For a breakfast meeting with Hilton Hotel executives, the ballroom at DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld was transformed into a slice of sunny Florida with vibrant citrus trees scattered around the ballroom. And, if guests didn’t feel like picking an orange, no problem! A juice station awaited, where they could order a fresh squeezed glass of orange or grapefruit juice right on the spot.
When a Dunkin’ Donuts meeting came to town, Doubletree’s banquet team dialed up the fun in the meeting room with linens in the company’s signature pink and orange.
Just another day at the “office” for Director of Banquets Curt Reuter. His creative flair keeps meeting professionals coming back for more. In fact, 80 percent of the hotel’s business is repeat business.
It doesn’t hurt that there is little turnover in the banquet department, where Reuter has been for 18 years.
“I keep a log of every meeting so we can see what worked well in the past or maybe see something we want to tweak for the next event. I’ve worked with many of the same planners from pre-con to all aspects of the conference. It’s a partnership. They’ll ask questions and I ask questions and we understand that we are in this together. When the meeting is a success, we all look good. And, of course, we want to top ourselves each year, that’s why we always have a post con as well,” says Reuter.
During his 35 years working in hospitality, Reuter has witnessed many changes to meetings, especially when it comes to food.
“We may have a 500-person meeting and 150 of those guests have special dietary requirements like gluten free, pescatarian, vegan and dairy free. It’s a challenge, but we rise to it.”
Set on 28 acres, DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando SeaWorld is the largest DoubleTree in the world and is conveniently located near one of the largest convention centers in the country, the Orange County Convention Center. The hotel boasts 1,042 total guest rooms and more than 100,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, including 40 meeting rooms and six grand ballrooms.
The 20,000-square-foot Palms Conference Center is new, and the Majestic Ballroom boasts all the new high-tech bells and whistles with in-house audiovisual support.
The hotel offers complimentary shuttle service to SeaWorld parks and is just minutes to other attractions including Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando.
Guests at DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld are truly spoiled for choice when it comes to dining. Laguna 10100 Restaurant & Bar sets the stage for a delicious start to your day, tempting you with a range of breakfast favorites before transitioning into a haven for casual lunches and dinners. For a splash of sunshine, it’s Barefoot Bar by the Grand Lagoon Pool, where guests can sip on icy frozen libations and light bites in a breezy, tropical setting.
The Sonoma Lobby Bar, nestled in the vibrant heart of the main lobby, invites you to kick back with a wide selection of premium wines and beers, all served in a stylish, laid-back atmosphere perfect for networking. For those looking for a quick caffeine boost or a satisfying meal, Alberto’s Pizzeria delivers everything from Starbucks coffee to hand-tossed pizzas, flavorful wings and classic pasta dishes—making it a go-to spot for both early mornings and late-night cravings.
For more information on meeting at the DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando contact: Tracy Newland, director of sales and marketing, tnewland@doubletreeorlandosw.com
Sponsored by DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando
