< PreviousFrom unique meeting spaces and hotel accommodations to an exhilarating evening, a Universal Orlando meeting or event is perfect for groups of any size. Treat the team to great food, amazing surroundings and one-of-a-kind rides and attractions. It’s an event they won’t miss. And never forget. ONE DESTINATION. A UNIVERSE OF POSSIBILITIES. WIZARDING WORLD and all related trademarks, characters, names, and indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s22) TRANSFORMERS and its logo and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro and are used with permission. © 2022 Hasbro. Sapphire Falls Resort TM & © 2022 UCF Hotel Venture III. Universal elements and all related indicia TM & © 2022 Universal Studios. All rights reserved. U220907-1/DP UOMeetingsAndEvents.com Visitors come to The Palm Beaches to experience a gentler side of South Florida, as its sun-kissed sand, warm Gulfstream waters, world-class resorts and easy access makes us the ideal warm-weather destination. The Palm Beaches provide an impressive array of elevated, “between-the-sessions” experiences that will make an impact with attendees. Groups can discover one of the most vital sea turtle nesting beaches in the world at Loggerhead Marinelife Center, learn about ocean conservation activities with local company 4Ocean, or experience a fun and social team-building event at the National Croquet Center, the world’s largest dedicated croquet facility. “We also weave our community partners into each meet- ing or event by sourcing local keynote speakers, vendors, artists, musicians, charities and even industries to showcase our destination and impart a true sense of The Palm Beaches into visitors,” Cavers says. “We are known as ‘America’s First Resort Destination,’ where business leaders, celebrities and even presidents have basked in our luxurious resorts and leg- endary playground since the 1890s.” This past year, cryptocurrency and technology events have proven to be very successful for conference organizations in the area. “One of our most recent successes was hosting the recent Crypto Connect and NFT Expo at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, which created an interactive environment to learn and network and provided unforgettable experiences in our signature Palm Beaches style,” Cavers says. “This client relocated its crypto conference from Miami to The Palm Beaches due to the upsurge of financial and technology relocations to The Palm Beaches, and because they appreci- ated the sense of ownership and attention they received from our city and county partners.” The region has recovered most of it meetings, conven- tions and events business throughout 2022 due to a forward- thinking approach and adaptive sales strategies, along with the high-demand offerings. “We saw an almost 85% return of room nights generated by groups and meetings, and a 99% return of events back to 2019 levels,” Cavers says. “We also saw a tremendous rise in corporations relocating or opening satellite locations in the Palm Beaches during and post pan- demic, and as a result, we are now seeing an increased demand for meetings and events in our destination.” Convention resorts in the area include The Breakers Palm Beach, which offers 80,000 sf of meeting space; The Boca Raton, which also offers 80,000 sf of meeting space at its Mizner Center; Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa, which offers 12,000 sf of meeting space; and Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach, which offers 21,000 sf of meeting space. Plenty of Space and Options Tampa Bay’s recent success hosting high-profile gather- ings, including Super Bowl LV and Wrestlemania 37, has pro- pelled the destination and garnered attention from numerous organizations that may have never considered Tampa Bay for their meeting or event in the past. After a refresh completed in 2020, the Tampa Convention Center (TCC) is undergoing its largest expansion ever. In spring 2023, the completion of a $38 million renovation and expansion will add 18 new waterfront meeting rooms span- ning two stories, and an additional 18,000 sf to the center. Existing meeting space will also receive updates such as new carpet, paint, new air-wall fabric and upgraded lighting. Per- fectly located on the downtown waterfront, just steps from the Tampa Riverwalk, the TCC offers natural light and a stacked center design, providing easy navigation for attendees. As the new home of the University of South Florida’s Morsani College of Medicine, downtown Tampa is attracting more medi- cal groups — such as the American Academy of Dermatology, which recently brought more than 2,000 members to Tampa. A marketing executive familiar with Tampa notes one of the first things that comes to mind when people think of Tampa is likely its sun and beaches. While this is often the atmosphere almost any Florida city is known for, there is more to why Tampa is one of the top 30 markets for request-for- proposal (RFP) volume through the Cvent Supplier Network. “The city has over 19,000 rooms and 926,000 sf of conven- tion center space, giving planners plenty of space and options for any event they may want to host,” the executive says. “What’s more, the Tampa Convention Center offers 200,000 sf of exhibit space, a 36,000-sf ballroom and 36 meeting rooms to suit any planner’s needs.” When they’re not in meetings, attendees can enjoy the Tampa Riverwalk, which offers waterfront shopping, dining and leisure activities. It also connects five major hotels, four museums and other attractions. “Tampa has a great selection of venues and accommoda- tions with amenities that help attendees [and planners] get the most out of their events,” the executive says. “A large draw is the ambiance of the city, which has plenty of waterside activi- ties and great culinary options. Tampa’s great weather also means that beaches can be a year-round attraction for visi- tors, while its compact, walkable downtown area also helps to facilitate that ever important ‘[return on equity].’” What’s more, the location is especially attractive to sports themeetingmagazines.com 30 DECEMBER 2022 | INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT Hawks Cay Resort has the most waterfront meeting space of any resort in the Florida Keys, with 48,760 sf of indoor/outdoor meeting space. COURTESY PHOTOFrom unique meeting spaces and hotel accommodations to an exhilarating evening, a Universal Orlando meeting or event is perfect for groups of any size. Treat the team to great food, amazing surroundings and one-of-a-kind rides and attractions. It’s an event they won’t miss. And never forget. ONE DESTINATION. A UNIVERSE OF POSSIBILITIES. WIZARDING WORLD and all related trademarks, characters, names, and indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s22) TRANSFORMERS and its logo and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro and are used with permission. © 2022 Hasbro. Sapphire Falls Resort TM & © 2022 UCF Hotel Venture III. Universal elements and all related indicia TM & © 2022 Universal Studios. All rights reserved. U220907-1/DP UOMeetingsAndEvents.comfans who can enjoy ample opportunities to both enjoy recre- ational sports such as golf and tennis, and watch professional sports from Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays to the National Football League’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Early this year, the Florida Huddle — Florida’s official travel trade show — took place in Tampa. The event brought hundreds of destination marketing agents together to partici- pate in educational sessions and networking opportunities. This year’s convention taking place at the TCC signals how Florida is opening its doors to more in-person events as pan- demic restrictions subside. “Tampa continues to focus on elevating their offerings and amenities, as shown by their upcoming expansion of the Tampa Convention Center, recent opening of a new 5-star hotel in the area, and investment in the $3.5 billion downtown mixed-use neighborhood, Water Street Tampa, which will bring even more unique experiences to the city,” the executive says. Beyond success with medical events, Tampa Bay continues to experience growth in large programs from the financial ser- vices and insurance sectors, including the National Associa- tion of Plan Advisors, American Bankers Association, North- western Mutual Life Insurance and the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance. “Another reason planners look to Tampa Bay for their meetings is the walkability of downtown Tampa,” says Adam DePiro, vice president of convention sales for Visit Tampa Bay. “The compact convention district has thousands of rooms within five blocks of the Tampa Convention Center, all connected by the 2.6-mile Tampa Riverwalk that also links together some of the city’s hotels, restaurants, attractions, parks and venues.” Another key factor that makes Tampa Bay a great meet- ing destination is the city’s award-winning airport. Regularly included among the best airports in the country, and recently ranked the No. 1 large airport in North America by J.D. Power for passenger satisfaction, Tampa International Airport (TPA) is conveniently located just 7-miles from Tampa’s downtown core and convention district. Plus, as one of the fastest-growing destinations in the country, Tampa Bay offers a diverse array of dining, nightlife, history, culture and award-winning attractions. For instance, the Straz Center for the Performing Arts is the largest per- forming arts center in the Southeastern U.S., and venues such as Amalie Arena, Raymond James Stadium and the Mid- Florida Credit Union Amphitheatre regularly bring in world- renowned performing artists. Just east of downtown Tampa is the fourth-largest casino in the U.S. — the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino — which recently underwent a massive $700 million renovation that added a new hotel tower, events center, multiple pools, eateries, a spa and an expanded casino floor. “Tampa Bay is also home to a booming culinary scene, with innovative chefs bringing fresh, bold flavors to the des- tination,” DePiro says. “The variety and availability of the incredible dining options in the destination garnered the attention of the MICHELIN Guide, the world’s most recog- nized restaurant ranking system, and in 2022, was included in the inaugural MICHELIN Guide to Florida.” Tampa Bay’s historic Ybor City is home to the oldest restau- rant in the state of Florida, The Columbia Restaurant, which opened its doors in 1905. And in nearby Hyde Park, visitors will find exceptional restaurants, such as the world-famous Bern’s Steakhouse, to go along with six city blocks of high-end shopping in the Hyde Park Village open-air shopping area. From Busch Gardens Tampa Bay theme park’s recent opening of Iron Gwazi, its tallest, steepest and fastest hybrid rollercoaster in North America, to incredible dining and nightlife, there truly is something for everyone in Tampa Bay. “Tampa Bay has a great combination of accessibility, affordability, amenities and attractions to unlock your next meeting in our destination,” DePiro says. “For years, the destination has attracted a diverse mix of organizations and events thanks to its unique dining experiences, leisure and recreational choices, as well as venues like no other.” Meeting attendees will flock to explore the Tampa River- walk and enjoy a host of water activities on the Hillsborough River, or venture into one of the downtown attractions or museums. I & FMM themeetingmagazines.com 32 DECEMBER 2022 | INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT meet Vibrantly Tampa Bay is where dynamic meetings come together nearly effortlessly. With cutting-edge waterfront venues, award-winning menus and an array of accommodations — all with a stress-free vibe. tampameetings.com Adam DePiro Vice President of Convention Sales, Visit Tampa Bay The compact convention district has thousands of rooms within five blocks of the Tampa Convention Center, all connected by the 2.6- mile Tampa Riverwalk. Tampa Bay is one of the fastest-growing destinations in the country, offering a diverse array of dining, nightlife, history and culture and award-winning attractions such as theme parks and museums. COURTESY PHOTOmeet Vibrantly Tampa Bay is where dynamic meetings come together nearly effortlessly. With cutting-edge waterfront venues, award-winning menus and an array of accommodations — all with a stress-free vibe. tampameetings.comthemeetingmagazines.com 34 DECEMBER 2022 | INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT King Kamehameha Kona Beach Resort has hired Sara Scott as director of sales & marketing. Scott has more than two decades of experience in the hospitality industry. Most recently, she was director of sales & marketing at Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa. Scott has worked with brands such as Marriott, Sheraton and Hilton. W Fort Lauderdale has welcomed Alex Caceres as direc- tor of sales and marketing. Caceres has more than 20 years of experience. Her most recent position was as director of sales for the JW Marriott, Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa. She also worked with Courtyard by Marriott Weston, AC Miami Beach and Residence Inn, Miami Airport. Pacifica Hotels has hired Ana Citzman as regional direc- tor of sales. With more than 15 years of experience under her belt, she most recently worked at OTO Development as their regional director of sales and marketing. She has also worked with Marriott, Hyatt and Hilton, among others. Virgin Hotels New York City has hired Melissa Brown as director of sales & marketing. Brown has worked for more than 20 years in the industry, including at hotels and resorts such as Park Hyatt, Hotel Nikko San Francisco, W Hotel, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Trump International Hotel & Tower New York, Luxe Collection Hotels and elsewhere. Hyatt Place Chelsea in New York has hired Michael Newman as area director of sales & marketing. Newman has more than two decades of experience, 11 of those years being with the Hyatt Hotels brand. His most recent position was as the vice president of sales and marketing for Blue Sky Hospitality Solutions. Hiltons of Chicago Sales & Marketing Complex, which represents Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel; Hilton Chicago and The Drake Hotel, has hired Mario Thompson as area director of sales and marketing. He has almost two decades of industry experience under his belt. Most recently, he worked with Hiltons of San Diego Sales & Marketing Complex. Lansdowne Resort has hired Lesly Connolly as national sales manager. This industry veteran has more than 30 years experience. Her previous position was as director of sales and marketing for the Doubletree by Hilton Washington D.C. North/Gaithersburg. She also worked with The National Conference Center, The Homestead, Omni Bedford Springs, Hilton Washington Dulles and elsewhere. Destination Cleveland, the destination marketing and man- agement organization for Greater Cleveland, has announced the promotion of Gordon Taylor III to chief sales officer from vice president of sales and services, effective Jan. 1. He has more than 20 years of experience, including working with brands such as Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton and others. I & FMM CORPORATE LADDER Create your memorable meeting experience at Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace. This Official Walt Disney World ® Hotel features an incredible location, steps from Disney Springs ® , with over 150 shopping, dining, and entertainment options. With 120,000 sq. ft. of newly redesigned meeting and event space, combined with our award-winning catering & events team, your next meeting or event will stand out above the rest. SPECIAL TEAM BUILDING EVENT OFFER & GET 5X HILTON HONORS POINTS Experience Meetings Above the Rest Offer applicable to meetings contracted by December 31, 2023 and actualized between 2023 and 2024. Applicable to new bookings only. Offer is not retroactive on previously contracted business. Minimum of ten (10) rooms on peak required to qualify. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. Some restrictions apply. 1900 E. Buena Vista Drive Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 | www.buenavistapalace.com (407) 827-2727 | mcobu-salesadm@hilton.com THOMPSON NEWMAN TAYLOR IIICONNOLLY BROWNCITZMAN CACERES SCOTTCreate your memorable meeting experience at Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace. This Official Walt Disney World ® Hotel features an incredible location, steps from Disney Springs ® , with over 150 shopping, dining, and entertainment options. With 120,000 sq. ft. of newly redesigned meeting and event space, combined with our award-winning catering & events team, your next meeting or event will stand out above the rest. SPECIAL TEAM BUILDING EVENT OFFER & GET 5X HILTON HONORS POINTS Experience Meetings Above the Rest Offer applicable to meetings contracted by December 31, 2023 and actualized between 2023 and 2024. Applicable to new bookings only. Offer is not retroactive on previously contracted business. Minimum of ten (10) rooms on peak required to qualify. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. Some restrictions apply. 1900 E. Buena Vista Drive Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 | www.buenavistapalace.com (407) 827-2727 | mcobu-salesadm@hilton.comWhen you partner with Disney for your meeting or event, you get access to best-in-class planners, industry-leading technology, world-class culinary experts and unforgettable entertainment. But, most importantly, you’ll get Disney’s legendary creativity, storytelling and attention to detail. When you use our imagination, you will transform your meeting into something incredible only found at Disney. Use Our Imagination. Visit us at disneymeetingsandevents.comNext >