Orlando could be the high U.S. selection for internet hosting conferences, nevertheless it doesn’t must be O-City or bust. There are different cities not generally thought of for conferences and occasions which may work in your group’s favor.
However how do you select from so many unknown locations? Effectively, that’s the place we are available in. Based mostly on GroupSync information and our personal journey experiences, the group at Groups360 has chosen 5 cities to shine a highlight on to get you pondering past the vacation spot establishment.
What issues when sourcing a metropolis?
Whereas we’ll encourage you to suppose exterior the field when selecting a bunch metropolis on your subsequent occasion, let’s additionally acknowledge there’s a field. A bunch journey or occasion planner’s must-have search standards usually embody:
1. Simple air journey
2. Conference heart and assembly room capability
3. Leisure alternatives
4. Public transportation
If you understand your wants for the above however are stumped in the case of the vacation spot, the beneath record affords some steerage. GroupSync’s AI can even make metropolis suggestions suited to your preferences and search standards.
Our employees’s high 5 picks to contemplate for conferences and occasions
ANAHEIM, CA
We are able to all agree the hotspot San Diego is gorgeous this time of yr—regardless of which season you’re studying this. But take a largely shoreline drive north, and also you’ll be in Anaheim in lower than two hours.
It’s bought theme parks, positive. Loads of them. (Insider tip: Go for inns near the Anaheim Conference Middle for those who plan to put on your mouse ears, as they’re nonetheless a brief drive from the parks whereas being on the extra economical finish.)
The Anaheim Resort, which comprises the conference heart, is your one-stop store. Disneyland. Assembly area. Lodge rooms. Eating places. Retailers. Internet hosting greater than 25 million guests a yr, it’s nonetheless being developed and constructed out.
Your outdoors-loving group will nonetheless get pleasure from California’s magnificence whereas bonding, as Anaheim GardenWalk is taken into account an “eatertainment” vacation spot. Its venues accommodate teams from massive to small, at 3,300 capability right down to 60.
Don’t miss it: Bringing Fido alongside? No judgment. Anaheim has dozens of pet-friendly resort lodging, and a few parks even provide daytime boarding.
Begin right here: Go to Anaheim
FORT MYERS, FL
Fort Myers is so intent on growing its occasion capability publicity that its Convention Companies group companions with assembly planners for a few of the heavy lifting. That features touring and inspecting services, assembly with native suppliers, and conference registration help, all of which is very useful for part-time planners.
Lee County additionally affords grants and incentives to corporations reserving conferences which can be held by a particular date.
You could be right here for work, however don’t miss the chance to recharge on the seaside. A brief drive away, Sanibel Island’s seashores are identified for his or her shelling, a meditative and enjoyable passion. There’s even a reputation for these seen participating within the observe: the Sanibel Stoop.
Within the night, stroll across the downtown core’s River District earlier than showtime on the Florida Repertory Theater, which the Wall Avenue Journal known as “one in every of America’s Prime Repertory Firms.”
Don’t miss it: Should you’re right here for the climate, get the total outside expertise by chartering a ship at one in every of 20 marinas.
Begin right here: Lee County Customer and Conference Bureau
MYRTLE BEACH, SC
There’s a preconception about Myrtle Seaside that isn’t flawed:
✓ Sandy seashores
✓ Golf programs
✓ Seafood
✓ Inns galore (425, finally rely)
✓ Tourism ($7 billion in annual financial impression)
But it’s an excellent convention, commerce present, and assembly selection, too. The Myrtle Seaside Conference Middle—welcoming greater than 14 million guests every year—is related to the Sheraton and steps away from the seaside (which, let’s be sincere, stays the principle draw).
To reap the benefits of that ocean breeze, go for the Occasions Plaza. The resort and conference heart’s concessionaire supplies all meals and beverage providers, that means one much less vendor so that you can e-book.
Don’t miss it: Go to Myrtle Seaside and the Champion Autism Community accomplice to coach employees at inns and eating places in order that they’re autism-aware and sensory-friendly experiences. The Myrtle Seaside Worldwide Airport even has a quiet room for decompressing earlier than or after a flight.
Begin right here: Go to Myrtle Seaside and Myrtle Seaside Space Conference and Guests Bureau
SAN ANTONIO, TX
Whereas Austin’s been conserving it bizarre, San Antonio’s been conserving it lovely. USAToday known as town’s 15-mile River Stroll one of many nation’s 10 most engaging sights—and fortuitously, the 1.6 million-square-foot Henry B. González Conference Middle sits proper on it.
But the River Stroll isn’t the one gem. There’s LEGOLAND Discovery Middle, the Carver Neighborhood Cultural Middle, and a gentle stream of occasions celebrating town’s variety. E-book a shoulder keep at one of many a whole bunch of inns for additional exploration time.
As for promoting your higher-ups on San Antonio, town’s made it simple to current on the assembly and occasion vacation spot: Discover B-roll, descriptive textual content, flooring plans, and extra on its web site.
Don’t miss it: Because the seventh-biggest metropolis in america, San Antonio covers its bases for guests to simply navigate—by double-decker bus, aircraft, boat, bike, foot, and public transit.
Begin right here: Go to San Antonio and Go to San Antonio – Conferences
SAVANNAH, GA
Whereas Atlanta is a perennial favourite because of its plethora of resort rooms and cheap common room charge, the actual fact that the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Worldwide Airport is the nation’s busiest airport is a deterrent. It’d really feel environment friendly to fly your group into this main hub, however after navigating via the practically 200 gates amongst hundreds of fellow vacationers, don’t overlook you continue to have post-airport site visitors to deal with.
Why Savannah? First, it’s downright charming with its Spanish moss-draped parks, riverboat cruises, and architectural excursions. It’s additionally extraordinarily walkable because of the metropolis’s grid.
Earlier than you let unfastened for playtime, although, contemplate the Savannah Conference Middle’s spectacular stats:
● A 330,000 sq. ft. complicated
● Divisible exhibit area of 100,000 sq. ft.
● 50,000 sq. ft. of assembly area
● A 25,000 sq. ft. Grand Ballroom
● 367-seat auditorium
Don’t miss it: The conference heart defines its sustainability practices, and selecting a lesser-known location like Savannah reveals you’re already contemplating your impression.
Begin right here: Go to Savannah
Bonus Vacation spot
OMAHA, NE
Omaha, named after a Native American Tribe, means “These going towards the wind or present.” That’s what you’d do by planning a gathering on this sudden occasion vacation spot—a metropolis that claims to have invented the Reuben sandwich, cake combine, and TV dinners.
Right here’s why we adore it:
1. Flight ease: nonstop service to 30 busy airports
2. Conference heart: CHI Well being Middle Omaha (346,000 sq. ft.) is 4 miles from the airport
3. Rooms galore: 15,000+ all through the metro
4. Transportation: taxis, rideshares, resort shuttle service, rental automobiles, motor coaches, and pedicabs
Don’t miss it: Additionally sudden in the case of Omaha? Its zoo—often called the most effective in america—is residence to the continent’s largest indoor rainforest. The zoo’s tens of millions of annual guests can vouch for it.
Begin right here: Go to Omaha
Reinvigorate your expertise by selecting a novel metropolis
Group journey and occasion planners can burn out on solely having the identical handful of choices. Choosing a novel metropolis can convey some much-needed change in addition to give attendees an expertise to stay up for.
Whereas GroupSync will at all times give you various vacation spot concepts based mostly in your journey and occasion necessities, be looking out for future weblog articles providing up further suggestions.
About Groups360
Groups360 was created with a singular objective — to empower assembly planners by bringing innovation, transparency and ease to the decades-old downside of reserving teams. The corporate’s built-in expertise answer, GroupSync™, allows suppliers to distribute stock, have interaction with planners, and optimize group income. GroupSync additionally equips planners to go looking and store inns worldwide and to e-book rooms and area instantly, on-line or via a simplified RFP course of. GroupSync is the primary distribution channel to supply on-line reserving for each group resort roomsandmeeting area.
Groups360 has workplaces in Nashville, London and Singapore. Study extra at groups360.com.
Hal Hassall
Vice President of Advertising
Groups360
