Top 10 Reasons to Meet in Ocala/Marion County
Want to plan an incredible meeting? Read our top 10 reasons why you should hold your meeting in Ocala/Marion County.
As a meeting planner, you’re always looking for the ideal location for your next meeting. You want a location that’s easy to get to, and offers everything you need to plan a memorable event for your attendees. In short, you want to meet in Ocala/Marion County!
Our Central Florida location offers the ideal combination of natural beauty, Southern charm and excellent facilities that make it a dynamic destination for business conferences, corporate retreats or group meetings. While there are many reasons to pick our destination for your next meeting, we’ve narrowed it down to the top 10 reasons to meet in Ocala/Marion County.
1. Less Tourist Traffic
Big cities like Miami, Tampa and Orlando are infamous for their congested traffic. Avoid the nightmare of rush hour by holding your meeting in a more desirable location like Ocala/Marion County. With a well-planned network of highways and fewer cars clogging the roads, it’s easier to travel to meetings or group activities.
2. Wide Selection Of Restaurants & Shopping
From fine dining to down-home diners, there are a wide variety of restaurants for lunch breaks and dinners in Ocala/Marion County. French, Asian, Mexican, steakhouses, barbecue joints and more mean there is something for everyone. Forget something? The Paddock Mall and Market Street at Heathbrook in Ocala features top-brand shops while antique lovers will also enjoy finding rare treasures in he area’s many unique mom-and-pop stores.
3. Beautiful Nature That Allows Attendees To Recharge
Think outside the box—and office—when you let attendees enjoy the scenic beauty of Ocala/Marion County. The area offers unique natural sights to bring a breath of fresh air and fresh thinking to your group. Guests will love exploring the Ocala National Forest (the second largest national forest in Florida), more than 80 square miles of waterways and springs, and lush vegetation. And of course, there’s always plenty of our famous Florida sunshine!
4. Unique Group Excursions
The best corporate retreats and business meetings often include time for team-building trips. Ocala/Marion County features exceptional natural excursions via zip line or horseback, as well as art and history museums and tours of horse farms. After all, we are known as the “Horse Capital of the World™.”
5. Genuine & Friendly Hometown Feel
With the area’s pretty tree-lined streets and Southern charm, Ocala/Marion County is the ideal location to keep meeting attendees focused and relaxed. Our nearly 350,000 residents are friendly and helpful, and business owners and neighbors have a welcoming attitude. The community’s rustic ambience is just one more reason why so many planners are choosing this community for their next meetings and retreats.
6. Accommodations For All Group Sizes & Budgets
With a wide variety of top hotel names that include features like onsite restaurants, shops and meeting spaces, you’ll discover the perfect accommodations to give your group a good-night’s rest. Better yet, many of our hotels offer excellent group rates so that everyone can focus less on their budget and more on the business at hand.
7. Exciting & Memorable Off-site Venues
Imagine hosting a board meeting or retreat in a unique venue that will delight and excite your attendees. Now make it a reality in Ocala/Marion County. From art galleries and museums to state parks and luxurious ballrooms, we can help you wow your group with an offsite venue they’ll never forget!
8. Easy Drive To Major Airports
With several major airports within driving distance of the hotels and meeting spaces in Ocala/Marion County, it makes getting to and from your event easy and hassle-free. The Ocala International Airport offers charter flights and corporate aviation, and serves the air cargo industry. As an alternative, many travelers prefer commercial flights in and out of nearby Gainesville Regional, which is just 35 miles north. For more options, some travelers also prefer the less expensive flights to Orlando International Airport or Tampa International Airport.
9. Excellent Planner Incentives
The Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau (VCB) has a booking incentive program. Interested in having an extraordinary meeting with us? Contact our VCB today and learn more about planning a meeting in Ocala/Marion County.
10. Our World-class VCB
When you plan your meeting in Ocala/Marion County, you have the expert help and resources of our Visitors and Convention Bureau at your disposal! With years of experience and intimate knowledge of the area, our group meetings managers will provide you with resources and tools you need to plan your best meeting ever!