With 39 incorporated municipalities spread across Palm Beach County, and the charming small towns of the Treasure Coast—Vero Beach and Port St. Lucie are standouts—just to the north, this South Florida region offers a diverse and vibrant backdrop for unforgettable meetings and conventions and a treasure trove of opportunities for meeting professionals.
Annette O’Mahoney, manager of conventions and events for an international healthcare medical device company headquartered in New Jersey, is a third-generation Floridian originally from Palm Beach. She loves bringing groups to Florida and highlighting the beauty of her home state. Last May, she hosted her company’s national sales meeting at the Opal Grand Oceanfront Resort & Spa in Delray Beach.
“The hotel ticked all the boxes. We loved it so much, we’re going back for our next national sales meeting in May,” she said. “We don’t usually use the same property two years in a row, but we loved the staff and the location is great. The size of the resort for our team of 70 is perfect, and a highlight from last year was watching sea turtles hatch on the beach right across the street.”
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Wanting her group to fully soak up Delray Beach’s laid-back, sun-splashed vibe, O’Mahoney turned team bonding into a full-on adventure with a Parrot Head-themed scavenger hunt that kicked off the national sales meeting in high-energy style. The fun launched at the host resort, the Opal Grand, perfectly positioned at the gateway to world-famous Atlantic Avenue and Jimmy Buffett Highway (aka A1A).
Randomized team assignments immediately broke down departmental silos, encouraging colleagues to mingle, laugh and compete right out of the gate. Teams raced through town racking up points as they hunted for the elusive Pink Flamingo hidden at the Sandbar, got hands-on with sharks at the Sandoway Discovery Center, battled it out in mini volleyball tournaments at the Delray Beach Volleyball Courts and cruised along the shoreline soaking in ocean air and friendly competition.
The adventure flowed straight into a sunset welcome reception at the Seagate Beach Club, where sweeping views of the sparkling Atlantic Ocean set the tone. Guests enjoyed an array of chilled seafood and signature Smooth Sailing blue martinis while smooth jazz saxophonist Peter Neumer set the mood. Adding to the fun, a tarot card reader offered insights into guests’ past, present and future, while an aura reader was on hand to tap into each attendee’s energy. Bonus points for karaoke resulted in big laughs, bold performances and a few instant legends.
The following day was packed with meetings, but the reward came that evening with a sail aboard Lady Atlantic.
The dinner cruise was anything but ordinary. On one level, saxophonist Neumer returned with jazz stylings while a steel drummer brought island rhythms to another deck, creating a floating, multilevel soundtrack for the evening. The air buzzed with laughter as the captain peppered the journey with fascinating bits of local history. Guests mingled on deck, drinks in hand, as the sunset shimmered across the Intracoastal Waterway.
“Delray is such an easy place to meet,” O’Mahoney said. “Our group can fly into Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport or Palm Beach International Airport, both of which are easy to navigate. I want my team to have as little travel stress as possible.”
So many attendees fell in love with the destination that O’Mahoney secured room rates for three days before and after the event, giving guests the chance to turn a business trip into a mini-vacation—relaxing on the beach, exploring vibrant local shops and making lasting memories.
“Our corporate culture is incredibly strong, with many long-tenured team members—we’re truly a family,” O’Mahoney added. “This was the perfect way to break the ice, reconnect and just have fun together.”
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Crystal Blue Waters and Great Fishing
Jennifer Wheaton, a senior event manager at a Boston-based Fortune 100 company, has years of experience bringing groups to Palm Beach.
“What I love about this area is that we’re only 10 miles from the Gulf Stream, which gives us Caribbean blue waters from the Florida Keys and the best fishing around. You can even go shark diving right off Jupiter Inlet,” she said.
“We’re also known for our polo season, which brought Harry and Megan here in 2024,” Wheaton said. Prince Harry even played in the Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Challenge in Wellington, Palm Beach County.
In Jupiter, many of the world’s great golf professionals reside, and some of the best golf. There’s a Rees Jones-designed course at The Breakers Palm Beach, for example, and at PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, there are six golf courses, with two designed by Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer.
A magnet for celebrities, with renowned figures like Serena Williams, Sylvester Stallone and Martha Stewart calling Palm Beach home, event organizers can add an inspirational keynote from Williams, a lively fireside chat with Stallone or a culinary masterclass led by Stewart, said Wheaton.
Wheaton frequently organizes excursions using Brightline, a high-speed rail line operating between Miami and Orlando. The route includes scheduled stops at Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach.
“We’ve taken a group for the day on first-class cars from West Palm Beach to Miami to have a fun, cultural experience in Wynwood, known for its murals, restaurants and shops,” she said.
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For sports enthusiasts, there’s the Major League Baseball spring training games at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches to see the Washington Nationals or Houston Astros, or its Spring Training neighbors, the St. Louis Cardinals or Miami Marlins, at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter.
Cuisine in the Palm Beach area is continuously being elevated, Wheaton offered.
“We have so many famous restaurants from New York City, like Harry’s from the financial district, now in West Palm Beach,” she said. Harry’s offers its signature steaks, classic cocktails and timeless ambiance in a new tropical setting.
NOBU by Chef Nobu Matsuhisa is now at Eau Palm Beach because the resort’s owner, Larry Ellison, loves the one in New York. NOBU brings its world-renowned Japanese Peruvian fusion cuisine to the sun-soaked shores of Palm Beach, creating a luxurious dining experience.
For interactive culinary adventures, Eataly in West Palm Beach hosts cooking classes for groups and offers buyouts for special events, Wheaton said. Guests can immerse themselves in authentic Italian fare, learn from skilled chefs and enjoy tastings of artisanal cheeses, handmade pasta and regional wines, all within a vibrant Italian marketplace.
Other restaurants Wheaton suggests for groups are The Polo Room in Palm Beach, owned by international polo star Nacho Figueras, and Charlie & Joe’s at Love Street at Jupiter Inlet Village, with waterfront views and a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere.
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“Lamarina Restaurant in West Palm Beach, also located on the waterfront, stands out as a fantastic location for a full buyout. Its spacious layout, contemporary design and menu featuring Mediterranean-inspired dishes ensure an unforgettable dining experience for groups,” she said.
Shopping is a must on world-famous Worth Avenue and throughout the vias (Mediterranean-inspired pedestrian alleyways) off the main thoroughfare. Well-known names like Lilly Pulitzer and David Yurman mix with up-and-comers Milou and Vivre Couture. Worth Avenue itself is a picturesque, palm-lined boulevard brimming with luxury boutiques, art galleries and designer shops. Vias offer their own charm with hidden courtyards, unique stores and stylish cafes.
“Many shops curate exclusive experiences for groups, such as private shopping sessions, trunk shows and personalized styling events,” Wheaton said.
Glazer Hall, which opened in 2025 at Royal Poinciana Plaza, is the only year-round multipurpose theater on the Intracoastal Waterway in Palm Beach. Featuring 400 seats and expansive outdoor space, it hosts concerts and other events. This modern venue is designed to accommodate intimate performances to large-scale productions, with state-of-the-art acoustics and lighting.
Its prime location offers stunning water views, the 200-seat restaurant Tutto Mare and easy access to nearby restaurants and shops, making it a cultural hub for both residents and visitors. The outdoor space allows for open-air events, receptions and gatherings, adding a unique touch to any occasion.
