It might not be such a small world after all.
When you factor in what’s new in Central Florida with what’s coming down the pike, it’s safe to stay that Florida’s entertainment hub has grown to the size of, well, Hagrid
the giant, one of the main characters in author J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books, which have been brought to life at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a new "land" at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
Meeting attendees are no mere Muggles at the $265 million attraction; a sales team can conjure specialized opportunities and menus for groups as they explore Hogwarts Castle and the surrounding village of Hogsmeade, home to Ollivanders wand shop, Honeydukes candy store and scores of other familiar sites from the beloved book series.
"Many business travelers do enjoy the parks during private group events, back lot tours and educational opportunities," notes Tammi Runzler, senior vice president of convention sales and services for the Orlando CVB. "It isn’t always about the typical theme park experience, although those are fun, too. It’s a great way to combine business and pleasure."
Debby Rivera, CMP, sales and services manager for the Kissimmee CVB, agrees.
"Even if a planner doesn’t schedule an off-site event at a new attraction like Harry Potter, it attracts the attendees and their companions as something new to do in their free time."
Orlando
There’s certainly no shortage of that in Central Florida these days. Hot on the heels of Harry Potter, the Walt Disney World Resort has already started work on what it’s calling the largest expansion of the Magic Kingdom park to date: the new Fantasyland, set to open in 2013, which will include a new Little Mermaid musical attraction, new dining and character opportunities, and a revamped, twice-as-big Dumbo ride.
In addition, one of the city’s older attractions, Gatorland, is staying up-to-date with the fall opening of a new Eco Zip Line, which will carry riders high above the park at speeds near 30 mph. In fall 2013, Orlando will explore its creative side with the opening of the $383 million Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center, showcasing regional arts groups and attracting meeting groups with multiple theaters, an outdoor performance plaza and a catering kitchen.
A new arena with copious group space and new hotels are also on the agenda in Orlando, joining premier facilities at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate, Rosen Shingle Creek and the Caribe Royale All-Suite Hotel & Convention Center. Meanwhile, a still-developing, 600-acre "medical city" complex in the Lake Nona area is expected to increase Orlando’s already healthy medical meetings market.
"For those of us who live and work here, Orlando has always been an incredible community based on hospitality," Runzler says. "It’s nice to see we’re adding depth as well."
Kissimmee
Greater depth in activities, and the unexpected, are waiting in Kissimmee, Orlando’s neighbor to the south and part of the Greater Orlando experience of theme parks and attractions.
Yet it’s also easy for groups to get away from it all here, exploring the Central Florida wilderness at places like Forever Florida, which boasts its own new Zipline Safari as well as a variety of eco-treks, including two-hour horseback rides into the ranch’s conservation area along historic trails first traversed by Native Americans in the 1500s.
Far from the ocean but nearly as impressive is shimmering Lake Tohopekaliga, which is 42 miles around, spans 18,800 acres and is known as one of the best lakes in Florida for bass fishing. Your group might relish a tranquil fishing trip or indulge their need for speed on an exhilarating airboat ride across the lake’s glassy surface and through nearby swamp areas where alligators dwell.
The same variety is waiting on Kissimmee’s lodging and group facilities scene, where groups can be steps away from shopping and dining at the Bohemian Hotel Celebration, or sequester themselves at Reunion Resort and Club, set within 2,300 lush acres near a wilderness preserve.
"Kissimmee is centrally located to all the hustle and bustle, yet we have wide open spaces and natural attractions," Rivera says. "Groups always like to see and do new things."
To that end, they shouldn’t miss a new show that just opened at the popular Pirate’s Dinner Adventure, evoking a Caribbean port where sailors and other scalawags gather to recharge after long days at sea.
Seminole County
Just a 15-minute drive from downtown Orlando, Seminole County is next door to the beaten path, but doesn’t quite tread it, heading straight for such authentic experiences as paddling a kayak down a quiet waterway, jumping into a freshwater spring or hiking through the flatwoods, hardwood swamps and bottomland forests of Central Florida. Hike over to Geneva Wilderness Center, where you may be rewarded with sightings of gopher tortoises, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys or grey foxes, then top the day off with dinner at Gators Riverside Grille overlooking the St. Johns River. (Yes, there is gator on the menu.)
Civilization is never far away, though, which makes enjoying Seminole’s charms a snap after hours, whether your group is strolling the historic streets of downtown Sanford or testing their skills at the Aiguille Rock Climbing Center, which offers team-building programs for groups of up to 75.
While parts of Seminole County may seem timeless, there was a new addition to the meetings landscape recently: the Westin Lake Mary, Orlando North. Other meetings properties include the Orlando Marriott Lake Mary and the Hilton Orlando/Altamonte Springs.
Lakeland
Known as the "City of Swans"—thanks to the 200-plus birds that grace many area lakes—Lakeland takes a detour into small-town Florida with its leafy town square. But this quiet haven southwest of Orlando has other surprises in store, including the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in the world, grouped at Florida Southern College.
Another surprise is waiting in the air over Lakeland and surrounding Polk County, aboard a 1929 open-cockpit biplane ride offered by Fantasy of Flight in Polk City. This aviation attraction also boasts a rare collection of vintage aircraft, including a Morane-Saulnier dating back to 1916 and some World War I specimens. Best of all, Fantasy of Flight is open for meetings and events, and can host up to 5,000 people.
The Lakeland area is replete with unique meeting venues, from Westgate’s River Ranch, a 1,700-acre ponderosa complete with weekly rodeos, to the rustic lodge settings of the Florida Leadership Training Center on Lake Pierce. But if you must go traditional, the Lakeland Center handles multi-sized conventions in a variety of spaces.
Ocala/Marion County
While swans may be the focal point in Lakeland, horses are the star of the show in Ocala/Marion County—known as the "Horse Capital of the World," with 600 thoroughbred farms turning out Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Breeders’ Cup champions, and more than 200 farms and training centers devoted to other breeds.
Carriage tours, trail riding and international-level equine competitions are some of the activities groups can enjoy here.
But if horses aren’t on the agenda, try a trek through Ocala National Forest, where pastimes include bicycling, birding, canoeing and, yes, horseback riding. Just outside Ocala is Silver Springs, home to gators, panthers, bears and other creatures, as well as live musical performances and the glass-bottom boat rides.
Many Ocala-area attractions and equestrian facilities double as meeting venues, while hotel-based facilities can be found at a variety of properties, including the Hilton Ocala.
