Orlando has the distinction of having the largest Marriott in the world with 2,010-rooms and suites with the Orlando World Center Marriott just 1.5 miles from Walt Disney World Resort.
Just the right venue for Potato Expo 2025 held in January with more than 2,000 attendees and 200 exhibitors.
“This was our 17th year, and we broke all attendance records—only the second largest turnout after last year’s event,” said Hollee Alexander, vice president of industry relations and events for the Washington, DC-based National Potato Council.
The Orlando World Center Marriott’s redesigned rooms and suites have a modern design and include a private balcony offering views of the 200-acre property including Hawk’s Landing Golf Course.
The hotel’s more than 500,000 square feet of flexible meeting space in 104 meeting rooms allow for meetings of all shapes and sizes, while its outdoor spaces allow for unique events under the sun or stars.
The Stockroom, a hidden speakeasy, is available to groups of up to 60 year-round and it’s a great place for a nightcap.
Several networking events were set up for National Potato Council in varying venues like a Beer Garden, a Meet and Potatoes lounge and a Flock to Florida: The Happy Potato Showdown cooking competition in one of the ballrooms.
The Orlando World Center Marriott was also the setting for the charity Potato LEAF 5K Fun Run around the Hawk’s Landing Golf Course.
The final night was a on the pool terrace with a local musician playing yacht rock in the background.
And, while the stellar catering crew went above and beyond creating myriad potato dishes like Papas Huancaina Shooters, Deviled Potatoes with assorted toppings and Pappa Rellena Bites as appetizers, the hotel also boasts 10 dining outlets including the award-winning Siro Urban Italian Kitchen with its intimate semi-private room which can host up to 49 guests, Mikado Japanese Steak House where there’s always a show as the talented chefs present their skills on hibachi grills, Latitude & Longitude with dishes made from seasonal, locally produced and organic ingredients and High Velocity, a classic sports bar perfect for game day cheering with staples like crispy chicken wings and juicy burgers.
Refresh
This year, Orlando World Center Marriott will renovate its Grand Ballroom, a 37,369-square-foot space, which can divide into 16 individual rooms.
- Other meeting space include:
- Cypress Ballroom (105,000 square feet)
- Crystal Ballroom (39,000 square feet)
- Palms Ballroom (49,000 square feet)
Magnolia Event Spaces, (28,800 square feet with floor-to-ceiling windows and impressive pre-function and outdoor lawn spaces) features 24 equally sized rooms that can come together to create flexibility for events of all sizes.
Falling for Fun
Groups will also be wowed by River Falls Water Park, the latest addition to Orlando World Center Marriott offering a total of seven waterslides, a 575-foot lazy river and a dedicated splash zone. There’s also The Spa with a range of treatments, and for all guests, a daily shuttle to Disney World Parks®,
“The Orlando World Center has stood tall over Orlando for almost 40 years, and I believe is recognized by many as an iconic hotel within the Marriott portfolio as well as for being one of the best Orlando has to offer,” says Gary Dybul, director of sales & marketing. “The comments we get from groups are the ease of getting around the hotel, the endless amenities for all their guest to enjoy, the variety of restaurants, the flexibility of space for their specific needs and the amazing service of our dedicated hosts. We truly take pride in being the best and that pride pulls through to the execution of our events.”
For more information contact: Gary.Dybul@marriott.com, Director of Sales & Marketing.
Sponsored by Orlando World Center Marriott
