Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor. Courtesy Photo

Florida stands out as an exceptional destination for corporate meetings and incentive travel, seamlessly blending work with pleasure in an engaging, vibrant environment. Most cities are a hub of cultural diversity, offering a rich tapestry of experiences that cater to all tastes and preferences.

Miami and Orlando are always among planners’ top choices. After all, Miami’s cultural scene and waterfront venues make it ideal for events looking for an upscale feel, while Orlando, with its array of luxury resorts, theme parks and attractions, provides a versatile environment that suits both formal and casual event settings.

Furthermore, the reimagined Miami Beach Convention Center provides a state-of-the-art event venue for exceptional conventions, tradeshows and meetings, while Orlando has the lure of all things Disney and a world-class convention center of its own.

Casandra Matej, president & CEO of Visit Orlando, notes each of Orlando’s incentive-level hotels is different from the other, but all are poised to offer the top-notch service and amenities that corporate attendees and incentive guests expect.

“Outside of the meeting times, Orlando has plenty of options for attendees to relax, recharge or go on an adventure,” she says. “They can make it a spa day at our luxury resorts or play a round of golf on one of the more than 100 stunningly gorgeous courses designed by professional players and acclaimed architects.”

Attendees will also want to spend some quality time at Orlando’s retail destinations, including The Mall at Millenia, where VIP treatment awaits when a corporate group partners with Visit Orlando.

Josh Miller, CEO of Clean Carpets, has had the pleasure of organizing a variety of corporate and incentive travel events throughout Florida, from Miami’s beachfront resorts to Orlando’s world-class venues.

“These experiences have given me a deep understanding of how to leverage Florida’s unique offerings to create memorable and effective gatherings,” he says. “Florida provides an ideal combination of beautiful weather, vibrant cultural settings and top-tier venues that suit a range of event types. Its mix of high-quality accommodations, from luxury resorts to modern convention centers, allows for flexibility in event planning. Florida’s commitment to hospitality also ensures easy access to experienced service providers, guaranteeing smooth logistics and high attendee satisfaction.”

A recent corporate retreat that Miller organized for a large tech company took place at a high-end resort in Orlando. The event drew more than 200 attendees and included a mix of workshops, team-building activities and beachside networking sessions.

“Being in Florida allowed us to create a dynamic schedule that combined productive meetings with group excursions, like a private evening at Disney Springs,” Miller says. “The setting, ease of planning and support from local vendors made it a truly successful event that attendees are still talking about.”

Carley Crose, CMP, a corporate planner for Bishop-McCann, recently had a meeting for approximately 450 internal corporate employees in leadership positions at the Hilton Orlando.

“This was for their annual leadership meeting and was a two-night, day-and-a-half meeting with two social dinners, general session and smaller divisional breakouts,” she says. “We typically try to weave in some fun for the breaks, and partner with local vendors or shelters to do this; for example, we had a puppy petting station with adoptable puppies from the local shelter or humane society.”

While she chose Orlando for this trip, others have been held in different Florida cities.

“Florida offers moderate to warm weather year-round in most parts, so it has plenty of great options for air lift, scenery and there’s a reasonable budget in most cities,” Crose says. “When in Orlando, there is always your Disney crew that likes to sneak in a visit. Some will explore local food and bars. Miami will always draw people of out of the hotel and out on the town. Beach cities draw people to the water.”

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood. Costea Photography

Fort Lauderdale

After all, there’s more to Florida than just Miami and Orlando. Many of its most beloved cities are prime locations for corporate meetings and incentive trips.

For example, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood is a top choice for corporate meetings due to its state-of-the-art facilities, comprehensive amenities, diverse dining options and unique entertainment experiences, all set in a vibrant atmosphere that promotes creativity and collaboration.

Just 15 minutes from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, the Hard Rock is conveniently located in the heart of Broward County and boasts a 150,000 sf casino, a robust live event calendar and plenty of entertainment options for any corporate gathering or incentive trip. The 87-acre property contains 1,271 total rooms, plenty of dining options and has very flexible meeting space that can accommodate up to 5,000 attendees in state-of-the-art, contemporary ballrooms and breakout spaces.

A short drive east, Pier Sixty-Six Resort is situated along the beautiful Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale. The fully remodeled resort eamlessly combines modern comfort with timeless elegance and has been one of the city’s go-to places for corporate meeting planners for decades. The property recently underwent an extensive  $1 billion redevelopment project and is reopening at the beginning of next year with 325 rooms, enhanced meeting facilities and a world-class marina.

“They have stripped down the old Pier Sixty-Six and the only thing that exists today is the historic tower. What’s been reimagined is 28,000 sf of meeting space with three ballrooms, nine breakouts and it’s all high-end luxury,” says Brett Boreing, executive director, sales and marketing for Pier Sixty-Six Resort. “It’s quite a vision.”

The area attracts attendees due to being a little different than other Florida cities, especially those that rely on beaches to be the main draw.

“Beaches are beautiful and during the day it’s gorgeous to look at, but at night, you’re just staring at night,” Boreing says. “With us, we’re right on the marina, so we offer all the amenities that groups would want if they went to an island resort — things like deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving and beautiful boats in a relaxed, calm setting.”

The Incentive Research Foundation held an event at The Breakers in Palm Beach for a small group of Europeans and Canadians. Courtesy of Stephanie Harris

The Palm Beaches

Just north of Fort Lauderdale, the Palm Beaches are another top destination in the Sunshine State when it comes to meetings, incentives, conventions and events.

“We’re excited to highlight more than 13 new developments that reinforce our destination as a premier choice for both business and leisure events,” says Kelly Cavers, chief sales officer for Discover The Palm Beaches (DTPB). “The region has experienced substantial growth in the MICE sector, with key investments, including the launch of new hotels featuring state-of-the-art meeting spaces, enhancements to existing venues and a successful bid for a second headquarters hotel at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.”

DTPB recently launched a niche business-themed campaign as part of its broader marketing strategy called “The Palm Beaches Collection: Picture-Perfect Between-The-Sessions Experiences.” The campaign emphasizes what sets The Palm Beaches apart with a focus on pillars such as the Convention Center District, multi-cultural and accessibility offerings, outdoors, wellness, sustainability, agribusiness, incentives, arts and culture, sports and more.

This initiative will highlight the top hotels in the area for meetings and events. For instance, the Amrit Ocean Resort, the newly opened beachfront wellness resort on Singer Island, offers unparalleled meeting and event spaces that bring transformative experiences.

“Not only does it offer 10,000 sf of indoor meeting space and nearly 3.5 acres of flexible oceanfront outdoor space, the property also offers 300 feet of private shoreline,” Cavers says. “Whether it be for team building, guest speakers, culinary experiences or wellness, the team at Amrit can help planners craft a truly memorable program.”

Debuting at the end of 2024, The Belgrove in West Palm Beach is a one-of-a-kind modern oasis celebrating polished elegance and laid-back luxury.

“Then there’s the Vineta Hotel in Palm Beach, which is set to reopen in 2025, marking a significant milestone as Oetker Collection brings its renowned European hospitality to the United States for the first time,” Cavers says. “The reopening marks a bold new chapter in the nearly 100-year history of this iconic property. With its distinct historic façade, it is a quintessential example of Mediterranean Revival architecture for which Palm Beach is famed.”

Stephanie Harris, president of the Incentive Research Foundation (IRF), has led events for business groups with 200 people to small incentive-focused groups of 15 in the region. Plus, as part of the IRF, she was charged with hosting a 500-person invitational event on Marco Island in 2021, so Florida is always in consideration.

“From an incentive perspective, Florida has the sun-and-fun aspect, which is always high on the list for an incentive,” she says. “The Palm Beaches have so many luxury properties to choose from that truly understand what it means to deliver for an incentive audience. The area delivers excellence in accommodations, food and beverage experiences, and has so many great outdoor experiences, like the Croquet Center, that are unique and fun for groups.”

Harris has also found that Palm Beach certainly has no shortage of great options for program attendees during their down time.

“Shopping on Worth Avenue and exploring the piazzas, biking throughout Palm Beach Island, kayaking along the intercoastal and taking an historical walking tour to learn about the incredible history of America’s first resort town are some of my favorites,” Harris says.

In early 2024, she led a small group of 12 Europeans and Canadians in the Palm Beaches, the vast majority of whom had never been to the area before and were overwhelmed by the possibilities and how different the experience was compared to other areas of Florida they had visited.

“We were able to share hotels like The Breakers, Eau Palm Beach, the new Amrit Wellness Resort, The Colony and others with them,” Harris says. “The program included both wellness activities and discussion groups about what European and Canadian incentive buyers were looking for when planning programs and considering America.”

Punta Gorda

Punta Gorda’s tagline is “Our Best Side is Outside,” which is an apt description for why so many corporate attendees enjoy coming to the city on Florida’s west coast.

“The Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach area has old Florida charm with opportunities for uniquely memorable experiences with sun-drenched beaches, an array of golf options, world-class fishing, kayaking, hiking, boating, airboat tours and other water activities in a moderate coastal climate,” says Jeff Berg, senior sales manager for meetings/conventions at the Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau.

Berg notes that Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor opened in the city in December 2023 and took the area’s meetings market to the next level.

“This stunning nearly 800-room luxury resort includes 60,000 sf of flexible indoor and outdoor space, with the largest space at 15,000 sf,” Berg says. “Downtown Punta Gorda is another hub for meetings and events, anchored by the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center, also on the shores of Charlotte Harbor. With over 44,000 sf of space, including the nearly 20,000-sf Hibiscus Hall and three hotel properties within a three-minute walk, the center is a prime location for corporate and incentive travel.”

Many planners love the area because it is still somewhat undiscovered and attendees want to go to new destinations and have fresh experiences.

“We are a relaxed destination that is not overcrowded,” Berg says. “Our area also ties in well with wellness themes, a major trend with corporate and incentive groups. The local restaurant scene in Punta Gorda is pretty amazing as well, with restaurants offering choices from elegant fine dining to comfort food and everything in between. Many eateries focus on sourcing local ingredients, which means off-the-charts freshness.”

Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach checks all the boxes in providing a first-class experience that meets the needs for corporate incentive travel, where groups typically prefer upscale properties and unique venues with fine dining options.

“Attendees can quickly go from the boardrooms and ballrooms to the beach when they’re gathering at the Ocean Center, the fifth-largest convention center in Florida,” says Lori Campbell Baker, executive director of the Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “This world-class venue serves as the area’s convention, entertainment and sports complex just 400 feet from the Atlantic Ocean.”

Having undergone a major renovation and expansion in 2017, the venue features more than 205,000 sf of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting space. It is conveniently located close to major hotels and popular restaurants and is just 10 minutes from Daytona Beach International Airport.

Many attractive hotels are within walking distance of the Ocean Center, including the 744-room Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, Daytona Grande Resort — a 27-story, 458-room property, the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach and the newly-opened 190-room Renaissance by Marriott Daytona Beach Oceanfront.

Other popular venues where groups can come together for team building include the new Tiger Woods-affiliated PopStroke mini-golf adventure, where visitors can “Eat. Putt. Drink.” to their heart’s content. There are also tours and interactive experiences for groups at the iconic Daytona International Speedway.

“A trip to Daytona Beach starts with experiencing the 23 miles of white-sand beaches. No matter the speed, guests will find plenty of activities such as swimming, biking, fishing, surfing, parasailing, paddle boarding, kayaking, jet skis, boats and more,” Baker says. “Between the attractions, events and entertainment, arts and culture, trails and green spaces, restaurants, microbreweries and shopping, there’s plenty more to explore within the destination.”

Some highlights include the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, Florida’s tallest lighthouse, the Smithsonian-affiliated Museum of Arts and Sciences, the Daytona Aquarium & Rainforest Adventure and Daytona Lagoon water park.

HelmsBriscoe, Amex GBT and Maritz recently held events in Daytona. The latter chose the area due to its “community vibe rather than a large-city feeling” according to Baker.

Pensacola

Pensacola is an exceptional destination for corporate meetings and incentive trips, offering a vibrant blend of stunning coastal scenery, a rich history and a variety of modern venues and recreational activities that foster collaboration and team-building in a relaxed atmosphere.

Janea Davis, technical services manager for chemical company Evonik Corporation, recently hosted a corporate travel event at The Pensacola Beach Resort for those in her company.

“This was our ninth annual Doctoral Student Seminar and our first time holding it in Florida,” she says. “We spent our first night at the Salty Rose and the service/food was amazing. It gave us a chance to have a great first night getting to know all of the students before we started the meeting for the rest of our stay. The following day we held our meeting in one of the meeting rooms, which was perfect for our group size. We were able to have some fun besides our meetings, and we spent our time playing cornhole and taking a dip in the water. We concluded our stay with a restaurant that was close by, which made it easy for people to walk if they wanted to. According to my colleagues this was the best location for the seminar.”

Destin/Fort Walton Beach

The Destin-Fort Walton Beach area is a popular destination for meetings and events for a variety of reasons, making it an appealing choice for business and incentive travelers. Some key attractions that draw people to host meetings in this picturesque Gulf Coast locale include stunning natural beauty, ideal climate, amazing outdoor recreation and unique local culture.

“Unlike busier metropolitan areas, Northwest Florida is a peaceful yet productive environment allowing attendees to focus, collaborate, and think creatively without the hustle and bustle of a big city,” a spokesperson with Visit Florida says. “The region is known for its Southern hospitality and our professional event planners and dedicated staff are on hand to ensure that every detail of your meeting runs smoothly, from logistics and catering to accommodation and transportation.” C&IT