Closer in distance to Texas, surprisingly, than to Key West, Florida's upper Gulf Coast boasts world-class resorts, modest bed-and-breakfasts, and a handful of new properties opening in time for the next event season. Gently nudged by the emerald-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico, the powder-white sands of Destin, Fort Walton Beach, and Okaloosa Island create an enticing backdrop for any event.HOT VENUES
NEW
The Harbor Restaurant Group had added yet another property to their portfolio. Destin Chops 30A is set to open in summer 2008. This 6,252-square-foot property in Destin Harbor will serve traditional steak house fare. The spin? 30A will feature a full-service sushi bar, as well as a private dining room and front patio, each accommodating as many as 30 guests. The decor is highlighted by a 20-foot zebrawood wine wall and backlit liquor bottles illuminated in cool blues and warm oranges.
NEW
Developed by Legendary Inc., The Emerald Grande's conference space is set to open in August 2008. The two 13-story towers will unfold along 14 acres of the Destin Harbor, directly within HarborWalk Village, a 200,000-square-foot-retail complex. The condominium resort will feature an 8,700-square-foot conference center that may accommodate as many as 500 and a boardroom with room for as many as 25. In addition, the Grande Vista Pool Deck and captain's deck are great outdoor spaces for groups of as many as 300 and 480 guests, respectively.
NEW
"Shop, work, play and stay" is the motto and the new Grand Boulevard Town Center. The $250 million complex is at the entrance to the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. As of 2007, phase one of three has been completed, including the construction of 80,000 square feet of retail space, 50,000 square feet of office space, and two Marriott properties: the Courtyard and Residence Inn. Scheduled for completion in 2010, Grand Boulevard will boast 52 acres of shopping, fine dining, office space, and real estate. Now open for event rental is the Grand Park. This outdoor courtyard is at the pinnacle of the town center and can accommodate as many as 700 people.
NEW
The newest addition to the Abec Resorts family, which has two other properties on the coast, is The Palms of Destin Resort & Conference Center. Opened this past March, it offers more than 9,000 square feet of event space, including a 5,200-square-foot ballroom and three meeting rooms, as well as an additional 2,500 square feet outside. Both Trader Vic's and Ruth's Chris Steakhouse offer on-site private dining options for groups of as many as 45 guests.
West of Destin, on Okaloosa Island, Emerald Coast Conference Center offers more than 35,000 square feet of column-free meeting space. Highlights include a 21,000-square-foot ballroom that can host as many as 1,400, 12 meeting rooms ranging from 450 to 21,000 square feet, and a 6,000-square-foot fully equipped kitchen for catering needs. Aramark is the in-house preferred caterer; however, outside caterers are welcome.
Feeling parched? Take your group to Big Kahuna's Water Park. This 25-acre park features more than 40 attractions, both wet and dry. The facility can accommodate as many as 250 guests in their covered open-air pavilion; or, for a more intimate experience, two cabanas are located on-site. Both offering seating for as many as 10, and a personal server is included in the rental fee. Alcohol is permitted inside, but is exclusive along with catering to the park.
The Emerald Coast Beach area (including Destin, Fort Walton Beach, and Okaloosa Island) has been acclaimed by Southern Living magazine as the "No. 1 beach in the south" for the 11th year in a row. The combination of sun-bleached white sand and emerald-colored water offers a pure and refreshing venue on its own. Many area parks along the beach provide a natural setting for corporate and teambuilding events, as well as weddings. Henderson State Park, Beasly Park, and James Lee Park, just to name a few, offer pavilions, gazebos, and raw beachfront for groups of as many as 250.
AREA HOTELS WITH EVENT SPACE
The Pelican Beach Resort & Conference Center. This vacation condo rental community offers more than 4,850 square feet of meeting space, including a 3,700-square-foot ballroom that can accommodate as many as 450 guests. Audiovisual equipment and support are available.
Sundestin Beach & Meeting Resort, directly on the beach, offers guests 2,000 square feet of event space. The ballroom, which can accommodate as many as 200 reception-style, has panoramic windows and high ceilings.
TOPS'L Beach & Racquet Resort is a beachfront location that Tennis magazine rated as one of the U.S.'s top 50 tennis resorts. It features 4,000 square feet of meeting and event space that can accommodate up to 300 people, including two pool decks for outdoor events.
** Want a planner's opinion? Then, click here. **
EMERALD COAST'S TOP ANNUAL EVENTS
From peg-legged parties to competitive fishing competitions and seaside seafood fests, the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village" boasts more than 400 annual events. Here are our top picks.
Emerald Coast Poker Run
August 18, 2007
www.emeraldcoastpokerrun.com
Destin Seafood Festival
October 5-7, 2007
www.destinseafoodfestival.org
Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival
October 19-21, 2007
www.mulletfestival.com
Destin Fishing Rodeo
October 2007
www.destinfishingrodeo.org
Mardi Gras on the Island Festival
January 19, 2008
www.fwbchamber.org
Billy Bowlegs Festival
June 6-7, 2008
www.fwbchamber.org
Race Around the Island
June 15-17 2007
www.thebeachcats.com
EMERALD COAST QUICK VENDOR GUIDE
Event Management
Emerald Coast Wedding & Event Planners Inc.
Celebrations by the Sea
Production
Emerald Coast Catering Inc.
Catering
Chef on the Go
Gourmet Entrees to Go
Rutherford's 465 Catering
Entertainment
American DJ Company
NEW
The Harbor Restaurant Group had added yet another property to their portfolio. Destin Chops 30A is set to open in summer 2008. This 6,252-square-foot property in Destin Harbor will serve traditional steak house fare. The spin? 30A will feature a full-service sushi bar, as well as a private dining room and front patio, each accommodating as many as 30 guests. The decor is highlighted by a 20-foot zebrawood wine wall and backlit liquor bottles illuminated in cool blues and warm oranges.
NEW
Developed by Legendary Inc., The Emerald Grande's conference space is set to open in August 2008. The two 13-story towers will unfold along 14 acres of the Destin Harbor, directly within HarborWalk Village, a 200,000-square-foot-retail complex. The condominium resort will feature an 8,700-square-foot conference center that may accommodate as many as 500 and a boardroom with room for as many as 25. In addition, the Grande Vista Pool Deck and captain's deck are great outdoor spaces for groups of as many as 300 and 480 guests, respectively.
NEW
"Shop, work, play and stay" is the motto and the new Grand Boulevard Town Center. The $250 million complex is at the entrance to the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. As of 2007, phase one of three has been completed, including the construction of 80,000 square feet of retail space, 50,000 square feet of office space, and two Marriott properties: the Courtyard and Residence Inn. Scheduled for completion in 2010, Grand Boulevard will boast 52 acres of shopping, fine dining, office space, and real estate. Now open for event rental is the Grand Park. This outdoor courtyard is at the pinnacle of the town center and can accommodate as many as 700 people.
NEW
The newest addition to the Abec Resorts family, which has two other properties on the coast, is The Palms of Destin Resort & Conference Center. Opened this past March, it offers more than 9,000 square feet of event space, including a 5,200-square-foot ballroom and three meeting rooms, as well as an additional 2,500 square feet outside. Both Trader Vic's and Ruth's Chris Steakhouse offer on-site private dining options for groups of as many as 45 guests.
West of Destin, on Okaloosa Island, Emerald Coast Conference Center offers more than 35,000 square feet of column-free meeting space. Highlights include a 21,000-square-foot ballroom that can host as many as 1,400, 12 meeting rooms ranging from 450 to 21,000 square feet, and a 6,000-square-foot fully equipped kitchen for catering needs. Aramark is the in-house preferred caterer; however, outside caterers are welcome.
Feeling parched? Take your group to Big Kahuna's Water Park. This 25-acre park features more than 40 attractions, both wet and dry. The facility can accommodate as many as 250 guests in their covered open-air pavilion; or, for a more intimate experience, two cabanas are located on-site. Both offering seating for as many as 10, and a personal server is included in the rental fee. Alcohol is permitted inside, but is exclusive along with catering to the park.
The Emerald Coast Beach area (including Destin, Fort Walton Beach, and Okaloosa Island) has been acclaimed by Southern Living magazine as the "No. 1 beach in the south" for the 11th year in a row. The combination of sun-bleached white sand and emerald-colored water offers a pure and refreshing venue on its own. Many area parks along the beach provide a natural setting for corporate and teambuilding events, as well as weddings. Henderson State Park, Beasly Park, and James Lee Park, just to name a few, offer pavilions, gazebos, and raw beachfront for groups of as many as 250.
AREA HOTELS WITH EVENT SPACE
The Pelican Beach Resort & Conference Center. This vacation condo rental community offers more than 4,850 square feet of meeting space, including a 3,700-square-foot ballroom that can accommodate as many as 450 guests. Audiovisual equipment and support are available.
Sundestin Beach & Meeting Resort, directly on the beach, offers guests 2,000 square feet of event space. The ballroom, which can accommodate as many as 200 reception-style, has panoramic windows and high ceilings.
TOPS'L Beach & Racquet Resort is a beachfront location that Tennis magazine rated as one of the U.S.'s top 50 tennis resorts. It features 4,000 square feet of meeting and event space that can accommodate up to 300 people, including two pool decks for outdoor events.
** Want a planner's opinion? Then, click here. **
EMERALD COAST'S TOP ANNUAL EVENTS
From peg-legged parties to competitive fishing competitions and seaside seafood fests, the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village" boasts more than 400 annual events. Here are our top picks.
Emerald Coast Poker Run
August 18, 2007
www.emeraldcoastpokerrun.com
Destin Seafood Festival
October 5-7, 2007
www.destinseafoodfestival.org
Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival
October 19-21, 2007
www.mulletfestival.com
Destin Fishing Rodeo
October 2007
www.destinfishingrodeo.org
Mardi Gras on the Island Festival
January 19, 2008
www.fwbchamber.org
Billy Bowlegs Festival
June 6-7, 2008
www.fwbchamber.org
Race Around the Island
June 15-17 2007
www.thebeachcats.com
EMERALD COAST QUICK VENDOR GUIDE
Event Management
Emerald Coast Wedding & Event Planners Inc.
Celebrations by the Sea
Production
Emerald Coast Catering Inc.
Catering
Chef on the Go
Gourmet Entrees to Go
Rutherford's 465 Catering
Entertainment
American DJ Company
TOPS\'L Beach & Racquet Resort
ResortQuest
TOPS'L Beach & Racquet Resort
ResortQuest
Palms of Destin Outdoor Event Space
The Palms of Destin Resort & Conference Center
Lobby rendering of the Emerald Grande
Legendary Inc.
Destin, FL
Expedia.com
