Kissimmee Allows Meetings Their Chance to Shine
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With the ongoing addition of new and flexible meeting space and updates to existing meeting venues throughout Kissimmee, SMERF planners see the popular Central Florida destination in a whole new light. More and more meeting planners are discovering what has always been great about Kissimmee: A wide range of accommodations and meeting space from which to choose, as well as exciting add-on options at area attractions and natural adventures. Best of all, they’re discovering the friendly, creative and helpful staff at the Kissimmee Convention & Visitors Bureau, who work to make even the busiest meeting planner’s job easier.
Among recent SMERF planners who have dealt with the Kissimmee, Lowell Simpson, reunion planner for the China–Burma–India–Veterans Association, complements the CVB for its “progressive approach” to meetings and reunions. Eager for other SMERF planners to learn about the benefits of the city, the Kissimmee CVB sponsors an annual tour solely for SMERF planners to see firsthand what experiences and facilities they can make use of when holding an event there. For those submitting an RFP, the CVB promises a 24-hour turnaround time.
Many planners like the fact that the destination is centrally located and very accessible. Kissimmee is just 20 minutes from Orlando International Airport and has a convenient network of roads that includes Florida’s Turnpike, Interstate 4 and Osceola Parkway. Another benefit is that Walt Disney World is in close proximity, a tremendous perk for attendees bringing families along. The famed amusement park is right next door to Kissimmee, literally just a few minutes’ drive. There are also plenty of attractions and facilities in the town itself.
All told, there are at least 30 meeting venues with 45,000 total accommodations. The largest of these is the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, which offers 400,000 square feet of meeting, event and exhibition space under one roof, along with 1,406 guest rooms. There is also the Exhibition Building at Osceola Heritage Park, which has a total of 59,000 square feet of exhibition space and four meeting rooms. Of particular interest for planners looking to add a golf element to events is the Omni Orlando Resort, which has 70,000 square feet of meeting space and 28 meeting rooms, along with a championship-caliber golf course right on-site. There is a selection of well-regarded public courses in Kissimmee as well.
While there are hotels and sites for all levels of budgets, budget-conscious planners will do well holding meetings in town in November and December, says the CVB, because the weather is good, but rates are low and attractions aren’t crowded because this period is considered off-season.
For More Information
Contact the Kissimmee Convention & Visitors Bureau by phone at 800-831-1844, ext. 484 or 407-944-2484, or online at www.meetings.FloridaKiss.com.
