In my career, I booked many meetings in the Orlando area as well as living and working there for a short time. These days I often work on site for several planners hosting meetings in Orlando. Orlando is rated as one of the top cities in the United States to hold meetings and conventions. I have been in many hotel properties and experienced meetings in the Orange County Convention Center. This popular destination is a superb place to hold a meeting. Orlando offers top notch properties with a tremendous amount of meeting space as well as a plethora of special event venues to hold unique dinners, parties, etc. Also, attendees can extend their stay and make it a family vacation once the meeting concludes. This gives attendees the opportunity to extend their Orlando experience! A nice perk to attending a meeting – combine it with pleasure.
Orlando attracts over 10 million meeting attendees per year. The city boasts an international airport, more than 120,000 rooms in 450 hotel and resorts and an estimated 26,000 vacation home rentals and 16,000 ownership homes. The Orange County Convention Center is the second largest in the United States behind with Chicago’s McCormick Place. The Convention Center located on International Drive has over 7 million square feet of space. It is currently under proposal for an approved expansion and renovation. Several hotels such as the Hyatt, Hilton and two Rosen hotels are nearby.
Additionally, along International Drive there are over 10 miles of accommodations, restaurants, attractions and venues for events. Orlando also has 170 golf courses and over 5,000 restaurants plus a large surplus of shopping. And, we can’t deny that Orlando is and will always be known as the theme park capital of the world with seven theme parks, including the infamous Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld. Entertainment options are practically endless, and something can be found for every budget.
Of course, the climate in Florida is attractive, especially in the winter months. Imagine being able to hold dinners, luncheons and breaks outdoors. The sun shines daily, and meeting attendees appreciate any time they can be outdoors enjoying it! Planners can also choose from amazing activities as they build their meeting and event agendas. Of course, there are the numerous amusement parks, golf and many other unique activities. Some include the SkyVenture (an indoor skydiving experience), the Coca-Cola Orlando Eye (a 400 ft observation wheel modeled after the one in London), TopGolf (an indoor, high tech driving range with cool lounge areas). There are so many places for parties and dinners or even holding a dine-a-round with all of the top-rated restaurants throughout the Orlando area.
With a state-of-the-art convention center, an international airport, hundreds of attractions and top-rated hotels and restaurants, you can’t beat the destination for what it offers to planners and attendees. And, prices are very competitive. It is no wonder Orlando has been rated the number one meeting destination by Cvent for 3 years. Book Orlando – it is truly a great meeting and event experience!
