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Meeting-goers getting what they want: one-stop
Meeting planners are well-known for their preference for one-stop convention centers that don’t involve lengthy bus rides to sessions. Even short rides can be inconvenient.
So one-stop centers are in demand. And are growing.
A good example is the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention Center Collection, which this month celebrates its one-year anniversary.
The Collection pairs the Broward County Convention Center with six meeting hotels, all within a mile of the 200,000-square-foot center. Together, the properties can accommodate groups of up to 2,700.
"The six hotels in the Lauderdale Convention Collection offer a wide variety of advantages, starting with the attention of the Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB’s ‘Sunsational Service Team,’ whose sole objective is to make meeting planners and their attendees feel right at home," said VisitFlorida.
The group also offers various complimentary spaces and welcome receptions. Another advantage cited by convention officials is that some hotels offer water views (beach or intracoastal) and close proximity to the beaches and downtown arts and development district.
But the Florida facility is not the only one who realizes one-stop is better.
"A host of new convention center headquarters are opening in key meeting destinations around the country," writes Meetings & Conventions. Some of these paired centers have recently had upgrades in anticipation of attracting this type of business.
The $450 million Marriott Place development in Indianapolis last year added a new JW Maarriott Indianapolis Downtown. The huge, 1005-room property has more than 104,000 square feet of function space.
Other hotels in Marriott Place opening in 2010 included a 622-room Marriott Indianapolis Downtown, a 295- room Courtyard by Marriott, a 156-Suite SpringHill Suites by Marriott. All Marriott Place properties are connected to the Indiana Convention Center.
By David Wilkening
David
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