby one- and two-bedroom townhome-style Bayside Villas feature a relaxing atmosphere. In F&B, the property is set to add a third option to its Tides Beachside Bar and Elements Restaurant. When it opens, Coccoloba will offer oceanside dining and drinks under the palm trees.
Islamorada Resort Collection is made up of Amara Cay Resort, La Siesta Resort & Villas and the recently opened Three Waters Resort & Marina.
Amara Cay’s meeting space is spacious given its overall, at 110 guest rooms and 16,886 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor space. The Marina at Amara Cay is where a lot of marine-based adventure is. Attendees can embark on Wild Dolphin Tours, spearfishing, lobstering and private scuba diving. La Siesta Resort & Villas is the smallest of the collection, at 52 guest rooms and 11,950 sq. ft. of meeting space. Along with its suites, La Siesta has brightly colored beachfront cottages and coastal villas that range from three to six bedrooms.
Three Waters Resort brings 214 rooms, suites and cottages to the collection. Three Waters’ adult-focused Cove is the property’s more secluded section. Three Waters features more extensive options for fishing excursions. Meeting profs can choose from backcountry or offshore charters that offer half-day and full-day tours for up to six people (depending on the charter). There’s also two-person catamaran boat tours, an 18-person tiki party boat, seaplane experiences, tarpon feeding and more.
Islamorada’s Cheeca Lodge & Spa (243 guest room, 15,000-plus sq. ft. of meeting space) features a calendar of events the property hosts year-round, including snorkel tours, sunset cruises, of yoga, tennis clinics and more. Amid that, there’s also the Presidential Sailfish Tournament, started by former President H.W. Bush in 1990 and held each January—not to pressure any attendees to join.
Along with the attention grabber—the Yacht Club—there are also things to see nearby that groups may enjoy at Faro Blanco Resort & Yacht Club Marathon (125 guest rooms; 16,872 sq. ft. of meeting space), like the Old Seven Mile Bridge, a 2.2-mile bridge for walking and cycling, which runs parallel to the car-centric New Seven Mile Bridge. The Turtle Hospital is another sight to see, where guests can join a 70- to 90-minute guided educational program of the hospital facilities and rehab area.
Duck Keys’ Hawks Cay Resort (177 guest rooms, 20,000 sq. ft. of meeting space) is just north on the highway from Marathon. Of the many experiences the property showcases, like watersports and fishing, one unique experience at Hawks Cay is the chance to interact with live dolphins—this is the only property in the U.S. where you can do so onsite. After hanging out with the property’s dolphins, groups can head to one of five Hawks Cay’s restaurants, including the dockside Angler and Ale, and Hawks Cay Marketplace, which serves sandwiches and grab-and-go items.
The Perry Hotel & Marina (100 guest rooms, 12,810 sq. ft. of space) features event spaces like the outdoor Matt’s Stock Island and the indoor Longitude & Latitude, that offer views of Stock Island Marina. The property features two restaurants: Matt’s Stock Island Kitchen & Bar, which specializes in coastal fare, and Salty Oyster Dockside Bar & Grill, just steps from the dock and hotel pool.
Take to Oceans Edge Key West Resort & Marina (175 guest rooms, 3,170 sq. ft. of space) for a complimentary one-hour program led by marine scientists. During this hour, live animals are brought along and several topics are touched on, like sea turtles, dolphin echolocation, lionfish, coral reefs and sharks. Along with that, other activities include paddleboard yoga (and regular yoga), as well as fishing and other marine-based activities.
The Marketplace at Isla Bella Beach Resort (199 guest rooms, 20,000 sq. ft. of meeting space) features a cafe, beachwear and adventure gear store, and a watersports activity center, where groups can begin their fishing, diving or boating journey. Isla Bella also features complimentary resort activities, like yoga, bocce ball, mini golf and more; there are also other activities that come with a cost, like parasailing and a 26-mile guided jet ski tour.
Standalone F&B
While encapsulating the food and beverage of an entire region is a difficult feat, it’d be a shame to skip over the dining experiences The Florida Keys has to offer, with its proximity to two large bodies of water.
Morada Bay Florida Keys in Islamorada is made up of the French-inspired Pierre’s Restaurant and The Beach Cafe, an outdoor Mediterranean bistro. Pierre’s second-floor dining room and wraparound veranda can accommodate private events; on the first floor, Green Flash Lounge can smaller private events; outdoors, beach is available for larger outdoor events.
Square Grouper Bar & Grill, also in Islamorada, serves of local seafood, cocktails and wine. The restaurant features The Sunset Lounge on the third floor, an adults-only restaurants that opens at 4:20 p.m., the same time as its happy hour, which ends at 6 p.m.
Snook’s Bayside Restaurant & Grand Tiki Bar in Key Largo has a welcoming, casual atmosphere that sits right alongside Buttonwood Sound. A full buyout for up to 250 guests is possible, but smaller venues at Snook’s Bayside can also be rented for events, like the 80-guest Iguana Beach and an outdoor Full Grand Tiki rental for up to 100 guests.
Key Park Experiences
Full of life and ready to be explored, the parks of The Florida Keys each have their own distinctive appeals and activities.
Key Largo, known as the “Diving Capital of the World,” is home to the first undersea park in the U.S., at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. The park offers four types of boat tours to explore its nearby coral reef system. These tours are 2.5 hours and lend 1.5 hours of time to check out the park’s coral and marine life. Key Largo is also home to several dive spots, like Molasses Reef and the Christ of the Abyss statue.
Made up of six islands, Islamorada is known as the “Sport Fishing Capital of the World” and sits under Key Largo.
Islamorada’s Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park has 1.5 miles of trails where visitors can observe more than 40 species of trees and plants that are native to The Keys; self- or ranger-guided tours are available. Indian Key Historic State Park offers several experiences like fishing, hiking, paddling (via canoe or kayak catch sights of dolphins, manatees, sharks and rays) and snorkeling. Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park is accessible by boat or kayak and offers the same experiences at Indian Key, as well as boat charter tours and powerboat rentals.
Marathon’s Curry Hammock State Park has direct access to the 90-minute Overseas Heritage Trail that connects Key Largo to Key West. With a lack of light pollution at Curry Hammock, camping at night comes with a starry sky, making stargazing a popular activity.
Stargazing is also an option at Bahia Honda State Park in Big Pine Key. And for the aspiring ornithologists in the group, it’s a place to catch various wading birds and shorebirds. Between those two, the park offers snorkeling, scuba diving, paddling, boating around the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, among more.
Florida’s Lower Keys— Summerland Key, Big Torch and Little Torch Keys, Cudjoe Key, Sugarloaf Key, Big Coppitt Key and Stock Island—are filled with nature, where attendees will catch sights of alligators, water birds, iguanas and Key deer around the Blue Hole freshwater pond.
Dry Tortugas National Park, made up of seven small islands, is 70 miles west of Key West. Garden Key, the second largest island in Dry Tortugas, is home to Dry Tortugas National Park’s Fort Jefferson, one of the U.S.’s largest 19th-century forts and the largest brick building in the Americas, sixteen million bricks were used in its four-sided construction.
South Walton
South Walton is made up of 16 neighborhoods and 26 miles of shoreline, and with 50 access points to the beach, getting there is easy. As visitors, attendees might spend some time around South Walton’s Scenic Highway 30 (or 30A, as locals call it), a 24-mile corridor that runs along the Gulf Coast. 30A is a collection of Florida beach towns that sit alongside County Road 30A, these include Rosemary Beach, Seaside, Aly’s Beach, Santa Rosa Beach and WaterColor.
30A Venues
Boutique and featuring smaller meeting spaces, the venues along 30A reflect the communities’ small beach town life.
WaterColor Inn & Resort (67 guest rooms and suites, 5,500-plus sq. ft. of meeting space) in Santa Rosa Beach features three aesthetically pleasing venues, including the 3,700-square-foot WaterColor LakeHouse, which features cedar walls and large windows, and WaterColor BoatHouse, a 1,840-square-foot cottage-style venue that overlooks the lake.
Two properties have recently opened in South Walton. The first, in Santa Rosa Beach, is The Lodge 30A (85 guest rooms, 300-square-foot boardroom). It’s situated close to Scenic Highway 30A and Greenway Station, a coastal shopping center. The second, Camp Creek Inn (75 guest rooms, 577-square-foot Club Room and boardroom), is in Inlet Beach. Here the meeting spaces are complemented with natural lighting, as well as floor-to-ceiling windows in its Club Room.
Larger than the rest and offering a wide range of choices for accommodation styles, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort may have you covered: villas, penthouses, three- to five-bedroom units, and lakeside cottages and bungalows are all on offer. Sandestin also features the 250-room Hotel Effie, which features the only rooftop pool and lounge in northwest Florida. Baytowne Conference Center is right next to Hotel Effie, offering up a freshly renovated 30,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.
And a long list of accommodations must come with an equally long list of F&B options. Its 27 options include Cosmo’s Robo Diner, which features robots that serves burgers, chicken, shakes and more; Ovide, Hotel Effie’s on-site restaurant that serves Gulf Coast-inspired food; and Slick Lips Seafood & Oyster House.
The Pearl (55 guest rooms; 12,510 sq. ft. of indoor/outdoor meeting space) sits just west of 30A in Destin. What looks like a modern-day castle was placed on Florida’s Emerald Coast. The property features a private beach that operates on a first-come, first-serve basis. For the more active members of the group, The Pearl offering complimentary bikes to explore the town or ride the 18.6-mile 30A bike trail. The property also offers kayak and stand up paddleboarding (SUP) rentals and eight clay courts for tennis, four of which are lit for playing in the evening; guests also have tennis access to Rosemary Beach Racquet Club.
The property features a private beach that operates on a first-come, first-serve basis. For the more active members of the group, The Pearl offering complimentary bikes to explore the town or ride the 18.6-mile 30A bike trail. The property also offers kayak and stand up paddleboarding (SUP) rentals and eight clay courts for tennis, four of which are lit for playing in the evening; guests also have tennis access to Rosemary Beach Racquet Club.\
You can find Henderson Beach Resort (170 guest rooms; 15,175 sq. ft. of meeting space) west of South Walton in Destin, right next to Henderson Beach State Park. Views of the park can be seen from the property’s Rooftop, one of five of Henderson Beach’s F&B venues; others include the poolside Sea Level and the contemporary Primrose Steak & Seafood. Those attendees looking for on-property extracurricular activities, the property has a private beach and a grand lawn, where attendees can choose from a long list of games, like cornhole, ping pong, ladder golf and more.
30A F&B
With 16 neighborhoods, it’s only a matter of time before everyone in the group finds their new favorite restaurant, whether they’re a self-proclaimed foodie or someone who just wants a quick, nutritious meal.
This first one may be geared toward the foodies in the group. Maple Street Biscuit Company in Miramar Beach is the maker of inventive biscuit sandwiches like The Iron Goat, which has goat cheese, sauteed spinach, egg and pepper jelly, and Five & Dime, giving visitors a choice of fried chicken or fried steak, bacon, cheddar, egg, sausage or Shiitake gravy; they also serve classic biscuit sandwiches.
LaCo in Seacrest Beach serves Latin-inspired dishes, cocktails and mocktails. The full dining room, for 150 attendees, can be rented out for private events; a semi-private rental for 75 or bar area rental for 70 are also options.
Shunk Gulley Oyster Bar in Santa Rosa Beach serves seafood, casual food and drinks on 30A. Nearby, groups can have events at Gully Amphitheater, an event lawn right next to shopping, dining and arts stores.
Seacrest Beach’s Beach & Brew on 30A emphasizes its diversity of brews on tap. You’ll have to visit to check out its 30-faucet tap system that runs along wall behind the bar. While most of it comes from Florida, you’ll see several beers from breweries across the U.S. Beach & Brew also offers wine and frozen drinks. For groups, there’s space for indoor and outdoor events.
30A Experiences
South Walton makes it easy to find experiences for groups around the meetings and conventions. Along 30A, meeting profs and their groups can expect a healthy offering of experiences that involve fishing, diving, kayaking, SUP, arts and crafts, and beyond. So, while you’re here, be sure to take advantage of the options.
Groups can create glass art at The Shard Shop, a make-your-own-art boutique shop in Grayton Beach. The Shard Shop offers several DIY classes, such as standard framed glass art, glass ornaments, confetti-style glass art and charcuterie boards. The shop can also host your private event for up to 20.
Light Me Up Beach Bonfires offers a fun way to connect with colleagues, with beach bonfires, picnics, dining, beach chair rentals and more on one of 30A’s beaches. Light Me Up features several packages, ranging from two-hour fires for up to eight attendees to three-hour fires for up to 20; groups of over 30 are permitted but additional fees apply, and hours can be added as well if meeting profs think the fun may extend past normal hours.
Pickos Waterski and Wakeboard School is a watersports facility that offers lessons—single, half day and full day—for visitors no matter their skill level. This same lake has been the location of several professional events, like U.S. Nationals and PanAmerican Championships.
Underwater exploration awaits at Dive 30, which can host your groups snorkel tours and dive charters. The snorkel tour is guided and explores two reefs: Grayton Turtle Reed and Inlet Beach Grouper Reef. Grayton is South Walton original snorkel reef close to Grayton Beach State Park and Western Lake; Inlet Beach is an artificial reef next to Lake Powell, the largest coastal dune lake in North America.
Miami and The Palm Beaches
South Florida meeting magnets Miami and The Palm Beaches offer night and day activation options. What many think of as The Magic City is actually 35 municipalities spread over 2,000 square miles with stops in the Art Deco District, South Beach, Little Havana, tony Coral Gables and the shopping mecca of Aventura.
Read More: Florida: Miami and The Florida Keys
An hour north of Miami, 39 cities and towns on 47 miles of golden coastline featuring more than 160 golf courses make up The Palm Beaches, America’s First Resort Destination.
South Florida Venues
Miami Beach Convention Center (500,000 sq. ft. of meeting space) is LEED Silver certified and the Convention Center district will soon be anchored to to an 800-room Grand Hyatt Miami Beach. The headquarter hotel with 90,000 sq. ft. of its own meeting space and five dining options is scheduled to open in 2027.
Fontainebleau Miami Beach (1,504 guest rooms; 231,340 sq. ft. of meeting space) is marking its 70th anniversary with the debut of the Coastal Convention Center, a new 45,000 sq. ft. meeting and events space that continues the sophisticated beach glam vibe from the rat pack days.
Read More: Inclusive Experience Welcomed All to Florida
Nobu Miami Beach (206 guest rooms; 18,997 sq. ft. of meeting space) in Eden Roc Miami Beach is a tower of serenity in a sparkling diamond of oceanfront glamour. This Old Hollywood favorite has been updated with 70,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and private outdoor options.
JW Marriot Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa (325 guest rooms; 170,000 sq. ft. of indoor-outdoor meeting space) in Aventura encompasses 300 acres of golf courses, a water park and a direct connection to sunshine and local culture.
The latest unveiling at luxurious The Boca Raton (907 guest rooms; 97,000 sq. ft. of meeting space total) is an all-suite tower with 224 one-bedroom suites. At Tower Suite Collection guests have priority reservations at the property’s more than 15 restaurants and lounges and easy booking for activities such as water sports and yacht charters.
Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach (207 guest rooms; 21,128 sq. ft. of meeting space) is the island’s only Five Diamond, Five Start resort with private beachfront, fine dining and a residential feel.
Irresistible F&B
To ensure that you don’t miss anything, a private, guided Little Havana Food & Cultural Walking Tour in the heart of Miami’s historical Cuban neighborhood is a great start. From cafecitos at ventanitas (window counters) to Cuban Sandwiches, your group will have the inside track.
Modern Japanese cuisine has found a home at Kimpton EPIC Hotel in downtown Miami as chef Rainer Becker offers izakaya, informal dining in a waterfront setting.
Elegance lives at Flagler Steakhouse at The Breakers Palm Beach (534 guest rooms; 281,709 sq. ft. of meeting space), an ode to the classic resort’s founder, Henry Morrison Flagler with terrace views of the golf course and city skyline.
Orlando
In the heart of Florida is Orlando, a destination emerging as an eclectic choice with upscale options for meeting and dining. Some of these are well-known, while others are bringing something new to the table.
Orlando Properties
Whether bringing along a tight-knit group or one reaching into the quadruple digits, there’s a hotel property for you. Get a taste of it below.
Rosen Shingle Creek (1,501 guest rooms, 524,000 sq. ft. of meeting space) is celebrating its 50th year serving its meetings and leisure guests and is doing it with style. Group wellness offerings are a way for corporate groups to maintain their fitness while on the road, with activities like 5Ks, sand volleyball, tennis and fitness classes like yoga, Zumba and boot camp-style circuit training.
presidential suite
Castle Hotel, Autograph Collection’s (213 guest rooms, 9,203 sq. ft. of meeting space) exterior stands out among many, resembling the abode of the upper classes centuries ago. When you step inside, the modern minimalist décor is just as classy. The property features an herb garden, so attendees can fit in a yoga session in their free time.
Grande Lakes Orlando is a multi-hotel resort made up of The Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes (582 guest rooms, 126,578 sq. ft. of meeting space) and JW Marriott Grande Lakes (1,010 guest rooms, 225,822 sq. ft. of meeting space). JW Marriott is fresh off a renovation, which includes an updated lobby lounge, refreshed guest rooms and suites, and the new Grande Lakes Waterpark and poolside restaurant, Knife Burger, as well as updates to his existing F&B, EvrBar, its lobby bar, and Primo, which serves Mediterranean and Italian food.
The Ritz-Carlton’s F&B options are more extensive, including Knife & Spoon (led by chef John Tesar, who opened Knife Burger); Highball & Harvest, a bar that uses the produce, herbs and spices grown in-house at Whisper Creek Farm; and Bleu, the property’s poolside restaurant.
New to town is Conrad Orlando (433 guest rooms; 65,000 sq. ft. of meeting space) in Evermore, a 20-acre tropical beach paradise with activities, dining and plenty of luxe amenities.
Orlando F&B
Orlando is home to 48 Michelin restaurants in addition to authentic local dishes from a diverse international community. Groups can find small plates influenced by Spanish culinary practices across the Atlantic or next-level sugary treats that harken back to childhood days.
The former can be found at Bulla Gastrobar in Orlando’s Winter Park. Bulla’s brunch and lunch menus offer three-course meals, as well as meat and cheese plates, in addition to appetizers and entrees. Bulla features two private dining rooms, Barcelona and Sevilla, for up to 24 guests, and a terrace, which can accommodate up to 40.
The classic ice cream shake took a note or two from the Bloody Mary at JoJo’s ShakeBar. Visitors at JoJo’s will find shakes like they’ve never seen them before, with such treats like Gold Digger, a caramel toffee shake topped with a toffee donut hole, gold star marshmallow, toffee pretzel and macadamia nut cookie; and Nada-Milkshake, a banana Oreo vegan shake topped with a sugar cone, Oreo, peanut butter and a cowboy cookie. All of these shakes can have a select alcohol added to them.
The shakebar also serves regular shakes, ice cream bars (with and without alcohol), a milk and cookie flight, and more. Should meeting profs want to host an event here, JoJo’s has four rentable spaces.
A La Cart is an open-air space surrounded by semi-permanent mobile food vendors and an indoor brewery, for a wide selection of foods for groups who want options. A La Cart has two locations in Orlando, in the Milk District and the SoDo District.
South Florida Experiences
The Bass contemporary art museum and Miami Beach Botanical Garden are convenient, colorful off-sites in Maimi Beach Convention Center District that will make a lasting impression.
When in Miami, mansion yacht tours and Biscayne Bay dinner cruises from Miami Charters by be just the ticket for your group. They even offer a Spa at Sea massage and wellness cruise.
Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa (309 guest rooms; 49,629 sq. ft. of meeting space) in Manalapan boasts one of the premier spa experiences in the country. The 42,000 sq. ft. of indoor-outdoor relaxation areas and advanced treatment areas will set the tone for a restorative event or incentive.
East and West Treats
Florida has the benefit of having coasts on either side, meaning double the chance of landing a beachfront property with meetings complemented by ocean views.
TradeWinds Resort on St. Pete Beach (733 guest rooms and villas, 77,500 sq. ft. of indoor/outdoor meeting space) sits on Florida’s West Coast peninsula between Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. TradeWinds Resort is made up of two properties, Island Grand and Rumfish Beach. Between the two, there are 13 restaurants, bars and lounges. Island Grand has made itself a place for productive meetings and around-the-clock fun, with amenities like kayaks, paddleboats, a surf simulator and a floating water park. Rumfish Beach offers extracurriculars like paddle boarding, snorkeling and dolphin cruises, and the resort’s adult-only pool.
Also on the protected gulf side in a safe harbor is JW Marriott Tampa Water Street (519 guest rooms and 122,00 sq. ft. of meeting space). This modern-elegant venue features an outdoor sixth-floor patio area and is minutes from easy Tampa International Airport (TPA). It is an ideal homebase to explore Tampa Riverwalk, Amalie Arena and numerous dining options.
Trump International Beach Resort (330 guest room, 22,000 sq. ft. of meeting space) in Sunny Isles Beach on Florida’s East Coast features the Mediterranean-inspired Gili’s Beach Club & Pool Bar, Japanese fusion restaurant Saka Mori and Azzurra, which serves a classic brunch menu and features a terrace for private events.
In the far northeast of the state, One Ocean Resort & Spa (193 guest rooms; 212,946 sq. ft. of meeting space) is a beacon of tranquility at award-winning Azurea Restaurant and in the water-facing spa. As one of the only Vichy showers on the coast, the earth and sea-scrub massage exfoliates and purifies. New owners are planning to polish the 193-room gem even more in 2025. Pair the VIP treatment with a down-to-business conference at Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront where 116,000 sq. ft. of meeting space in the center of this up-and-coming city offers its own water terrace views.
This article appears in the November 2024 issue. You can subscribe to the magazine here.
