Orlando may be the high U.S. selection for internet hosting conferences, nevertheless it doesn’t should be O-City or bust. There are different cities not generally thought-about for conferences and occasions which may work in your group’s favor.
However how do you select from so many unknown locations? Nicely, that’s the place we are available. Based mostly on GroupSync knowledge and our personal journey experiences, the workforce 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 are going to encourage you to assume outdoors the field when choosing a number metropolis on your subsequent occasion, let’s additionally acknowledge there’s a field. A bunch journey or occasion planner’s must-have search standards sometimes embrace:
1. Straightforward air journey
2. Conference middle and assembly room capability
3. Leisure alternatives
4. Public transportation
If you realize your wants for the above however are stumped in terms of the vacation spot, the under checklist gives some steering. 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 principally shoreline drive north, and also you’ll be in Anaheim in lower than two hours.
It’s received theme parks, certain. Loads of them. (Insider tip: Go for accommodations near the Anaheim Conference Heart in the event you 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 accommodates the conference middle, 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 giant to small, at 3,300 capability all the way 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 rising its occasion capability publicity that its Convention Companies workforce companions with assembly planners for a number of the heavy lifting. That features touring and inspecting amenities, assembly with native suppliers, and conference registration help, all of which is particularly useful for part-time planners.
Lee County additionally gives grants and incentives to firms reserving conferences which are held by a selected date.
You may be right here for work, however don’t miss the chance to recharge on the seashore. A brief drive away, Sanibel Island’s seashores are recognized for his or her shelling, a meditative and stress-free pastime. There’s even a reputation for these seen participating within the apply: 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 Road Journal known as “one in every of America’s High Repertory Firms.”
Don’t miss it: If you happen to’re right here for the climate, get the complete 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 Seashore that isn’t flawed:
✓ Sandy seashores
✓ Golf programs
✓ Seafood
✓ Inns galore (425, eventually rely)
✓ Tourism ($7 billion in annual financial impression)
But it’s an excellent convention, commerce present, and assembly selection, too. The Myrtle Seashore Conference Heart—welcoming greater than 14 million guests every year—is related to the Sheraton and steps away from the seashore (which, let’s be trustworthy, stays the principle draw).
To reap the benefits of that ocean breeze, go for the Occasions Plaza. The resort and conference middle’s concessionaire offers all meals and beverage companies, which means one much less vendor so that you can ebook.
Don’t miss it: Go to Myrtle Seashore and the Champion Autism Community accomplice to coach employees at accommodations and eating places so that they’re autism-aware and sensory-friendly experiences. The Myrtle Seashore Worldwide Airport even has a quiet room for decompressing earlier than or after a flight.
Begin right here: Go to Myrtle Seashore and Myrtle Seashore Space Conference and Guests Bureau
SAN ANTONIO, TX
Whereas Austin’s been holding it bizarre, San Antonio’s been holding it stunning. USAToday known as the town’s 15-mile River Stroll one of many nation’s 10 most tasty sights—and fortunately, the 1.6 million-square-foot Henry B. González Conference Heart sits proper on it.
But the River Stroll isn’t the one gem. There’s LEGOLAND Discovery Heart, the Carver Neighborhood Cultural Heart, and a gradual stream of occasions celebrating the town’s variety. Guide a shoulder keep at one of many lots of of accommodations for additional exploration time.
As for promoting your higher-ups on San Antonio, the town’s made it straightforward 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 the US, 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 as a consequence 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 would really feel environment friendly to fly your workforce into this main hub, however after navigating by the practically 200 gates amongst 1000’s of fellow vacationers, don’t neglect you continue to have post-airport visitors to cope with.
Why Savannah? First, it’s downright charming with its Spanish moss-draped parks, riverboat cruises, and architectural excursions. It’s additionally extraordinarily walkable as a result of metropolis’s grid.
Earlier than you let free for playtime, although, contemplate the Savannah Conference Heart’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 middle defines its sustainability practices, and selecting a lesser-known location like Savannah exhibits 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 in opposition to the wind or present.” That’s what you’d do by planning a gathering on this surprising 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 middle: CHI Well being Heart 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 surprising in terms of Omaha? Its zoo—referred to as the most effective in the US—is residence to the continent’s largest indoor rainforest. The zoo’s thousands and thousands 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 deliver some much-needed change in addition to give attendees an expertise to sit up for.
Whereas GroupSync will at all times offer you different vacation spot concepts based mostly in your journey and occasion necessities, be looking out for future weblog articles providing up extra suggestions.
About Groups360
Groups360 was created with a singular aim — to empower assembly planners by bringing innovation, transparency and ease to the decades-old downside of reserving teams. The corporate’s built-in know-how resolution, GroupSync™, permits suppliers to distribute stock, interact with planners, and optimize group income. GroupSync additionally equips planners to look and store accommodations worldwide and to ebook rooms and area immediately, on-line or by 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. Be taught extra at groups360.com.
Hal Hassall
Vice President of Advertising
Groups360
