Black Meetings & Tourism - FLORIDA’S PARADISE COAST IS THE IDEAL DESTINATION FOR “BLEISURE” TRAVEL

Industry Briefs
FLORIDA’S PARADISE COAST IS THE IDEAL DESTINATION FOR “BLEISURE” TRAVEL
Corporate Group Attendees Arrive Early and Extend Stays to Enjoy Destination Amenities Meeting venues and hotels across Florida's Paradise Coast welcome corporate travelers back as pent-up demand for in-person meetings steadily grows, and the desire for personal travel exceeds all expectations. As a result, corporate travelers are combining the best of both worlds by booking pre-and post-meeting vacation time. The trend, defined as "bleisure" travel, allows meeting attendees to immerse themselves in all the destination has to offer, from sunshine-filled skies and seashell-laden beaches to world-class culinary experiences and designer boutiques. The popularity of Florida's Paradise Coast makes it a highly desirable location for incentive meetings, allowing corporate leadership the opportunity to reward their top contributors in style. While meeting planners vie for prime dates during high season, they should also consider booking shoulder seasons, which offer excellent alternatives to the prime rates and limited availability in high season. Florida's Paradise Coast has seen a significant increase in planners booking well into 2022 and 2023, so being proactive with date options allow planners the best options for their group. Business groups booking at a location within Florida's Paradise Coast enjoy a wide variety of venues with flexible space that can accommodate both outdoor and indoor requirements with plenty of room for social distancing. Groups choose from relaxed sophistication on Marco Island or traditional elegance, outstanding golf, and contemporary charm in Naples. Team-building and extracurricular activities abound in the adventurous, nature-infused options in the Everglades. Florida's Paradise Coast meeting partners consistently receive high marks and awards from within the industry for service excellence and detail-oriented execution. State-of-the-art technology and multi-functional meeting spaces offer the ability to host beachside networking events, complex medical and scientific presentations, advanced educational seminars, and hybrid-virtual capabilities to meet every groups needs and preferences. "Florida's Paradise Coast sets the standard for service excellence in the meetings industry, rounded out with over 300 days of sunshine per year and an abundance of outdoor recreational activities," said Lisa Chamberlain, Group Sales Manager at Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB. "This is the ultimate destination to conduct business and mix in a bit of relaxation at the same time. There is so much to offer as an incentive meeting location due to the popularity and prestige of the destination." Chamberlain continues: "Corporate meeting attendees look forward to playing a championship golf course that one of their idols plays regularly, and then extend their stay to spend quality time with family. Or, they can experience an Everglades adventure as a side trip with friends. These options, in addition to our outstanding meeting venues, makes Florida's Paradise Coast a standout location. The only advice I can give to planners is to book as early as possible to get their date of choice since it is such a highly sought-after destination." Highlighted venues on Florida's Paradise Coast: JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort features 100,000 sq. ft. of indoor meeting space and extensive outdoor areas including beachfront, resort courtyards and more. The Ritz-Carlton, Naples features 42,000 square feet of meeting space and one of the biggest, most comprehensive, on-site destination management companies in the country. The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples inspires golf getaways in South Florida at the resort's two 18-hole courses designed by Greg Norman at Tiburón Golf Club. The resort also offers a spa and 16,500 sq. ft. of meeting space. Naples Grande Beach Resort boasts more than 80,000 sq. ft. of customizable indoor and outdoor function space, and an outstanding beachfront location. Innovation Hotel offers 14,726 sq. ft. of premium meeting space of uncompromising quality for small groups. Its showcase Innovation Cinema boasts a 165", ultra-high-definition 4K screen with surround sound, perfect for medical education or high-tech seminars and superior indoor/ outdoor break-out space. LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort provides creative spaces backed by stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico. It features 11,500 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor meeting space. The Artis-Naples cultural campus and world-class arts destination features the Hayes Hall auditorium, which can seat up to 1,425 guests. The destination is conveniently located from all Southwest Florida's major airports including, Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Miami International Airport (MIA) and Tampa International Airport (TPA). For more information or to plan a meeting on Florida's Paradise Coast, visit https://www.paradisecoast.com/meetings. About Florida's Paradise Coast The Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) is the official source for area travel and tourism information about Florida's Paradise Coast. Located in Southwest Florida, this premiere vacation and meeting destination offers leisure, group and business travelers a variety of exceptional options year-round. Along a 30-mile Gulf of Mexico coastline ribboned with soft, white sand beaches, visitors enjoy a refined yet relaxed atmosphere with a thriving arts and culture scene, exceptional restaurants, and eclectic and luxury boutique shopping experiences. Home to over 90 public and private golf courses, sports enthusiasts have access to a variety of championship courses; pickleball and tennis facilities; and water activities ranging from kayaking to sailing charters. Outdoor adventure activities include exploring and photographing the world-famous Everglades - the only sub-tropical mangrove wilderness in the U.S. and features endangered and rare wildlife species in their natural habitat, including over 350 species of birds. Florida's Paradise Coast is truly where the high life meets the wildlife. Recent accolades include being named the No. 1 "Best Beach Town in the U.S. to Live In," No. 1 "Healthiest and Happiest City in America" and "One of the Best Small Cities in the U.S." Located just two hours from Miami, three hours from Tampa, and four hours from Orlando, Florida's Paradise Coast is easily accessible by Interstate highway. Travelers outside of the Sunshine State can fly into Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), Punta Gorda (PGD), Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Miami (MIA). For more information about Florida's Paradise Coast, call 800-688-3600, visit ParadiseCoast.com, and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Industry Briefs

FLORIDA’S PARADISE COAST IS THE IDEAL DESTINATION FOR “BLEISURE” TRAVEL

Corporate Group Attendees Arrive Early and Extend Stays to Enjoy Destination Amenities

Meeting venues and hotels across Florida's Paradise Coast welcome corporate travelers back as pent-up demand for in-person meetings steadily grows, and the desire for personal travel exceeds all expectations. As a result, corporate travelers are combining the best of both worlds by booking pre-and post-meeting vacation time.

The trend, defined as "bleisure" travel, allows meeting attendees to immerse themselves in all the destination has to offer, from sunshine-filled skies and seashell-laden beaches to world-class culinary experiences and designer boutiques. The popularity of Florida's Paradise Coast makes it a highly desirable location for incentive meetings, allowing corporate leadership the opportunity to reward their top contributors in style.

While meeting planners vie for prime dates during high season, they should also consider booking shoulder seasons, which offer excellent alternatives to the prime rates and limited availability in high season. Florida's Paradise Coast has seen a significant increase in planners booking well into 2022 and 2023, so being proactive with date options allow planners the best options for their group.

Business groups booking at a location within Florida's Paradise Coast enjoy a wide variety of venues with flexible space that can accommodate both outdoor and indoor requirements with plenty of room for social distancing. Groups choose from relaxed sophistication on Marco Island or traditional elegance, outstanding golf, and contemporary charm in Naples. Team-building and extracurricular activities abound in the adventurous, nature-infused options in the Everglades.

Florida's Paradise Coast meeting partners consistently receive high marks and awards from within the industry for service excellence and detail-oriented execution. State-of-the-art technology and multi-functional meeting spaces offer the ability to host beachside networking events, complex medical and scientific presentations, advanced educational seminars, and hybrid-virtual capabilities to meet every groups needs and preferences.

"Florida's Paradise Coast sets the standard for service excellence in the meetings industry, rounded out with over 300 days of sunshine per year and an abundance of outdoor recreational activities," said Lisa Chamberlain, Group Sales Manager at Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB. "This is the ultimate destination to conduct business and mix in a bit of relaxation at the same time. There is so much to offer as an incentive meeting location due to the popularity and prestige of the destination." Chamberlain continues: "Corporate meeting attendees look forward to playing a championship golf course that one of their idols plays regularly, and then extend their stay to spend quality time with family. Or, they can experience an Everglades adventure as a side trip with friends. These options, in addition to our outstanding meeting venues, makes Florida's Paradise Coast a standout location. The only advice I can give to planners is to book as early as possible to get their date

of choice since it is such a highly sought-after destination."

Highlighted venues on Florida's Paradise Coast:

JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort features 100,000 sq. ft. of indoor meeting space and extensive outdoor areas including beachfront, resort courtyards and more.

The Ritz-Carlton, Naples features 42,000 square feet of meeting space and one of the biggest, most comprehensive, on-site destination management companies in the country.

The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples inspires golf getaways in South Florida at the resort's two 18-hole courses designed by Greg Norman at Tiburón Golf Club. The resort also offers a spa and 16,500 sq. ft. of meeting space.

Naples Grande Beach Resort boasts more than 80,000 sq. ft. of customizable indoor and outdoor function space, and an outstanding beachfront location.

Innovation Hotel offers 14,726 sq. ft. of premium meeting space of uncompromising quality for small groups. Its showcase Innovation Cinema boasts a 165", ultra-high-definition 4K screen with surround sound, perfect for medical education or high-tech seminars and superior indoor/ outdoor break-out space.

LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort provides creative spaces backed by stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico. It features 11,500 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor meeting space.

The Artis-Naples cultural campus and world-class arts destination features the Hayes Hall auditorium, which can seat up to 1,425 guests.

The destination is conveniently located from all Southwest Florida's major airports including, Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Miami International Airport (MIA) and Tampa International Airport (TPA).

For more information or to plan a meeting on Florida's Paradise Coast, visit https://www.paradisecoast.com/meetings.

About Florida's Paradise Coast

The Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) is the official source for area travel and tourism information about Florida's Paradise Coast. Located in Southwest Florida, this premiere vacation and meeting destination offers leisure, group and business travelers a variety of exceptional options year-round. Along a 30-mile Gulf of Mexico coastline ribboned with soft, white sand beaches, visitors enjoy a refined yet relaxed atmosphere with a thriving arts and culture scene, exceptional restaurants, and eclectic and luxury boutique shopping experiences. Home to over 90 public and private golf courses, sports enthusiasts have access to a variety of championship courses; pickleball and tennis facilities; and water activities ranging from kayaking to sailing charters. Outdoor adventure activities include exploring and photographing the world-famous Everglades - the only sub-tropical mangrove wilderness in the U.S. and features endangered and rare wildlife species in their natural habitat, including over 350 species of birds. Florida's Paradise Coast is truly where the high life meets the wildlife. Recent accolades include being named the No. 1 "Best Beach Town in the U.S. to Live In," No. 1 "Healthiest and Happiest City in America" and "One of the Best Small Cities in the U.S." Located just two hours from Miami, three hours from Tampa, and four hours from Orlando, Florida's Paradise Coast is easily accessible by Interstate highway. Travelers outside of the Sunshine State can fly into Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), Punta Gorda (PGD), Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Miami (MIA). For more information about Florida's Paradise Coast, call 800-688-3600, visit ParadiseCoast.com, and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.