What's New

New performing arts centers in Miami and Daytona Beach and large shopping and entertainment complexes statewide have added more options for groups.

In Orlando, both city and Orange County government leaders recently announced plans to build a $385 million events center and $376 million performing arts center in downtown, with estimated openings for both facilities in 2010.

Meanwhile, Pointe Orlando, an entertainment and shopping complex across the street from the Orange County Convention Center, is undergoing a major redevelopment that will add several new restaurants.

And there's more. Opening in phases through 2007 is Veranda Park, a $500 million multi-use project three miles from Universal Studios Florida. It will have specialty shops; restaurants; a high-tech, digital 20-screen movie theater available for corporate events; and a 150-room luxury hotel.

In Daytona Beach, the February opening of the $29 million News-Journal Center, a performing arts complex on the west bank of the Halifax River, has energized the local cultural scene. The center contains two theaters — one seating 859 and the other 264 — and a catering kitchen. Ocean Walk Village, which is opening in phases through 2007, will triple its convention complex from 74,000 square feet to 244,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space.

In Tampa, a 360-unit Embassy Suites hotel with 11,000 square feet of meeting space has opened opposite the Tampa Convention Center. The recent opening of the $135 million Airside C terminal that serves Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Independence Air has enhanced Tampa's international airport.

Miami's new development includes a $461 million performing arts center; the Miami Seaquarium, reopened in February after post-Hurricane Wilma renovations; and, in downtown, the Mary Brickell Village, a 5.2-acre multi-use project.

Fort Lauderdale is undergoing a luxury hotel building phase that includes openings by St. Regis and W in the next two years, as well as two new condo hotel developments by Donald Trump in Fort Lauderdale Beach.

In Palm Beach County, plans for a headquarters hotel for the 350,000-square-foot Palm Beach Convention Center have been announced: the 400-room Westin property will include a restaurant, a spa, ballroom, and pool.

Key West International Airport will open a $24 million, 45,000-square-foot terminal in 2007. Meanwhile, the Southwest Florida International Airport, the main air gateway to Naples, has debuted a 28-gate terminal, and Naples Municipal Airport has introduced nonstop jet service between Naples and Atlanta, with three flights daily on Delta Connection.

• Facilities Update

  The West Coast

  Tampa/St. Petersburg

  The QUORUM HOTEL-TAMPA in the Westshore business district has renovated its 12,000 square feet of meeting and pre-function space.

• Lee Island Coast

  The 360-room RENAISSANCE VINOY RESORT & GOLF CLUB in St. Petersburg completed a $3.5 million renovation.

• Naples

  The 800-unit SADDLEBROOK RESORT recently introduced a 5,400-square-foot, column-free tent that is sealed, climate-controlled, and surrounded by an 11,000-square-foot courtyard.

• Central Florida

  Daytona Beach

  The 430-unit SOUTH SEAS ISLAND RESORT ON CAPTIVA ISLAND opened this year after a 17-month, $140 million renovation.

• Greater Orlando

  The 297-room HILTON MARCO ISLAND BEACH RESORT has completed a $15 million renovation of its meeting space, lobby, restaurants, and more. A new spa is set to open in 2007.

• Kissimmee

  After a $12 million expansion and enhancement, the 474-room Registry Resort & Club is now the NAPLES GRANDE RESORT & CLUB.

• South Florida & The Keys

  Greater Miami

  DAYTONA BEACH RESORT AND CONFERENCE CENTER offers 315 guest condo rooms, as well as more than 17,000 square feet of meeting space.

• Greater Fort Lauderdale

  DISNEY'S POLYNESIAN RESORT and DISNEY'S CONTEMPORARY RESORT were remodeled last year.

• Palm Beach County

  THE GROSVENOR RESORT, A DOWNTOWN DISNEY RESORT HOTEL, will undergo a $24 million makeover. The hotel's name is likely to change after the renovations.

• Florida Keys

  A 150-room HAMPTON INN & SUITES will be built as part of a $100 million multi-use project in downtown Orlando called Capital Plaza. The project will be completed in phases by 2008.

• Northern Florida The Panhandle

  Jacksonville

  Plans for the HILTON ORLANDO CONVENTION CENTER encompass an 18-story, 1,400-room hotel with 130,000 square feet of meeting space, a spa and fitness center, and several restaurants. The hotel will offer direct access to the North Concourse of the Orange County Convention Center via a pedestrian sky bridge. Construction will begin by the end of this year, with completion set for 2009.

• Panama City Beach

  A 1,000-room HILTON hotel and a 500-room WALDORF-ASTORIA hotel will be built in a joint complex at BONNET CREEK, next to Walt Disney World Resort. The complex will include 145,000 square feet of meeting space, an 18-hole, Rees Jones-designed golf course, and a 25,000-square-foot spa and fitness center. Bonnet Creek will open in 2009.

• ASk the CVB

  Slated to open in 2009, a 1,260-room InterContinental hotel called PALAZZO DEL LAGO is planned on Lake Bryan in Orlando, four miles from the Orange County Convention Center. The luxury hotel will be the largest InterContinental in the world — with 1,260 rooms — and the first in Orlando. It will offer 114,000 square feet of meeting space.

• The 1,100-room Sheraton World Orlando Resort, with 70,000 square feet of meeting space, was recently purchased by the Buena Vista Hospitality Group and is undergoing a $30 million renovation. Located on 28 acres adjacent to SeaWorld, the property will be renamed the INTERNATIONAL PLAZA RESORT & SPA.

• CARIBE ROYALE ORLANDO recently renovated its 1,218 one-bedroom suites and its lobby. This follows on the heels of the addition of a new high-tech, two-story fitness center and a $30 million convention center with 150,000 square feet of meeting space.

• The 2,265-room WALT DISNEY WORLD SWAN & DOLPHIN has completed a $75 million room renovation and a $60 million redesign of both lobbies that includes several new boutique stores. The resort also debuted its Mandara Spa and will soon open Il Mulino New York Trattoria restaurant.

• The WYNDHAM LAKE BUENA VISTA HOTEL AND SPA BONNET CREEK RESORT will be built adjacent to the Walt Disney World Resort. The 400-room property will have a 14,000-square-foot spa and meeting and conference space. All phases are expected to be completed by early 2009.

• The 146-unit VILLAS OF GRAND CYPRESS is undergoing a $3 million renovation set for completion in early 2007.