4 minute read
GATHER IN PARADISE
BUSINESS WITH PLEASURE
Don’t sweat the details, let us help plan your next get-together
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BY HANNAH BURKE
For Kevin Rosa, Director of Sales & Marketing at Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, selecting a venue for an important meeting or event is akin to buying a house.
“It’s all about location, location, location,” he says.
Beyond the location, you want to ensure there is enough room to accommodate your family and that it’s equipped with the proper amenities to support your needs. From its gorgeous, Gulf Coast vistas and ample assembly space to a consistently reliable event management team, Hilton Sandestin Beach checks all the boxes.
“This property has a rich, 37-year history of meetings and events,” said Rosa. “I’ve been a hospitality executive for over 30 years now and have rarely seen annual group business like this property manages. The fact that, year after year, dozens of entities choose us repeatedly is a testament to our team and should be celebrated.”
A huge draw, Rosa said, is Hilton Sandestin Beach’s “flexible and functional” meeting space. Larger conferences and events have their pick of ballrooms — Emerald, Coral and Coastal. Each ballroom lies adjacent to one another, and though they remain separate and vary in size and capacity, all have access to around 14,000 square feet of pre-function areas, ideal for cocktail receptions, registration sites and midday breaks.
Each ballroom is equipped with state-of-the-art technological facilities capable of supporting your audio/visual presentation needs, though smaller groups may opt for the resort’s 1,260-square-foot theater, which boasts tiered seating and individual writing desks for those wishing to take notes.
More intimate gatherings will find privacy in the Pelican and Heron Rooms, both just under 1,000 square feet, whose seating seamlessly accommodates smaller organizations. For those crucial executivelevel meetings, though, Rosa recommends the Boardroom, a stylish and sophisticated conference space that seats up to 12 and includes a self-contained bathroom, balcony and foyer.
Of course, you’d be remiss not to treat your attendees to the sweeping, sandywhite shores just outside the conference room doors. Rosa said it’s not uncommon to host events and receptions on the pool deck to add a literal breath of fresh air to your schedule and get those creative juices flowing. Meeting planners should consider outdoor team-building activities such as yoga on the Sunrise Deck, beach Olympics directly in the sand and beach volleyball or
The resort’s 60,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space accommodate groups small and large.
OUR MEMORIES
• For over 35 years, the Congress of Clinical Rheumatology has had a wonderful relationship hosting conferences at Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa. Throughout the years, our conference has grown from around 100 attendees to over 700. Over the years, we have had instances where we ended up with more attendees than expected or had other miscellaneous changes, and the Hilton Sandestin Beach staff has always swiftly adjusted and been more than accommodating. They update and upgrade their facilities every few years, and each time they grow, it allows us to continue to host even larger events.
Our conference currently hosts over 700 doctors and their families for six days, and I never have to worry because I know our attendees will enjoy themselves. Thanks to the variety of amenities, the wonderful food, the spacious conference rooms and the helpful and friendly staff, our attendees always enjoy themselves. There is a comfort in knowing I can call their team with any need, and they will accomplish it efficiently and with a smile.
Dr. Pamala McLain,
cornhole tournaments to strengthen your team’s bond and boost morale.
“Our events team does a fantastic job of establishing relationships with clients and ensuring all aspects of their gatherings go off without a hitch,” said Rosa. “They not only bring every detail of your vision to life, they also ensure your attendee’s extracurriculars are planned in advance, including golf tee times and spa appointments. Our team is by your side through the entire process, from walking you through our banquet menus, to follow-ups on small details before your event begins, to making sure your space is set just as requested on the day of. The events team aims to ensure every note that factors into your event’s success is taken care of.”
Chances are you’ve selected this property because it’s a great place for guests to bring their families. While you work hard, your loved ones play hard, and you’ll be privy to the fun when business concludes.
“Our family-friendly resort creates the perfect environment for business travel to coincide with making lasting family memories,” said Rosa. “We have a lot of great events planned in 2022, and we can’t wait to welcome you here when the time comes.”
