What do corporate event 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 meetings and 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.

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. 

Related: TSNN Exclusive: Interview with Visit Orlando CEO Casandra Matej Reveals Exciting Developments and Opportunities for Events 

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.

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.  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. 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.

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. 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.

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.

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.