Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Downtown Orlando

When you choose to meet in Orlando, venue options go far beyond the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) and our meeting hotels and resorts. Orlando gives you the opportunity to host once-in-a-lifetime meetings and group outings at some of our most popular attractions, restaurants, nightlife hotspots and more — including our world-famous theme parks.

  • The OCCC and our one-of-a-kind experiences aren’t the only reasons why Orlando is the country’s No. 1 meeting destination per Cvent. It also comes down to unique offsite venues that are eager to host private events your attendees will never forget. The following are prime examples, but keep in mind that they represent just a small sampling of our options.

    Disney Springs®

    Not only is this dining, entertainment and shopping district at Walt Disney World® Resort home to Orlando’s largest concentration of celebrity chefs, but many Disney Springs restaurants double as unforgettable venues for offsite events. Standouts include Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto’s Morimoto Asia, José Andrés’ JALEO, Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill, Rick Bayless’ Frontera Cocina, and others. Don’t skip the unique themed options either, such as The Edison, Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar and more.

    Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

    The crown jewel of Orlando’s performing arts scene, the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts invites you to reserve sections, reconfigure spaces for a variety of purposes, or even rent the entire facility, with three theaters and an outdoor plaza to choose from — including the all-new, acoustically perfect Steinmetz Hall. Past examples of the possibilities have included cocktail bars, sampling stations and even a speakeasy. And naturally, there’s no more majestic space to deliver a keynote than from one of the Dr. Phillips Center’s stages.

    GuideWell Innovation Center

    Located in Orlando’s Lake Nona neighborhood, close to Orlando International Airport, this 92,000-square-foot facility was designed to support the community’s medical partners — but its state-of-the-art office and laboratory space also serves as an innovative function venue for groups of any kind, particularly those engaged in medical and scientific pursuits.

    Harry P. Leu Gardens

    A hidden gem in the Audubon Park Garden District near downtown Orlando, Harry P. Leu Gardens has 50 acres of beautifully cultivated flora, including more than 40 diverse plant collections from around the world. It’s a picture-perfect setting for outdoor events and also has indoor space that can accommodate up to 180 guests for receptions and banquets.

    ICON Park®

    An open-air entertainment, dining and shopping hub on International Drive, ICON Park is best known as the home of The Wheel — a 400-foot observation wheel — but there are numerous options here for meeting groups seeking unique offsite spaces. Top choices include Madame Tussauds Orlando, SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, Blake Shelton’s Ole Red, Tin Roof and others.

    Orlando Museum of Art

    Located in Loch Haven Park near downtown, the Orlando Museum of Art has educated and enriched the Orlando community for nearly 100 years. More importantly for meeting planners, it’s an iconic venue with a variety of spaces to host a wide range of events, including private rooms, a 250-person auditorium, gallery space for cocktail receptions and dinners, and even full buyouts.

    Pointe Orlando

    Located in the epicenter of Orlando’s convention district on International Drive, Pointe Orlando is a one-of-a-kind, walkable, open-air entertainment center with plenty of appeal for meeting planners looking for unique venues. Top choices include The Hampton SocialThe Pub Orlando and WonderWorks.

    Universal CityWalk

    Located at the nexus of Universal Orlando Resort’s theme parks, Universal CityWalk is an open-air dining, entertainment and shopping district with numerous venues that are perfect for meeting groups. Attendees can play a round at Hollywood Drive-In Golf, bust a move at Red Coconut Club and the groove, take the stage for karaoke backed by a live band at CityWalk’s Rising Star, or experience out-of-this-world dining at top eateries such as Hard Rock Cafe®, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.™ Restaurant & Market, Bigfire, Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food, Bob Marley — A Tribute to Freedom, and many others.

  • Bringing your meeting or event to the next level is always the goal. Engaging your attendees with a one-of-a-kind event impacts what they take away from their convention experience. Our theme parks — and the creative geniuses behind them — roll out the red carpet for groups with experiences that can be customized to meet your needs.

    For example, Universal Orlando Resort has amped up its offerings with its new Meeting Enhancements at select onsite hotels. Imagine a meeting where Optimus Prime introduces your keynote speaker, or the fun-loving Minions make a guest appearance. Meeting Enhancements like these can help ensure that your program will resonate with your attendees.

    Another popular experience offered at select Universal Orlando Resort onsite properties is Flavor by Loews Hotels, a partnership that allows meeting guests to enjoy menus from local eateries without having to leave the property.

    Experiential meetings are popular at SeaWorld® Orlando, where groups can go behind the scenes with customized educational programs. Beforehand, SeaWorld will send an ambassador to explain more about the theme park’s conservation efforts. Furthermore, SeaWorld donates 1% of all net revenue from an event held at their parks to the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund.

    The Walt Disney World Resort area offers several options that revolve around food, including an activity where meeting-goers cooperate to can jars of sauces, pickles and jam harvested from EPCOT®. Groups can also rent a demonstration kitchen at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort to create new concoctions under a chef’s supervision.