With a proposed expansion of its exhibit space, the world’s largest Marriott hotel, the Orlando World Center, is poised to get even bigger.
Marriott officials plan to expand the conference center by adding 115,000 square feet of exhibit space to the 214,000 square feet of meeting and pre-function space that already exists at the resort. An official announcement will be made in March of next year, pending final approvals. Further details about the expansion will be available at that time, says Nadine DeGenova, Marriott spokeswoman. The project is scheduled to be finished in 2006.
This project follows this year’s $6 million renovation of all 110 suites at the 2,000-room resort, including the 5,650-square-foot International Suite, which is available for group events. Next year, work is expected to begin on the construction of a new facility to house the golf academy at the 18-hole Hawk’s Landing Golf Club, located on the property.
Also on the golf front, hotel officials are expected to announce a marketing partnership with a major golf equipment manufacturer before the end of the year. As part of the agreement, guests would have the opportunity to be fitted with, and use, high-end, cutting edge equipment that professional golfers use.---Dave Kovaleski