The Emerald Coast Convention Center
Sail away to paradise in Destin Harbor
Sea oats along the Emerald Coast
Shopping and venues at Destin Commons
The Emerald Coast is a golfer's delight
|  |
Contact: Emerald Coast CVB, Inc./Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council
800-322-3319 / www.destin-fwb.com
Airport Information | Accommodations | Meeting and Event Venues | Group Recreation/Teambuilding | Dining | Attractions | Golf | Weather
State-of-the-Art Convention Center The Emerald Coast Convention Center offers 35,000 square feet of flexible meeting space (think breakout rooms of all sizes and seating configurations, and a 21,000-square-foot ballroom - all just steps away from the Gulf of Mexico and views of Choctawhatchee Bay). The center is wired with the latest technology and features a full-service award-winning catering service on site. Find out more at destin-fwb.com/conference, where planners can view floor plans and capacity charts and take advantage of an online RFP.
Top-of-the-Line CVB Assistance Expect award-winning service. The Emerald Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau was honored with the prestigious ConventionSouth magazine’s 2009 Readers’ Choice award. More than 18,000 meetings industry readers cast their votes based on the highest level of customer service within the publication’s 14-state official coverage area.
Group-Ready Accommodations Conveniently located near the Emerald Coast Convention Center, accommodations along Florida’s Emerald Coast with all varieties of lodging, flexible meeting space and generous amenities cater to groups. The Palms of Destin Resort offers ample meeting space, along with a spa. Emerald Grande Resort on Destin Harbor provides banquet space, suites, a spa and the shops and restaurants of surrounding HarborWalk Village. In total, Florida’s Emerald Coast offers total combined meeting space of 110,000 square feet and 15,900 rooms – from seaside cottages to a beachside bed and breakfast, hotels and resorts.
A Can’t-Miss Value Season Mild temperatures and great rates make Florida’s Emerald Coast a sensation in the off-season. In the fall and winter months, attendees will be dazzled with the area’s abundant sunshine – there is actually less rainfall in these months – and cooler temperatures. Along with beautiful weather, affordability comes to the forefront to stretch the meeting budget. It’s also a popular season for outdoor festivals and events, such as the Destin Seafood Festival and the Destin Fishing Rodeo.
Easy Fly and Drive Access Northwest Florida Regional Airport (VPS) is served by five major carriers. For groups driving in, U.S. Highway 98 travels along the Emerald Coast, hugging the Gulf of Mexico through Destin, Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa Island, approximately 315 miles from Atlanta.
The Call of the Water With 24 miles of sparkling white sands and brilliant green Gulf of Mexico waters, groups will find this destination a refreshing environment in which to reach their business goals. The picturesque coastline comingles with Choctawhatchee Bay, Santa Rosa Sound and Destin Harbor. Originally a fishing community, the Fort Walton Beach/Destin area supports the largest charter boat fleet in Florida, resulting in the freshest seafood on local menus.
Inviting Year-Round Temperatures Gentle Gulf of Mexico breezes keep Florida’s Emerald Coast comfortable year ‘round, with temperatures around the 60s in winter and the 80s in summer. The sun shines an average of 297 days per year here, ensuring that your group gets a healthy dose of Florida sunshine.
Area Attractions Attractions along Florida’s Emerald Coast take their inspiration from the sky and the sea. Florida’s Gulfarium, one of the state’s oldest marine parks, is home to bottlenose dolphins, sea-life encounters and shows. The U.S. Air Force Armament Museum near Eglin Air Force Base, the only one of its kind in the U.S., showcases aircraft like a B-17 World War II bomber. For sheer pleasure, Destin Commons features shops, restaurants, a movie theater, Hard Rock Cafe and Bass Pro Shops. At Big Kahuna’s, 40 water attractions, including slides, lazy rivers and an Adventure Park, create an out-of-the-box group diversion. If your program happens to fall in June, your attendees can experience a reenactment of a pirate invasion at the Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival.
Golfer’s Delight Golf enthusiasts love Florida’s Emerald Coast for its 1,080 holes framed by the area’s natural beauty. Reasonable fees and a welcoming climate year ‘round only sweeten the deal. Of note, the 18-hole Regatta Bay Golf & Country Club, an Audubon-registered course, challenges with natural hazards. Courses at Kelly Plantation Golf Club and Shalimar Pointe Golf and Country Club follow the shores of Choctawhatchee Bay. And Indian Bayou Golf and Country Club provides a playable challenge with Gulf views.
One-Of-A-Kind Dining Dining options are numerous here, with some of Florida’s freshest seafood as a near-universal theme. Groups can dine together at a seafood shack, oyster bar, elegant Gulf-air cafe or amid authentic area memorabilia at the Magnolia Grille. New Orleans icon Commander’s Palace is a new addition to a dining scene that spotlights tastes of the South, from authentic Louisiana Cajun crawfish gumbo and beer-battered fried mullet to continental and European cuisine. |
