Florida's Historic Coast Group & Meeting Guide 2011 | Page 3

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Top 10 Reasons for holding your meeting on Florida ’ s Historic Coast

1 Complimentary

Meeting Services
One simple call to the St . Augustine , Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors & Convention Bureau will connect you with all the services you need to make your meeting a tremendous success . We check hotel availability , assist with off-site selections , provide meeting facility specifics and help plan itineraries . In addition we will connect you with destination management companies , transportation , entertainment , dining , audio / visual and décor vendors and numerous other businesses -- all complimentary .

2 Airport Access

Jacksonville International Airport ( JAX ) is 50 minutes north of St . Augustine ; 40 minutes from Ponte Vedra . The Northeast Florida Regional Airport is available for private and chartered planes , a 5-minute drive to downtown St . Augustine or 20-minute to Ponte Vedra . By car , both destinations are easily accessible from the north and south by Interstate 95 and from the west by Interstate 10 .

3

Northeast Florida ’ s Climate
Gentle ocean breezes and a year ‘ round temperate climate characterize local weather . Average daily temperatures range from a low of mid 50 ’ s in January to a high of high 80 ’ s in August .

4 World-Class

Accommodations
The allure of pristine Atlantic Coast beaches beckons , even when work is on the agenda . And Ponte Vedra Beach allows you to do that in style . The Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa , AAA rated Five-Diamond Ponte Vedra Inn & Club and The Lodge & Club combine to offer 100,000 square feet of meeting space . These Ponte Vedra Beach hotels offer access to some of the world ’ s best-known golf and spa opportunities . In St . Augustine , the AAA rated 4-Diamond Renaissance at World Golf Village Resort offers 101,000 sq . ft ., of meeting and reception space , exceptional golf courses and spa .

5 Unique Meeting Venues

St . Augustine , Ponte Vedra & The Beaches offers unique venues for meetings . For example , host your special event at the Loft at the White Room , The River House , The Ponte Vedra Concert Hall or the architecturally stunning Lightner Museum which exhibits relics of America ’ s Gilded Age . The Clubhouse at the TPC Sawgrass offers a palatial setting that is sure to impress .

6 Outdoor Teambuilding

The area has a multitude of beautiful beaches , captivating waterways , and inspiring terrain perfect for outdoor gatherings and teambuilding programs . Strict restrictions which limit the height of structures , plus a refreshing splash of pride in the communities , create a relaxing , and exclusive experience for groups during outdoor meetings and themed events .

7 Golf ’ s Elite

Many sportswriters refer to THE PLAYERS Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach as “ golf ’ s fifth major .” The Stadium Course ’ s 17th hole , with its infamous island green , is one of the world ’ s most photographed and the tournament has the highest purse on the PGA TOUR . It also has the strongest field in golf , but it ’ s not all about the money . A few miles away from the Stadium Course is the World Golf Hall of Fame in St . Augustine , where the best players in golf history are celebrated .

8 Rich History

St . Augustine is the nation ’ s oldest city , founded in 1565 by the Spanish . A part of the Spanish Empire for far longer than it has been part of the United States , the area reflects a European essence that is rare in other parts of the country . In more recent times , Standard Oil co-founder and railroad tycoon Henry Flagler transformed St . Augustine into an American Riviera . Many of the structures built during that time period — the 1880s — are still here , including the magnificent Casa Monica Hotel . St . Augustine has also become an inspiring town for artists , authors , storytellers and ghosts . This rich past has left behind opportunities to use numerous historic sites and structures as unique venues for memorable meetings .

9 Stunning Shores

Strict height restrictions along the area ’ s 42 miles of beaches have created seaside vistas that are unobstructed . Several outstanding area beaches are preserved as part of the national and state park systems . In the seaside communities of Ponte Vedra Beach , Vilano Beach and St . Augustine Beach , you will find a variety of properties ranging from upscale boutique hotels to more modest beach properties perfect for smaller meetings . Extracurricular activities include deep-sea fishing , kite boarding , beach paddle tennis , horseback riding on the beach and just plain relaxing in the sun .

10

Food for Thought - Dine-Around Simplified
The freshest seafood , locally-grown produce and Southern cooking influence the flavors of the area . A wide selection of dining establishments offer experiences that range from European fine dining and sidewalk bistros to rustic waterfront grills and seaside eateries . The St . Augustine Independent Restaurant Association ( SAiRA ), a collection of outstanding local restaurants , celebrates the culinary and cultural diversity that is unique to northeast Florida . SAIRA also offers a certificate / voucher program that is the perfect option for a destination dine-around program .