Orlando 2022 Destination Report
Attendance always rises at the theme-park capital
By Keith Loria
When people think of Orlando, they envision Mickey Mouse, theme parks and family fun, but there’s more to the area than just these popular attractions, which is why it’s a favorite spot for meeting planners when arranging conventions, conferences or association meetings.
Options Aplenty
The Orlando destination has nearly 130,000 rooms across more than 480 hotels and resorts of every size and budget, which includes more than 150 convention hotels that host a variety of events. Orlando offers true convention hotels that can host exhibits, large general sessions and breakouts, along with having guest rooms — all under one roof. If you do need a convention center, the OCCC is state of the art and within walking distance of thousands of hotel rooms. “Additionally, Orlando has 5.8 million sf of total meeting space beyond what is offered at the award-winning Orange County Convention Center, which has 2.1 million sf of exhibition space,” Matej says.
In addition, the Loews Hotels at Universal Orlando are a great option for groups as the hotels have outstanding on-property meeting and event venues, as well as easy and complimentary access via shuttle or bus to the Universal parks and Universal CityWalk, giving a lot of flexibility for groups during free-time or in the evenings. “Our meeting clients love to be outside for social events, and ideally in an area close to the meeting space,” says Barb Bowden, area managing director for Loews Hotels at Universal Orlando. “We offer plenty of options, all with a distinct and unique sense of place that attendees enjoy. We remain focused on making our meeting attendees feel safe and comfortable.”
Plus, meeting planners rave about its banquet staff being open and flexible with their menus, which always helps when planning dining choices. For instance, the executive chef at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando will allow for customizable menus and create new experiences for guests. Plus, the 115,000 sf of meeting space is expansive, yet consolidated so attendees can easily move from one meeting to another with ease. Loews also partners with approved local partners to offer a vast array of branding opportunities to create an immersive experience for groups within the meeting space.
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