The Orange County Convention Center is known as “The Center of Hospitality.” Pictured: Breakfast is served at the Executive Client Advisory Committee event. Courtesy of Mark Tester

Orlando, historically known for its world-class theme parks, has recently emerged as a food lover’s paradise. The area is now home to an incredible array of culinary experiences and top-notch restaurants led by celebrity chefs. In fact, Orlando was named No. 1 on WalletHub’s recent “Best Foodie Cities in America” list, beating out 180 other cities that were graded on things like grocery cost, restaurant diversity and food trucks per capita.

This creates an excellent opportunity for meeting planners to take advantage of this culinary haven, providing attendees with unforgettable dining experiences that will leave a lasting impression.

“Orlando isn’t just a city, it’s a culinary journey waiting to be savored,” says Jill Garcia, president and owner of the Pittsburgh, PA-based The Hutton Group, who regularly plans corporate meetings there. “From its diverse array of international flavors to its inventive food scene, every dish tells a tale of taste and innovation, making it a true haven for food enthusiasts.”

Over the last decade, Jamie Chermak, senior sales development manager, events for Thermo Fisher Scientific, has been involved in incentive trips, group meetings and trade shows in Orlando. This year alone, she has already completed a global commercial meeting at the Hyatt Regency Orlando and did a large trade show a week later at the Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando.

“The pros of truly hosting in this city is the vast amount of entertainment and dining options,” Chermak says. “I have just been introduced to The Discovery Cove during my offsite meeting and I have since brought two groups there. I love the endless amount of options. The weather helps too.”

Her attendees like to explore the parks and absorb the positive vibes that come from other tourists that visit.

“Orlando is a very international venue in itself and you can basically find the best of the best kinds of ethnic foods to accommodate or try,” Chermak says.

Foodies Delight

Orlando’s culinary scene is ever-evolving, offering meeting planners a diverse array of dining options to suit every taste and occasion.

“By hosting events in this foodie town, planners can provide attendees with memorable dining experiences, enhancing the overall event and leaving guests eager to return,” Chermak says. “Whether it’s fine dining, casual bites or innovative cuisine, Orlando’s top restaurants, led by celebrity chefs, serve up unforgettable meals that impress any group.”

Here are some of the notable restaurants that she and other planners recommend giving a try:

Victoria & Albert’s: At the heart of Orlando’s food scene lies Victoria & Albert’s, a AAA Five Diamond Award restaurant located at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. The restaurant offers an intimate, luxurious dining experience with Chef Kevin Chong at the helm. A multi-course tasting menu features the finest seasonal ingredients and impeccable presentation, promising a memorable evening for any meeting or event.

The Ravenous Pig: Known as one of the city’s premier gastropubs, The Ravenous Pig is a must-visit for meeting planners looking to impress guests with innovative American cuisine. Led by award-winning chefs Julie and James Petrakis, the restaurant’s menu is a delightful mix of locally sourced ingredients and classic dishes with a modern twist.

Norman’s: Located at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, Norman’s offers a refined, upscale dining experience under the direction of renowned Chef Norman Van Aken, a pioneer of New World cuisine. The menu features a fusion of Latin, Caribbean and Floridian flavors, carefully crafted to create a unique culinary journey. Meeting planners seeking a luxurious setting for their event will find Norman’s the ideal choice.

Prato: Prato, situated on Winter Park’s bustling Park Avenue, brings the flavors of Italy to Orlando. Chef Brandon McGlamery’s menu showcases rustic yet contemporary Italian cuisine, emphasizing fresh ingredients and wood-fired cooking techniques. Prato’s stylish interior and inviting ambiance make it an excellent venue for both small and large gatherings.

Se7en Bites: A trip to Orlando isn’t complete without a visit to Se7en Bites, a beloved local eatery known for its Southern comfort food and scrumptious desserts. Chef Trina Gregory-Propst’s culinary creations, such as her famous biscuits and pies, have garnered national attention. Meeting planners looking to infuse their event with a touch of Southern charm should consider Se7en Bites for breakfast, lunch or a sweet treat.

Domu: For those seeking bold, innovative flavors, Domu is a must. This trendy Asian fusion restaurant, located in East End Market, is led by Chef Sean “Sonny” Nguyen and is famous for its ramen and craft cocktails. The contemporary setting and delicious dishes make it an ideal location for a casual yet trendy gathering.

In Action

Orlando is perfect for corporate meetings but also an excellent location to host incentive trips as the place itself has an air of magic which draws people to it; even the city’s NBA team, the Orlando Magic, is named after this unique vibe.

Yvette Campbell, CMP, meeting broker for Meetings Made Easy, has been planning corporate events in Orlando for years, and notes it’s always a large draw for groups.

“I have learned that the key to a successful event is selecting the perfect hotel,” she says. “My experience has always been booking corporate events at hotels throughout Orlando.

She says that hotels are selected depending on the size of the event and the audience. “Some groups love being on the park site, especially if they plan on doing pre- and post-events with family members. Some prefer to be a little further from the hustle and bustle.”

Among the positives of having meetings in Orlando is the fact that the airport has no shortage of direct flights from around the world arriving daily. Attendees can select a traditional hotel but then have offsite private events within Disney, Universal or one of the thousand restaurant choices throughout the city or within a property.

“The food scene in Orlando is simply amazing,” Campbell says. “As a food enthusiast and lover of sushi, I have had the pleasure of enjoying some incredible meals at the Swan and Dolphin and Contemporary Resort. There are so many cuisine choices at hotels, in the parks and around the city to dine. The best part of eating out in Orlando is you’re always going to see amazing fireworks somewhere during your evening out.”

In the spring, Garcia managed a small client conference of 45 people in Orlando, and at the end of last year, her team managed a conference with 600 attendees there.

“All facets of both meetings were handled professionally and successfully,” she says. “The city ‘gets it’ and has all of the available resources you need. Conferences are its bread and butter and there are hundreds, if not thousands, of opportunities to connect with professionals working to support the city’s meetings industry.”

As an event producer who mainly focuses on customer-centric events for her division, Chermak looks for events that introduce decision makers to her company’s products.

“Orlando has made it possible to create the perfect atmospheric optimism that sets up our customers with positivity and fun,” says Chermak, who adds that when she invites VIPs to happy hour prior to inviting them to a park, she usually does not get many who will turn it down. “Doing business with built-in Orlando Hospitality makes it very easy. The city provides many types of team-building activities that enhance the experiences.”

Claire Gould, senior events manager for Flight Safety International, has planned numerous meetings in Orlando working with several hotels and venues, most notably the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC).

“The Orange County Convention Center is a great place to exhibit,” she says. “The cost of doing business and using the building’s services, such as electrical and rigging, is a real pleasure. They are very customer centric.”

Gould says that some of the pros of holding meetings in Orlando are that the area keeps growing and adding additional activities for all ages, and that the culinary scene keeps expanding and getting more sophisticated as well.

“Some of the favorite activities for attendees include golf, going to Howl at the Moon and just spending time together at some of the great restaurants,” Gould says.

One of her most memorable experiences in the city proves how great those in Orlando can be. “We were booked at a hotel near Downtown Disney, and three weeks prior to our event, our entire event of 150 people was moved, as the hotel had construction issues at a sister property. We were moved to Hilton Orlando at the Orange County Convention Center,” she says. “What made the event successful is the Hilton OCCC understood what a bad scene it was that we were being moved three weeks out, and the entire team got on board to assist with the move. They were all so kind, sympathetic and welcoming.”

Myriad of Venues

Orlando is known for its amazing resorts for families, but there are equally a number of great places for business people to stay in conjunction with a corporate meeting. “There are so many wonderful venues to choose from,” Garcia said. “I could host a meeting in Orlando for more than a week and incorporate different experiences each evening.”

Orlando World Center Marriott is the world’s largest Marriott Brand with 2,010 rooms and suites and more than 500,000 sf of meeting space. “The property features up to 104 meeting rooms of various sizes, including five ballrooms and beautiful outdoor meeting space at Harvest Terrace, Magnolia Lawn & Patio, Falls Pool Event Lawn and the Fairway Lawn, boasting over 200,000 sf to create any imaginable meeting or event,” says Robert Bray, general manager of Orlando World Center Marriott. “We offer culinary creativity – not only are there 10 dining outlets on property, but the resort’s catering team is available to co-create and customize an exceptional event.”

This year, the hotel has hosted numerous groups with a variety of needs.

“We were able to host a dine-around in our many restaurants for one group, saving them time and the cost of transportation,” Bray says. “For another, we were able to host an outdoor concert that was connected to their meeting space/exhibit hall. For another, we were able to provide 1,900 guest rooms at the hotel with another 700 at a nearby property, which included transportation to and from the overflow hotel. There truly is a world of possibilities when bringing events to Orlando World Center Marriott.”

Hilton Orlando offers a smart design for conventions and incentive trips.

“Our well-planned function space provides an easy flow between general sessions, catered events and breakouts,” says Chris Mueller, general manager for the hotel. “Conveniently located on the lower and lobby levels, all event and meetings space is easily accessible. Unique outdoor venues set the backdrop for a memorable event where attendees can enjoy the Florida sunshine or starry nights.”

He adds that the unique experiences that Orlando offers include incredible dining, resort amenities and an endless supply of area activities.

“You can’t beat the weather – the warm temperatures in the winter allow for unique outdoor meeting experiences,” Mueller says. “Orlando truly is a great city to have unique meeting experiences, with large conventions incorporating theme parks for team building with fun for everyone.”

The award-winning OCCC, located in the heart of the Convention Center District and only 15 minutes from the Orlando International Airport, provides a multitude of meeting options in two beautifully appointed buildings — the West and North-South.

With its variety of space and flexibility, the OCCC offers 7 million sf of combined meeting and exhibit space for events of all types and sizes. The West Building showcases tropical atriums, skylights and inviting courtyards.

“With distinctive architecture and tropical ambiance, the North-South Building is designed for flexibility and functionality, featuring a dramatic 1,500-ft. oversight pedestrian bridge with moving sidewalks leading to the West Building,” says Mark Tester, executive director of the OCCC.

Plus, he adds, by attending an event hosted at “The Center of Hospitality,” as it is called, attendees support one of the most innovative, large-scale sustainability programs in the U.S.

“The OCCC has demonstrated industry and community leadership by pioneering pathways for large venues to achieve continuously improving levels of sustainability stewardship,” Tester says. “Some of the green initiatives attendees and show organizers can enjoy include supreme walkability and mobility, renewable energy and building efficiency, the ability to donate food and compost food waste, water efficiency and waste reduction/diversion programs.”

The convention center is also surrounded by 125,000 guest rooms in the Central Florida region, including 5,000 directly connected to the facility by pedestrian bridge. A broad offering of show management and exhibitor services, ranging from catering to telecommunications, are considered the finest in the convention industry.

There are various theme parks and attractions within close proximity to the convention center, including SeaWorld Orlando, Universal Orlando Resort, Pointe Orlando and ICON Park.

Orlando and Orange County are some of the few destinations in the country that offer multiple retail, dining and entertainment complexes within minutes of the convention center – providing a unique experience for convention guests and attendees, Tester says. “Events and attendees are drawn to Orlando because of its vibrant culture, friendly communities and endless possibilities. When attendees are ready to take a break from the action, they will find dining, entertainment, shopping, recreation, theme parks and much more.”

Additionally, in 2023, in collaboration with Orlando Health and Visit Orlando, the OCCC inaugurated a Virtual Care Center. This initiative aimed to provide guests with immediate access to health care services during conferences, emphasizing the priority of health and safety for events and attendees.

Mickey and Goofy and Tigger, Oh My!

Disney Meetings & Events offers meeting planners and attendees access to world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources that transform clients’ events into unforgettable experiences.

Walt Disney World Resort encompasses four theme parks, five Disney-owned and -operated convention resorts, 140 unique and well-equipped meetings rooms and more than 495,000 total sf of indoor meeting space. And it’s all easily accessible via a network of monorails, watercraft and motor coaches.

“Since Walt Disney World Resort is more like a city than a hotel complex or resort, we offer a dramatic array of venues, services, experiences and opportunities to connect that can meet almost any client’s needs, whether that’s for content or customization,” says Brenda Goodwin, public relations manager for Walt Disney World Resort. “Our portfolio of Disney destinations is uniquely poised to meet the demand with pre-post stays at places people want to visit, allowing attendees to create new memories with their families or friends. This can help drive record-breaking attendance for conventions, and it’s a powerful motivator for incentive programs.”

Outside of meetings, Walt Disney World Resort features championship golf, world-class dining, a relaxing spa, sports complex and Disney Springs’ retail-entertainment-dining complex, in addition to sparkling lakes and waterways for boating, fishing and more.

From its world-famous theme parks to its Michelin-starred restaurants, Orlando truly is perfect for hosting both small and large events. C&IT