Event management platform Cvent has again named Orlando No. 1 in its Top 50 Meeting Destinations in North America ranking—and for good reason.
Not only does Orlando feature more than 400 hotels with more than 120,000 guest rooms—ranging from budget-friendly options to luxurious resorts—it’s also home to the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC), one of the largest convention centers in the country. It serves as the venue for approximately 200 conventions and tradeshows annually, attracting an estimated 1.5 million attendees each year. And this figure doesn’t even account for the numerous events held in hotel ballrooms, distinctive venues throughout the city or within the area's world-famous theme parks.
But it’s Orlando’s wide range of activities and attractions that often set it above the rest. Truly unique team-bonding activities abound, and many attendees are incentivized to register for an event in Orlando if they can bring their families pre- or post-event, too.
“Having a robust variety of offsite and teambuilding event options is a key driver in making Orlando a top choice for meeting planners,” said Casandra Matej, president and CEO, Visit Orlando. “Here, the districts and neighborhoods that encompass the Orlando area are always brimming with marquee meeting experiences for planners…For example, groups can enjoy the outdoors during a scenic boat tour along the pristine Winter Park chain of lakes, soar above Orlando on the Orlando Eye located at ICON Park near the Orange County Convention Center, take in our vibrant food and arts scene during a Wandering Palms Food Tours in our Ivanhoe neighborhood near downtown Orlando, or book a large-scale event at the new Universal Epic Universe theme park.”
Major shows choose Orlando for this advantage. VMX is one example. The most recent show brought in nearly 30,000 attendees to the OCCC—a record for VMX—from over 87 countries. There were also over 735 booths with the latest in animal healthcare products and diagnostics.
“We view VMX as an opportunity to bring our veterinary community together in a big way,” said Joe Sorrentino, chief events officer, VMX, Veterinary Meeting & Expo. “We plan a variety of activities, fun and entertainment so attendees can unwind and spend time with one another.
“When you attend VMX in Orlando, you don't just get access to world-class continuing education, a global community of veterinary professionals and an amazing exhibit hall, you also get to enjoy theme parks, water parks, zoos, aquariums, live shows, dinner theaters, museums, escape rooms, nightlife, concerts and so much more,” he continued. “Not to mention, it’s the home of the beloved Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, where you can meet your favorite characters and make lifelong magical memories.”
See how you can elevate your next meeting or convention in Orlando by promoting one of these activities before or after business is done.
Theme Parks
Indeed, the recent opening of Universal Epic Universe in May made news around the globe. This large park includes over 50 attractions spread across five themed worlds, including Celestial Park, a journey through living gardens surrounded by architecture inspired by astronomical and mythological elements; The Wizarding World of Harry Potter–Ministry of Magic; SUPER NINTENDO WORLD; and How to Train Your Dragon–Isle of Berk and Dark Universe.
At Walt Disney World Resort, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, two brand-new stage shows: “The Little Mermaid–A Musical Adventure” and “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After,” have been unveiled. At EPCOT later this year, Test Track presented by Chevrolet will feature new scenes that highlight technological advances and a lounge inspired by Spaceship Earth will feature views of the World Showcase and fireworks. At Magic Kingdom Park, “Disney Starlight,” a nighttime parade using state-of-the-art technology, launched as the first nighttime parade since 2016.
SeaWorld Orlando has introduced Expedition Odyssey, a new Arctic flying theater attraction. The ride is designed to simulate travel over Arctic landscapes, underwater environments and encounters with Arctic wildlife. Guests experience motion effects and sensory elements that correspond to navigating ocean currents, moving past icebergs, traveling alongside beluga whales and exploring the depths of the sea.
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New Dining and Nightlife Experiences on I-Drive
International Drive (I-Drive) is home to the OCCC and therefore a popular spot for post-meetings activities. New dining and nightlife experiences are elevating this area, making it easier than ever to explore Orlando after business hours.
Live! at the Pointe will introduce a new entertainment space this year, Sal's Pizza, and will also welcome Dick's Last Resort, a Southern style restaurant and bar known for its rowdy environment. Taffer's Tavern from Bar Rescue host Jon Taffer also opened, and later this year, Sandbox VR, an immersive VR complex, and Zukka Sushi, an innovative sushi restaurant, are set to open.
ICON Park will be constructing a new 589-seat entertainment venue, located at the base of the Orlando Eye, which will be home to the Blue Man Group's new show. Sushi Saint opened recently, and Ripley's Crazy Golf, an indoor, glow-in-the-dark miniature golf experience, will open later this year.
Next to famed Mango’s Tropical Cafe, Latin-inspired Corazón by Baires added the 4,000-square-foot Kali Dining Room. Located on the second floor of Corazón, the room features a dramatic fusion of lighting, design-forward interiors and 13 oversized LED video walls, making it ideal for high-energy gatherings of up to 165.
New Hotel Dining
Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina opened at Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin (an incredibly popular meetings property) in July and offers four private dining rooms that can be combined into larger spaces as needed and is available for entire restaurant buyouts as well.
At Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, Four Flamingos by celebrity chef Richard Blais, now offers a variety of options for groups, including semi-private dining rooms, full buyouts and even options to have Chef Blais himself join the occasion. The Michelin-Recommended restaurant features three menus curated exclusively for groups, offering Floribbean cuisine—surf and turf with a tropical twist.
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Speakeasies and Music Venues
Epilogue at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World is a chic Art Deco lounge with a library theme, complete with menus shaped like books. Available for reservations on select Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, it boasts a mix of classic Prohibition-era cocktails and specialty drinks made with unique mixology techniques.
A new Thai-inspired speakeasy, Noir Bar is located behind Talay Thai restaurant in Downtown Orlando's North Quarter and offers creative cocktails with a Thai twist. There’s no password required, but the entrance is hidden behind a wall inside Talay.
Mather’s Social Gathering, also downtown, is an upscale spot with exposed brick walls with tufted leather and velvet furniture. Housed in an 1800s building that was once home to the city’s first post office, guests can sip on a Basil Hayden Old Fashioned while snacking on their signature truffled popcorn.
Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts has moved into what was once the Winter Park Library. It’s the top choice for music genres like R&B, classical, jazz and blues.
Judson’s Live at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Orlando is a music venue that hosts performances by both Grammy Award-winning artists and local bands. The venue provides live shows in a setting with designed acoustics and onsite dining, inspired by traditional cocktail lounges.
Closer to the convention center, located in Gods & Monsters comic shop on International Drive, Vault 5421 offers video games, craft beer, mead and sake. The bar has a post-apocalyptic sci-fi vibe, decorated with skeletons, creepy dolls and vintage movies on TV.
Golf
There are about 200 golf courses in Orlando, for individual and group play.
The PGA Show is the longest running and largest global gathering for the business of golf, and consistently chooses Orlando as its gathering place.
“Orlando has been an ideal PGA Show destination since 1985 and continues to grow its value by offering additional services and amenities to our guests each year,” said Marc Simon, PGA Golf Exhibitions vice president. “The Orlando destination, combined with the unique offerings of the Orange County Convention Center and Orange County National Golf Center, create assets and facilities that we would be hard-pressed to match anywhere else.
“When you add easy access to reasonably priced flights into Orlando International Airport, the wealth of hotel options at all price points, plentiful golf, dining and entertainment options and the likelihood of warm weather—for these reasons and more, Orlando appeals tremendously to us and to our PGA Show guests,” he added.
Some fan favorites for golf activities include the historic Dubsdread Golf Course, built in 1924 and played by legends like Ben Hogan, Sam Snead and Babe Zaharias, which can host corporate outings and features the Tap Room for dining and award ceremonies.
Rosen’s Shingle Creek Golf Club was designed by the Arnold Palmer Design Company and includes the Shingle Creek Golf Academy, which provides golf instruction. The academy features a recently expanded short-game practice area, as well as updated swing analysis and game improvement technology in its indoor hitting bays.
Disney World features four 18-hole championship golf courses, including the Magnolia Golf Course, which was newly renovated by Arnold Palmer Golf Management. The course incorporates Grumpy’s Gauntlet (holes 14-17) as part of recent updates to the back nine. The renovations also introduced an 18-hole putting course called “The Greatest Green Ever Played.”
Grand Cypress Golf, a renowned Jack Nicklaus-designed course within Evermore Resort offers distinct experiences on the Cypress and Links Courses. Group activities can be arranged with PGA professionals at the resort.
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Museums and Other Unique Venues and Activities
Orlando is well known for its theme parks, dining, golf and hotel attractions, but it has much more to offer. Some unexpected offsite venues and activities include:
- Orlando Auto Museum, with 2,000-plus vehicles valued at $200 million across 20 themed rooms, offers a unique automotive adventure at Dezerland Park on I-Drive. Individuals can tour the museum and groups can have a Roaring ’20s event surrounded by classic 1920s cars that evoke the spirit of the era. There’s also a room full of vehicles used in the James Bond and Batman franchises, including the 1966 Batmobile.
- Drawn to Life presented by Cirque du Soleil and Disney is inspired by Disney Animation Studios’ legacy and explores the bond between a father and daughter through acrobatics, choreography, music and animation featuring iconic Disney stories and characters.
- Scenic Boat Tour has been operating since 1938 and takes guests through the canals of Winter Park for views of new and historic homes like the one Mister (Fred) Rogers lived in when he attended Rollins College on Lake Virginia. Boat Captains will point out such landmarks such as Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens and the 1885 Capen House, popular for private events.
- Historic Leu House Museum, on the grounds of Leu Gardens downtown, was originally built in 1888 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Leus traveled around the world and brought back plants and seeds for the gardens and in 1961 gifted the home and gardens to the city of Orlando.
- City Food Hall, at The Yard at Ivanhoe Village in downtown Orlando, offers a variety of restaurants in this 12,000-square-foot space, including Taglish for a taste of the Philippines, Blessed Belly for Tacos and Kalalou for Caribbean cuisine.
