< PreviousT he breathtaking beaches, warm sunshine, elec- tric urban venues and amazing amusement parks. Is there any question as to why meet- ing professionals gravitate to the Sunshine State for meetings and events? The answer is simple: being under the Florida sun just sounds like fun. Jamie Nance agrees. As meeting planner and execu- tive coordinator at Acorn Growth Companies in Oklahoma City, OK, she recently helped plan the company’s corporate retreat, with several corporate meetings and events at Trump International Beach Resort in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida. Miami Every year, Acorn Growth Companies holds its corporate retreat as a way to show its appreciation to its team and their spouses. The company’s CEO picks the destination and he chose Miami for this year’s retreat. In years past, the corporate group has traveled to Mexico; Scottsdale, AZ; and Las Vegas, Nevada. For the Acorn Growth Companies, it was important to choose a hotel that had plenty of activities on site, multiple restaurants, a spa, as well as a variety of meeting rooms. Trump International Beach Resort offered that and more. The company’s largest event was held in Trump Interna- tional Beach Resort’s Ocean Ballroom, complete with a surf & turf buffet and open bar. “The event was in the evening, and we had entertainment coordinated by Destination S. Florida/ USA,” said Nance. “The entertainment included dancers, a DJ and music. We also had a dance floor, which came in handy. During the event, we also had a slideshow in the background.” To scout the scene, Nance came to Miami three months prior to their retreat to tour multiple properties before mak- ing their decision. The Trump International Beach Resort had everything they were looking for, plus they were able to beat every other hotel’s pricing. “The City of Miami was wel- coming and gorgeous. You cannot beat the Florida weather in February!” Nance said. From her meeting planning experience, Nance recom- mended corporate planners take the time to tour hotels and meet with each venue’s event staff to ensure that they are partnering with the right property for their event. “Think about the main focus for your event’s attendees and keep that the center of your event,” she said. Another location that is known for high-end accommoda- tions is The Trump National Doral in Miami. The property is sought after for its four uniquely designed golf courses. The LIV Golf Miami Team Championship just moved there. The property has 100,000 of meeting space, including the 24,000 sf Donald J. Trump Grand Ballroom. For decades, Greater Miami and Miami Beach have proven to be the perfect destinations for corporate meetings and events. Miami is a top-notch destination with easy accessibility thanks to Miami International Airport’s 400+ daily flights and ACI World Health Accreditation. Under the Florida Sun BY CARMEN ANTHONY Where the Sun is Warm and the Welcomes Are Even Warmer 60 October 2023 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com DESTINATION UPDATEAdditionally, the destination boasts flexible meeting spaces, has many opportunities for exciting outdoor exploration and provides a diverse array of hotels for all budgets. After a $620 million investment, the Miami Beach Con- vention Center now offers innovative, state-of-the-art spaces for exceptional conventions, meetings and events. It exudes Miami Beach’s vibrant energy and is surrounded by various accommodations. Additionally, a new Grand Hyatt Miami Beach Hotel & Convention Center is in development, offer- ing resort-style amenities to attendees. Not far away, the Miami Convention Center boasts three theater-style venues with 5,000 seats, along with 28,000 sf of exhibition and banquet space, complemented by 17 meet- ing rooms. The Miami Airport Convention Center also offers convenient meeting spaces and easy access to the Miami International Airport. Orlando According to Emily Dunn, senior campaigns and events specialist at SAS, a data analytics company based in Cary, NC, the global events team at SAS recently worked with Hello! DMC to orchestrate SAS Innovate, the company’s flagship, in-person analytics and AI event for business leaders, inno- vators and industry trailblazers in Orlando. This three-day event featured inspiring keynotes, breakout sessions and roundtable discussions on the latest trends and technologies driving business forward. SAS Innovate was built around the business audience, including executives, decision makers, line of business managers and business professionals. The content that SAS shared at Innovate was high level and focused on how ana- lytics and AI can be used to help businesses thrive in times of uncertainty. The company had an international audience and all of its key industries were represented, including banking, life sci- ences, insurance, retail, healthcare and public sector. Accessi- bility was key to SAS in choosing Florida for this event for its proximity to the company’s headquarters in North Carolina and easy connections for attendees from all over the world. Courtesy Photo Trump International Beach Resort TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | October 2023 61 The City of Miami was welcoming and gorgeous. You cannot beat the Florida weather in February! JAMIE NANCE Executive Coordinator, Acorn Growth“Florida offers so many options for attendees to extend their business travel into personal vacations,” Dunn said. “We know ‘bleisure’ is a trend in the industry. Attendees no longer want to travel solely for work, they want to integrate fun into that time too. Orlando is a great destination to accomplish that with all the theme parks and golf courses nearby.” Orlando has long been considered the number one meet- ings destination and most visited destination in the U.S. Its prime location, state-of-the art convention center, new luxury resorts, Michelin-recognized dining and world-class attractions are some of the main reasons. One of the most anticipated new hotels in the city, Conrad Orlando, is set to open the end of the year. It will have more than 65,000 sf of space for corporate meetings and events. It will also be part of the 1,100-acre Evermore Orlando Resort, which offers an array of stay experiences from single homes to villas, flats and hotel guest rooms. Attendees can take advantage of the amenities in both locations, including several dining locations, a tropical beach, a lagoon and an aquatic adventure area. For corporate meeting planners looking to uncover a Flo- ridian escape where the sun is warm and the welcomes are even warmer, The Caribe Royale Orlando is another great choice. The resort completed a $125 million renovation, including a new lobby with an expansive skylight and a new 50,000 sf grand ballroom. The property now has 220,000 sf of total meeting space. For a luxury experience that includes a breathtaking golf and spa resort surrounded by the Walt Disney World Resort, sophisticated meetings await at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando. It unveiled a new ballroom, which offers expansive pre-func- tion space as well as an inviting covered outdoor patio — the ideal space to enjoy Orlando’s beautiful weather, while get- ting down to business. Fort Myers Fort Myers’ islands, year-round warm weather and white- sand beaches make for a great corporate meeting destination that attracts the maximum attendance to corporate meet- ings and events. The city has embraced this year with a spirit of apprecia- tion and tenacity as Fort Myers’ islands, beaches and neigh- borhoods remain strong in the region’s recovery from last year’s Hurricane Ian, which had far-reaching effects on its barrier island communities. Many of the inland and waterfront areas were less affected by the storm. In fact, most businesses in downtown Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Estero, Bonita Springs and other neighborhoods are up and running, including the majority of the largest meeting hotels and resorts. Attractions, restau- rants, parks and most of the beaches have reopened. This makes the Fort Myers area a great draw for the popu- lar blended travel opportunities. Meeting attendees want to make the most of their time when they travel, whether it be adding a leisure weekend onto their business trip or enjoying unique local experiences during the evenings after the meet- ings have concluded. Gina Zappa, corporate meeting planner at Direct Travel, in Centennial, CO, recently planned a regional corporate meeting and team building event for the company in Bonita Springs, at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort, with 45 attendees staying onsite at the property. “Southwest Florida is the perfect destination for our internal meetings, for a number of reasons. There are plenty of airlines offering short, convenient, non-stop flight service from the cities where most of our attendees fly from,” Zappa said. “Our event is always well attended, since it is in a beau- tiful area with perfect weather. The attendees are happy to depart the Midwest for a warm, sunny destination. Addition- ally, we wanted to continue to support the region, after the destruction from Hurricane Ian.” Direct Travel is in the process of planning its third repeat corporate trip there at the end of this year. In partnership Caribe Royale Orlando is a fabulous place to experience the Orlando magic. Courtesy Photo 62 October 2023 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com Attendees no longer want to travel solely for work, they want to integrate fun into that time too. Orlando is a great destination to accomplish that. EMILY DUNN Senior Campaigns and Events Specialist, SASORLDW-SALESADM@hilton.com 407.827.4000 hiltonlakebuenavista.com 1751 Hotel Plaza Blvd. Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 MCOBU-SALESADM@hilton.com 407.827.2727 buenavistapalace.com 1900 E Buena Vista Dr. Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 MEMORABLE MEETINGS AWAIT, WITHIN STEPS OF DISNEY SPRINGS ® Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace and Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista are Official Walt Disney World ® Hotels, connected via Skybridge to Disney Springs ® , featuring over 150 shopping, dining and entertainment options. With a combined 200,000 ft 2 of flexible meeting and event space, our award-winning catering and events teams will bring your next meeting or event to an entirely new level. THE DISNEY DIFFERENCE Come experience the newly redesigned meeting space and pair your meeting with a Disney in-park event, Disney institute program or exclusive Behind the Scenes Tours and more. TWO HOTELS, One Amazing Location 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. OUR BIGGEST SALES EVENT OF THE YEAR CONTACT US FOR YOUR CUSTOMIZED OFFERwith the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau, Zappa has stayed on top of the reconstruc- tion efforts, so she knows what venues are open for off-site events, restaurant recommenda- tions and attendee engagement. “The Hyatt Regency Coco- nut Point Resort is beautiful and continues to meet our meeting and event needs,” she said. What’s more, a lot of meeting planners try to incorporate a corporate social responsibility (CSR) project into their agenda. Since the hurricane, volunteer opportunities around beach cleanup and restoration are very popular among corporate meeting attendees. Tampa Bay Whether meeting attendees are outdoor adventure seekers, foodies, theme park junkies or sports enthusiasts, one of Florida’s most exciting destinations — Tampa Bay — has something for attendees of all ages. Located in the heart of the city, the Tampa International Airport (TPA) is within close proximity to the downtown area and nearby attractions. TPA provides a significant quan- tity of non-stop flights to Tampa and they are very afford- able. Recently, TPA underwent a major expansion of its main terminal and added a new rental-car facility. Phase two of its expansion includes new curb- side express lanes, an atrium, a new pedestrian bridge and a 170- acre commercial development with two new hotels, all of which streamlines the travel process for meeting and event attendees. Likewise, the Tampa Con- vention Center, in its beautiful waterfront location, showcases natural light, a stacked cen- ter design providing the ease of navigating the 600,000 sf of meeting and convention facility. The Tampa Convention Center is expanding the meeting space with its $38 million capital improvement plan. This innova- tive renovation project plans to improve customer service, increase efficiency and cost savings. Scheduled to be com- pleted later this year, the addition will include renovated meeting rooms and new waterfront meeting rooms. St. Pete/Clearwater Located in the Tampa Bay area, St. Pete/Clearwater is home to more than 35 miles of white sand, award-winning beaches, warm Gulf waters and a world-class arts scene, alive with possibilities for off-site events and incentives. The cities have boasted an influx of new mid-to-high end and luxury properties over the recent years, offering unparal- leled hotel/resort options, Gulf-to-grill cafes, eclectic night- life and unique beach communities — something for every corporate meeting attendee. Courtesy Photo Direct Travel planned a regional corporate meeting and teambuilding event in Bonita Springs at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort. Tampa Bay 64 October 2023 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.comThe Palm Beaches Sun. Sand. Sea. The beautiful Palm Beaches is the perfect place to go and experience the top beaches in South Florida. From boating and other water sports, to high-end restaurants and art museums, there is plenty to explore off-site. The Palm Beach Convention Center is a hub for events of all kinds, set right near Rosemary Square, a shopping and din- ing destination, which features 350,000 sf of meeting space. Large events can fit easily within their 100,000 sf exhibit hall. They also boast a 22,000 sf ballroom and 21,000 sf of flexible breakout space, which can be divided into 19 rooms. There are 1,200 guest rooms within walking distance of The Palm Beach Convention Center, including at the AAA Four-Diamond Hilton West Palm Beach, which is attached to it. The hotel has an additional 29,000 sf of space available and it is currently undergoing a $25 million renovation with refreshed guest rooms, enhanced dining, a reimagined pool deck, a new lobby bar and more. Last year, PGA National Resort and Spa in Palm Beach Gar- dens, FL, underwent a $100 million resort-wide renovation, including luxurious accommodations, all-new restaurants, legendary golf, world-class fitness facilities, a renowned spa, exceptional activities and attractions, and a distinctive selec- tion of venues — including an array of outdoor options. PGA National Resort and Spa offers a variety of event spaces ranging in size from 180 sf to almost 10,000 sf. With that variety and flexibility, they can accommodate groups from 10 to almost 1,200, depending on the company’s pre- ferred layout and setup. For a fun, group activity, the new Luxury Catamaran Cruise, hosted by Visit Palm Beach, is an unforgettable open ocean cruise — perfect for a sunset cruise, sightseeing, snor- keling or fishing. For attendees looking for a fun and educa- tional activity on the property, they can sign up for an inter- active beekeeping experience, led by PGA National Resort’s beekeeper. Following the experience, attendees can see the honey in action throughout the resort in treatments at The Spa, and in drinks and culinary creations at the resort’s celeb- rity chef-helmed restaurants. Jacksonville Known as the “River City by the Sea,” Jacksonville offers a bit of everything at some of the most affordable prices in the state. Whether planners are looking for an unforgettable meeting experience at a boutique venue on their white-sand beaches or a large convention space amid world-class muse- ums, Jacksonville offers different options. From unique din- ing destinations to a variety of nightlife, it is easy to meet for bleisure in this dynamic city. Traveling to Jacksonville is convenient, whether flying or driving. Jacksonville International Airport offers non-stop flights to more than 30 cities, and two major highways inter- sect there: I-10 and I-95. The city features more than 18,000 guest rooms for attendees and plenty of offsite venues. Large meetings may find a home at the renovated Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center, which features 78,000 sf of meeting space, which can be broken into two separate halls. Naturally, meeting and event planners love Florida for its warm, sunny weather. The beaches, views and sites. The celebrity chef-helmed restaurants, amusement parks and award-winning venues with a flawless level of personal ser- vice create unforgettable memories for meeting and event planners and their attendees alike. But at the end of the day, planners want one thing: to engage and inspire their attend- ees. And the best place to be is under the Florida sun. C&IT Courtesy Photo PGA National Resort and Spa has a world-class destination spa, private sports & racquet club, and more in Palm Beach. TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | October 2023 65DOUGHERTYFRAZIER BREHMBLOZNALIS ELLIS STACERVALENTINO DAYLIVINGSTON ON THE MOVE // Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa has announced that it has promoted Meredith Livingston to director of sales and marketing for the resort. Livingston has been with the company for four years, formerly serving as their director of revenue management. But she has more than 26 years of experience in the industry. Crystal Cruises has brought in Michael Day as a manager of North American MICE markets. Day has worked with the company before on the Crystal Harmony. He has also worked on the Radisson Diamond, for Silversea Cruises, and with the team that launched the Oceania Cruises brand, who also took over Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and elsewhere. ADERO Scottsdale Resort appointed Michael Valentino as director of sales and marketing. His most recent position was with Driftwood Hospitality Management as the regional director of sales & marketing. Previously, he worked with several other properties in the state, including the Wigwam Resort, Grand Resort and Prestige Resorts & Destinations. Tim Stacer is back working for Hilton Richmond Down- town, this time as director of sales & marketing. He has been in the business for more than 20 years. Before this, he was a founding member of the JEMS Hospitality Group, regional revenue manager at Bluewater Hospitality and rev- enue manager at Highgate Hotels. Southeast Tourism Society (STS) has promoted Veronica Frazier, TMP to their vice president of member development and Tonja Ray-Smith, TMP, FEP as their vice president of mar- keting and communications. Before joining the team four years ago, Frazier worked at Visit Macon. Before STS, Smith worked for Grenada Area Chamber of Commerce. VisitPITTSBURGH announced that it has hired Kiley Dougherty to their Business Events team as their national sales manager. She previously worked at Cambridge Innova- tion Center as a concierge and in management roles at Visit Denver, Two Roads Hospitality and Modus Hotels. She has nearly 10 years of experience in the industry. The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota announced that it has brought on Leslie Bloznalis Ellis as their director of group and cater- ing sales. She started working with Hyatt Hotels and went on to work with the Marriott brand for 16 years, including working for Renaissance Vinoy Resort and JW Marriott Tampa Water Street. The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Albuquerque has named Desiree Brehm as their new director of sales. Brehm has more than two decades of experience in the industry. Before working for DoubleTree, she worked with Hyatt Regency and Heritage Hotels & Resorts. She has held several sales and management positions throughout her career. C&IT 66 October 2023 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com©2023 Celebrity Cruises Inc. Ships’ registry: Malta and Ecuador. CALL | VISIT CELEBRITYCORPORATEKITCOM OR CONTACT YOUR TRAVEL ADVISOR There are many reasons to choose Celebrity Cruises®, including destinations and stunning ships that represent the ultimate in travel for hosting meetings, incentive trips, or other corporate events. Your planning team will seamlessly coordinate the whole trip, and with virtually everything included—accommodations, Michelin-star dining, beverages, Wi-Fi, tips, A/V, meeting spaces, entertainment, and activities—you and your aendees will have an exceptional experience. Plus, with sailing dates ranging from to -night itineraries, we can tailor your cruise on one of our revolutionary ships to best suit your company’s needs. Contact us today to learn why planners trust Celebrity to organize incentive trips and company gatherings. THE NEXT LEVEL OF INCENTIVE TRAVEL IS HEREHold your next event at Atlantis Paradise Island, with a minimum of 1,500 room nights for arrival between now and December 31, 2024 and group will receive one complimentary firework display at Paradise Harbor Beach or West Beach. Contract must be signed by December 31, 2024. Applicable to new groups only. Offer is subject to availability and blackout dates and can be pulled at any time. Offer is not combinable with any other offers. See full details at www.meetingsatatlantis.com. DISCOVER RENOVATED ROOMS NEW DINING OPTIONS AND A REIMAGINED CASINO CELEBRATE IN PARADISE the fireworks are on us MeetingsAtAtlantis.com Next >