The Palm Beaches, Florida, combines the allure of a luxury destination with the functionality of modern event facilities, making it an ideal choice for corporate events. With its diverse range of venues, professional services, and engaging activities, Palm Beach ensures a memorable and productive experience for all attendees.
James Bacon (Director - We Are MEaT) recently went out to the region, part of an international group with Discover Palm Beaches CVB and the Incentive Research Foundation.
Here are the key takes from his trip.
We began our stay in Boca Raton, about an hour and change in good traffic from Miami, 2hrs+ from Orlando and around 30 mins from Fort Lauderdale. Offering a blend of luxury, convenience, and professional amenities, Boca Raton provides an ideal setting for productive and memorable corporate events.
Boca Raton Resort & Club, A Waldorf Astoria Resort: An iconic resort and our base for our stay here. Offering an expansive range of meeting and event spaces, combining historic elegance with modern luxury. It features over 200,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space.
Facilities: Includes grand ballrooms, meeting rooms with advanced audio-visual equipment, and beautiful outdoor spaces. The resort also offers team-building activities, such as golf, tennis, and water sports.
**Personal note - The golf course is not for the feint hearted in play and networking. This stunning course like many in Florida as minimal run off areas to support it's stunning back drops and course play. Just having a coffee outside the clubhouse hearing some of the "multi million" deals being done is a an experience in itself!
Things to do:
Boca Raton offers an impressive array of dining options that cater to every taste. From upscale steakhouses and seafood restaurants to trendy bistros and cozy cafes, the city's culinary scene is both diverse and high-quality. Mizner Park and Royal Palm Place are hubs for dining and shopping, featuring a mix of high-end retailers, boutique shops, and gourmet eateries.
The Town Center at Boca Raton, a premier shopping destination, offers an extensive range of luxury brands and designer stores. The Boca Raton Museum of Art is a centerpiece of the city’s cultural scene, featuring a diverse collection of contemporary and modern art, as well as traveling exhibitions. The Mizner Park Amphitheater hosts a variety of live performances, from concerts to community events.
**Personal Note - Head into the Mizner Park region and check out The Funky Biscuit. It's a great bar with some amazing live musical acts. Matthew Curry was performing across our visit!
Activities and Entertainment
As mentioned, golf plays a very big role here as it does throughout Florida. It would be a miss not to get onto the water, with numerous yacht, kayak and jet ski opportunities in the area. The city's parks and green spaces, such as Sugar Sand Park and Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, provide excellent venues for outdoor activities, including hiking and wildlife viewing. Boca Raton also hosts numerous events and festivals throughout the year, ensuring there's always something exciting happening.
Or take advantage of Inter Miami - yes Beckham, Messi et al currently being just down the road in Fort Lauderdale. The atmosphere is amazing and we've never seen so many people where a Messi 10 shirt of all kinds in one place. They move to Miami in the next couple of seasons.
West Palm Beach:
After two days in Boca, we took the Brightline high speed train just 25 minutes upt to West Palm Beach. These trains are luxurious and on time..! They even have airport style lounges to enjoy should you wish to add something extra to the experience. A very good option for corporate groups.
At 130mph, you can get from West Palm Beach to Orlando in less than 2hrs 30 mins. You can event do the whole route - Miami to Orlando in under 4hrs! This is an absolute gamechanger for the region and a great sustainability inclusion.
The Breakers Palm Beach: Our West Palm Beach base is a historic resort. Offering a blend of elegance and modern amenities. It is renowned as being America's first resort based holiday destination. This vast resort is simply stunning in its's colonial and art deco features.
It features over 80,000 square feet of event space, including grand ballrooms, intimate meeting rooms, and outdoor venues with ocean views. Advanced audio-visual technology, high-speed internet, and exceptional catering services. The Breakers also provides team-building activities and recreational options like golf and tennis.
Other Hotels Visited:
Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa:
Known for its luxurious setting and exceptional service, Eau Palm Beach provides a sophisticated environment for corporate events.
The resort has 30,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, state-of-the-art conference rooms, professional event planning services, and diverse dining options. The spa and wellness programs are perfect for relaxation and team bonding.
Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach:
This five-star resort offers an upscale environment with a focus on personalized service.
It features over 20,000 square feet of event space, including beachfront options. Cutting-edge technology, bespoke event planning, and gourmet dining. The resort's amenities, including a spa and wellness center, enhance the overall experience for attendees.
**Personal Note - Having a stunning breakfast outside overlooking the beach and sea is a must. Another great option for corporate groups that would also work for evening receptions.
The Colony Hotel:
An outstanding choice for corporate events, combining historical charm with modern amenities and a prime location. Its versatile event spaces, professional services, and luxurious accommodations ensure a successful and memorable experience for all attendees. Whether hosting a small meeting or a large conference,
The hotel features 90 well-appointed guest rooms and suites, each uniquely decorated with luxurious touches. The accommodations offer comfort and style, ensuring that attendees have a relaxing stay.
**Personal Note - You need to like pink and flamingos here..! But in all seriousness, this is simply a stunning property that is packed full of history (if those walls could talk..?) If you don't take this option as part of your event in terms of rooms or space. then put a visit or a reception/lunch here on the itinerary. It will bring the wow factor.
Amrit Ocean Resort and Residences:
Literally just opened and will soon be a premier destination for those seeking luxury, wellness, and a holistic lifestyle. Its comprehensive wellness programs, luxurious accommodations, and stunning natural setting create an environment where guests and residents can relax, rejuvenate, and thrive.
Stated to be the largest wellness resort on the east coast. The wellness facilities at Amrit include state-of-the-art fitness centers, meditation gardens, hydrotherapy pools, and relaxation lounges. The emphasis is on creating a holistic environment that supports overall health and wellness. We took in a hyperbaric oxygen session along with some breath and relaxation work on the beach while here.
The resort’s restaurants also emphasize wellness cuisine, offering dishes that are designed to nourish the body and mind. Nutritional information is provided, and the chefs are available to customize meals based on individual wellness goals.
Things to do:
The town is rich in history and culture, with landmarks like the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum, which offers a glimpse into the opulent Gilded Age. The architecture throughout Palm Beach is striking, with Mediterranean Revival-style mansions and well-preserved historic buildings lining the streets.
Worth Avenue, a world-famous shopping district, not only offers luxury brands and designer boutiques but is also a feast for the eyes with its beautiful architecture and charming vias. It's a street rich with history, glamour, and a distinct cultural heritage that has evolved over the decades.
Worth Avenue can be attributed to the visionary architect Addison Mizner, who transformed Palm Beach with his unique Mediterranean Revival style. In the 1920s, Mizner set out to design a shopping street that would mirror the sophistication and charm of European avenues. His vision led to the development of Worth Avenue, which quickly became synonymous with luxury and high fashion.
In the 1960s, Worth Avenue gained even more fame when it became one of the first places in the United States to host a Gucci store. This event marked the avenue as a must-visit destination for fashion enthusiasts and celebrities alike. Over the years, many high-profile figures, including Jackie Kennedy and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, were frequently spotted shopping along Worth Avenue, adding to its allure.
The Everglades Club, an exclusive private club located just off Worth Avenue, has played a significant role in the social life of Palm Beach. Founded in 1919, the club has a storied history of hosting the elite and influential. Its proximity to Worth Avenue has made the street a popular haunt for club members, further cementing its status as a center of luxury and high society. It is claimed that this venue was the birthplace of the original cocktail party!
Activities and Entertainment:
Golf enthusiasts will find world-class golf courses, while tennis courts and water sports are readily available. The town also hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, providing entertainment and cultural enrichment for both residents and visitors.
The National Croquet Center in Palm Beach, often referred to as the Palm Beach Croquet Club, is a premier destination for croquet enthusiasts and an excellent venue for corporate events. It offers world-class facilities, a unique atmosphere, and professional services that cater to a variety of gatherings, from team-building activities to corporate retreats.
The center boasts the largest dedicated croquet facility in the world, featuring 19 full-sized croquet lawns, a grand clubhouse, and ample outdoor space for activities and gatherings.
**Personal Note - A mix of golf and bowls, croquet is surprisingly addictive and as we found, extremely competitive. This is a stunning venue and having a lunch or evening reception mixed with a few games played is a fantastic option for events.
Summary:
From luxury high speed train connections via Miami and Orlando, birthplace of the cocktail party, soon to have the largest health and wellness resort on the east coast to croquet.
All this and then the golf, beaches, sunshine and first class event space options for incentives and conferences!
We are excited for the white paper, which is due to be published in June 2024.
Start the conversation about Florida and The Palm Beaches for your next event. Get in touch with our team and let's get planning!
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