Being one of Florida’s most nature-focused areas hasn’t kept Northwest Florida from the 21st century. In fact, this region—which also encompasses colonial and antebellum history—has been on a steady development track, boosting its infrastructure with a new international airport in 2010 and regularly unveiling new-build and extensively renovated properties from Tallahassee across to the state’s westernmost city, Pensacola.
“It’s an exciting time in Tallahassee for growth in the tourism industry,” says Lauren Shoaf Pace, marketing communications director for Visit Tallahassee, pointing to big hotel expansions and a newly opened restaurant, The Edison, that offers a private wine room as well as tented receptions for up to 500.
Hot Properties
But the state’s capital is hardly alone. In early summer 2016, the five-star The Henderson, a Salamander Beach & Spa Resort is set to open on the sands of Destin with 40,000 square feet of flexible event space among its many amenities.
“It will be the only five-star resort between New Orleans and Sarasota. … We are also expecting two Hilton hotels to open in the destination as early as next year,” says Camille Fournier, travel industry sales coordinator for the Emerald Coast CVB, which markets Destin, Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa Island, site of the Emerald Coast Convention Center.
Multiple communities also distinguish Destin’s eastern neighbor, South Walton, whose 16 coastal neighborhoods include the old-fashioned beach town of Seaside and whose stringent environmental codes—40 percent of the land is protected—and unrestricted beach access ensure Gulf views for visitors and residents alike. But while people enjoy more of the environment here, South Walton has been doing more for its meetings clients.
“In our area, the Hilton Sandestin [Beach Golf Resort & Spa] has added meeting space and we’ve seen a number of new hotels with meeting facilities. We’ve also seen meetings increase due to the new airport,” says Carley McMillian, lead sales coordinator for Visit South Walton, referring to Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport in nearby Panama City, which holds the distinction of being the first international airport designed and built after 9/11.
The facility also continues to increase service, adding daily nonstop flights to Houston on United Airlines, new flights to Dallas Love Field on Southwest Airlines and welcoming Silver Airlines, which connects to Orlando and Tampa.
Fun Fare
And then there’s the airport’s IATA code—ECP, which started as a joke abbreviation for “Everyone Can Party.” After officials had a good laugh, the code stuck; and, in fact, there probably isn’t a better description for this sunny side of the state, starting with Panama City Beach, set 15 minutes due south of the airport and boasting increased visitor numbers, according to recent information released by the CVB, which posted record visitation for September 2015 as well as the fiscal year.
“It shows that Panama City Beach is embraced as a year-round destination,” says Dan Rowe, president and CEO of Visit Panama City Beach.
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Small wonder, with 27 miles of white-sand beaches, abundant watersports—including diving and parasailing—and attractions like Pier Park, an oceanside, open-air center of shopping, dining and entertainment.
That year-round appeal also includes convention season, which in North Florida is primarily during the late fall and winter. Panama City Beach meets the need with meeting-centric properties that include the Boardwalk Beach Resort Hotel & Convention Center and the Bay Point Golf Resort & Spa, the latter transitioning to a Sheraton in mid-2016 following a renovation “from top to bottom, down to the studs,” according to Director of Group Sales Valerie Mahon Drake.
Not to be outdone in the fun department, Tallahassee may not be directly on the Gulf, but claims its own waterworld of freshwater springs and flowing rivers, with the coast a quick drive away.
“Tallahassee is centrally located and offers numerous hub-and-spoke options,” says Lauren Shoaf Pace of Visit Tallahassee. “St. George Island, ranked as a top beach, is an excellent day trip.”
What a Site
With its deep Southern roots and the stately architecture that goes along with being the state capital, Tallahassee also is home to an array of distinct off-site settings for group events, from a 17th century Spanish mission, Mission San Luis, to a simulated journey through space at the Challenger Learning Center.
“Groups can certainly use venues that play a role in telling our history, such as Goodwood Museum and Gardens and the Historic Capitol,” Shoaf Pace says.
That feeling of yesteryear Florida also distinguishes off-site venues in South Walton, where beachfront gazebos, vintage public buildings and quaint cottages host picturesque gatherings, or where groups can partake in outdoor adventures, like kayaking on Western Lake.
“Some of our communities don’t have the type of space that a place like Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort does, so they have to get creative,” says Carley McMillian of Visit South Walton.
Creativity is the order of the day in Pensacola, where unique meeting spaces can be found at the National Naval Aviation Museum and the neighboring National Flight Academy—touted as the world’s largest simulated aircraft carrier—with flight simulators, virtual reality games and plenty of space for teambuilding. Visit between March and November and watch the Blue Angels perform practice airshows in the skies overhead; on Wednesdays, attendees can meet the pilots, take selfies with them and get autographs.
Known for its natural pursuits like biking and hiking, Pensacola also has a historical side—like St. Augustine, its heritage goes back to the Spanish conquistadors. Groups can immerse themselves in the past at Historic Pensacola Village, featuring archaeological sites, museums, one of Florida’s oldest churches and furnished period houses. The Museum of Commerce, for one, houses a re-created 1900s Pensacola streetscape and offers meeting space.
The more recent past is showcased at Pensacola’s Saenger Theatre, which opened to vaudeville audiences in 1925 and today hosts the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra and headliners like Harry Connick, Jr., while groups of up to 250 enjoy private sit-down dinners.
Just for fun, you may want to consider some of the lighthearted options along the Emerald Coast, including the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, which in addition to featuring sea-life shows and displays, offers the Living Sea room, where functions for up to 100 are complemented by an eight-foot-high aquarium filled with tropical fish.
Good times, and live alligators, are waiting at Fudpucker’s Beachside Bar & Grill on Okaloosa Island, with tons of private group space, including a private waterfront dining room and other separate spaces.
