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LEGOLAND™ Florida coming fall 2011 |
Largest LEGOLAND™ Coming to Lakeland Area
Central Florida's Polk County, located between Orlando and Tampa, will welcome the largest LEGOLAND™ in the world by the end of 2011. LEGOLAND Florida will make its home in Winter Haven on the current 145-acre site of Florida attraction Cypress Gardens.
Meeting destinations within Polk County offer a unique collection of group options.
The Central Florida Visitors & Convention Bureau (VCB) represents Polk County to meeting professionals. Polk County includes the cities of Lakeland, Lake Wales, Winter Haven, Bartow and Haines City "In Polk County, we are centrally located for convenient group access and are a unique Central Florida meeting destination that offers an affordable collection of meeting, conference and event venues not found anywhere else in Florida," said Carol DeHaven, Meeting and Convention Sales at the VCB. "Consider holding your next board retreat at an authentic Dude Ranch, Westgate River Ranch or the natural setting of the Florida Leadership Training Center on the shores of Lake Pierce."
The 100,000-square-foot Lakeland Center in Lakeland can accommodate groups from 10 to 10,000 among flexible space encompassing a multipurpose arena, two exhibit halls, a theater and a variety of meeting rooms. Ideal for conferences, trade shows and sporting events, the Lakeland Center is anchored by the all-suite Hyatt Place with an additional 600 rooms nearby. Lakeland is known as the City of Swans for its many lakes and natural beauty. Lakeland's revitalized downtown, historic architecture, cultural venues, lakeside parks and antiques district are filled with Old Florida charm.
A unique claim to fame near Lake Wales is Westgate River Ranch Resort, a real "Dude Ranch" where planners can treat their groups to an "Old West" experience with all the modern conveniences. The Grand Hall features 2,392 square feet of function space in a rustic, yet state-of-the-art setting. Five other meeting rooms with names such as Appaloosa and Mustang as well as creative meeting spaces are found on the ranch. Groups can find their inner cowboy or cowgirl among 117 acres and enjoy on-site team-building activities such as horseback riding, golf, fishing, airboat rides, trap and skeet, hayrides, cookouts, line dancing 
Westgate River Ranch Resort near Lake Wales |
and even a Saturday night rodeo. Westgate River Ranch is located one hour from Orlando International Airport, or groups can fly in and land on the resort's private airstrip.
Two very distinctive meeting and event venues with a historical flair are located in Polk County. Fantasy of Flight portrays aviation history through the world's largest private collection of vintage aircraft, and Bok Tower Gardens is designated a national historic landmark. Both offer meeting space and make spectacular event settings. At Fantasy of Flight, planners can choose from different experiences for groups from 50 to 5,000 within 100,000 square feet of meeting space. The 4,000-square-foot Orlampa Conference Center is the attraction's newest addition, and large events with this impressive aeronautic collection as a backdrop can be held. Smaller-themed venues that will make guests feel they stepped back in time round out the interesting choices at Fantasy of Flight.
Bok Tower Gardens has graced Lake Wales for the last 75 years. Acres of magnificent gardens, an ornate 205 foot high "singing tower" that performs concerts from its carillon of bells, two lecture halls and a conference room are available to groups. Events for up to 100 guests can be held in enchanting garden settings or in the Visitors Center.
Another interesting meeting space just made for team building is the Florida Leadership Training Center. This Haines City facility offers 20,000 square feet of meeting space and sleeping accommodations for up to 100. A wide range of activities include a 13-element ropes course where groups can convene and compete. Swimming, canoeing, charter fishing, airboat rides and pontoon dinner cruises can be added to the meeting agenda.
Polk County is chock-full of unique and inspirational meeting spaces and venues. Contact Carol DeHaven at the Central Florida Visitors & Convention Bureau for assistance with your next meeting, convention or sporting event. Carol can also tell you about the VCB's Cooperative Sponsorship Support opportunities which can help offset meeting expenses for groups that qualify.
Learn more about Lakeland and other Polk County destinations
See Central Florida meeting properties & venues |
