Thinking about Florida typically conjures to mind warm weather, turquoise waters and white-sand beaches. What most people don’t think about is the rich art scene in the Sunshine State, where in the ’50s and ’60s Florida Highwaymen—a group of 26 African-American artists—painted landscapes sold door-to door, and Okeechobee artist Robert Butler painted the Florida Everglades, among other American treasures. Exposing attendees to fascinating art venues to see these inspirational works is as sure a hit as a day at the beach.
“A museum event can be a welcome retreat from a day of long meetings at other properties and revitalize the spirits and creative thinking of conference attendees,” said Diana Schneider, event sales manager at the Salvador Dali Museum, located in St. Petersburg.
So, where do planners in search of a little cultural enrichment take their groups?
Miami
“One of the interesting trends we are seeing is that planners and attendees are looking to experience our neighborhoods,” said Barry Moskowitz, vice president of sales for the Miami CVB.
According to Moskowitz, the Wynwood Arts District is an area that features art galleries as well as street art painted on the sides of what were empty and abandoned buildings. These wall paintings have transformed what was a forgotten part of Miami into a colorful, lively outdoor art gallery.
“Groups can take a walking tour of these works outside, or experience art galleries indoors,” Moskowitz said.
Another option is to combine an art tour with a culinary tour, featuring food that is “an art form in itself,” said Grace Della, director of operations for Miami Culinary Tours. “Our Wynwood Food & Art Tour is for those who love to eat and want to learn why street art is becoming one of the most valuable expressions for art collectors,” Della said, adding that tour groups leave with an understanding of some of the top street and muralist artists in the world.
She also takes groups to visit unique galleries visitors likely would not find on their own and combines this with restaurant stops that reflect the area.
St. Petersburg
For those inclined to walk, the Central Arts District in downtown St. Petersburg features the St. Pete Mural Tour that offers guided walking tours to more than 30 urban murals of all sizes, shapes and styles.
“St Pete has taken mural art to the next level,” said Karn B. Clark, president of Tampa-based DMC BayArea Destination Management. “Yes, you can appreciate it on your own when traveling throughout the area, but you will enjoy it so much more when you take a walking tour and hear about the various artists and the meaning behind each work.”
She added, “Quaint shops along Central Avenue and nearby eateries are tucked in with wonderful boutiques and small galleries.”
Once attendees have marveled outdoors, they can take the magic indoors at St. Pete’s breathtaking Salvador Dali Museum, a venue ideal for a wide range of convention events, according to the Dali’s Schneider. With indoor function rooms able to accommodate groups of up to 650, the sweeping paved outdoor space and spectacular Avant Garden, both overlooking Tampa Bay, draw the collective breath of attendees.
“Our private events have access to the two galleries that include the largest collection of Dali’s work in North America,” Schneider said.
Raymond James partners with the Dali Museum on many events annually, said Liz Planz, senior meeting planner for Raymond James Financial, Inc., in St. Petersburg. Of many memorable events, the Raymond James Evening at the Dali stands out as a true showstopper, according to Planz.
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“We took over the entire first floor of the museum, including a red carpet to greet guests, valet parking, a Dali impersonator, docents and tours,” Planz said, adding that the group event department was great to work with and had preferred vendors to suit any budget and taste. “It really was as easy as a one-stop shop. The ‘wow’ factor was amazing without having to do much extra. And the museum is its own 'wow'.”
Fort Lauderdale
Planners looking for a venue with quiet charm and rich history can head east where the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens takes attendees back to a 1920s ambience. Amid a 35-acre estate, the tranquility of the courtyard fountain, garden setting and adjacent waterfront veranda make for an idyllic event location. The veranda and hibiscus garden seat 200 and 250 respectively, and a garden reception accommodates up to 500.
“The surrounding art and gardens helps enhance the beauty and setup of all events that take place in and around the house and courtyard,” said Monica Estevez, director of marketing for the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens.
Key West
Nowhere combines bucolic gardens with a taste of history quite like the Harry S. Truman Little White House museum in Key West. Originally known as President Truman’s Winter White House, the house opened as a state historic site and Florida’s only presidential museum in 1991.
Beneath the swaying palm trees, the lawn, just under an acre, is the largest in Key West; groups can seat 500 for dinner. Venues for a board meeting don’t get much better than the Presidential Dining Room where Truman himself hosted dinners. In the years since, notable guests include King Hussein of Jordan, Colin Powell and the Clintons.
Tours are de rigeur and will give attendees an intimate look at Truman’s life. Even the paintings on the walls are high-resolution scans of the original artwork loaned by the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, said Executive Director Bob Wolz.
“About 85 to 95 percent of the furnishings are original, all adding to this special and unique property,” he noted.
Located just a few blocks from most convention hotels, the property portrays both the quiet charm and powerful meetings that were part of Truman’s presidency.
Jacksonville
“Our attendees seem to really enjoy the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens,” said Sean Cleary, assistant director for Visit Programs, Georgia Southern University, in Statesboro. “One of the nicest features is its location on the river; our attendees have access to the gardens so they can mingle outside.”
Indoor spaces accommodate up to 300 people for a reception and about 200 for a seated dinner, said Cara Bowyer, director of events & programs at the Cummer Museum.
“And our gardens can accommodate up to 150 for a cocktail reception and 120 for a seated dinner,” she added.
Cleary enjoys that his attendees tend to dress up for events, giving them a more professional and formal atmosphere.
“Because we spread our event out across multiple rooms, they are able to experience a lot of what the museum has to offer—both inside and outside,” he said.
St. Augustine
Groups to St. Augustine can enjoy the Lightner Museum, housed in the former Alcazar Hotel, built by Henry Flagler in 1888. Home to one of the finest collections of fine and decorative 19th century art in the country, it can also be the perfect backdrop for a Downton Abbey themed event. In fact, from Oct. 4, 2017 through Jan. 7, 2018, the Dressing Downton: Changing Fashion for Changing Times exhibition will feature 36 costumes and accessories from the acclaimed series.
Guests can immerse themselves in the aristocratic world of Lord Grantham, his family and his servants told through period fashion. The story and costumes tell of a remarkable time in Great Britain’s history, specifically the period surrounding World War I—between 1912 to the mid-1920s—when the country experienced remarkable changes in societal norms.
