In·spi·ra·tion is defined as the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something—especially to do something creative, and it was on Captiva Island that artist Robert Rauschenberg created many of his famed paintings, silkscreens and sculptures.
It was also on Captiva Island that Anne Morrow Lindbergh found inspiration at the beach, collecting shells and writing essays that formed her book Gifts From the Sea. And it was in Fort Myers where Thomas Alva Edison and Henry Ford made their winter homes—side by side—presumably having many a stimulating conversation while sitting on Ford’s front porch on the banks of the spectacular Caloosahatchee River.
With beautiful beaches, spectacular resorts, hotels and historical and other awe-inspiring venues, Southwest Florida just might be the perfect place for your next meeting or event.
Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands
“Port Charlotte is still known as ‘Old Florida.’ It hasn’t been over developed. Much of the area rests on preserved land for groups that want to take part in all kinds of back-to-nature activities. Kayaking, fishing, cruising upriver or a sunset cruise out to one of the islands are very popular,” said Sean Doherty, sales and sports marketing manager for the Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau.
In the 1800s Charlotte Harbor was a thriving area for the fishing industry. Today, Fisherman’s Village overlooking the harbor is a lively waterfront dining and entertainment complex with an award-winning marina, gourmet restaurants and unique shops.
Debbie Motz, executive director of the Eastern Outdoor Reps Association, has held tradeshows at the Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center overlooking the scenic Peace River and Charlotte Harbor.
“The quaint downtown area of Punta Gorda feels like ‘Old Florida,’’ she said. “And I mean this in the best way. Instead of being a number in a big convention city, when you’re in a smaller environment attendees have time to meet with people at the show. They introduce themselves at restaurants out on the town, creating a unique environment for camaraderie. This way they are inspired by people in their own industry.”
Another inspiring venue, especially for those who love old American cars, is the Muscle Car City Museum. The museum’s owner Rick Treworgy took his love of GM cars to the extreme and started collecting them in the 1960s. In 2009, Treworgy bought a vacant Wal-Mart to house the cars. The museum also includes a vintage-inspired diner.
Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel
The Fort Myers area, with its pristine beaches and abundant nature, must have been a muse for two of the most creative inventors in history: Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. The adjacent Edison & Ford Winter Estates are now a historical museum and botanical gardens.
“The grounds of Edison’s estate that so inspired him also inspire visiting groups,” said Anna Stone, director of sales for The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel. “Much of the inspiration comes from the outdoors. It’s a unique and special place where groups can try new things or lead a team. If you’re not inspired here, I don’t know what other location will do it.”
The museum at the estates has exhibits of Edison’s work as an inventor, including the telegraph, telephone, X-ray machine and Thomas Edison’s original custom-made Model T, a gift from Henry Ford. The museum is available for evening receptions, and the recently restored Caretaker’s House on property—one of the oldest buildings in Fort Myers—can be used for small meetings. It still has its original charm but has been updated with air conditioning, track lighting and a projection screen. Edison would be proud.
For groups staying on property, SunStream Hotels & Resorts offers Pointe Estero at Fort Myers Beach, which features beachside tiki huts as a backdrop for group barbecues or DiamondHead Beach Resort & Spa, where groups can use Chloes Terrace, overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.
Off the coast of Fort Myers are Captiva and Sanibel Islands.
“Sanibel Island is a perfect place to relax,” Stone said. “People love to come here and look for shells, and the island has even been named one of the top shelling islands [by Travel + Leisure].”
According to Stone, visitors bend over in a “Sanibel Stoop” to look for shells.
Debbie Regnone, owner of Resort Sports, based in Fort Myers, said, “We do a sunset social with cocktails on the beach with Adirondack chairs set up for everyone. We have a conchologist [expert on mollusks] to tell stories about the shells and share where and when the best places to shell are.”
Other great areas for beach activities or shelling, according to Regnone, are the islands Cabbage Key and Cayo Costa. Only accessible by boat and north of Sanibel Island, Cabbage Key has long been rumored to be the inspiration for the Jimmy Buffet song Cheeseburger in Paradise and the sparsely inhabited Cayo Costa State Park on Cayo Costa Island is a great place for groups to relax—or compete for the best sand sculpture.
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Bonita Springs
Between Fort Myers and Naples is the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort, where the Florida Society of Association Executives (FSAE) held its annual conference this past July.
“One of the great things for us was that the hotel feels like its own island, which kept everyone together creating more camaraderie and opportunities for networking and making connections,” said Adrian Amos Honderick, CAE, director of marketing and communications for FSAE. “At the annual gala party, which carried the theme ‘Illuminate: Gateway to Greatness,’ the ballroom was drenched in fun lighting and guests came dressed all in white.”
The group used the ballroom for general sessions throughout the event, Honderick noted. “But for the Gala, it was completely transformed. The Hyatt really outdid itself, creating a fresh, new space for us. It was fantastic.”
Honderick said everyone loved the property and the meeting: “It was one of our best-attended conferences.”
Naples/Marco Island
Debi DeBenedetto, group sales manager for the Naples Marco Island & Everglades CVB, said luxury is the inspiration is this area.
“We are the only destination in the U.S. with two Ritz-Carltons, and the Marriott will rebrand in 2017 as the JW Marriott Marco Island, the only JW Marriott beach resort in the country,” she said.
One group that was inspired by the beauty of Naples was an architectural firm responsible for the designs of New York’s Yankee Stadium and Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.
Lynn Silverman of Creative Event Planning in New York said, “Our group stayed at The Ritz-Carlton Naples and was inspired by the specialness of the location with the beach and golf courses and the gracious lifestyle. And, because we had a group of architects, we always go someplace special in terms of architecture.”
Noelle Mickey, managing partner of Naples-based GlobalWorks Events & Destination Management, helped put together the firm’s events.
“We took them to the Revs Institute for Automotive Research featuring the Collier Collection because it’s a uniquely designed building housing one of the most impressive collections of sports cars,” she said.
Mickey added that “Naples is an inspiring destination because it’s clean and safe and has something to appeal to every personality: art, history and activities for the active or non-active.”
The Naples Botanical Garden is one venue that’s high on DeBenedetto’s list for events.
“You can use the Japanese Garden and the Brazilian Garden, for example, and tailor the food and the decor,” she said. “The garden’s tropical location gives guests a year-round choice of themed landscapes from across the world. There’s also NGALA Wildlife Preserve, another memorable event venue for groups, with 50 wild animals roaming the property.”
But of all the venues in Naples, it’s the expansive beaches that inspire groups to come to the area, according to DeBenedetto.
“The beaches help market the meeting, which really helps with attendance,” she said.
