(Cover image of the Evermore Boathouse)
by Calanit Atia
It’s easy to think of Orlando, Florida as a place of family vacations and leisure. What people outside the tradeshow industry may not know is Orlando has emerged as a premier destination for conventions and business events. Now with the launch of the Evermore Orlando Resort and the Conrad Orlando Hotel, the East Coast Orange County has two groundbreaking properties that redefine the corporate meeting and event landscape, offering a blend of luxury, innovation, and productivity. No longer do business leaders have to choose between work and relaxation. Welcome to the destination where business meets pleasure, and every detail is designed to inspire and rejuvenate.
Situated just three miles from Walt Disney World, the Evermore Orlando Resort is a gated resort that spans 1,100 acres of pristine landscapes. Combining luxury with innovation, Evermore is more than a resort, it’s a destination designed to foster creativity, collaboration, and connection. It’s the perfect setting for corporate gatherings, team-building retreats, and innovative meetings.
Evermore’s accommodations cater to diverse needs, offering everything from modern flats and family-friendly villas to opulent multi-bedroom homes. Each unit comes with the comforts of home and the amenities of a high-end resort. Whether it’s a two-bedroom villa or an 11-bedroom home, all accommodations feature private bathrooms for every bedroom, ensuring privacy and convenience.
“Evermore was built to bring people together,” according to Lisa Crosby, Director of Sales at Evermore. “So we offer a unique variety of accommodations that allow people to come together, conduct business, and have unique experiences. Unlike other vacation rental homes, we own and operate all our inventory allowing Evermore to provide the space and comfort of a house, but with the reliability and amenities of a resort.”
That’s just the beginning of what Evermore offers event guests. How about hosting a meeting with a chef experience inside a home? “We can take people out of a traditional meeting room or event space and give a unique experience unlike anywhere else,” said Crosby. “Our talented culinary team includes Executive Chef Vincent Cani and Executive Pastry Chef Joshua Cain whose experience, expertise and personalities can provide groups with both exquisite meals and memorable interactions.”
Granted, this is not a set up for Comic-Con numbers. “We specialize in retreats with an ideal group size of around 125,” she points out. “We can do everything from the traditional corporate meetings to executive and advisory boards to team building to sales kickoffs and more. We can offer an intimate luxury retreat great for an executive team.”
With Evermore Bay, guest fun is not only just outside of the gates at Walt Disney World, but at a private 20-acre white-sand beach and an 8-acre lagoon with bath-like, crystal-clear waters. The Bay offers a variety of activities, including paddleboarding, kayaking, and a family water slide. Not only a visual delight but also an eco-friendly marvel, Evermore Bay uses 100 times fewer chemicals and only 2 percent of the energy required by traditional pool systems
That’s just the water. Can a corporate resort be truly complete without golf? Don’t bother asking at Evermore, they’ve got a Jack Nicklaus-designed championship 36-hole championship golf course!
Dining at Evermore is an experience in itself. The Landing, the resort’s main hub, houses Sandhill Provisions (an on-site grocery store), a coffee shop, an upscale food hall, a bar, and Twin View, a full-service restaurant. Executive Chef Vincent Cani and Executive Pastry Chef Joshua Cain lead a culinary team that specializes in creating memorable dining experiences, from interactive cooking stations to exquisite banquet meals.
That’s accommodations, what about meeting space? Well, Evermore boasts over 13,600 square feet of indoor meeting space, complemented by more than 15 outdoor venues. The Evermore Meeting Center features a 3,100-square-foot ballroom with a private terrace, while The Boathouse offers 2,300 square feet of event space with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the lagoon. For those seeking unconventional venues, Evermore offers beachfront setups, event lawns, and customizable private homes.
Beyond meetings, Evermore offers a range of activities to enhance the corporate retreat experience. Golf, water sports, and relaxing, peaceful beaches are just the beginning of the options that make Evermore an ideal destination for blending business with leisure.
But wait, there’s more. As the crown jewel of Evermore, the Conrad Orlando Hotel elevates the meeting and event experience.
“Conrad Orlando stands out amongst the competition here in Orlando,” says Jill Yurko, Director of Sales and Marketing of Conrad Orlando. “You no longer have to choose between a beach destination or the thrill of the theme parks as the backdrop for your meeting!”
The Conrad features 433 water-inspired guestrooms and 61 well-appointed suites. There’s plenty of meeting space with high ceilings and natural light throughout. “Our 15,000 square foot ballroom and 6,500 square foot junior ballroom both open up to terraces with stunning views,” says Yurko. “Our optimal group size is around 300-325 rooms and guests, however, our 65,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space accommodates groups up to 500 guests for meetings and meals.” That’s just inside. The Lyonia Lawn—a 9,000-square-foot multipurpose space—and beachfront venues provide unique settings for outside events.
There’s a variety of activities available. Yurko continues, “We offer waterside events on our Lyonia Lawn and Event Beaches. Our catering team is ever-focused on customized culinary experiences offering upscale restaurant-quality food in a banquet setting. We specialize in creating memorable events by offering a fully immersive Group Activation Guide for teambuilding, wellness and fitness provided by our in-house team.”
The Conrad’s dining options are as diverse as they are exquisite. From the rooftop elegance of Ceiba, featuring Mexican-inspired dishes and views of theme park fireworks, to the Polynesian-inspired Papaya Club, the hotel’s restaurants cater to every palate. Additional dining options include Sophia’s Trattoria (Southern Italian cuisine), Apéro (a Riviera-inspired lobby bar), and Little Spoon (a grab-and-go café). Locally sourced ingredients, including honey harvested from the resort’s hives, add a distinctive touch to every meal.
For relaxation, the Conrad Spa and Water Garden provide a holistic escape. Treatments inspired by water and Florida’s natural flora rejuvenate the mind and body, while the 12,000-square-foot outdoor Water Garden offers a cold plunge, vitality pool, and sound bath stations. These amenities ensure guests leave feeling refreshed and inspired.
Yurko enthusiastically finishes: “We’re proud to offer a beachside luxury property that combines the excitement of Orlando’s theme parks with the tranquility of a coastal retreat. Our versatile venues and exceptional culinary team ensure every event is memorable.”
Evermore Orlando Resort and Conrad Orlando Hotel are not just venues—they are transformative experiences. By seamlessly blending business, luxury, and leisure, these properties set a new standard for corporate events and retreats. Whether you’re planning an executive meeting, a team-building retreat, or a large conference, Evermore and Conrad Orlando offer unparalleled opportunities to connect, inspire, and create lasting memories.
For more information, visit ConradOrlando.com and EvermoreResort.com.
Calanit Atia, an award-winning event planner, Silver State Nevada Entrepreneur of the Year 2025, an Air Force Veteran and the Founder and President of A to Z Events. She can be contacted at 702-212-2500 or via email at Info@AtoZevents.com. Connect with her on www.linkedin.com/in/calanit, www.instagram.com/calanitatia
This story originally appeared as a truncated version in the Q1 2025 issue of Exhibit City News, p. 22. For original layout, visit https://issuu.com/exhibitcitynews/docs/ecn_q1_2025/22.
