TradeWinds Island Resorts, Saint Pete Beach
While you may not find the word “brecreational” in the Merriam-Webster dictionary, this assembly industry term for business and recreational travel is a buzzword. First the relatives, then you have many attendees eager to stop at the destination before the assembly or stay a few days afterwards to savor the sun and have fun.
A 2021 study by the World Business Travel Association (GBTA) found that 37% of all business travelers extend their working vacation for pleasure. And why not? The company has paid for an attendee’s flight, and hotels increase the organization fee before and after the meeting. This inspires many travelers, especially after being in lockdown during Covid, to make up for lost time.
And without a doubt, Florida could be the most productive place to take advantage of part of that vacation to reconnect with your spouse, alone after the meeting, or give the kids some playtime. From Orlando’s theme parks to sandy beaches. beaches on both coasts and Key West, wonderful reports await you. Shoppers will delight in prestigious luxury boutiques and discount establishments, and a likely endless variety of water sports and golf mean endless adventures and recreational activities in the Sunshine State.
“I’ve heard directly from organizers and attendees that the popularity of recreational activities has increased due to the lack of travel during the pandemic,” said Shane Allor, vice president and general manager of the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort.
“We have a lot of recreational travelers because there is no shortage of activities here,” Allor continued. “Consider two golf courses designed by Raymond Floyd, Soul Spa
To make a splash, Tidal Cove is waiting for you. The resort’s water park features slides, 25 cabanas, and after a poolside snack, you’ll need to grab a float to ride an undulating trail along the man-made river.
“We have a lot of incentive teams that choose a destination based on whether they can bring their circle of family members for a trip sooner or later. That’s what Florida looks like,” said Jessica James, sales manager for the South Florida destination branch. control PRA’s corporate events. ” Of all the destinations served throughout our Southeast region (from the Carolinas to the Florida Keys), Florida attracts the most people. Premium destinations include Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, Marco Island, Naples, Tampa, and Orlando. Our planners even incorporate pre and post into their contracts, from arrival to departure, allowing customers to enjoy and have the opportunity to revel in the place.
“Global has replaced and other people need to spend less time running and more time living,” said Michael Ferreira, owner, founder and CEO of Las Vegas-based Meetings Made Easy. “It’s the only time they take a vacation and they need to enjoy it. We brought teams to Tampa to see Busch Gardens and Disney before and after to give them time to revel in the destination anywhere they can.
Here are some other key recreational destinations for your next program.
Naturally, Casandra Matej, president and CEO of Visit Orlando, knows all about the guests who will be staying after the convention to visit Walt Disney World, Universal Resort and SeaWorld.
“As the theme park capital of the world, Orlando is the most sensible destination for convention and conference attendees who want to bring their families and turn their business into a recreational adventure,” he said. “With stunning hotels at each and every point of interest, an endless diversity of dining options to suit the tastes of all ages, great shopping, neighborhoods, and upscale neighborhoods. Even outdoor eco-adventures add to the pre- or post-assembly fun. In addition, participants who may wish to receive assistance to make the most of it; After your extended stay, you can make a stop at www. stopover atorlando. com to take advantage of Visit Orlando’s free vacation planning services.
“Visitors simply schedule a one-on-one appointment with one of Visit Orlando’s vacation plan experts to get insider tips, add special offers and tips to build the best itinerary,” added Matej.
The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando is an ideal destination for families traveling for pleasure, allowing them to paint in its many gathering spaces and play in the theme parks, with EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios just steps away from the resort. Guests can swim in six pools, get a massage at the Mandara Spa, and dine at 23 restaurants and lounges, ensuring plenty of amenities for each and every member of the family circle. Nearby, Disney BoardWalk offers restaurants such as Flying Fish and Trattoria al Forno or BoardWalk Ice Cream. And after dinner, you can hop on a Surrey motorcycle designed for 4 other people to ride on the BoardWalk.
At Universal Orlando Resort, families have several hotel and catering features and a number of restaurants at Universal CityWalk, such as The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium.
Exciting attractions await SeaWorld Orlando guests, including the Surf Coaster, animal tours and more. At SeaWorld’s Discovery Cove, guests can swim with dolphins, snorkel or on the beach.
In Sarasota, recreation is a major draw.
“Our domain is a wonderful position to combine business and leisure,” said Kelly M. Defebo, vice president of marketing and communications for Visit Sarasota County. “We see so many meeting attendees taking their families to all that our region has to offer, the 35 miles of award-winning beaches, the ancient and cultural sites, our talented chefs at so many wonderful restaurants, and of course, the weather.
“We’re also very approachable,” he continued. It’s 10 minutes from downtown Sarasota-Bradenton Airport. If you’re staying at The Westin, The Ritz-Carlton, Aloft, Embassy Suites, Art Ovation, Hyatt, Voco, or Sarasota Modern for a meeting, you’ll be able to take advantage of the area before, after, or during your free time during the conference.
Defebo recommends exploring the city center on foot, where you can leisurely cross the street to Bayfront Park, where activities such as dolphin rides, sunset boat rides, fishing charter, or boat rentals await you.
“If you stay at the Art Ovation Hotel, you can see a new art exhibition every six months and they have an artist’s studio located in the lobby that showcases other artists that visitors can take a look at and talk about their works,” Defebo added. “We have everything unique here, from arts and cultural offerings, adding live performances through the Sarasota Ballet, Orchestra, Opera, a network play or Broadway show, to year-round reporting on and off the water. The Florida State Museum of Art, The Ringling, is a main draw here, with plenty of others to enjoy.
“We have a guest return rate of over 90%,” he continues. “Every time I take an assembly planner on a site visit, they tell me, ‘I didn’t know that much here. ‘”
Clearwater and St. Petersburg
Clearwater’s beaches get top marks each year from Dr. Beach (famous for its annual rating of American beaches). For families staying a few extra days, there’s plenty to enjoy after a get-together at one of the Clearwater Beach hotels.
“Clearwater Beach offers all of Florida in one enchanting destination, making it a popular, herbal choice for combining meeting and recreational travel,” stated David S. Keamy, Executive Director of Sales, Ocean Properties, Hotels.
The Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach is also located on the Gulf of Mexico and offers an ideal setting for a variety of water sports and other recreational activities. The hotel is associated with the Marine Aquarium Clearwater. De fact, some rooms are decorated around the famous winter theme. dolphin and his friends. Winter was the star and inspiration for the popular Dolphin Tale videos and resided less than a mile from the aquarium. By booking this type of room, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the aquarium for animal rescue and rehabilitation. This is a meaningful way for eco-conscious recreational travelers to combine marine education and recreation while contributing to a smart cause.
“With our prime beachfront location, visitors can seamlessly enjoy activities such as swimming, sunbathing, playing beach volleyball or simply walking along the ocean coast for stunning views,” said Miguel Diaz, regional sales and marketing manager for Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach. Our hotel’s attractions feature vehicle videos under the stars and children’s activities on the pool deck. “
Pete Beach, where TradeWinds Island Resorts, which includes Island Grand Beach Resort and RumFish Beach Resort, sees a higher percentage of assembly attendees extend their stay before or after conferences. Many bring their families to enjoy the hotel and all the family-friendly amenities of this 40-acre asset on the Gulf of Mexico.
“All family members can come to the meeting, park the car and never have to leave. While the meeting is taking place, family members can participate in various activities that will keep them busy throughout the day, or several. days,” said Karleen Johnson, director of sales for TradeWinds Island Resorts.
Kids will love the High Tide slide, Zing Ray zipline, floating water park, paddle boats, Triple Wipeout surf simulator, mini golf, life-size chess, pickleball, pools, weekly magic show, and tennis courts. The newly added Sunsetter play area for families and teens features table tennis, foosball, giant Jenga and mega Connect-4.
“And those who need to explore the exterior of the hotel can take the Beach Trolley right in front of the resort,” Johnson added.
Located on the southwest coast of the gulf and further south is Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach. This colorful coastal network surrounds the state’s second-largest port and is conveniently between Tampa and Naples.
“Outdoor enthusiasts will find a wealth of dynamic reporting here,” said Jeff Berg, senior director of sales, meetings/conventions, Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach VCB. “There’s a lot to do here, whether it’s boating or lounging on the beach, fishing or biking, and we have the most productive fossilized shark teeth and shells that visitors love to look for. Guests can also visit the Peace River Sculpture and Botanical Garden.
High marks also go to the fishing village just outside downtown, along Charlotte Harbor in Punta Gorda. Just beyond the row of colorful houses, teams will notice 30 department stores and restaurants, plus the famous Harpoon Harry’s, a must-see. stop at the wish lists of maximum visitors.
With 27 miles of beaches, Panama City is known for Shell Island, a seven-mile-long barrier island available only via boat. The Shell Island Shuttle offers a variety of sightseeing excursions, private trips, and boat rental features for families. and groups. The waters off Shell Island are also home to the largest concentration of bottlenose dolphins in the world. Look for department stores and restaurants at Pier Park, an outdoor entertainment complex, and SkyWheel, which offers 360-degree panoramic perspectives of the Costa Smeralda.
For water adventures, Shipwreck Island Waterpark offers slides, a 500,000-gallon wave pool, a lazy river, and a Tree Top Drop subway ride. Also, don’t miss the opportunity to go glamping in St. Louis National Park. John. Andrews for fishing, snorkeling, hiking and biking.
For collectors on Florida’s East Coast, The Palm Beaches offers the best balance between paintings and sets, said Kelly Cavers, director of sales for Discover the Palm Beaches.
“We offer everything you want for a conference, from ease of access to our ‘intermediate’ reports that set us apart,” said Cavers. “The most sensible thing about that is that we have world-class accommodations, pristine beaches and few people. , cultural attractions, and restaurants run by renowned chefs. We are the ideal recreational location for business travelers who want to expand their business and explore our local assets.
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