We know that the destination options are plentiful but you will find that Central Florida’s Polk County is not your typical Florida meeting destination. Our allure comes from our wide open spaces, quaint walkable downtowns, budget friendly venues and the plethora of outdoor activities available to your attendees and their guests before, during and after your meeting sessions. Here are just a few reasons why so many meeting professionals choose Polk County to host their conferences in extraordinary venues that provide their attendees with unforgettable memories. Unlimited possibilities limited only by your imagination!
Experiences, not Express Lines… Authentic, not Animatronic
Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium
- Several hospitality and event venues
- Winter home of the Detroit Tigers
Frank Lloyd Wright Architecture
- Largest one-site collection of his architecture in the world
- Florida Southern College – Regularly named “One of the most beautiful college campuses in the US”
Safari Wilderness
- Named “10 Best Safaris in the U.S.”
- 260+ acres
- 14,500 sq. ft. of indoor space
Bok Tower Gardens
- “One of the Top 3 Botanical Gardens in the U.S.”
- 150+ acres of gardens
- 12,000 sq. ft. of Indoor space
- 6,400 sq. ft. outdoor kitchen and edible garden
Westgate River Ranch
- 1,700-acre western-themed “dude ranch”
- 10,000 sq. ft. of indoor space
- Weekly rodeo and numerous outdoor activities
- Accommodations range from hotel rooms to cabins and glamping
Fresh Local Flavor, not National Chain Fare
- Named one of the “Next great foodie destinations”
- Growing culinary scene of down-home eateries specializing in:
- Farm-raised beef, pork and poultry
- Craft breweries
- Fresh seafood
- Enchanting fine dining
- Lip smacking BBQ
- Wide variety of ethnic offerings including Cajun, Asian, Indian and other cuisines
- Fresh citrus, strawberries, melons and produce grown locally
Lakes and Trails, not Blacktop and Traffic
- 390+ miles of trails
- Hiking
- Mountain biking
- Cycling and multi-use
- 550 freshwater lakes
- Paddling trails and limitless kayak and canoeing
- Paddleboarding, flyboarding and waterskiing
- Trophy bass fishing in the “Largemouth Bass Capital of the World”
- Outdoor paradise
- Circle B Bar Reserve — one of the “51 Great Places to See Wildlife”
- 11 environmental preserves
- 5 wildlife management areas
- Two state parks and one state forest
- Hundreds of parks, gardens and green spaces
- Home to a collection of top golf courses in US with more than 40 public courses
