After a day spent in sessions, sure, attendees could slow down. But why do that when they can speed up and still relax?
Speedways and raceways can keep breakout sessions and special events moving right along, and Florida has the tread marks to prove it. Here are a few examples.
Daytona International Speedway
The pinnacle of all things NASCAR and home of the Daytona 500 since 1959, Daytona International Speedway is on track for a $400 million overhaul by January 2016, adding three new concourse levels, new entrances and new grandstand seating; 11 social areas dubbed “neighborhoods,” each the size of a football field with open sightlines and dozens of video screens so no one misses the on-track action; and new luxury trackside suites with patios, for a total of 60 at completion. Spoiler alert: there will be new meeting and event space.
“We don’t have the room information yet, but we expect to have a wide variety of club levels and lounges,” says Andrew Booth, spokesperson at the venue. “The project opens a lot of new opportunities for us in terms of concerts, festivals and other sports. It will transform us from the ‘World Center of Racing’ to the ‘World Center of Entertainment.’”
In the meantime, the 480-acre motorsports complex keeps group traffic running smoothly with a variety of event spaces, including the 3,200-square-foot Bill France Room, the 7,600-square-foot Daytona 500 Club and for larger groups and shows, the 60,000-square-foot Velocitorium.
Those looking for something more hands-on will find it at the on-site Richard Petty Driving Experience, where attendees ride along or get behind the wheel of a 600-horsepower NASCAR race car with the rest of the group cheering them on.
Palm Beach International Raceway
Home of the Palm Beach Driving Club and host to a variety of motorsports events, including the Ferrari Cavallino Classic and the Mud Bog, an ATV and offroading event, Palm Beach International Raceway can also host groups of five to 500 for product launches, corporate conferences, seminars and private receptions, while a full grandstand is available when groups want to check out the action on the two-mile asphalt road course or quarter-mile concrete drag strip.
Coming in 2016 will be a full scoring tower with a top deck area and space planned for private events.
“We’ll be able to facilitate more in terms of suites and food set-ups,” says Ryan Loeb, the raceway’s marketing director. “We do all the catering here in-house, including a full catered meal on Wednesday nights.” Loeb says the track also caters to attendees wishing to get in on the action.
“Our driving club members come out and give ride-alongs,” he says.
Homestead-Miami Speedway
Set about an hour south of downtown Miami, the premier event at Homestead-Miami Speedway is the Ford Championship Weekend, crowning event of the NASCAR season. But the track stays revved for action the rest of the year with a variety of sports car contests, motorcycle racing and community events like Fast Lane Friday, inviting local drag racers to duke it out on the pit road.
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“We host a ton of different types of events, including a triathlon, with competitors swimming in our lake,” says Kelly Boyd, media relations manager at the venue.
The track also has numerous options for groups, from ride and drive selections to off-road course events, as well as on-site venues that range from the race track and pit areas to the 12-acre lake with a beach. One of the primo spots is the Champions Club, set eight stories above the track’s first turn and accommodating up to 400.
“It’s one of our biggest areas,” Boyd says, “And it has a great view. You can see the entire facility.”
Three Palms Speedway. Punta Gorda
Attendees can channel their inner Earnhardt as they race for the checkered flag at Three Palms Speedway in Punta Gorda, which has a Competition 101 Racing School onsite.
“They run you through a 45-minute introductory class before you even get near the car,” says Andy Haase, the speedway’s vice president of marketing and corporate sales. “Then you go out on the track in a real race car for 10 to 15 minutes. It’s a great experience if you’re looking for teambuilding. We’ve had corporate outings that turn it into a real competition, keeping track of who’s the fastest. People love it.”
For the timid, the school has a ride-along program with professional drivers in NASCAR vehicles.
Groups also may opt to be spectators on Saturdays, which is race day at Three Palms. Events include the Formula Drift Pro Am Series.
Five Flags Speedway, Pensacola
In addition to the annual Snowball Derby, a late-model stock car race, Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola runs a limited schedule of NASCAR-style racing on the second and fourth Friday of the month.
“We have a couple of VIP suites that can handle up to 30, which could be good for corporate groups that want to experience the event together,” says Tim Bryant, general manager at the venue.
In addition, the Rusty Wallace Racing Experience operates a twice-annual stock car racing school at Five Flags, including ride-along programs.
