St. Augustine Florida Travel Guide

According to Jeffery Oliasami, General Manager of the Renaissance World Golf Village Resort, a major Florida Convention Center, the Conventions Industry Council recently released a new study – The Economic Significance of Meetings to the U.S. Economy – which showed that the U.S. meetings industry directly supports 1.7 million jobs, a $106 billion contribution to GDP, $263 billion in spending, $60 billion in labor revenue, $14.3 billion in federal tax revenue and $11.3 billion in state and local tax revenue.

It’s not really surprising,” said Mr. Oliasami. “It’s easy to see the impact that Florida meetings and Florida conventions at our hotel have on the local economy.”

The research quantifies the economic contributions made by the 1.8 million meetings, trade shows, conventions, congresses, incentive events and other meetings that take place across the country. The 1.7 million jobs generated by the meetings industry are more than many U.S. industries, including broadcasting and communications (1.3 million jobs), truck and rail transportation industries (1.5 million jobs) and computer and electronic product manufacturing (1.1 million jobs).

Mr. Oliasami sees that trend clearly in the Florida conventions market. “The meetings and events sector supports both jobs and spending in a host of industries, including professional meeting organizers, food and beverage, transportation, recreation/entertainment, retail, travel services and more. It impacts more than just the Florida meetings and Florida conventions held at our hotel.

“Meetings are how business gets done in virtually every state, city and town in America,” said Mr. Oliasami. “They are the very definition of working together and are essential to the economic future of our country.”

For information about meetings at the Renaissance World Golf Village Resort and Florida Convention Center, call Scott Selvaggi, Director of Sales & Marketing, at 904-940-8000, or visit www.worldgolfrenaissance.com/meetings.

In a survey released by Meetings Focus magazine, the meeting trend forecast for the remaining half of 2011 is looking up, which has already been reflected in the recent rise in Florida meetings. Although the North American meetings industry has been challenged by both economic and social factors over the past two years, it seems the overall trend is starting to rebound. The 2011 Meetings Market Trends Survey revealed a number of interesting and promising findings from nearly 700 meeting planners, many of who plan and conduct Florida meetings on a regular basis.

According to the survey, meeting planners expect to hold more meetings during the second half of the year, work with higher budgets, and count higher attendance overall. Meeting planners also expect prices to increase. North America and Florida conference center activity should see some gains from this growth as well.

In last year’s survey, 14 percent fewer people said that a lower budget would be their biggest challenge in planning meetings for the year. Corporate planners agreed, with 20% responding that smaller budgets and cuts would be their primary challenge. This was certainly reflected throughout the Florida meetings market during 2010.

Respondents who said “decreasing attendance” would be their biggest challenge fell by 9.5 percent in 2011, and 12.6 percent fewer association planners felt that attendance decline was their chief concern. More than 11 percent of association planners – who generally hold the largest Florida meetings – answered that they expect their number of meetings to increase more than 10% next year.

Overall, the 2011 Meetings Market Trends Survey indicates that the meeting industry is picking up momentum and will continue to show improvements, making it the perfect time to make your next Florida meeting a White Glove Meeting at the Renaissance World Golf Village Resort & Convention Center.

For more information, call Scott Selvaggi, Director of Sales & Marketing at 904-940-8000, or visit www.worldgolfrenaissance.com/meetings.

Renaissance World Golf Village Resort & Convention Center in St. Augustine, Florida has introduced an innovative new concept in Florida meetings – White Glove Meetings, designed to provide both meeting planners and group attendees with the hands-on service they deserve.

According to Jeffery Oliasami, General Manager of the hotel, “White Glove Meetings have impacted everything we do – not only the services we offer, but the way we provide them. Any of our competitors can stage a Florida meeting. But none can offer the extraordinary meeting space, transportation services, group amenities, and impeccable attention to detail that a group will find here.”

Unlike other Florida meeting hotels, Renaissance World Golf Village Resort & Convention Center offers complimentary White Glove transportation to and from Jacksonville International Airport for all qualified groups in its own passenger vans. The Florida meeting hotel also offers free transportation to and from downtown St. Augustine, where attendees can shop and explore the charming, brick-paved streets of America’s original city.

Directly connected to the 40,000 square foot St. Johns Florida conference center, the Renaissance World Golf Village Resort & Convention Center offers groups a total of 86,000 square feet of meeting and function space, which means that it is not only the largest north Florida conference center, it is also the largest hotel and convention center between Orlando and Atlanta.

“We believe the perfect Florida meeting demands a special touch,” said Mr. Oliasami, “and with us, yours is always in the best of hands. That is what a White Glove Meeting is all about.”

For more information about holding a White Glove Meeting at the Renaissance World Golf Village Resort & Convention Center, call Scott Selvaggi, Director of Sales & Marketing at 904-940-8000, or visit www.worldgolfrenaissance.com/meetings.

Over the past few years, Florida meetings have gotten a bad rap, with many viewing them as “too much fun.” However, all indications show that America is beginning to emerge from the Great Recession. And as the world gets back to the “business of business” – which includes more face-to-face meetings – indications also show that companies are seeking programs that recognize their efforts and re-energize their spirits. And that puts meetings in Florida back on the agenda.

With the “perception” issues of 2009 and 2010 behind us – and the benefits and ROI of face-to-face programs so well-documented – companies have come to realize that there is absolutely no reason why Florida meeting programs shouldn’t provide meaningful content and direction, along with a memorable and enjoyable experience. Florida meetings are not only effective in rewarding their recession-weary staff, they can also be an efficient way to incentivize customers, and gain/retain business.

As the leading Florida Conference Center hotel, holding a face-to-face Florida event at The Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village is a smart investment. And because of our world-class amenities and location, we can provide a Florida Meeting Experience that is truly unique.

Our two legendary golf courses – one of which is just steps from our backdoor – provide the perfect opportunity for Florida meeting and incentive groups. Activities like golf outings enable attendees to become more engaged and connected with fellow participants during Florida events. They also help build relationships, encourage interaction between members, and can lead to creative and positive thinking.

And golf is not the only opportunity to enhance your Florida Meeting Experience. The Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village is just minutes from St. Augustine’s historical sights and nightlife, the beautiful Atlantic beaches, a variety of eco-excursions, and a plethora of other engaging activities.

To find out more, about creating a unique Florida Meeting Experience at The Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village, visit www.worldgolfrenaissance.com/meetings or call our Florida Conference Center sales and services team 904-940-8000.

While many business leaders intuitively understand the value and benefits of face-to-face Florida meetings, it is critical these days to identify the quantifiable return on investment for such programs. The good news is that the value of face-to-face Florida meetings has been confirmed by actual research, and it is indisputable!

The “Return On Investment of U.S. Business Travel” study conducted by Oxford Economics found that face-to-face meetings allow companies to convert 40% of prospective customers, versus just 16% without such a meeting. What’s more, the average company generates 5-20% of new business through conference and tradeshow attendance. As the leading Florida Conference Center hotel, holding a face-to-face Florida meetings at The Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village is a smart investment.

The study also showed that each dollar invested in business travel (including Florida meetings) drives approximately $12.50 in sales and $3.80 in profits. Furthermore, the average business would forfeit 17% of its profits in the first year by eliminating business travel, and it would take three years for profits to recover.

Nearly 85% of the corporate executives surveyed perceive Web meetings and teleconferences to be less effective than in-person meetings with prospective customers. And 63% believe virtual meetings are less effective than in-person meetings with current customers.

The survey also found that companies would need to increase an employee’s total base compensation by 8.5% to achieve the same effect of incentive travel, but then would not capture allegiance and pride growth generated through incentive travel programs.

So whether it’s an executive retreat, a tradeshow, or a customer/employee recognition program, planning a face-to-face Florida meeting at The Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village – the leading Florida Conference Center hotel – is ROI at its best.