Hot News

Meetings are on the rise for Tallahassee and it is a business that its re-vamped Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, Visit Tallahassee is intent on expanding. On a recent press trip to New York City, Katie Kole, Marketing Communications Director for Visit Tallahassee, met with the Facilities Media Group to expound on the virtues, both old and new, of the capital of Florida. "We’re seeing growth, which is gratifying in these times because some of the other Florida cities have been hit hard by the economy," said Kole, who emphasized the city has become a prime destination for meetings with 250-300 attendees or smaller.

 "We specialize in smaller, intimate meetings," continued Kole. "Tallahassee is well-positioned because of its Value-Added reputation. We’re a very budget-friendly destination, and because we are the state capital of Florida, we are getting a lot of government and association meetings."

The city has completed some new developments—also notable in these economic times—further enhancing its meetings destination appeal. The newly opened Florida State Conference Center features 47,000 square feet of facility space, including a 400-seat auditorium, a 320-seat dining room and eight breakout rooms that can accommodate 10 to 100 meeting attendees. "Because it is new, and on the campus of FSU, the facility has the latest technology," she added. These high-tech features include three video walls, LCD screens with Blu-Ray technology, 802.11G wireless Internet and live web-casting capability.

Another new Conference Center facility is the new 24,000-square foot Visitor Center at Mission San Louis, a living history museum and national historic landmark. Once home to more than 1,500 Native Americans and Spanish settlers, Mission San Louis offers contemporary meeting attendees a fascinating and unique atmosphere. The Visitors Center includes the 4,000 square-foot Mission Room that seats up to 250 guests, the 1,200-square-foot Sun Trust Theatre, two 644 square-foot classrooms and a conference room for 10 to 12 attendees

In addition to the new meeting venues, two new hotels have opened in recent months. The Hotel Duval, a boutique hotel in a newly renovated downtown property boasts 117 guestrooms, as Shula’s 347 Grill and Level 8, a rooftop bar that overlooks downtown Tallahassee. The Aloft Tallahassee Downtown—the famed "lifestyle" hotel, features 162 spacious guest rooms, the always-lively W xyz Bar, self-check-in kiosks and the 24/7 refuel snack bar. City-wide, Tallahassee offers more than 6,500 rooms in approximately 70 hotels, which include Bed & Breakfast Inns and budget-friendly chains.

For larger meetings and events, Tallahassee is home to the multi-purpose Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center, a convention & entertainment facility featuring a 13,000-seat arena and more than 52,000 square feet of meeting and exhibition space. This $33.8 million versatile, contemporary complex hosts a wide variety of concerts, family shows, Broadway shows, and sporting events including FSU Basketball.

Kole pointed out another draw for the city—Tallahassee growing dining scene, creating another Foodie Paradise in the Sunshine State’s destination landscape. With a diverse mix of residents and its close proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, meeting attendees are treated to fresh sea food and authentic regional cuisine, fine dining and international fare. Some of the renowned dining establishments, new and old, include: Masa, Bird’s Aphrodisiac Oyster Shack, 101 Restaurant,Kool Beanz Café, the Fermentation Lounge, the Winery at the Red Bar, and the Bradfordville Blues Club.

Florida’s capital city, Tallahassee has a deep-rooted history and culture combining Southern Hospitality and a Cosmopolitan flair with that distinctive Florida vibrancy. Located just 25 miles from the Gulf of Mexico and 14 miles south of Georgia, Tallahassee is situated in the Panhandle area of Florida, among rolling hills, canopy roads, majestic oaks, rivers and lakes.