Located in Southwest Florida on the Gulf of Mexico, The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel is home to more than 100 islands and natural environments like mangrove forests, calm waterways and over 50 miles of white-sand beaches. This natural beauty is easy to enjoy at meetings, thanks to open-air venues and a variety of outdoor group activities like kayaking, yoga and more.
Benefits of Meeting Outdoors
The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel enjoys pleasant weather year-round, making it an attractive location for outdoor meetings when other parts of the country grow cold. And, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many attendees may feel more comfortable meeting outdoors.
Meeting outside in a setting like The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel can improve the attendee experience and wellness. Jill Vance, director of sales at The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel, said her team has learned that natural settings can improve meeting performance by:
- Boosting memory
- Overcoming creative blocks
- Increasing brain function
- Improving mental health
“Bottom line, nature has qualities that improve the success of a conference by helping attendees with focus and clarity. When in a natural setting, one can quiet the mind from the noise of emails and looming deadlines,” Vance explained. “As a result, nature can spark new ideas, new connections and an affinity for inspiration.”
[Listen: Incorporating Wellness into Your Meeting on The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel]
Outdoor Venues on The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel
Most of the destination’s hotels, venues and restaurants have outdoor spaces that are designed to accommodate a variety of groups. Here are just a few examples that planners may want to consider.
1. The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village
This popular resort is located on a full-service marina and hosts outdoor group events on their Tarpon Terrace rooftop, spacious Gazebo Lawn and Lower Promenade, which all have scenic coastal views.
2. Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa
Two airy event lawns and two multipurpose pool decks are the main outdoor event spaces at this waterfront resort. Also, just a short boat ride away, planners can organize special events on the beach of the resort’s own private island.
3. Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa
Located a short distance from the famed beaches of Sanibel Island, the outdoor event space here doesn’t disappoint, which includes poolside areas and a riverside beach. For a special excursion, you can take your group on a dinner cruise aboard the resort’s own Sanibel Harbour Princess Yacht.
4. The Luminary Hotel & Co.
The newest convention hotel in downtown Fort Myers, which opened in September 2020, is a part of the Autograph Collection by Marriott and comes with a host of outdoor spaces to take advantage of the area’s pleasant weather. Al fresco dining areas at the property’s signature restaurants, plus a rooftop lounge and a large pool deck, all overlook the waterfront River District of downtown Fort Myers.
Additionally, The Luminary provides all services for the adjacent 42,000-square-foot Caloosa Sound Convention Center—and coming this summer, an outdoor amphitheater.
5. Beachfront Properties
A visit to The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel would not be complete without a trip to the beach, and fortunately beachfront properties abound in the area, including:
- South Seas Island Resort, Captiva Island
- Sundial Beach Resort, Sanibel Island
- DiamondHead Beach Resort and the Pink Shell Beach Resort, Fort Myers Beach
While Vance noted that waterfront properties are in high demand on The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel, the destination’s inland properties boast outdoor spaces that are also impressive.
“Our inland meeting hotels like the Crowne Plaza Fort Myers at Bell Tower Shops, Embassy Suites Fort Myers/Estero and Holiday Inn Ft Myers Airport Town Center also have gorgeous covered patios and outdoor courtyards,” Vance added.
Read Next: Resources for Hybrid Meetings on The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel
This article is brought to you in partnership with The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel
