With bleisure trips booming, now is the time to bring your next event to the Florida Keys. Our collection of five destinations in one is a true selling point for attendees, and ideal for planners seeking creative ways to build new experiences.
Business hours won’t feel like work, and—not coincidentally—your meeting will be among the most productive you’ve produced. The sunshine and scenery are sure to send your team’s senses to the next level. There’s a reason the Florida Keys are the original place to spend "workations" (working vacations), and the destination has continued to build on that success.
The opportunity to explore world-famous sites and experiences will be too good to pass up. Planners won’t have to worry about attendees arriving on time for meetings, conferences, and events here—their guests are likely to arrive early and stay late.
Who would want to leave this slice of paradise? Whether a lazy day on the beach sounds good or grabbing snorkel and scuba gear to swim with the fish is a dream come true, attendees will find just what they are looking for.
No one looks at their watches in the Florida Keys. It’s easy to remain in the moment—just as planners want to maximize in-person gatherings—making it ideal for attendees in need of a break from the daily grind.
While our hotels are complete with all the amenities a meeting or event needs, and are fantastic places to stay and meet, it would be cruel to keep your group indoors here all day.
Think of the Florida Keys as a planner’s sandbox.
As the emphasis shifts to networking and building connections during in-person meetings, selecting a destination with the activities to facilitate objectives is critical. You need to look beyond the boardroom in this post-COVID world. Attendees are looking to be wowed into accepting the event’s invitation.
At an event in the Keys, they would fear missing out on a trip of a lifetime. This is the best of both worlds—there’s no guilt in having fun because business will get done, and when it’s time to play, attendees are just where they want to be.
Here are some tips for planners to exceed expectations by hosting an event in the Florida Keys. 
Photo: Courtesy of Florida Keys
Get on the Water
The Florida Keys are a sanctuary for marine life. Heading out to sea responsibly is a fun and educational way to reconnect with nature and team members. Shallow waters allow even the most inexperienced snorkelers a chance to see what lies beneath, and experienced divers would be wise to extend their stays to see what lies far beneath the surface.
- Sunset cruises are a popular activity, particularly with groups staying on Islamorada and Key West. Captains can share sea stories while you and your team soak in the remarkable views and colors. Be sure to be on the lookout for underwater life, including manatees and sea turtles.
- Key West’s Historic Seaport is worth a visit on its own. It is also where you will find period-accurate schooners to fully appreciate the experience. Tours are available for large groups, or consider this a VIP treat complete with drinks and tasty bites.
- The Florida Keys are also home to world-class saltwater fishing. Islamorada and Key Largo are known to be among the best spots for sport fishing. Few destinations around the world can match the array of marine life swimming through the only coral reef in the continental United States. Veteran anglers in your group would appreciate a fishing exercise, while newbies will quickly be hooked. And trust us, there is no better place to talk shop or network when it’s just you, your friends, and some fishing rods.
- Tour the eclectic islands that comprise Big Pine Key & the Lower Keys. The local shrimp industry is centered in Stock Island, which has an array of waterfront bars, restaurants, and art studios to explore. Or go the other way by exploring the uninhabited Saddlebunch Keys, a collection of sandy lagoons and mangrove islands.
- Big Pine is also a launching point for excursions to the 210-foot wreck of the Adolphus Busch, Sr., and Looe Key coral reef. It’s also a mere six miles from The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Local tour operators will guide your group to prime sites, explaining the importance of the striking visuals. Each July, the sanctuary hosts an underwater music festival to promote its protection and environmentally responsible diving. The one-of-a-kind event is a must for any group in town.
- For another view of the remarkable marine life, schedule an excursion to Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters in Marathon. Enjoy a coral reef exhibit and a predatory fish habitat that offer unique angles to marvel at the environment’s riches. While in Marathon, science-minded and eco-focused events should consider visiting two acclaimed facilities: The Turtle Hospital and Dolphin Research Center.
- Also be sure to explore Everglades National Park, to the west of Key Largo. It is a prime spot for group kayaking, nature hikes, and other eco-tourism-themed team building.
Photo: Courtesy of Florida Keys
Soak Up the Culture
It’s not all fun in the sun here. The arts and theater scene is impressive and worth experiencing.
- Consider booking a colorful team-building exercise at The Art Studio in Marathon. Classes range from water coloring to acrylic painting to sculpting. This is a fun way to ensure your team has a physical memory to remember the event.
- Schedule a tour of the Hemingway Home and Museum in Key West, complete with six-toed cats that stem from the author’s pets’ family trees.
- Provide a true sense of place at the Keys History & Discovery Center in Islamorada, which has exhibits tracing the islands’ growth over the years.
- Red Barn Theatre in Key West is nationally acclaimed for its productions, ranging from Moliere, Shel Silverstein, Jimmy Buffett, and Philip Burton to Terrence McNally, Jerry Herman, and Tennessee Williams.
Photo: Courtesy of Florida Keys
Taste the Keys
Pink shrimp, snapper, grouper, and mahi-mahi are just a sample of what the Keys’ waters are known for. Give your group a fresh perspective on the importance of ecosystems by treating them to locally caught fish—most of which is caught the day it’s served.
Looking to make F&B truly hands-on? Many restaurants in Key West and the surrounding localities have restaurants with cook-your-catch options. Imagine your attendees returning from a morning fishing trip to enjoy the fruits of their bounty. It would likely be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many—and one sure to stir memories for years to come.
Film buffs would be remiss without heading to Bogie’s Café in Key Largo, the namesake of one of Humphrey Bogart’s most famous movies.
Be sure to check out the many local breweries and distilleries as well. Nothing says happy hour quite like one in the most perfect atmosphere you can imagine—one that Mother Nature inspired.
And of course, no trip is complete without a slice (or two, or three) of Key lime pie. 
Photo: Courtesy of Florida Keys
There isn’t another destination like the Florida Keys—and that’s just how we, and you, should like it. Coming here is special. In today’s age of events, with attendees looking for proof it’s worth taking time away from home and family, destinations with so much to offer are vital to registration success. Not only will your team sign up, but they will also be so excited that they will spend extra time here. Make your event something to truly behold by coming to the Keys.
