Touria Ouaddahou set out to change the event planning experience for the Wyndham Orlando Resort International Drive in Central Florida, and by all accounts, she has delivered. Ouaddahou, the resort’s dynamic new director of events, believes meeting professionals should not be restricted by pre-determined, or fixed packages and menus, and instead, enjoy the freedom to create their own bill of fare, bar package and overall event theme, all at a fair price. For meeting professionals, this is quite literally a dream come true.
The opportunity to hire outside catering is rare in this industry and appeals to meeting professionals looking to maintain
control and customize their event menus, particularly for cultural events and theme parties. Ouaddahou’s team really shines working directly with planners, gathering and utilizing the property’s resources and expertise to execute memorable meetings and events. Planning events for a variety of cultures? Ouaddahou’s team has developed enduring relationships with local caterers who specialize in Indian, Kosher, Halal and other ethnic cuisines.
“Our guests love being able to host their event on our amazing property while enjoying delicious food expertly prepared by a specialty caterer who understands the cultural significance of the event,” Ouaddahou explained. “We’ve become known in Central Florida as a premier event venue for many cultural and unique events.”
Once guests hire an outside caterer for their event, Ouaddahou and her team take the reins to bring your vision to life. With the resort’s own tools, including servers, displays, tables, linens and anything else a creative planner requires, the Wyndham team serves up magical event experiences.
“Touria’s bright personality and impressive attention to detail makes her the perfect person to oversee our revamped event planning initiatives,” said Steve Garner, director of sales and marketing for the resort. “From large-scale business conventions to intimate dinners, there’s nothing Touria and her team can’t do.”
The Wyndham is centrally located on International Drive (I-Drive), a tremendous selling point for planners who want their attendees to enjoy the walkability I-Drive offers. A mere 20-minute drive from Orlando International Airport and the lively downtown scene, the hotel offers 613 rooms and 60,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, including two grand ballrooms and several stunning outdoor spaces. Just steps from the dining and entertainment options at ICON Park, your attendees will delight in Madame Tussauds wax museum and ICON Park’s 400-foot Ferris Wheel for unforgettable views of the entire convention district and nightly fireworks from area theme parks. Also on the menu are nearby restaurants, such as Blake Shelton’s Ole Red, The Yard House and Tapa Toro Spanish Restaurant, all favored and familiar with group events.
A world-class resort, with flexible event packages in an incredible location. What more could a meeting planner want? The dedication of a cracker jack staff that love what they do.
"I enjoy hospitality because I find myself in the service of others, helping them create memorable experiences and providing a home away from home,” Ouaddahou enthused. “I love helping plan each event as if it were one of my own. It brings me great joy to be part of such exquisite occasions.”
To learn more about meeting and event services at Wyndham Orlando Resort International Drive, contact: Steve Garner, Director of Sales & Marketing, 407-355-3667.
Sponsored by Visit Orlando
