Guide to Meeting & Event Planning in

Greater Fort Lauderdale

New & Coming Soon to Greater Fort Lauderdale 

Facing the Intracoastal Waterway and offering panoramic water views through a soaring glass wall, the Broward County Convention Center has completed work on an additional 350,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space in the Convention Center West building. The work is part of a larger $1.2 billion expansion project, expected to finish in fall 2025, that includes a six-acre outdoor plaza suitable for group gatherings and accompanied by new dining concepts and an urban green space. 

Set to open in late 2025 is the Omni Fort Lauderdale, with 801 guest rooms that include 82 suites offering spectacular views of the Intracoastal Waterway and beach. A range of on-site amenities at the 29-story hotel include six distinct dining options, a full-service Mokara Spa, an elevated pool deck with captivating views, a fitness center and outdoor spaces designed to host a wide range of activities.

Certified LEED Gold since 2012, the convention center also is the first such facility in North America to be certified as having adopted the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, geared to address the needs of people who, in the absence of a visible disability, still require a helping hand, understanding or more time to navigate shops, public spaces, transportation, etc. 

For pickleball, myriad beach and water sports, and sumptuous waterfront dining, The Fort is a new group venue that offers a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces that can host of up to 3,000 people for corporate events, meetings and retreats. Featuring the world's first pickleball stadium, The Fort has 432 pro courts and seating for up to 2,000 spectators. 

Slated for completion by 2027, the Flagler Arts and Technology Village (aka FATVillage) lies on four blocks within the Flagler Village district in the heart of Greater Fort Lauderdale's downtown and will serve as a hub for local galleries, studios and other creative businesses. Stay tuned for details about meeting and event space within the new complex.

More Meeting and Event Venues

With its 325 guest rooms, 43,000 square feet of meeting space, 12 world-class culinary destinations and impressive views of Greater Fort Lauderdale's coastal waters, Pier Sixty-Six is a one-stop shop for groups. The pier features spaces such as the intimate 625-square-foot Harbour Boardroom and the lavish 9,395-square-foot Tavistock Ballroom, which can accommodate up to 600 people for a banquet and 900 for a reception.

On the expansive rink at the FTL War Memorial and Baptist Health Iceplex, groups can enjoy custom ice-skating, curling or broomball experiences. Depending on the nature of the gathering, the facility can host up to 800 attendees; food service can be arranged.

Home of the 2024 Stanley Cup-winning Florida Panthers National Hockey League team as well as a premier venue for concerts and shows of all stripes, the Amerant Bank Arena also features 100,000 square feet of event space, including 12 function areas for meetings, parties, seminars, cocktail receptions and more for up to 500 attendees. Customized catering is available.

The iconic 487-room B Ocean Resort Fort Lauderdale Beach began life in 1956 as the Yankee Clipper and, while completely modernized within, retains its distinctive ocean-liner shape on the beach. The property has two outdoor pools, three restaurants and a coffee shop, not to mention regularly scheduled underwater "mermaid" shows taking place at the Wreck Bar. For meetings and events, the resort devotes 10,000 square feet indoors and 30,000 square feet outdoors.

The Bamboo Gallery offers a tropical setting with authentic tiki huts and waterfalls. On 2.5 acres of lush landscape, the venue accommodates 400 people for receptions and up to 180 for seated meals.

Take to the water in style aboard a luxury vessel from Anticipation Yacht Charters; the largest of the outfit's three vessels can host 350 guests. The ships offer state-of-the-art sound systems, plush carpeting and elegant furnishings.

The Mary N. Porter Riverview Ballroom, in the Huizenga Pavilion at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, has breathtaking views of the New River, Esplanade Park and the meticulously landscaped Wendt Terraces. The venue offers 3,600 square feet of event space.

The area is home to 69 miles of natural coral reef just offshore, part of the Florida Reef Tract. Explore the briny deep via a scuba-diving excursion with companies like Sea Experience Scuba Diving, Glassbottom & Snorkel Adventures for an up-close view. For a closer-to-shore experience, Greater Fort Lauderdale offers the singular opportunity to snorkel and dive on a living coral reef straight off the beach. Indeed, there are three such reefs within 100 yards off the beach in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea alone. Engage even novice team members for a safe experience by A Private Scuba & Snorkel.

The Broward Center for the Performing Arts, located in downtown Fort Lauderdale, hosts a diverse lineup of shows including Broadway hits, classical performances, dance and comedy acts.

Fort Lauderdale has introduced the LauderGO! Micro Mover powered by Circuit — a convenient and sustainable mobility option to help get residents and visitors around downtown, Las Olas and the beach. Users simply download the Ride Circuit app to book a ride

Each fall, Greater Fort Lauderdale hosts the Florida International Boat Show (taking place Oct. 29-Nov.1 in 2025); the event draws more than 100,000 visitors from more than 50 countries. Spanning seven venues, the event showcases the latest in boating technology, educational seminars and cutting-edge vessels, accompanied by plenty of fun parties and celebrations.

Fort Lauderdale-based Denison Yachting provides luxury yacht charters for special corporate and social events as well as private cruises perfect for incentives. 

Deep sea fishing is a top recreational activity in the glistening waters off Fort Lauderdale. Groups can enjoy excursions in quest of sailfish, tuna, swordfish, mahi, wahoo, grouper and more as offered by a wide variety of suppliers. 

Saddle up for horseback-riding fun at the Bar-B Ranch in the nearby town of Davie. Here, riders of every skill level can enjoy a leisurely ride on-property or at nearby Robbins Open Space Preserve, a beautiful 160-acre park featuring one of the last remaining hardwood and palm forests in Greater Fort Lauderdale. 

All of the protected natural beauty of Florida's pristine Everglades can be explored via Sawgrass Recreation Park, which offers groups memorable private airboat excursions deep into the "River of Grass" at top speeds while learning about alligators, assorted snakes, egrets and other denizens of the wetlands. The park's Gator Night Rides and Red Eye Nighttime Airboat Adventures are especially thrilling, revealing some of the mystery of the area's nocturnal wildlife and native reptiles. 

Led by expert tour guides, full-moon kayak trips are available from outfits such as Park & Ocean and Whiskey Creek Hideout, both located at Florida state parks along the Greater Fort Lauderdale coastline. 

Explore the nightlife at the area's rooftop hot spots at the Kimpton Shorebreak, with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean, the intracoastal Waterway and the distinctive guitar-shaped Seminole Hard Rock. Other noteworthy rooftop soireés can be found at Rooftop 1WLO, Sparrow at the Dalmar Hotel, the High Tide Lounge atop the Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach, Easton atop the Courtyard Fort Lauderdale Downtown and the ELEV8 Pool Bar at the Hyatt Centric Las Ojas. 

In a strong sign of the area's growing culinary scene with all of its diversity and commitment to high-quality dining, the Michelin Guide's 2025 selections include, for the first time, restaurants in Greater Fort Lauderdale. The five cited eateries are The Chef's Counter at MAASS (contemporary American), which has earned the region's first Michelin Star; Heritage (Italian cuisine), awarded a Bib Gourmand; Daniel's, A Florida Steakhouse; Evelyn's (Mediterranean), and Larb Thai-Isan (Northeastern Thailand). 

"Dock & Dine" is the style along the Greater Fort Lauderdale coastline, which features a host of restaurants complete with their own docks for ship-to-shore culinary adventures. One such mainstay since 1982 is Shooters Waterfront, which offers fresh seafood, a weekend brunch and an ever-changing roster of special events ranging from yoga sessions to live music. 

Aug. 1 through Sept. 30, 2025, marks the return of the premier annual culinary celebration Dine Out Lauderdale. This special promotion features exclusive dining deals and one-of-a-kind offerings from participating restaurants such as the waterfront Casa Sensei, serving exquisite Japanese-Latin flavors. 

Named for notable local arts patron Evelyn Fortune Lily, Evelyn's Fort Lauderdale at the Four Seasons Hotel presents a delicious blend of coastal Florida cuisine and Eastern Mediterranean flavors as expertly prepared by chef Brendan Salomon. Fresh, seasonal ingredients are the hallmarks of small dishes like stone-fire pita with classic hummus and charred red pepper, pomegranate seed, walnuts and coriander, while main-course seafood selections and wood-smoked meats, fish and vegetables help round out an extensive menu. 

Put your wheels on: Bikers will enjoy leisurely scenic pedaling along A1A, parallel to the wave wall and the ocean, via rentals available from suppliers such as Downtown Bicycles, which can both deliver and pick up. 

Whatever the time of year, there's usually some fun and excitement to be had at one of Greater Fort Lauderdale's major sports arenas:

• Hockey fans will find the Florida Panthers skating the ice at Amerant Bank Arena;
• The Fort Lauderdale United FC/Women's Professional Soccer team plays at the new Beyond Bancard Field on the campus of Nova Southeastern University, aka NSU Florida;
• Chase Stadium is the home of the Inter Miami men's soccer team;
• The Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center presents professional swimming competitions, swimming clinics and more.

Just two miles north of Port Everglades, the landscaped Beachfront Promenade is marked by its distinctive white wave all and brick-paved path. There's much to do here, from enjoying the shops and restaurants of The Gallery at Beach Place to renting a bicycle with AvMed Rides via Broward BCycle.

Port Everglades, the world's third largest cruise port, is located right next to the Broward County Convention Center in Greater Fort Lauderdale. Check for cruises before or after your meeting for a chance to add on a memorable incentive or vacation.

For a comprehensive list of sailings currently in the offing from Celebrity, Crystal, Cunard, Disney, Holland America, Princess, Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Royal Caribbean and SilverSea, consult the latest Port Everglades Cruise Guide.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and a historic landmark as designated by Greater Fort Lauderdale, the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens makes a lovely respite for attendees seeking both art and nature. Built in 1920 as the estate of artist Frederic Clay Bartlett, today the house serves as an institution devoted to historic and environmental preservation. While the beautifully restored interior is bedecked with period art and furniture, the surrounding grounds comprise five distinct ecosystems, including a desert garden, mangrove wetlands and a maritime forest.

The NSU Art Museum is widely known for its collection of contemporary art, Latin American art, works by American realist artist William Glackens and the European CoBrA group. 

Presenting a roster of dynamic exhibits, educational programs and live events, the Coral Springs Museum of Art showcases a diverse range of nationally recognized figures and talented local artists.  

Mad Arts is a museum, community hub for art and technology. Exhibits include award-winning works of art and light, interactive experiences, outdoor sculptures and more. 

No mere repository of wall-mounted art, the Island SPACE Caribbean Museum features an ongoing series of special shows, festivals and performances celebrating the rich cultural traditions of Caribbean peoples. Private event spaces are available for a wide range of gatherings. 

A wonderland of hundreds of interactive exhibits, the Museum of Discovery and Science includes an FA-18 supersonic combat aircraft cockpit simulator; the Storm Center, which lets visitors experience hurricane-force winds; the outdoor Science Park; presentations on an IMAX screen billed as the largest in South Florida, and much more.

The African-American Research Library and Cultural Center is a unique institution with more Black history books and books written by Black authors than any other facility in the country. The auditorium and exhibit areas provide opportunities to exchange ideas and cultural values as well as promote an understanding and appreciation of the contributions of persons of African descent. 

The oldest surviving structure in Broward County, the Historic Stranahan House Museum was built in 1901 by Frank Stranahan, credited as Greater Fort Lauderdale's founding father, and his wife Ivy Cromartie Stranahan, the area's first school teacher. A wood-framed structure with wide porches and a picture-perfect view of the New River, the house was opened as a museum in 1984, and a guided tour is like a journey through time, including period furnishings, household goods and a gramophone designed by Thomas Edison.

Spread your wings: Butterfly World houses the largest aviary of the fluttery fauna in North America, plus an impelling insectarium and buzz-worthy hummingbird environment. The venue has taken on added importance in recent years due to declining butterfly populations caused by the use of powerful pesticides in farming and elsewhere, and the facility has become a champion for protecting and nourishing the caterpillars that transform into some of nature's most beautiful and fascinating emissaries.

Get wild: At Flamingo Gardens, enjoy 60 acres of diverse native plants and trees, a Bird of Prey Center with a free-flight aviary, and opportunities to view alligators, flamingos, bobcats and Florida panthers.

Hit the beach: Among the area's best assets, Greater Fort Lauderdale's 24 miles of sun-kissed beaches are an easy walk from many hotels, restaurants and activities. Choose from eight beach communities, each with their own distinct personalities: Deerfield Beach, Hillsboro Beach, Pompano Beach, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Fort Lauderdale, Dania Beach, Hollywood and Hallandale Beach.

Stroll and shop: Known as Greater Fort Lauderdale's Style Mile, Las Olas Boulevard features eclectic, independently owned boutiques. Love a bargain? Don't miss Sawgrass Mills, the world's largest single-story outlet mall. 

The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale is one of South Florida's premier shopping destinations with more than 100 fashion retailers, including Macy's, Dillard's and H&M. On-site dining options include popular restaurants such as Seasons 52, the Capitol Grille and P.F. Chang's. Special events, sales and promotions take place here throughout the year.

Wilton Collective is an upscale thrift and consignment retail store run by Julian's Fountain of Youth, a nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to creating opportunities for local LGBTQ+ youth. A colorful assortment of art, clothing, home décor, jewelry and more await.