Collaborate Magazine - February/March 2015 Issue
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TIPSOPHOTO.COM; BATERBYS ART GALLERY Ditch old-school notions of Orlando and take a look at a city that’s embracing the local movement. There’s no overlooking Disney when trekking down to Orlando, but this is a city full of hidden gems with no mouse ears in sight. From its art galleries, museums and performing arts centers to its locally grown market produce and sustainable restaurant menus, Orlando is proving its worth as a cultural destination too. For a truly authentic Orlando experience, planners can take small groups to an art gallery such as Baterbys in nearby Winter Park to paint their very own masterpieces—with wine in hand. There’s also the new East End Market at Audubon Park, a huge advancement in the Central Florida food movement. It has handmade local wares and foods, such as produce, meats and artisanal cheeses, wine and craft beer, pastries, books, artwork, flowers and more. The market rents indoor and outdoor spaces, including an event hall, courtyard and market garden. Cooking classes and local chef-run events can be hosted in the on-site demonstration kitchen. The Orange County Convention Center, which began a five-year, $187 million renovation project in 2014, is 16 miles from East End Market. The New Orlando East End Market Baterbys Art Gallery [CASE STUDY] The Institute of Real Estate Management chose Orlando to host its annual Fall Leadership Conference in October 2014. The interactive five-day event attracted 650 IREM members and professionals from across the real estate industry to Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek. “We chose it because of its upscale resort feel and contemporary design,” says Phyllis Coneset, vice president of leadership services at IREM. “The guest rooms were very spacious and well- appointed with modern furniture, clean lines and fabulous linens.” IREM also held its 2010 conference in Orlando, and, at that time, signed the deal to return four years later. Another draw for Coneset and IREM included Orlando’s wide range of dining options. “The restaurant selection is extremely diverse—not just cheap family eats anymore,” says Coneset. “We had a board dinner at Dragonfly sushi restaurant, and it was incredible. The staff customized a menu specially for us and knew exactly how to treat a corporate group,” she says. The group dined on fried Brussels sprouts, Dragonfly rolls and miso black cod. COMING IN 2015 New entertainment complex I-Drive 360 will begin opening segments in spring Orange County Convention Center West Building will undergo major renovations to aesthetics and safety features Guest rooms: 118,000 Hotels: 450 Nearest airports: Orlando International and Orlando Sanford International Convention center: Orange County Convention Center Meeting space: 2 million square feet Meeting rooms: 74 QUICK FACTS 59 million global visitors in 2013 1 in every 3 jobs in Orlando is related to travel and tourism. 84 COLLABORATE FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015 SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Transcript of Collaborate Magazine - February/March 2015 Issue
TIPS
OPHO
TO.C
OM; B
ATER
BYS
ART G
ALLE
RY
Ditch old-school notions of Orlando and take a look at a city that’s embracing the local movement.
There’s no overlooking Disney when trekking down to Orlando, but this is a city full of hidden gems with no mouse ears in sight. From its art galleries, museums and performing arts centers to its locally grown market produce and sustainable restaurant menus, Orlando is proving its worth as a cultural destination too.
For a truly authentic Orlando experience, planners can take small groups to an art gallery such as Baterbys in nearby Winter Park to paint their very own masterpieces—with wine in hand. There’s also the new East End Market at Audubon Park, a huge advancement in the Central Florida food movement. It has handmade local wares and foods, such as produce, meats and artisanal cheeses, wine and craft beer, pastries, books, artwork, flowers and more. The market rents indoor and outdoor spaces, including an event hall, courtyard and market garden. Cooking classes and local chef-run events can be hosted in the on-site demonstration kitchen. The Orange County Convention Center, which began a five-year, $187 million renovation project in 2014, is 16 miles from East End Market.
The New Orlando
East End Market
Baterbys Art Gallery
[CASE STUDY] The Institute of Real Estate Management chose Orlando to host its annual Fall Leadership Conference in October 2014. The interactive five-day event attracted 650 IREM members and professionals from across the real estate industry to Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek. “We chose it because of its upscale resort feel and contemporary design,” says Phyllis Coneset, vice president of leadership services at IREM. “The guest rooms were very spacious and well-appointed with modern furniture, clean lines and fabulous linens.”
IREM also held its 2010 conference in Orlando, and, at that time, signed the deal to return four years later. Another draw for Coneset and IREM included Orlando’s wide range of dining options. “The restaurant selection is extremely diverse—not just cheap family eats anymore,” says Coneset. “We had a board dinner at Dragonfly sushi restaurant, and it was incredible. The staff customized a menu specially for us and knew exactly how to treat a corporate group,” she says. The group dined on fried Brussels sprouts, Dragonfly rolls and miso black cod.
COMING IN 2015 New entertainment complex
I-Drive 360 will begin opening segments in spring
Orange County Convention Center West Building will undergo major renovations to aesthetics and safety features
Guest rooms: 118,000
Hotels: 450
Nearest airports: Orlando International and Orlando Sanford International
Convention center: Orange County Convention Center
Meeting space: 2 million square feet Meeting rooms: 74
QUICK FACTS
59million
global visitors in 2013
1inevery3jobs in Orlando
is related to travel and tourism.
84 COLLABORATE FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015
S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N
VISI
T ORL
ANDO
86 COLLABORATE FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015
ORLANDO
Clockwise from top left: Cacti for sale at East End Market; Universal CityWalkhasa wide variety of dining options; the Bavarian-inspired Castle Hotel has elegant accommodations; iFly indoor skydiving offers unique teambuilding opportunities for groups.
S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N
ALSO COMING IN 2015 Club 39 at Rosen Plaza Hotel will have meeting
space for up to 1,500
Nonstop, low-fare service from Orlando Sanford International Airport to Indianapolis and Austin through Allegiant beginning in February
Renovations to the 1,509-room Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
Second location of Chocolate Kingdom will open next to Rosen Center and Hilton Orlando
[SNAPSHOTS]
