06/05/2009

 

The Jacksonville Meeting Experience
Northeast Florida is a Destination with the Meeting and Event Planner's Needs in Mind

For years, Northeast Florida has captivated guests with its vibrant charm and vast array of offerings for visitors of every interest.  With unique meeting venues and event spaces for groups of 10 to 10,000 - Jacksonville welcomes groups of all sizes to experience the flavor of the area. 

Hot Dates, Hot Rates

Come to Jacksonville during July through December and save!  In addition to the beautiful natural surroundings and warm Southern hospitality, Jacksonville provides value with the view.  Meeting planners who host groups during these months can receive extra incentives ranging from accommodation discounts on meeting space, hotel rooms and services.  Discounts on group admission to attractions, tours and transportation are also available.

Medical Meetings

Northeast Florida is quickly gaining prominence as one of the top health and medical destinations in the country. Regional hospitals and clinics lead the way in providing highly-specialized services and technology.  Local businesses associated within the medical industry are thriving and the region's first-rate meeting facilities are attracting more medical meetings and conventions for associations and drug manufacturers. 

Visit Jacksonville, the City of Jacksonville and local medical businesses and hospitals work together to showcase Jacksonville's diversity in patient care, medical products and tourism resources as "America's Health Center" through a devoted Web portal and advertising and marketing efforts. This initiative makes planning medical conventions, traveling for patient care and meeting with medical businesses easier.

Sporting Events

The NFL Jacksonville Jaguars and the Florida Marlin's minor league affiliate, the Jacksonville Suns each call Northeast Florida home, so why wouldn't you want to host your annual sporting match-ups here? The venue options are endless and the family-friendly attractions throughout the region make this a great place to host your amateur sporting competition or exhibition.

Jacksonville is not usually described as a college town, but with five acclaimed schools in the area, it should be. Each college offers facilities with ample parking, seating, locker rooms, concession areas and much more.

The University of North Florida (UNF) is the largest university in the region with many modern facilities for tournament and exhibition use. In January 2008, the International Rugby League used UNF's Hodges Stadium to host the first match up on U.S. soil between Leeds Rhinos of the United Kingdom and Australia's South Sydney Rabbitohs. The university is also home to a state-of-the-art arena, boasting parking for 3,000 and a convenient location in the heart of Jacksonville's Southside region. Other facilities include the Aquatic Center, the UNF Tennis Complex, a fast pitch softball stadium, a competition-sized soccer field, a multi-purpose recreation field, a golf management and learning center along with the UNF Track/Soccer Stadium.

Other Jacksonville colleges and universities have unique, world-class facilities including Edward Waters College (EWC), a Historically Black College; Jacksonville University; and each of the five campuses of the Florida Community College at Jacksonville.  Combined, these facilities have been used to host intercollegiate football, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, crew and sailing, tennis, wrestling and track and field. Annual events currently hosted at EWC include Duval County Classic, EWC vs. UNF and the Martin Luther King, Jr. basketball games.

Other affordable venues are available at local high-schools, many with international recognition, like The Bolles School and Bishop Kenny High School.

Military Reunions

With a strong military presence in Northeast Florida, a variety of military-related attractions are available for you to experience in the Greater Jacksonville area. Navy personnel will especially appreciate the two naval bases in our area, Naval Air Station Jacksonville and Mayport Naval Station. Army veterans will feel right at home with nearby Camp Blanding and the army helicopter unit at Craig Field. The Florida Air National Guard maintains a jet squadron at Jacksonville International Airport. The Duval County Veterans Memorial Wall showcases the names of more than 1,500 local military personnel who lost their lives while on active duty.  A park serving as a space of reflection, will soon be added near the memorial wall for visitors wishing to pay tribute to the fallen heroes.

Leisure Group Travel

Jacksonville serves as a regional crossroad for those traveling throughout the Southeast.  With Interstate 10 serving as the main east-west corridor and Interstate 95 channeling north-south traffic, traveling to Northeast Florida is especially convenient for motor coach transportation and leisure groups.  Groups visiting the area can take advantage of the many attractions and restaurants that provide discounts and special services to travelers. 

Multicultural Meetings

Northeast Florida is alive with cultural experiences, attractions and festivals. The cultural offerings pair great with outstanding facilities, shopping, dining and nightlife. Each spring, Jacksonville celebrates its cultural diversity with the World of Nations Celebration, presented by the City of Jacksonville.  Metropolitan Park transforms into a multi-ethnic marketplace of cuisine, crafts and entertainment of people from throughout the world.  With more than 30 countries represented, the festival provides a unique look into cultures from across the globe.  Another popular celebration of culture is the annual Kuumba African-American Arts Festival, a colorful celebration with live music, dancing and African and Caribbean Cuisine.

The Black Heritage Trail charts a fascinating urban trail through Northeast Florida where modern day explorers can visit the past. Attractions along this trail include the Ritz Theatre & LaVilla Museum, located in Downtown Jacksonville and surrounded by an area once known as the "Harlem of the South." The Ritz Voices performers lift their voices high inside the historic walls. Explorers will also find the Catherine Street Fire Station #3, Bethel Baptist Institutional Church, Clara White Mission and other historical landmarks.

When the meeting is done for the day, explore what the night has to offer in Jacksonville. Much like the community itself, Jacksonville's restaurant scene is an eclectic hybrid of inspired casual elegance and classic Southern comfort, infused with the unmistakable flavor of the coast and a dash of international flair.  A night on the town might start with cocktails overlooking the river or a feast on the ocean, capped by dancing and people-watching at any number of countless hotspots.

From exceptional convention facilities to endless stretches of pristine beaches, world-class golf and unique shopping options as vast as the city itself, Jacksonville is the perfect spot to meet.  For more information on planning your next unforgettable meeting, call Visit Jacksonville at (800) 340-4444 or log on to http://www.visitjacksonville.com/.