Tallahassee, Florida, USA – In Florida, the shoreline is second to none in quality and variety, meaning convention and meeting participants are richly rewarded for conducting their business in the Sunshine State.

For these fortunate meeting-goers, Florida's many coastal meeting facilities bring the beach to the meeting. In the Florida Keys, for example, a beautiful new conference center at Guy Harvey and Islander Resort in Islamorada features a two-story porch facing the ocean and verandas that allow attendees to take in the view between sessions.

Both the Miami Beach Convention Center and Daytona Beach's Ocean Center are within walking distance of the beach, making lunchtime strolls on the sand easy for attendees to enjoy.

Scores of convention-friendly hotels and resorts overlook the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, including legendary properties such as Fontainebleau Miami Beach, The Westin Diplomat Golf Resort & Spa in Hollywood, Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, Loews Don CeSar Resort on St. Petersburg Beach, and Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club. Sited on sparkling waterways are Tampa's convention center on the Hillsborough River, the Bradenton Area Convention Center on scenic Manatee River, and Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center adjacent to the famed Intracoastal Waterway.

Inland are the superb meeting facilities of Orlando, such as Orlando World Center Marriott, Westin Orlando Universal Boulevard, and Universal Orlando's Cabana Bay Beach Resort, as well as the PGA National Resort and Spa in Palm Beach, Vizcaya Museum & Gardens in Miami and the new Trump National Doral in Miami.

What's new in Florida meeting spaces

Trump National Doral and Spa, Miami. A jewel of the Trump Hotel Collection, it has 693 guest rooms, ballrooms, meeting facilities, a spa and the legendary Blue Monster championship golf course.

Loew's Portofino Bay Hotel, Orlando. At Universal Orlando, this $22 million renovation inspired by the Italian resort town of Portofino was unveiled in February 2014. It has 750 guest rooms, 42,000 square feet of meeting space, two ballrooms, seven restaurants, two lounges, three pools and a spa.

Hyatt Regency Orlando. Formerly Peabody Orlando, the 1,640-room resort underwent $40 million in renovations completed in late 2013. Attached to the Orange County Convention Center, it has 315,000 square feet of meeting space, three pools, three restaurants, a spa and a fitness center.

Le Meridien Tampa. A reborn landmark that embodies Tampa's authentic character, history and flair is now found at Le Meridien, the nationally registered historic Federal Courthouse. Its impressive architecture accommodates 4,000 square feet of modern function space, including a grand ballroom.

Epicurean Hotel, Tampa. The city's SoHo district is home to this boutique, food-focused hotel, a collaboration with legendary Bern's Steak House. More than 5,200 square feet of indoor and outdoor meetings space, including a grand ballroom and a theatre. Culinary presentations and team-building classes feature champagne, whiskey, tea, food and wine pairings, cooking and craft beer.

Coming soon to Florida

Hard Rock Hotel & Café waterfront complex, Daytona Beach

Four Seasons Resort Orlando, Walt Disney World

Hilton West Palm Beach, adjacent to the Palm Beach County Convention Center

All Aboard Florida, passenger rail service between Miami and Orlando, with stops in West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale.

For Florida meetings information:

Cheryl Hatcher
Director of Marketing & Events, VISIT FLORIDA
chatcher@VISITFLORIDA.org (850) 205-3831
www.FloridaMeetings.com

Media contact:

Laura Cassels
Public Relations, VISIT FLORIDA
lcassels@VISITFLORIDA.org (850) 205-3839
www.VISITFLORIDA.com/media

For more information about traveling in Florida, explore VISITFLORIDA.com.
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