she had no idea what she was getting into: “As someone who has lived in the area for a long time, I had no idea groups from all over the world saw St. Pete/Clearwater not only as a fabulous, natural vacation destination but also as an attractive business meetings and conference venue.”

 

Now, a Meetings & Conferences Specialist for St. Pete/Clearwater, she ferrets out every corner of the area to accommodate this burgeoning market. “I am very well aware now that our hotel inventory has amazing facilities to brand the area as a major player in the global meetings and conference markets all year round.”

 

DeMato had a firm vision of Clearwater’s incredible sugar white sandy coastline on the Gulf of Mexico, its wealth of internationally-known hotel brands so many of which double as yes, vacation destinations and comfortably accommodate business.

 

All the properties featured are within a 30-minute drive to Tampa International Airport, or St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport. All feature excursions ranging from sunset cruises aboard Komko Yacht (cruise menus available) to Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise to museum visits in St. Petersburg.

 

According to Stephanie Alexander-Priakos, Director of Meetings & Conferences at Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, high season for meetings is the same as for tourists: January and February and the majority of meeting goers are from across the U.S. up to the Midwest.

 

Additionally, once companies and associations find the spaces that best match their criteria, they are apt to return. “Our hotels get a lot of repeat business, we have companies that have been coming every year for 30 years,” said Alexander-Priakos. Fans include Football Clubs from Montreal to Cincinnati and hi-profile companies.

 

 

Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa
One of those well-planned, well-placed and well-equipped properties is the 297-room Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa that boasts privacy in corners of the property such as the rooftop deck with a hot tub. A total of 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor function space including the 4,000 square foot ballroom with 17’ ceilings, and a 4,000 square foot rooftop Sky Terrace as well as Encore Audio-Visual services such as an onsite Event Manager.

 

Those powdery white sand beaches are a step outside the door. Alternatively, the 8th floor pool is circled by private cabanas for groups for well-earned breaks. On site there are several dining options from a casual coffee bar on the 2nd floor lobby that leads to the beach, to SHOR American Seafood Grill: again with Gulf views from the patio during breakfast and dinner with an open kitchen that draws diners to observe preparation of fresh and healthy American cuisine and regional seafood.

 

 

Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach
Blessed with the same fabulous vistas is Hyatt’s neighbor: the elegant and efficient 343-room Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach. Its 22,000 square feet of conference and meeting rooms occupy a portion of the property that is accessible from the main lobby yet tucked away from where leisure clients are likely to tread. A pretty perfect wedding party can be had in the Pelican Room with its spectacular Gulf of Mexico views. The Wyndham boasts the Pallavi Spa, and waterfront dining at the resort’s signature restaurant, Ocean Hai, or DocK’s Pool Bar & Grille.

 

 

JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa
At relative newcomer, at just three years old, the JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa, identifies as a holistically-inspired property with 162 rooms (and 36 residences), three onsite dining options, and 17,000 square feet of event space. Unexpected touches of art deco-inspired glamour sit alongside rustic elegance and woven textures for a quietly sense of chic comfort.

 

Particularly alluring is the rooftop pool, where one can find the Deep End for craft cocktails and a chef-curated menu that is Florida-focused, Latin-inspired with a nod to Japanese flavors. Ask for the watermelon cocktail.

 

Dining options range from the on-the-go menu at JW Market to the beachfront ESKAPE Beach Bar & Grill; Latitude 28; and in-room elegant dining at Savor by JW that sparkles with unexpected delights tinged with a touch of India.

 

 

Opal Sol
The Opal Collection arrived in Clearwater with an obvious eye toward luxury and elegance. Boasting 248 panoramic Gulf-view suites, the Opal Sol is an airy and inviting sanctuary with modern ocean-inspired decor. Located next to its “sol mate” property, Opal Sands, and connected via a glass-enclosed skyway bridge, guests of Opal Sol enjoy exclusive access to four pools, 10 restaurants, two full-service Opal Spas, and 106,000 square feet of event space.

 

 

Sandpearl Resort
A stone’s throw away is Sandpearl Resort with 25,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space — including three grand ballrooms and two executive boardrooms— the resort is designed to accommodate intimate board meetings and large-scale galas of up to 400 guests. Full audiovisual support, custom catering and professional planning services are available. Besides the 253 luxurious guestrooms and suites, is a serene spa and of course, those sweeping views of the Gulf.

 

 

St.Petersburg on Tampa Bay
As impressive as Clearwater is St. Petersburg was a total surprise to JF’s reporter with its fabulous location on the Tampa Bay, its winding parks, an old-world vibe and a sense of preservation.

 

 

The Pink Lady
The mythology and legend of 100-year-old The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club also known as the “pink lady,” embodies all of these assets. Listed on the National Registry of Historic places as early as 1978, it fell into utter disrepair and neglect until a painstaking restoration costing some $93 million saved it from the wrecking ball.

 

Reopened in 1992 with luxurious additions like a spa and luxurious guest rooms and signature meeting and conference space. Its signature façade and Mediterranean Revival architecture distinguish it as the resort has joined the Autograph Collection Hotels, as part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of distinctive independent properties. Facing Tampa Bay, nine museums including the Dali Museum are within walking distance of this grand dame and crown jewel of the city.

 

From the sugar-white beaches of Clearwater to the waterfront elegance and cultural richness of St. Petersburg, Visit St. Pete/Clearwater has crafted a meetings destination that blends business efficiency with unmistakable Florida appeal. With world-class resorts, expansive event space, easy airport access and memorable off-site experiences, the region offers planners an opportunity to deliver productive gatherings in a setting that feels like a reward in itself. It is little wonder so many organizations return year after year, drawn by a destination where meetings and leisure come together seamlessly.