Orlando
Showing A Fun Yet Sophisticated Business Side
By Selena Chavis It’s not only the number one travel destination in the world, serving 50 million visitors each year, but Orlando, Fla., is also the second largest meeting, convention and trade show market in the country. “True to our creative heritage,” said Tammi Runzler, vice president of sales and services for the Orlando/Orange County Convention and Visitors Bureau, “Orlando offers endless possibilities for imaginative special events and is consistently rated as a top service-oriented destination.”
Located in Central Florida and home to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, SeaWorld and a vast entertainment mecca, Orlando is emerging as a destination for “the most sophisticated business traveler,” according to local tourism officials.
Runzler said the city is developing a more upscale convention center district with a number of new dining and entertainment options like the Capital Grille, The Oceannaire Seafood Room, Tommy Bahama’s Tropical Café and B.B. King’s Blues Club.
These venues support the high volume of group business to the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC), which ranks as the second largest U.S. convention facility, encompassing more than 7 million square feet of total space and 2.2 million square feet of exhibit space.
Meanwhile, the destination’s hotel marketplace is evolving. “We’re very excited about several new upscale hotels coming into the market,” Runzler said, pointing to properties that include the first Waldorf=Astoria outside of New York City, two Hiltons, a Westin, a Four Seasons, and an InterContinental hotel.
Construction is under way on the 1,260-room InterContinental Resort and Residences Orlando—the largest InterContinental in the world and the soon-to-be official hotel property of the OCCC. The first phase of the $800 million Palazzo del Lago destination resort on Lake Byron, the InterContinental will be located on 41 acres and will not only offer a lakeside beach but also a 121,000-square-foot convention facility, according to George Fletcher, resort president, who explained that the resort will offer casual elegance in an Italian Renaissance theme.
Hilton also recently announced the groundbreaking of the 1,400-room Hilton Orlando located adjacent to the OCCC and scheduled to open in 2009. The property is set to house 130,000 square feet of meeting space situated around a 50,000-square-foot grand ballroom, said Ira Mitzner, president of Rida Development Corporation, who will act as lead developer of the project. “The Hilton Orlando is a true full-service hotel that will not only serve the convention center but will also have a great leisure and spa component.”
The 470-unit Westin Imagine Orlando Residences is slated for completion in spring 2008 as part of the Village of Imagine, a 30-acre planned resort village located near the OCCC. Sue Brush, senior vice president of Westin Hotels and Resorts, said the residential-based hotel will provide an “innovative approach to residences that will create a special guest experience.” Meeting space will total more than 7,000 square feet.
Groundbreaking ceremonies for the 498-room Waldorf=Astoria at Bonnet Creek and the 1,000-room Hilton Bonnet Creek Hotel began adjacent to the Walt Disney World Resort in April 2007. Both managed by Hilton Hotels Corporation, the projects are expected to exceed $500 million with openings slated for late 2009, according to Tom Keltner, CEO of Americas and Global Brands for Hilton Hotels Corporation. “We are excited to introduce these two distinctive upscale hotels to this marketplace—one, under the renowned Hilton name, will be the largest of Hilton’s U.S. mainland resorts and a great addition to Hilton’s worldwide resort portfolio, and the other an ultra-luxury Waldorf=Astoria.”
Highlights of these Bonnet Creek properties include a Rees Jones Championship golf course and 125,000 square feet of meeting space with a conference center housing 90,000 square feet.
Walt Disney World Resort recently reported plans to convert its Eagle Pines and Osprey Ridge golf courses into a golf community anchored by a new Four Seasons hotel property, said Kathleen Taylor, president and chief operating officer of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, adding that site work could begin later this year with an opening in 2010.
New properties may be getting a lot of attention in Orlando, but properties that are renovating and enhancing their existing facilities are also making headlines.
Director of Sales and Marketing Gary Dybul said that the Renaissance Orlando Resort at SeaWorld is wrapping up a $27 million project that’s enhancing the entire property. The final phase of the effort will culminate with the opening of the Lotus Spa in February. Dybul said the 716-room hotel now has a sushi bar in the main atrium with a 35-foot media wall. More than 185,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 36,000-square-foot ballroom, is available.
According to Director of Sales Sheri Wallen, the Peabody Orlando recently broke ground on an estimated $420 million expansion effort that will add 750 guest rooms for a total of 1,641; expand meeting space by 140,000 square feet for a total of 200,000; add a 55,000-square-foot ballroom; and introduce a 15,000-square-foot spa. The expansion will also add outdoor waterfall enhancements to function areas and convert tennis courts into an English Garden venue.
The 2,000-room Orlando World Center Marriott Resort and Convention Center recently opened its new 105,000-square-foot Cypress Ballroom. Five times the size of the White House, the addition substantially increases meeting space, Director of Sales and Marketing Tim Pyne said, affording planners 450,000 square feet of flexible event space almost entirely on one level and all under one roof. “The Cypress Ballroom is impressive in its design, functionality, technology and décor,” Pyne said. “The largest pillar-free resort ballroom in the nation is simply something you have to see to believe.”
Rosen Hotels and Resorts offers three convention hotels in the Orlando area: the 800-room Rosen Plaza, the 1,334-room Rosen Centre and the 1,500-room Rosen Shingle Creek, the newest of the three properties. “All three Rosen properties are One Palm Green Lodges as designated by the state of Florida and the Department of Environmental protection,” said Mary Deatrick, company spokesperson. “To be designated a Florida Green Lodge, hotels must follow certain green practices.”
The Rosen Shingle Creek opened its doors in 2006 offering 445,000 square feet of meeting space. The Rosen Centre offers 106,000 square feet of meeting space, and the Rosen Plaza offers 60,000 square feet. According to Victoria Hall, director of sales and marketing at the Rosen Plaza, the property just completed a total renovation of its ballroom and pre-function area.”
According to Michelle Valle, marketing and communications manager for the Grande Lakes properties, the 934-room JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes recently transformed its 28,000-square-foot Coquina Ballroom. “It now features Roman arches and limestone framing the doors and new carpet,” she said. “This space was originally built as an exhibition hall, and in response to our client’s needs, we enhanced it and it is now a ballroom.” The property houses more than 100,000 square feet of meeting space.
A sister property to the JW Marriott is the 584-room Ritz-Carlton, Orlando Grande Lakes, housing 47,000 square feet of function space as well as 64,000 square feet of outdoor space.
Key Info · Sales Tax: 6.5 percent
· Hotel Tax: 6 percent
· Transportation: Most hotel properties offer complimentary shuttle service to local attractions. The I-Ride Trolley transports visitors along International Drive for $1 per ride. |
Kari Knon, group and convention marketing manager for Disney Resort Destinations, said, “Disney is always introducing new attractions and celebrations, like the current Year of a Million Dreams celebration that create new experiences and venues for groups.” Other plans are also under way for 2008, including the introduction of new attractions and venues like Toy Story Mania; the new Jostens Center, a multi-sport facility at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex; and new dining options at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.
Francie Syron at the 652-room Holiday Inn International Drive Resort said the property recently completed a renovation of its convention center that has two ballrooms for groups of up 1,000. “Our meeting planners are accustomed to a few programs at the hotel, including our VIP meeting planner program.”
According to Lisa Moore, marketing and ecommerce director, the 427-room Orlando Airport Marriott completed a $13 million renovation last year that included a new lobby with a Starbucks, two new restaurants and updated guest rooms. “Our dramatic renovations are meant to provide the ultimate experience in comfort while traveling,” Moore said. The property offers 29,700 square feet of meeting space and 27 meeting rooms.
The 390-room Sheraton Orlando North raised its flag last year following a multimillion-dollar renovation. Situated in the Maitland Center corporate park, the hotel houses 15,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, a restaurant, a bar, a state-of-the-art business center, a fitness center, a Starbucks Coffee Store, a concierge lounge and other amenities. General Manager Peter Valenzuela said, “This flag raising marks the completion of a spectacular, year-long renovation. Guests here will find everything they need now, from richly appointed guest rooms and a cool pool with water features to a majestic ballroom and world-class catering and event planning services.”
Located less than one mile from the convention center, the 522-room Orlando Metropolitan Resort is remodeling its exterior entry rooms. The property houses 7,000 square feet of meeting space.
Other options in the area include the 720-room Omni Orlando Resort at Champions Gate. Surrounded by 1,200 acres of well-preserved wetlands, the property features 70,000 square feet of function space, 36 holes of championship golf, and 15 acres of pools and recreation activities.
The 174-room Embassy Suites Hotel Orlando Airport, which is located one mile from the Orlando International Airport, can accommodate groups of up to 180.
The 244-room Embassy Suites Hotel Orlando International Drive recently renovated its suites. The property houses more than 5,000 square feet of function space.
Located near the University of Central Florida, (UCF), the 250-room Holiday Inn Select Orlando East (UCF) Hotel offers 6,000 square feet of function space.
The 229-suite Doubletree Guest Suites in the Walt Disney World Resort offers 3,500 square feet of meeting space and provides continuous, complimentary transportation to all of Disney’s attractions.
The 189-room Mission Inn Resort and Club is located 35 minutes northwest of Orlando and offers 30,000 square feet of function space and two championship golf courses.
Showcasing more than 100 rare works of art, the 250-room Grand Bohemian Hotel Orlando can accommodate groups of up to 200.
