Orlando

Why Orlando for Your Next Meeting or Event?

Orlando’s continued appeal as a meetings and incentive destination comes from its mix of expansive resorts, versatile venues, diverse dining and a wide range of activities. While its world-famous theme parks and attractions remain a major draw, the destination also offers outdoor experiences, entertainment and cultural offerings that can complement meetings and group programs.

With an extensive inventory of hotels and the second largest convention center in the U.S., Orlando can accommodate groups of nearly every size and style. From large-scale conventions and corporate events to incentive trips and executive retreats, planners can choose from convention hotels, luxury resorts and unique venues, while attendees have no shortage of options for dining, entertainment and recreation beyond the meeting room.

Source an Orlando Hotel

Transportation in and Around the Area

• Orlando International Airport (MCO): About 13 miles southeast of downtown Orlando, the 7th-busiest facility in the United States also is 14 miles east of the Orange County Convention Center/International Drive.
• Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB): The Sanford airport is about 25 miles away from downtown Orlando.
• Mears Transportation: Mears is the preferred transportation-service provider for Orlando International Airport. Mears Connect offers affordable shuttle service between the airport and the Disney World–area hotels.
• Brightline: The high-speed rail connects South Florida to Orlando with a station adjacent to Terminal C at Orlando International Airport.
• Motorcoach Transportation: Providers include CharterUp, All Around Orlando DMC and Academy Bus.

Home to more than 480 hotels and resorts, including more than 150 meeting hotels, Orlando has a total of 5.8 million square feet of meeting space beyond what is offered at the Orange County Convention Center.

Meeting Hotels

• Hyatt Regency Orlando: Connected to the Orange County Convention Center, the property features 1,641, 315,000 square feet of meeting and event space, the property’s 54,638-square-foot Regency Ballroom can accommodate up to 4,000 guests.
• Hilton Orlando: Near the Orange County Convention Center, the Hilton offers 1,400-plus rooms and more than 250,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space. The property is connected to the convention center by a pedestrian bridge.
• Rosen Shingle Creek: This 1,501-room hotel features more than 500,000 square feet of meeting and event space, including the 95,000-square-foot Gatlin Ballroom.
• Rosen Centre Hotel: Directly across from the Orange County Convention Center, this property has 1,334-rooms and 162,000 square feet of meeting space, including the 35,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom and the 14,375-square-foot Junior Ballroom.
• Caribe Royale Orlando: Planners will find 1,218-suites and more than 220,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space at this resort that is just 2 miles from Walt Disney World.
• JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes: Part of the 500-acre Grande Lakes Orlando complex, this property has 1,010 rooms and shares extensive meeting facilities with the 582-room Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes, Orlando.
• Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek: This 1,009-room hotel offers more than 231,000 square feet of meeting space. The new expanded Waterside expansion features 90,000 square feet of meeting space, including a ballroom, meeting rooms, outdoor space and views of the Walt Disney World fireworks.
• Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress: On 1,500 acres near Walt Disney World, this 779-room hotel features 102,000 square feet of meeting space, including the 25,000-square-foot Grand Cypress Ballroom, plus a host of outdoor spaces.
• JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa: With 516 rooms, this JW hotel has 51,587 square feet of meeting and event space across 19 event rooms and 16 breakout room, where the 22,000-square-foot Griffin Ballroom serves as the centerpiece. A rooftop terrace provides an outdoor option for evening event/

Make a Day of the Theme Parks

Walt Disney World Resort features four theme parks, including Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, giving groups plenty of options for outings beyond the meeting room.

SeaWorld Orlando combines marine-life experiences with thrill rides and live entertainment. Consider the venue for company outings, private events and banquets. Its event spaces accommodate groups from 50 to more than 5,000 people, depending on the venue.

Universal Orlando Resort, beyond all that is available for Harry Potter fans, celebrates many more entertainment properties owned by the longtime film company that was founded in 1914. The theme destination’s five areas are Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Epic Universe, Volcano Bay and Universal CityWalk. Eleven nearby hotels cover the range of property opportunities. Groups events from 20 to 20,000 people are welcome.

Restaurants and Activities

For fun evening out, groups can explore Orlando’s dining and entertainment districts, including Disney Springs, Universal CityWalk and ICON Park, where restaurants, entertainment and attractions can be combined into a group outing.

ICEBAR Orlando offers a unique group outing, particularly for Florida, inside a frozen bar made with more than 70 tons of hand-carved ice, along with corporate event packages and private events.

Experience Orlando’s Wildlife

Take a daytime kayak tour with Epic Paddle Adventures, exploring the crystal-clear waters of Orlando’s rivers and lakes while looking for wildlife, such as manatees and turtles.

For a more traditional Florida adventure, guided airboat tours take groups through the wetlands surrounding Orlando for the chance to spot alligators, birds and other native wildlife.

Stroll through Museums and Gardens

Take a trip to the Kennedy Space Center to see the Space Shuttle Atlantis, explore the Apollo/Saturn V Center and meet astronauts. The complex is located east of Orlando with options for guided tours and private group experiences.

Just minutes from downtown, the Harry P. Leu Gardens offer 50 acres of landscaped spaces and historic grounds. The botanical garden provides a quieter environment and also has a schedule of art- and movie-based events.