Extreme states of relaxation and stimulation can be found throughout sunny Florida, but there are more locations to consider than just the colorful city of Miami or family-friendly locales like Orlando. Consider a site for your next meeting that’s situated in one of the state’s geographic extremes. Here are three options that allow for a change of pace.
Soar In Pensacola
Sugar white beaches, fascinating museums and a rich military history are just three of the many reasons to consider Pensacola as your meeting destination. Located in the extreme Western corner of the state’s panhandle, this city is diverse and welcoming.
In particular, Pensacola prides itself on welcoming military groups for gatherings and reunions. The city is home to the National Museum of Naval Aviation, one of the state’s top 10 attractions. Here, aviation enthusiasts will marvel at the four Blue Angel fighter jets hanging in their signature diamond-shaped formation from the atrium ceiling. Visitors can actually watch the Blue Angels practice on most Tuesday/Thursday mornings from March through November. They’ll also discover historic military forts dating back to the War of 1812 and can visit Wall South, a half-size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC, located in Veterans Memorial Park in Pensacola.
The city’s appeal, however, isn’t limited to the military-minded. If an organization’s goal is relaxation, the 52 miles of pristine Gulf Coast shores provide an excellent setting for reunions and incentive trips. There are also plenty of events on the horizon. To commemorate its 450th anniversary (the city was founded in 1559), Pensacola is celebrating for 450 days from May 23, 2008 to August 15, 2009. Celebrate Pensacola Inc., a nonprofit organization managing the celebration, has planned numerous special events and programs such as parades, art exhibits, heritage walks, historical reenactments, educational programs, a Spanish wine festival and much more over the coming year.
Several hotels have either been renovated or recently opened to further Pensacola’s appeal. The Crown Plaza, for example, underwent a two-year renovation after Hurricane Ivan. Its 15-story glass tower and atrium is a stunning setting for events. The Courtyard by Marriott Downtown is a new venue, with 120 guest rooms. For larger gatherings, consider the Hilton Pensacola Beach Gulf Front, which recently expanded its meeting and event space by 30,000 square feet.
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Tee Up In Jacksonville
Travel to the most northern part of Florida’s east coast to Jacksonville, billed as “Where Florida Begins.” The city of over 735,000 people is a hub for medical, educational and military institutions. Its southern-style hospitality is matched only by its relaxed beachside atmosphere.
Golf lovers will swoon over the famed Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, where the Players Championship is held every May. With over 1,220 holes of golf, Northeast Florida is the perfect getaway for those looking to take advantage of pristine course conditions and sunny weather. Home to 72 public and private courses designed by the world’s best golf pros, the area is golfer’s paradise. The World Golf Hall of Fame even makes it possible to locate a meeting right in the midst of this golfer’s Eden. Choice locations include intimate receptions in the grand Shea Hall to gatherings of up to 1,200 people in the museum or private film screenings in the facility’s IMAX Theater.
For those who prefer culinary pleasures more than the links, there are plenty of other options. Fraternal groups may enjoy the Budweiser Brewery tour, and family gatherings can head to Peterbrooke Chocolatier’s production center to watch tasty chocolate confections being made. Outdoor enthusiasts should consider kayak tours of the many waterways that run around and through the city or a day of sailing at the shore.
Plan an excursion to St. Augustine during your conference, particularly if attendees include history or religion buffs. Just a short drive south of Jacksonville, this small town (founded in 1565) is filled with architectural treasures. Schedule an event around a scenic cruise of Matanzas Bay, which highlights many waterfront landmarks. Engage a guide for a walking tour of the historic churches. Allow time to explore the Castillo de San Marcos, an impressive fort structure still standing centuries after the town’s inception. The restored Spanish Quarter on Historic St. George Street strings together interesting shops and eateries as well.
When it’s time to get down to business, book one of the many venues Jacksonville offers, from the Prime Osborn Convention Center – once the Union Terminal train station – to the fabulous, state-of-the-art Main Library Conference Center. The latter includes over 20,000 square feet of meeting/event space with a purpose-built 391-seat auditorium, 5,000-square-foot ballroom and a large, outdoor courtyard designed for groups to enjoy the beautiful Florida weather and flora.
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Unwind in the Keys
Perhaps no other location in Florida will allow attendees to let down their hair the way a conference in the Keys can. This is the southernmost extreme of the state (and the U.S.) and is definitely worth the trip.
Start by considering a location near the hub of Miami. The Hilton Key Largo Beach Resort, just a one-hour drive south of Miami, combines the exotic experience of the tropics with modern sophistication. A recent $12 million renovation resulted in 200 beautiful, ocean-view rooms to house attendees. Extensive nature trails, a private white-sand beach and numerous water sports entertain guests, while over 10,000 square feet of versatile function space can accommodate meetings/events from 10 to 400 guests.
Planning a retreat comes easy with the resort’s new e-Events service. Planners can organize a church/fraternal reunion or conference with a simple online tool that reserves blocks of five to 25 rooms. While you’re at it, plan the catering and update groups with a schedule of activities – all with the click of your mouse.
Be sure to take advantage of the nearby John Pennekamp Coral Reef while visiting the Keys. This fragile underwater eco-system draws environmentalists and conservationists from around the world to experience the beauty of the sea life and learn how to better protect it.
Traveling down through the Keys – a drive that could take up to four hours – is getting easier. Construction of a new road from the South Florida mainland (Florida City) to the Florida Keys is on schedule, and the Keys’ portion of the $300 million project will open to traffic this summer. In addition, the Key West International Airport is adding approximately 30,000 square feet to its 24,000-square-feet of existing space, complete with new terminals, baggage handling and rental car areas. These logistical perks will make getting to paradise a pleasure.
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Meeting Space Rundown
- The Pensacola Civic Center includes a 10,000 seat arena with over 20,000 square feet of exhibition space. There are 12 versatile meeting rooms with 13,000 square feet of meeting space between them. The facility routinely hosts trade shows, regional sporting events, entertainers and organizational ceremonies. Venues Today magazine recently spotlighted the facility, naming it a “Top Stop” among venues with 5,001 to 10,000 seats.
- Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center in Jacksonville provides 265,000 square feet of space, including a 78,500-square-foot exhibit hall, 22 meeting rooms, a 10,000-square-foot ballroom and grand lobby with a 75-foot vaulted ceiling.
- The Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo offers one of the largest conference venues in tThe Keys. The Club’s 30,000 square feet of meeting space accommodates up 700. The luxurious Caribbean-style atmosphere is combined with technologically advanced capabilities to bring both pleasure and function to executive and social gatherings.
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