Having recently celebrated 50 years in the hospitality industry, Rosen Hotels & Resorts is a brand known for its commitment to quality and personalized service. Courtesy Photos

Orlando can handle massive events. But it’s also a top destination for intimate board meetings and top-tier incentive programs. Whatever the size, demographic, timing or goals of your meeting, the city is likely to have just what you need — and maybe some surprises that you didn’t even know you needed until they become part of your event.

Each year, RX Events organizes the annual PGA Show in Orlando. This year, the event drew over 33,000 attendees while making use of 19 hotels, the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) and the Orange County National Golf Center as primary venues for visitors and exhibitors. By all accounts it was a phenomenal success.

“Held for the 39th year at the Orange County Convention Center, the 2025 PGA Show expanded in multiple categories — by number of attendees, number of exhibitors, net booth space and total event space,” says Marc Simon, vice president of PGA Golf Exhibitions. “It was the largest PGA Show in 15 years and a great launching point for the $102 billion golf industry in 2025.”

Everything You Want in a Destination

The show brings in attendees and exhibitors from 94 countries and 50 U.S. states, so the city’s expansive domestic and international airlift is critical, but that’s just the start.

“Orlando has been an ideal PGA Show destination since 1985 and continues to grow its value by offering additional services and amenities to our guests each and every year,” Simon says. “The Orlando destination, combined with the unique offerings of the Orange County Convention Center and Orange County National Golf Center, create assets and facilities that we would be hard-pressed to match anywhere else. When you add easy access to reasonably priced flights into Orlando International Airport, the wealth of hotel options at all price points, plentiful golf, unmatched dining and entertainment options and the likelihood of warm weather, Orlando appeals tremendously to us and our PGA Show guests.”

And Orlando continues to up the ante on its convenience and offerings. Simon says the relatively new Brightline train, for example, provides easy, fast service between Miami and Orlando, which opens up Miami International Airport (MIA) as an additional flight option for attendees.

“We message all of these destination attributes in multiple communications to our event guests as an additional value-asset complementing the wealth of business opportunities the golf industry receives by attending the PGA Show,” Simon adds.

Pro golfer Boo Weekley hits practice balls at the PGA Show Demo Day at the Orange County National Golf Center. Photo by Darren Carroll / PGA of America

As most meeting planners know, partnerships are key to a successfully executed event, and the PGA Show is no exception. “The valued relationships and outreach by our venue partners and Visit Orlando build a special partnership that helps drive the success of the PGA Show in Orlando,” Simon says. His best advice to planners considering Orlando for a meeting is to leverage those connections.

“We’ve had a great experience working with our partners at OCCC, Orange County National Golf Center and Visit Orlando to build a team approach to PGA Show success,” Simon says. “We encourage all meeting planners considering an Orlando destination for their event to reach out to these staff teams well in advance to create an event plan that draws event stakeholders to the destination and also engages them with all that Orlando has to offer when they arrive.”

The city’s assets, he reiterates, include unique housing, dining, entertainment and recreational activities in the evenings, not to mention the fact that Orlando is ideal for attendees who want to bookend the event with vacation time before or after the meeting.

Says Simon: “Our partners’ expertise in all things Orlando helps us create a memorable, enjoyable and seamless experience from the moment attendees arrive until their final day at the event.”

Caribe Royale offers 240,000 sf of indoor/outdoor event space, including three ballrooms and an event lawn. tech sports bar and entertainment venue. Courtesy Photo

Upgraded for an Unforgettable Experience

Another option is the Caribe Royale Orlando, which has undergone a number of upgrades designed to ensure a truly unforgettable experience for event attendees. Just minutes from Disney World, the iconic resort has revamped its accommodations and event spaces for groups seeking a mix of luxury, versatility and convenience.

The highlight is a dazzling redesign of the hotel’s grand ballroom, which is now equipped with state-of-the-art AV technology and sleek, modern finishes. Whether it’s an intimate meeting or a large-scale conference, the resort’s 240,000 sf of indoor/outdoor event space can be seamlessly transformed to meet your needs. There are three ballrooms, including a 50,000-sf Palms Ballroom, and a 20,000-sf event lawn, as well as the new Stadium Club, a high-tech sports bar and entertainment venue. Ideal for everything from cocktail receptions to gala dinners, the Caribe Royale now has enhanced onsite dining options and an upgraded spa to keep attendees pampered and relaxed between work sessions. With exceptional service and a prime location, this venue has everything you need to host a truly spectacular event.

This City ‘Just Gets’ Events

In July 2024, a direct sales beauty company hosted its annual conference at Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, an official Walt Disney World Hotel. The event drew 1,200 attendees. Heather Pilcher, CMP, CSEP, CEO and executive producer with Blue Spark Event Design, organized the gathering and has this to say about Orlando: “It just gets events.”

She points to all of the usual assets that make the city a popular meeting destination, explaining why it was right for this event.

“Orlando proved to be an excellent fit for our group due to its strong airlift, making travel convenient for attendees from various locations,” Pilcher says. “The proximity to world-renowned theme parks served as a significant draw, encouraging increased participation, particularly among families. The high-quality lodging and unbeatable location made it effortless for attendees to mix business with a little Disney fun. Attendance was up, the vibe was high and the event was a hit.”

The service, she adds, was top-tier across a variety of hotels, so finding the right fit was a breeze. “We stayed at a sleek, high-end business hotel that kept things polished and professional but still let us enjoy the Disney magic without it taking over the event. It was the perfect mix of professionalism and fun.”

The group held meetings and functions in the Signia’s convention spaces, which had everything needed. “That meant no trekking across town — just smooth, seamless sessions without the logistical headaches,” Pilcher notes, adding that the resort checked all the boxes. It had the right number of rooms, a prime location, competitive rates and plenty of meeting space. “The upscale décor, stellar service and reasonable food-and-beverage minimums made it an easy ‘yes’ for us,” she adds. “We hosted our event in the newly built Waterside Ballroom, which played a key role in our decision to choose this hotel. The modern design, fresh layout and upgraded amenities wowed our attendees and set the perfect stage for our event.”

And then there’s the human touch. “The sales team and convention services department truly stood out with their exceptional support throughout the planning and execution of our event,” Pilcher says. “They were on top of every detail and even jumped in to help move furniture when we needed a last-minute layout change — talk about service! Their responsiveness and attention to detail made planning a breeze. If we get the chance, we’d absolutely bring another event there.”

“Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek is extremely popular, so if it’s on your radar, book early,” Pilcher advises other planners. “It’s a high-demand property, and space fills up fast. Locking in your dates ahead of time will save you from scrambling later — and securing your dates well in advance will give you the best options for space and accommodations.”

Melissa Showalter, CMP, senior account manager at Imprint Events Group, brought a manufacturing corporation and its 800 attendees to the Signia last fall. Like others, she points to Orlando’s abundance of direct flights, which made travel to the event easier logistically with an attendee base largely coming from the East Coast and southeast U.S. “That helps drive attendance. Groups know they can get their attendees here with quality options and pricing on airlift,” she says.

For this organization, it was also important to select a destination with enough offsite and entertainment options to accommodate their group size within a short distance of the host hotel. “Orlando has an array of four- and five-star convention hotels close to the theme parks and entertainment areas that also accommodate onsite activities such as spa services and golf,” Showalter says. “Groups look to Orlando as a destination to meet for their complete list of offerings that further elevate the attendee experiences.”

Clients Want Options

According to Showalter, clients are also looking for ways to switch up their agenda.

“They don’t want to include the same things in every meeting,” she says. “They’re incorporating elements of wellness into their programming, for example, or having shorter formal meeting sessions and more breakouts into team-building or activities that foster networking. In Orlando, the options are so extensive that a group can return again and again and enjoy something different each time. The climate is also favorable for a majority of the year. Clients can take morning yoga outside with branded sweat towels before a meeting day and, by the afternoon, complete a customized scavenger hunt (on property or off) within their departments before going offsite for a dinner experience.”

That versatility also extends to the OCCC, which prioritizes sustainability. “It’s equipped with waste diversion and eco-conscious event solutions, more than 4,000 solar panels and energy-efficient lighting for its expansive exhibit halls and meeting rooms,” Showalter says. “There are more than 42,000 hotel rooms within a two-mile radius, plus dozens of venues, restaurants and shops that support the attendee experience.”

According to Showalter, the bottom line is that “Orlando’s infrastructure is designed to support meetings and events of all sizes and kinds. The availability of premium venues, cutting-edge technology and strong hospitality services make it a seamless experience for planners and attendees.”

That said, she has three key tips for planner who may be bringing a group to Orlando.

“First, while Orlando is a year-round destination for events, consider the seasonality of the area for a booking season that best aligns with your goals,” Showalter says. “Next, take advantage of the city’s entertainment offerings and the creative ways they can be integrated into your agenda.

Finally, strongly consider transportation logistics for airport and local transportation needs, and build in buffer time each leg of the way.”

In January, Chicago-based ADM Investor Services, a leader in futures brokerage, arrived in Orlando to hold its 2025 conference. With 225 attendees, the Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek (a Walt Disney World Gateway Hotel) served as headquarters for the event — and choosing Orlando worked out well, according to for the group.

“Our group came from many different locations across the United States due to the great options for direct flights in and out of Orlando International Airport (MCO),” DeVita says. She also points to the ease of getting around the city and the abundance of hotels and entertainment options. However, she says, what really stood out was Walt Disney World and the surrounding area.

DeVita says several factors went into selecting the hotel. “We chose the Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek for its great meeting space, location and proximity to Walt Disney World, pricing and its amenities available to our attendees,” she says. “[The property] is a hidden treat and very tranquil considering its closeness to Walt Disney World. You feel like you are at an all-inclusive resort.”

She also had great things to say about the hotel staff. “They all put in long days to make sure our events ran very smoothly,” DeVita says. “Having such an attentive staff at the ready really allowed me and my staff to ensure a great event. Our attendees raved about the food as well as the overall service that the Wyndham provided. From our welcome reception poolside to our farewell breakfast, everything was delicious and beautifully presented. And Laurie Helley in sales rounded out the overall positive experience we had.”

The PGA Show is the largest and longest-running global gathering for the golf business. It was held this year at Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center (pictured) and Orange County National Golf Center. Courtesy Photo

An Embarrassment of Riches

All meetings and functions were held at the hotel. “We required general-session space set up classroom-style for 220 attendees with an aisle and a stage with projection screens on both sides, along with space for a small exhibitor’s room with 16 tabletop booths,” DeVita says. “Pinnacle AV was easy to work with and was able to quickly add equipment when it was overlooked during our pre-con. With Francesca Giachetta and her team at the Wyndham, the planning of our conference was really efficient and went relatively smoothly, considering how detail-oriented we needed to be with the events team. Plus, our meeting space was located on the lower level of the hotel, which kept our attendees from interfering with other guests at the resort during our conference.”

DeVita says Visit Orlando, the city’s CVB, was helpful as well. “I contacted [them] for a recommendation for live entertainment for an evening reception we were hosting outside for 200+ guests. Heather Drew at Visit Orlando was great to work with.”

Orlando is such a popular destination for both business and leisure travel, DeVita emphasizes the need to book early. “If you want to have the best options for lodging and meeting space, get your sites in and then book your favorite hotel before prices go up and location availability goes down. I really liked the Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek as it had a lot to offer guests. The events and banquets teams were awesome to work with, and having shuttles to the most popular Walt Disney World attractions, including Disney Springs, made it a great choice to host a conference.”

Orlando has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to assets and opportunities for groups, but the city is not resting on its laurels, as planners have much to look forward to in the near future. Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin is embarking on a significant renovation and expansion that will add 120,000 sf to the existing meeting and function space, as well as upgraded technology. At the same time, Disney Meetings & Events is unveiling new products for planners and their groups, including new team building and networking options and general session openers. However, the biggest news for the city itself is that the OCCC intends to break ground on an expansion of the North-South building by next year, adding an additional 44,000 sf of meeting space and a 100,000-sf ballroom.

The truth is, no matter how many times you meet in Orlando, the next time will always offer something new and compelling. C&IT