From haute couture boutiques and souvenir shops to retail neighborhoods and sprawling malls that could probably earn their own zip code, Florida boasts a dizzying array of shopping opportunities.
As a planner, you might have considered shopping to be an elective, on-your-own type of activity, but it also makes a great off-hours group excursion, especially when local malls and marketplaces tempt group business with special offers and discounts, as many do.
In Greater Orlando, for example, a huge shopping landscape of malls and factory outlet centers—enough to fill 900 football fields—includes such spend-the-day centers as Mall at Millenia, the Florida Mall, Prime Outlets Orlando and Orlando Premium Outlets, all offering group programs that may include everything from VIP coupon booklets to special gift bags, complimentary makeovers and advice from personal shoppers.
In neighboring Kissimmee, Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores runs a free shopping shuttle to and from area hotels, and also courts groups with incentive coupons and facilities for special events.
It’s goody-bag time in Miromar Outlets near Fort Myers, which gives out VIP savings brochures and welcome bags to groups of 30 or more who stay at least two hours.
Or how’s this for a unique idea: Waterside Shops in Naples can arrange a group Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
Meanwhile, all the major malls in Tampa—including Westshore Mall, International Plaza, University Mall and Prime Outlets at Ellenton—have coupon books, says Brooke Maynard, a spokesperson for Visit Tampa Bay.
“Even closer to downtown is Hyde Park Village, which has outdoor shopping and dining,” she says. “Stop by the Godiva store for the coupon booklet, which comes with a Godiva sample.”
Mix shopping with sunshine and you have one of many outdoor marketplaces in the Sunshine State, where guests can sightsee as they spend, relax with a drink, dine, then shop some more.
In Northwest Florida, for example, Destin Commons wraps around a central plaza doused by dancing fountains. Give them a head count in advance, and each member of the group will receive a generously sized “green” bag to hold their treasures.
On the Atlantic side of North Florida, Jacksonville Landing is set against the St. Johns River and downtown skyline within walking distance of all the major downtown hotels. Before they arrive, though, delegates may know where they want to go, thanks to the brochures, savings kit and $6 meal tickets the Landing can provide in advance.
Farther south, beautiful Daytona Beach is the setting behind Ocean Walk Shoppes, which goes a step further for groups with welcome receptions, goody bags, samplings and coupon offers.
And in Miami, Biscayne Bay provides the dramatic backdrop for Bayside Marketplace, a one-stop center for shopping, dining and entertainment, offering both a coupon book and fixed-price group dining.
Other alfresco shopping spots in Florida include Palm Beach’s Worth Avenue—“Rodeo Drive of the East”— and Key West’s funky Duval Street, which is lined with unique shops and art galleries.
