How South Florida and the Keys serve up meaningful meetings

By Eming Piansay

If there are three things Florida is known for, they are great weather, world-class meetings and a smorgasbord of culinary experiences. From embedding Miami’s flavors into your agenda to sampling fruit straight from the tree, the Sunshine State offers immersive food-forward experiences that can easily be woven into any event itinerary.

Resources

Florida Keys

[email protected]fla-keys.com

The Palm Beaches

[email protected]thepalmbeaches.com

 

REASONS WHY MEETING PLANNERS LOVE FLORIDA

Calle Ocho entrance in Miami’s Little Havana district
Calle Ocho entrance in Miami’s Little Havana district, photo by Fotoluminate LLC / Shutterstock.com
  • Florida Keys Food Tours. Culinary experiences are often the most memorable part of any event. Florida Keys Food Tours delivers a wide range of local flavors through offerings such as the Islamorada Food Tour, Happy Hour Tour and Golf Cart Food Tour.
  • Tropical fruit hunt. At Grimal Grove, attendees can enjoy a 75- to 90-minute guided walking tour that explores more than 70 years of restoration history, seasonal harvesting and tastings of exotic fruit varieties.

Read More: Central Florida: Where Business Meets Adventure

  • Cultural tours in Miami. Miami’s vibrant cultural scene translates seamlessly into experiential programming. Options range from Art Deco walking tours to Little Havana food and culture experiences and Design District culinary walks.
  • Fruit & Spice exploration. Located in Homestead, Fruit & Spice Park spans 37 acres and features more than 500 varieties of tropical fruits, herbs and plants. In addition to guided tours, the park offers educational programs focused on nutrition, pollinators and seed science.

 

Places to Meet & Stay

Loews Coral Gables

Loews Coral Gables pool area

After a day of meetings, attendees can head to the ninth floor of Loews Coral Gables for panoramic views and complete food and beverage service.

30,000 sq. ft. of event space; 242 guest rooms

Cheeca Lodge & Spa

Two tacos

The culinary program spans seafood, prime aged steaks, sushi and casual dining options.

15,000 sq. ft. of event space; 243 guest rooms

Hilton West Palm Beach

Conference room

Connected to Palm Beach County Convention Center via an enclosed walkway, that provides seamless access to 350,000 sq. ft. of additional meeting space.

35,000 sq. ft. of meeting space; 400 guest rooms

Ocean Reef Club

Aerial view of building

The property features two 18-hole golf courses, tennis and pickleball courts, and venues such as the Cultural Center for meetings and events.

30,000 sq. ft. of meeting space; 144 guest rooms

This article appears in the March/April 2026 issue. You can subscribe to the magazine here