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When it comes to planning a meeting in the Orlando area, the International Drive Resort Area offers many options from space requirements to accommodations. And with the choices in accommodations and activities, there are value offerings for every budget. Here are just a few great reasons to meet on I-Drive:
- The I-Drive Area includes more than 2,247,485 million square feet of meeting space.
- Choices of accommodations in all budget categories may be made from more than 104 hotels and resorts with a total of 36,440 rooms.
- Right in the middle of I-Drive, the Orange County Convention Center is ranked second in the U.S. in terms of exhibition space with more than 2.1 million square feet. The Center also offers 479,190 square feet of meeting rooms. Conference hotels and freestanding event facilities offer an additional 3.3 million square feet of meeting space, giving meeting planners plenty of choices for their meeting location and special event venues.
- Six of the world’s great theme parks are located within the I-Drive area: SeaWorld, Discovery Cove, Aquatica Water Park, Wet ‘n Wild, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.
- For fun and recreation: more than 200 restaurants, more than 550 designer, brand-name and outlet shops, golf, nightlife and spas.
Finding a headquarter hotel near the convention center is easy and convenient. Choices include:
- The newly expanded Peabody Orlando, adjacent to the Orange County Convention Center with 7 million square feet in total exhibition space. The completed expansion results in 1,641 luxurious guest rooms including 193 suites, 300,000 total square feet of flexible meeting space, a 22,000-square-foot spa & fitness center, award-winning restaurants, exotic grotto pool, parking garage for 2,100 cars, and Food-On-The-Go outlets throughout the convention area.
- 1,400 rooms and 175,000 square feet of meeting space at the Hilton Orlando.
- 1,500 rooms and 445,000 square feet of meeting space at Rosen Shingle Creek.
- 1,334 rooms and 106,000 square feet of meeting space at the Rosen Centre Hotel.
- 800 rooms and 60,000 square feet of meeting space at the Rosen Plaza Hotel.
- 1,094 rooms and 60,000 square feet of meeting space at the DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld.
- 778 rooms and 185,000 square feet of meeting space at the Renaissance at SeaWorld.
- For meetings at Universal Orlando Resort, the Hard Rock Hotel, Portofino Bay Hotel and Royal Pacific Resort offer a combined 2,400 guestrooms and 133,000 square feet of versatile meeting space.
More reasons to select the I-Drive Area for your next meeting destination…
- Orlando International Airport (MCO) is located within 15 miles of the Orange County Convention Center and I-Drive’s attractions and accommodations. More than 50 scheduled airlines, 13 charters and 12 cargos provide nonstop service to 88 destinations in the U.S. Scheduled nonstop service is available to 19 international cities.
- Parking the car and getting around the I-Drive area is a breeze with the popular I-Ride Trolleys that run throughout the area from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily. Single rides and unlimited ride passes are available.
- A variety of exciting spouse programs may be tailored to the specific interests of the group with I-Drive’s golf, shopping, spas, attractions, restaurants and more.
Green meetings
The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) is the first in the country to receive certification for its recycling efforts. Recognized for recycling 40 percent of its waste, the center also uses reclaimed water for all of its landscape irrigation, has energy-efficient motors to power fountain pumps and has a control system to regulate air-conditioning and lighting levels. Hosting 300 events, shows and meetings a year, the OCCC is the second largest convention center in the U.S. www.occc.net.
Thirty-one I-Drive accommodations have been named to the Florida Green Lodging Program. To achieve this recognition, the facilities must follow certain eco-friendly practices including water conservation measures through low-flow plumbing fixtures; linen reuse programs; energy efficiency and programmable thermostats; waste reduction programs such as recycling, purchasing items in bulk and purchasing recycled materials; as well as the use of green cleaners, high-efficiency air filters and clean air handler units. Launched in March 2004, the Green Lodging Program establishes environmental guidelines for hotels and motels to conserve natural resources and prevent pollution. After receiving the designation, hotels are recommended to companies and trade organizations seeking environmentally conscious lodging facilities. www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging.
3/2011
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