5 Surprises on Amelia Island, Fla., as a Meeting Planner

Tucked just underneath the Georgia border in Northeast Florida, Amelia Island exudes luxury, history and beauty. As a first-time visitor to the destination, there were many surprises and delights that groups should experience while on island time.

1. The drive from the airport

To reach Amelia Island, fly into Jacksonville International Airport. From there, it's about a 40-minute drive and the journey is one of the best parts. As you get closer, the view evolves from highways to waterways as you traverse bridges over beaches. For meetings in larger cities, the trek from the airport would be spent in traffic, staring at nothing but taillights.

2. The food scene

Visitors will learn about one of the biggest industries on the island: shrimping. There's bound to be at least one dish with the shellfish on every menu in town and we highly recommend indulging in the local catch. Hearing about all the different ways they can prepare the crustacean feels like a scene out of "Forrest Gump," and Bubba would be proud. If your conference happens to align with the first weekend of May, attendees can even attend the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival. 

Aside from shrimp, there are other perks of the Florida food scene, namely oranges. The Omni Amelia Island Resort and Spa serves the freshest orange juice we've ever tasted. At the breakfast buffet at FloraBelle, you can even watch the machine that squeezes every last drop from the citrus, with crates full of the fruit waiting at the ready. We'd love to know how many oranges they go through per day. Other standout restaurants include Mezcal Spirit of Oaxaca for margaritas, Pogo's Kitchen for chicken piccata and Lagniappe for peanut butter pie.

3. The flora

Unlike many destinations in the state, Amelia Island is not swarming with palm trees. Of course they can be found, but the predominant greenery are live oaks covered with Spanish moss, evoking more Savannah than South Beach. This distinction really gives the destination its own unique identity.

4. The resorts

The two largest resorts in the area are the Omni Amelia Island Resort and Spa and the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, both of which are on the precipice of completing renovations. The size of each is impressive: the Omni contains 401 rooms, 12 food-and-beverage outlets and more than 80,000 square feet of meeting space spread across 1,300 acres, making it the largest property for the brand in terms of acreage. Down the beach, the Ritz-Carlton features 446 accommodations, seven dining options and nearly 115,000 square feet of event venues. Choosing the better one is like picking a favorite child: one isn't superior to the other, but they have different personalities and distinctive things to offer. 

5. Downtown Fernandina Beach

Downtown Fernandina Beach has all the charm of a small town with the offerings of a much larger destination. Lined with shops, restaurants, bars and bakeries, Centre Street alone provides enough entertainment for an afternoon. Or visitors can hop on a 90-minute trolley tour to explore the residential neighborhoods and learn more about the island's fascinating history. 

Keshena Patterson, director of global accounts for HelmsBriscoe, sources, negotiates and contracts hotel venues worldwide.