During the next two years, more than 4,000 rooms and 434,000 square feet of new meeting space will become available as new Orlando convention hotel projects open. Hilton is dramatically increasing its presence in Orlando, with debuts this year of two major convention-oriented properties — a 1,400-room hotel linked to the Orange County Convention Center, and a 1,000-room resort hotel adjacent to Walt Disney World Resort. Recently opened near the Orange County Convention Center are the 315-room Westin Imagine Orlando, with 7,100 square feet of meeting space; and the 144-suite Pointe Orlando Resort, a condo hotel with 2,183 square feet of meeting space. And Peabody Orlando, across from the convention center, is undergoing a massive expansion.

Walt Disney World; Universal Studios, Florida; and SeaWorld Orlando are all introducing new attractions, rides, and shows this year. The dining scene continues to expand as well, with three new restaurants: Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar at The Pointe, with private event opportunities for groups up to 1,000 people; Ocean Prime on Sand Lake Road, specializing in fresh fish and steak with live piano music from the '50s, '60s, and '70s; and T-Rex, A Prehistoric Family Dining Adventure at Downtown Disney, a 600-seat interactive dining experience amid a themed environment of life-sized dinosaurs, waterfalls, and geysers.

But there are definitely signs that the down economy is hitting central Florida hard, resulting in a drop in tourist tax revenues. At press time, the opening of the city's new downtown performing arts center is in danger of being pushed back from its announced 2011 opening. On schedule for an October 2010 opening, however, is the $480 million, 20,000-seat special-events center on Church Street, just west of downtown. The complex will include a 31,000-square-foot arena floor that can be used for exhibits, trade show space, banquets, and meetings; a basketball court that can be used for event seating for up to 500 people; five banquet rooms and a conference room; and an outdoor patio with food and beverage service.

One of Orlando's fastest-growing sectors is the emerging Lake Nona Medical City near the Orlando International Airport. The area will be home to the University of Central Florida Medical School, Nemours Children's Hospital, Orlando VA Medical Center, and the Burnham Institute of Medical Research.

In Daytona Beach, 45 miles east of Orlando, a $76 million expansion of the Ocean Center convention. complex has been completed. The Center has doubled in size and now offers 452,491 square feet of space.

And in Tampa, the 60,000-square-foot Tampa Bay History Center debuted in January, and the 66,000-square-foot Tampa Museum of Art will open in the fall.

Facilities Update

Orlando

• Slated to open in October at Bonnet Creek is the largest development in Hilton Hotels' history, consisting of the 497-room Waldorf-Astoria Orlando and the 1,000-room Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek. The Waldorf-Astoria will have 28,000 square feet of meeting space and a 4,000-square-foot fitness center, as well as butler service on request. Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek will have 122,000 square feet of meeting space, a variety of pre-function areas, and Bonnet Creek Island, an outdoor venue surrounded by a lagoon on three sides. Both properties will share 150,000 square feet of meeting space and an on-site Rees Jones-designed championship course.

• Disney has announced plans for a luxury destination resort anchored by a 445-room hotel along the northeast border of its property. Construction is expected to begin this year.

• Scheduled to open this fall at Disney's Contemporary Resort is a 15-story tower that will house 295 two-bedroom villas complementing the resort's 656 rooms and suites and 115,000-square-foot convention center. The expansion caps off a three-year transformation of the resort, which includes completely redesigned common areas and guest rooms, a new entrance and lobby, and the addition of two new restaurants. One of its new restaurants, The Wave, featuring American cuisine with world flavors, offers a private dining room that can accommodate up to 52 people or be divided into two rooms that can each seat up to 28.

• The 750-room Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Lake Buena Vista recently started accomprehensive $65 million renovation of all guest rooms, public areas, and restaurants, with anticipated completion in December 2009.

• Set for an August opening is the 1,400-room Hilton Orlando Hotel at Orange County Convention Center, with 200,000 square feet of meeting space. It includes the 50,000-square-foot Orlando Ballroom and 30,000-square-foot Orange Ballroom, 21 meeting rooms, and nine boardrooms. The hotel will link to the 2.1-million-square-foot convention center via a pedestrian skybridge.

• The 323-room Holiday Inn in Walt Disney World Resort, with 11,000 square feet of meeting space, recently completed a propertywide, $25 million enhancement program.

• The 472-room Orlando Airport Marriott has newly renovated rooms, 14 suites, a concierge level, and amenities such as 29,700 square feet of meeting space in 27 meeting rooms.

• Slated for completion in fall 2010 is an expansion program at the 891-room Peabody Orlando that includes the addition of a 31-story tower with 750 guest rooms and 145,000 square feet of meeting space. Upon completion, Peabody Orlando will encompass 1,641 rooms, including 210 suites; 210,000 square feet of meeting space, including a pillar-free, 55,000-square-foot Peabody grand ballroom and 80 breakout rooms; a 22,000-square-foot luxury spa; three swimming pools; and a new Napa Valley-themed fine dining restaurant.

• Rosen Hotels & Resorts plans a $100 million to $200 million expansion and renovation program designed to enhance six of its seven hotels within the next seven years (all except Shingle Creek). In September 2008, Rosen Hotels & Resorts was named one of only nine companies nationwide to receive the 2008 Apex Award from hub magazine, the official publication of UnitedHealth Group, for its “innovative and forward-thinking” in-house medical care and insurance program for its employees and their families.

• Opened in November, the 155-room Venturella Resort & Spa in Lake Buena Vista includes 6,500 square feet of meeting space, nine meeting rooms, two boardrooms, a business center, a spa, and a fitness center.

• Opened in January is the 400-room Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Hotel & Spa Bonnet Creek Resort, adjacent to the Walt Disney World Resort. It has meeting space for up to 300 attendees, a 14,000-square-foot spa, and an 18-hole Rees Jones golf course.

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