On Site in Orlando: What’s New & Trending for Trade Shows
November 13, 2024
What do trade show organizers need to know about Orlando, Fla.?
In October, we spent 72 hours in the Sunshine State to discover what’s new for attendees and exhibitors in the theme park capital of the world, as well to find out what’s trending for trade shows.
Here’s what you need to know.
Getting there: Located about 20 minutes from downtown Orlando and with easy highway access, the Orlando International Airport (with the airport code of MCO) is about 12 miles away from the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) and major convention hotels that are connected or within walking distance of OCCC. As of Aug. 30, 2024, 51.2 million domestic and 7.4 million internationals travelers came through the airport in the last 12 months. These numbers represent a year-over-year increase of 5.7% for domestic and 12.5% for international, according to a report by the airport.
Where we stayed: Located 20 miles from MCO, Conrad Orlando is Orlando’s first Hilton luxury brand, with 433 rooms, a spa and numerous dining options – including its signature rooftop experience at Cieba. Located at Evermore Orlando Resort, the property overlooks a golf course, a two-story boathouse for private events and Evermore Bay’s crystal lagoon and sandy beaches.
Where to host conventions: Owned and operated by Orange County Government and located in the heart of the area's tourism district, the OCCC hosted 189 events that attracted 1.7 million attendees during its last fiscal year, OCCC Deputy Director Eric Blanc told us. OCCC currently offers two concourses with a total of seven million square feet of space, flexible facilities, and 47 nearby hotels. Funding has been approved for additional meeting space and a new ballroom, with construction expected to begin in 2025 and be completed by 2028. Additionally, the Linda W. Chapin Theatre, which can be used for general sessions, concerts and more, is undergoing a renovation that is scheduled to re-open with 2,643 seats in December in time for The American Association of Equine Practitioners Annual Convention.
Meeting Space at the Conrad: The resort offers 40,000 square feet of indoor meeting and 25,000 square feet of outdoor space. With 23-foot ceilings, the Acacia ballroom includes 15,000 square feet, which is divisible into five spaces that opens into a foyer with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Evermore Bay. The Jacaranda Ballroom provides a 6,500-square-foot space that is divisible into four with 20-foot ceilings opening into a foyer with floor-to-ceiling windows. An outdoor terrace features sweeping views of the golf course.
Where to grab a drink: Apéro at Conrad Orlando. Apéro evokes the al fresco spirit and relaxed sensibility of the Mediterranean Riviera. Try refreshing cocktails or pick amongst the wide selection fine Italian wines.
Dining at Conrad: Sophia’s Trattoria, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, celebrates the diverse culinary traditions of Southern Italy with a wide range of cooking styles, traditional recipes, and seasonal ingredients.
Best view for fireworks at Conrad: Ceiba on the rooftop. Enjoy drinks at this rooftop Mexican restaurant and lounge offering elevated cuisine, an extensive agave spirits collection with more than 150 tequila options, and scenic views of Central Florida, including nightly theme park fireworks.
What to do at Conrad: Spa and cabanas by the pool. The Conrad Spa & Water Garden leans into its natural surroundings by providing a curated selection of rituals centered around water, sound and locally sourced Florida flora and minerals. Spa guests have access to the water garden, where they can take a hot and cold plunge, as well as a dip in the rejuvenation pool. Or reserve a cabana by the pool.
Fun for groups at Conrad: Cocktail competition and making empanadas. One afternoon, we participated in a Mai Tai making competition at the Papaya Club, an outdoor restaurant with views of the lagoon. One evening, we also learned how to make empanadas and dined in the kitchen.
What’s new: Evermore In-Home Meetings offer a relaxed approach to traditional meetings, available in various sizes with room for up to 30 guests. The homes feature oversized common space with 75-inch monitors for presentations, private outdoor space with various seating, media room with 221-inch state-of-the-art projector in select homes, and private chef and bartender experiences. We enjoyed a breakfast with fresh baked pastries in one of the 11-bedroom homes with its own private pool and even an indoor slide from level 3 to level 2. Evermore Director of Sales Lisa Crosby told us her team has produced three corporate events, including one tech company and two real estate retreats, in recent weeks.
Beach vibes: Evermore Orlando Resort is Orlando’s first beach-like property with the 8-acre Evermore Bay crystal lagoon and a 20-acre sandy beach with hammocks, cabanas, and recreational activities. Guests can enjoy paddleboarding, mixology classes, sandcastle-building lessons and more. Evermore is thoughtfully built for large groups and families offering a range of 2- to 11-bedroom vacation homes.
New off-site options: With its grand opening in September, Live! at the Pointe Orlando is a 73,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor destination bringing an unmatched food and beverage, social, nightlife, and special event experience to Orlando’s tourism corridor, creating a unique block party atmosphere for meeting attendees. Located within walking distance of OCCC, Live! at the Pointe Orlando features five new venues, including Sports & Social, PBR Cowboy Bar, Shark Bar, and Sal's Pizza, as well as new concepts Houndsmen Lounge, with more to come. Offering upscale coastal cuisine and vibrant nightlife centered around laid-back luxury, The Palm Tree Club opens Nov. 8. Since its opening in September, Live! Director of Sales John Pilkinton told us there have been two venue buyouts at PBR and Houndsmen is brought out for all three nights during IAAPA.
What to see: Concert at Judson’s Live, a new venue at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Orlando. In February, the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts opened its fifth venue, The Joyce & Judson Green Room. Known as Judson’s Live, the venue offers an intimate music space that brings international, national and regional artists for audiences of up to 150. We enjoyed dinner and drinks, as well as a performance by Steeln' Peaches, an Allman Brothers cover band.
Where to dine: Located at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort, Capa recently received a Michelin star for its Spanish-influenced cuisine in a setting like no other at the 17th-floor rooftop steakhouse. Capa’s diverse offerings range from freshly shucked oysters and Florida seafood to small plates and grilled cuts. Diners can enjoy the open kitchen and wood-burning grill for up-close action, or the outdoor patio for views of Magic Kingdom's nightly fireworks.
Where to meet: The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin is one of largest convention hotel complexes on the East Coast. Located in the heart of Walt Disney World Resort, the three-hotel complex offers 2,619 guest rooms and more than 349,000 square feet of indoor event space. The Walt Disney World Swan Reserve opened in November 2021, with 349 hotel rooms and expansive meeting facilities, including a private rooftop ballroom at the top of the Reserve.
Lunch on the water: Departing from the docks at Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, a boat can take attendees and exhibitors for a ride into Epcot via its private lake. We had a lunch buffet on a covered boat, enjoying an experience and view like no other.
Where to host corporate and incentive groups: This 443-room luxury property is the largest Four Seasons resort in North America, according to Nick Anderson, director of sales. In addition to Capa, guests will find several dining venues, including an onsite character breakfast at Ravello offered twice weekly. The resort features a 14,000-square-foot spa, fitness center, three pools, a lazy river, sport facilities and a recreation center. Sport enthusiasts can also enjoy the 18-hole Tom Fazio-designed Tranquillo golf course.
Looking ahead: Universal Epic Universe, a new theme park by Universal Studios, is scheduled to open on May 22, 2025. Located near the OCCC, the theme park will offer five immersive worlds in one theme park: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Ministry of Magic™, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Dark Universe and Celestial Park.
Main image: Evermore
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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