Meetings And Conventions

Location, Location, Location

Located in the geographic center of Florida, Central Florida’s Polk County offers a relaxing locale where your delegates can get down to business. Situated directly between Orlando and Tampa, Polk County is easily accessible from two major international airports and also has commercial airline service into Lakeland Linder Regional Airport via Direct Air.

With over 300,000 square feet of meeting space, 6,500 hotel rooms and 8,000 vacation homes, Central Florida’s Polk County offers the perfect location to chair your next meeting.

The Lakeland Center

The City of Swans, Lakeland is one of the most beautiful, versatile and affordable meeting destinations in Florida. Located just off Interstate 4 between Orlando and Tampa, it is home to the 100,000 square foot Lakeland Center, Central Florida’s entertainment, sports and convention complex. The multi-faceted complex houses a number of venues including the 10,000 seat Jenkins Arena, 2,296 seat Youkey Theater, 39,027 square feet of flexible space in Sikes Conference Hall, 28,262 square feet Exhibit Hall and additional meeting rooms.

The Hyatt Place is conveniently located adjacent to the Center and there are an additional 2,500 hotel rooms within a five-mile radius. Lakeland features a wide variety of shopping opportunities from unique specialty shops to major shopping malls and flea markets. Lakeland offers a dining experience to fit every taste and budget.

One of a Kind Locations

Central Florida’s Polk County has many hidden treasures waiting to be discovered for hosting meetings, conventions and corporate functions.

Westgate River Ranch

One such jewel is Westgate River Ranch located 25 miles east of Lake Wales, Florida. This authentic —Dude Ranch” will make your next meeting an event to remember. Surrounded by 100,000 acres of protected wildlife preserve, Westgate River Ranch is a 1,700-acre ponderosa recalling an era when Florida was home to cowboys and cattle ranchers. River Ranch is a perfect setting for a —retreat” to nature in the Florida sunshine. Your delegates can indulge themselves in a wide range of activities that allow them to escape into nature’s sanctuary. They can enjoy authentic —old Florida” fun such as horseback riding, guided nature hikes, fishing, boating, trap and skeet, swimming pool, airboat rides, swamp buggy rides, hayrides and a petting zoo. Or go line dancing at the River Ranch Saloon. There’s even a sanctioned rodeo every Saturday night in the 1,200-seat rodeo stadium and a lighted, 5,000-foot private airstrip. When it’s time to get down to business, River Ranch offers 4,000 square feet of meeting room space, 75 Western-style accommodations, and unique team building activities.

Florida Leadership Training Center

Another jewel is the Florida Leadership Training Center on the shores of Lake Pierce, just 15 miles east of Haines City, Florida. The 20’ by 112’ grand foyer in the rustic lodge, with cedar exterior and tall windows, is perfect for trade shows or exhibits. The lodge also houses a banquet room, meeting rooms and sleeping rooms. Additional lodging space is provided in six villas around the property with total sleeping capacity of 100. Total meeting space at the Florida Leadership Training Center is 20,000 square feet to host more than 300 participants for meetings or banquets. This facility offers a wide range of activities including swimming, canoeing, charter fishing, airboat rides, pontoon boat dinner cruises and a 13-element ropes course to inspire team building.

Lake Eva Banquet Hall

One-of-a-kind event opportunities can be staged at unique sites and alternative meeting venues, such as opening night receptions and spouse tours. The Lake Eva Banquet Hall offers a unique, picturesque setting for your wedding or special event. Located on beautiful Lake Eva the Banquet Hall provides a spectacular lakefront view with an extravagant décor that will meet your every need. The 30,000 square foot facility can accommodate from 196 to 1,409 people. For more information visit the Lake Eva website or call 863-421-3700 for more information or to begin planning your special event.

Bok Tower Gardens

Bok Tower Gardens is a national historic landmark that opened more than 75 years ago with over 250 acres of scenic gardens surrounding the park’s signature 205-foot marble and coquina carillon tower. Two lecture halls and one conference room are available for meetings against this majestic backdrop. For larger scale events, concerts and corporate annual meetings have been held at the base of “The Singing Tower” to create a truly one-of-a-kind event.

Fantasy of Flight

Surround yourself with more than 40 vintage aircraft including the WWII B-26 Marauder, B-24 Liberator and the unstoppable P-51 Mustang just to name a few. Fantasy of Flight houses the Orlampa Conference Center – a high-tech conference center. In addition, there is the Officer’s Club which is a perfect venue for conference meetings and after parties. Take your attendees back in time to a military officer’s club during the 1940’s! This art deco facility with 54,000 square feet of meeting and event space plays a gracious host to event planners looking for a unique experience.

To see the meeting facilities on a map click here.

For more information and for meeting and event planning assistance call 800-828-7655 or 863-551-4709.