Well past the quarter century mark, Florida Encounter still hasn’t lost its shine. Now in its 34th year, the popular appointment-based tradeshow between meeting planners and state tourism industry reps took place from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2 at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort, though some delegates stretched those days to include post-show fams to Daytona Beach, the Space Coast and neighboring Jacksonville.
One of those attendees was Fiona Knight, owner and senior consultant for Fiona Knight Consulting Services, a Toronto-based events and project management firm, who was attending Florida Encounter for the second time.
“I have clients in the U.K. and Canada as well as all over the globe who visit and meet in Florida,” she said.
Knight was one of 86 planners from corporate (26%), association (22%) and third-party (45%) firms, with SMERF and government planners making up the balance. On the supplier side were representatives from 93 Florida destinations, hotels/resorts and other meeting services.
In addition to transacting business, attendees were treated to a number of special events, including an appearance by Cheryl Cecchetto, owner and president of Los Angeles-based Sequoia Productions. A veritable event planner to the stars, Cecchetto has produced the Academy Awards Governors Ball and the Primetime Emmys Governors Ball, among other glittering events.
Also speaking at the conference was Lucas Boyce, director of business development and legislative affairs for the NBA’s Orlando Magic, whose personal story follows a trajectory from being born to a drug-addicted teenager to serving in communications and public relations at the White House.
Among Boyce’s many quotable moments during a keynote address was this: “At 210 degrees, water is just hot; at 212 it beings to boil. Live at 212 degrees.”
When they weren’t conducting business on the tradeshow floor or being inspired by speakers, attendees enjoyed the many perks of staying at the Omni Amelia Island, whose expansive property includes a “village” of shops, restaurants and nightspots. Also on-site is the Amelia Island Club, where Walker’s Landing hosted the closing dinner. The rustic barn-like structure easily accommodated about 200 for a typical Southern-style boil.
The resort also is a quick shuttle ride away from historic Fernandina Beach, whose quaint downtown area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and at the time of Florida Encounter was decorated to resemble a Victorian Christmas.
Meanwhile, the bulk of the program was held at the Omni’s 80,000-square-foot conference center, with attendees enjoying a huge pool deck, fitness center, three golf courses and the Atlantic Ocean between sessions.
