Attendees at the FICP Education Forum at Ritz-Carlton in Amelia Island participated in an offsite scavenger hunt. Photo courtesy of ETHOS Event Collective

When you think of the best places to host financial and insurance gatherings, what comes to mind? For many, hubs like New York City, with its world-renowned Wall Street, and Chicago, with its major financial headquarters, top the list. But heading south, Florida also stands out as an ideal location, offering metropolitan amenities alongside sandy beaches and a relaxed vibe that attendees appreciate.

Lexi Matias, vice president of marketing and giving at Ethos Event Collective, a purpose-driven destination and event management company, is based in Florida and has partnered on a wide range of financial and insurance events in the state, from multi-day incentive programs and executive retreats to sales meetings and large-scale conferences.

“The insurance and financial industries, in particular, have trusted us with incentive travel programs, appreciation events and strategic leadership offsites,” Matias says. “Because we are local to the Florida markets we serve, we tailor each experience with regional insight, elevating every touchpoint from venue selection to cultural nuance.”

Her company has orchestrated events across the state, including in Orlando, Miami, Palm Beach, Naples, Fort Lauderdale and Amelia Island. Each destination offers its own energy and flavor: the pulse of Miami, the elegance of Naples, the laid-back beauty of Amelia Island.

“Florida checks all the logistical boxes: easy access via major airports, an impressive range of venues and sunshine that rarely takes a day off,” Matias says. “But beyond the convenience, what makes Florida stand out is the potential for intentional, memorable experiences. Whether you are flying in a national sales team or hosting an executive retreat, Florida’s major airports, luxury properties and year-round sunshine make it an ideal choice. What truly sets it apart, though, is the ability to build meaningful experiences.”

While Florida is full of potential, it takes more than palm trees and sunshine to deliver a seamless event. The key, Matias says, is service. That means working with a local DMC that doesn’t just know the destination – they live it. Their teams show up early, stay prepared for anything, and take service seriously because it’s personal. This is their backyard, and they care deeply about how it’s experienced.

It’s also important to partner with experts who understand that the rhythm, nuances and hidden gems of Florida are the difference between checking boxes and crafting something memorable.

“While many destinations offer luxury and adventure, Florida does too – alongside culture, diversity and warmth that only locals can truly unlock,” says Matias, who also advises that financial and insurance meeting planners focus on experiences that align with their audience’s goals and values, and don’t overlook the power of community connection.

Katherine Healy Brown, founder and director of events at Clover Events, a Chicago-based event planning firm, has years of experience planning events for financial and insurance companies around the world and knows all of the tips and tricks to pull off spectacular corporate events – and the best places to host them, including Florida.

“I’ve taken corporate clients to Florida because it can be a nice destination in the winter when we’re freezing in the Midwest! You can get a luxury, international feel for your event without the expense of flying your guests to another country,” Healy Brown says. “Florida is known for high-end resorts, beautiful golf courses and fine dining, so it’s a great option for VIP groups. The accessibility from airports across the U.S. makes it easy for attendees to get there. Many major cities in Florida have a strong MICE infrastructure, making them ideal locations to bring groups.

SunSeeker Resort on Charlotte Harbor offers luxury and amenities.

Punta Gorda & Englewood

Meeting planners have hosted their conferences in Punta Gorda and Englewood Beach, Florida for many reasons. This hidden gem offers a unique, uncrowded coastal location. Teeming with authentic old Florida charm, Punta Gorda and Englewood Beach offer a more relaxed, small-town atmosphere without the crowds of Tampa, Miami or Orlando.

With miles of Gulf coastline, peaceful harbors and nature preserves, the area provides stunning backdrops for meetings and after-hours events.

In addition, venue rentals and accommodations – from waterfront resorts and boutique hotels to unique venues, such as an event center with outdoor options and botanical gardens – tend to be more cost-effective than in larger cities.

There also are exceptional team-building and offsite activities for attendees. Charlotte Harbor, the second largest estuary in Florida, is ideal for outdoor adventures and wildlife tours.

Golf, fishing and beaches offer the perfect outlets for relaxation or informal networking.

Florida Keys

Stretching 125 miles off the southern coast of the Sunshine State, The Florida Keys & Key West comprise five distinct districts – Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine & the Lower Keys, and Key West – each offering its own personality and unforgettable flavor of island life.

From luxury resorts and eco-conscious retreats to historic venues and marina-based getaways, the Keys offer one-of-a-kind opportunities for groups looking to blend business with bucket-list experiences. Many resorts also offer waterfront lawns, rooftop terraces, marina decks and resort villas – combining indoor functionality with outdoor allure.

Oceans Edge Resort & Marina and The Perry Hotel & Marina in the lower Keys are increasingly popular for yachting groups and incentives with marina-front events. In addition, Bungalows Key Largo remains in high demand as the Keys’ only all-inclusive, adults-only resort – ideal for intimate incentives and executive retreats. Playa Largo Resort & Spa, Bakers Cay Resort, Cheeca Lodge & Spa and Ocean Reef Club continue to elevate the upper Keys’ luxury offerings for meetings and incentives.

Opal Key Resort & Marina, part of the Opal Collection, is ideally located in Old Town Key West, and is perfect for smaller gatherings. Featuring several unique venues ideal for business meetings and corporate events of all types and sizes, Opal Key Resort can accommodate up to 300 attendees. The resort offers idyllic surroundings, as well as a wealth of team-building opportunities, community giving experiences, sustainability programs and wellness activities, including yoga on the beach and custom-tailored bike tours for attendees to experience everything Key West has to offer.

With more meeting and event planners embracing built-in leisure time, the Keys blends business with the downtime today’s attendees crave: from conch cuisine and craft cocktails to art walks and history tours. Teams can snorkel the continental U.S.’s only living coral reef, cast off on a deep-sea fishing charter, paddle through mangrove tunnels or partner with local conservation nonprofits for purposeful, sustainability-driven outings.

Besides offering 260,000 sf of indoor meeting and event space, Caribe Royal Orlando has a 20,000 sf outdoor event lawn, and the new Stadium Club, an interactive sports bar and entertainment venue. Photo courtesy of Caribe Royale Orlando

Orlando

The event and meeting venue offerings in Orlando are constantly being updated. Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin recently announced a $275 million transformation project including a 120,000 sf event space expansion. The renovated meeting and event space at this iconic property will feature a new ballroom, additional convention space, upgrades to existing space, including up-to-date technology and refreshed guestrooms. Design elements are also being updated to reflect the upcoming enhancements and additions across the complex.

The much-celebrated expansion will bring the resort’s total meeting space to 469,000 sf, making it one of the largest convention properties on the East Coast. It will also expand the hotel’s largest contiguous event space to 175,000 sf.

Disney Meetings & Events assists planners with delivering conventions, meetings and incentive programs with real impact at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. By working with Disney event architects, planners can create immersive experiences that will help inspire, motivate and energize attendees.

Caribe Royale Orlando is another favorite venue of meeting planners, thanks in part to its 260,000 sf of indoor and outdoor event space. The Grove, the resort’s 20,000 sf event lawn, is the “must experience” space for tranquil outdoor gatherings. In addition, the resort offers a series of private villas located near the property’s conference center that are ideal accommodations for executives. The facility’s Island Spa, two-story fitness center and paved running and bike trail will appeal to those looking to incorporate health and wellness activities into an attendee’s schedule of events.

Clearwater & St. Pete

Located in the Tampa Bay area, Clearwater and St. Petersburg, also known as St. Pete, are home to miles of award-winning white sandy beaches, warm gulf waters and a world-class arts scene, making the area an ideal location for groups. Attendees can find everything from an eclectic nightlife to unique beach communities. These destinations boast an influx of new venues recently introduced.

Opened last year, SkyBeach Resort was damaged by two hurricanes but has been renovated and is now fully operational. Having worked with the financial and insurance industry extensively in the past, the resort is a perfect fit for incentive trips within that market – offering state-of-the-art meeting spaces and a plethora of activities. The venue has two resort pools, an on-site marina, private beach, paddleboards, kayaks and a sports center featuring pickleball, beach volleyball and tennis courts.

Nearby Opal Sands Resorts & Spa in Clearwater Beach offers stunning Gulf views from every guestroom. Recently, the Opal Collection opened an exquisite new resort adjacent to it called Opal Sol. Boasting 248 panoramic gulf-front rooms and suites, more than 57,000 sf of event space, a full-service spa and other amenities, Opal Sol offers the ideal location for groups of all sizes. Between the two resorts, which are linked together by a glass-enclosed sky bridge, meeting planners have a total of 106,000 sf of event space to work with. From multiple boardrooms to pool deck event lawns, to expansive breakout spaces, there is ample space to make any gathering truly shine.

Miami

Tucked away on 300 acres between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa is a tropical oasis with a culture of accessible luxury and enriching experiences for corporate meetings and events. With over 120,000 sf of meeting space, including two grand ballrooms and 20 breakout rooms, the resort offers limitless possibilities for completely customizable events. The resort’s expansive outdoor areas provide unparalleled options for large corporate gatherings.

It also offers many group activities, including golf challenges, organized 5K runs, cocktail making and more. The resort’s interactive Water Park After Dark at Tidal Cove is one of the newest customizable group activities. The daytime playground is transformed to a unique nighttime option for an unforgettable experience.

Not far from Miami is the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The striking guitar hotel reaches 450 feet into the sky and offers fine dining, gaming and live entertainment. Planners will find 638 luxury guestrooms and suites available, as well as 120,000 sf of meeting and event space.

Delray Beach

Located on the stunning shores of Delray Beach, the Opal Grand Oceanfront Resort & Spa has been newly renovated. It features more than 22,000 sf of indoor and outdoor event spaces. Here, meeting and event planners are bound to find the ideal space to host everything from intimate board meetings to large-scale gatherings of up to 1,000 attendees.

The resort is not far from downtown, where attendees can go offsite to eat dinner, walk down Atlantic Avenue and browse art galleries and shops, or see live enterainment.

In addition, the resort offers team-building programs that give back to the community, including volunteering with Habitat for Humanity of South Palm Beach County. Groups can participate in a half-day team build, focusing on building new homes or repairing existing ones. Other types of activities may include working with several nonprofits building toys, bikes or donation gift bags for children in need. Groups can also enjoy a beach-based scavenger hunt and games like Jenga, beach volleyball, cornhole and tug-of-war.

With its blend of luxury, accessibility and unforgettable experiences, Florida offers financial and insurance planners a destination where business goals and attendee satisfaction align seamlessly.

For those seeking to host an event that inspires, engages and leaves a lasting impact, the Sunshine State is a choice that delivers on every level. I&FMM