Orlando attractions and hotels went all out to impress attendees of Meeting Professional International's World Education Congress. The convention, held Saturday through Tuesday at the Orange County Convention Center, included a variety of social events each night, as host venues and suppliers tried to interest these meeting professionals in future business. Here's a look at some of the parties and social opportunities.
Photo: Dan Higgins/Hard Rock Live Orlando
SeaWorld Reception
SeaWorld Orlando brought Magellanic Penguins to attract guests to its booth at the Sunday evening reception, dubbed "The Blitz!"
Photo: BizBash
Closing Reception
At the closing reception on Tuesday night, Hard Rock Live Orlando served gourmet peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on the dessert buffet.
Photo: BizBash
Walt Disney World Reception
Disney created a multipurpose badge for the opening reception. The credential was embedded with wildflower seeds and included instructions on how to plant it after the event. The back of the badge had a Q.R. code attendees could scan to view a map and menu for the evening's program.
Photo: BizBash
Tourisme Montreal and Quebec City Breakfast
For the 18th year in a row, Tourisme Montreal and Quebec City offered to deliver breakfast to meeting planners at their hotels on the final morning of the conference. Organizers estimated more than 500 signed up for the free breakfast.
Photo: BizBash
M.P.I. Reception
Sunday evening M.P.I. created a progressive reception inside the convention center, where about a dozen destinations and venues vied for planners' attention. Starwood Hotels and Resorts offered a keno game inside a red pagoda.
Photo: BizBash
Loews Hotels and Resorts Party<br />
Loews Hotels and Resorts sponsored an Iron Chef-style competition during Monday's lunch. Two teams of four meeting professionals worked with chefs from Loews hotels to create a three-course meal in 40 minutes.
Photo: BizBash
Walt Disney World Reception
Inside Innoventions West, Disney went for a "steam punk" ambience, using more than 250 pounds of recycled metal to create rolling carts that served hors d'oeuvres and desserts.
Photo: Courtesy of Disney
Walt Disney World Reception
A slider station at Epcot included farm-raised tilapia edamame sliders with kimchi slaw. The tilapia was raised in the park's Land Pavilion.
Photo: BizBash
Walt Disney World Reception
Walt Disney World hosted attendees at Epcot for the opening reception Saturday night. The menu included several small bites served in edible savory cones, such as grilled beef tenderloin and roasted corn in a mesquite cone with onion streusel.
Photo: BizBash
Closing Reception
Hard Rock Live Orlando's dessert buffet included several cheesecake lollipops, including some coated with dark chocolate and malted milk balls.
Photo: BizBash
Closing Reception
Hard Rock Live Orlando filled large strawberries with espresso-flavored mascarpone.
Photo: BizBash
M.P.I. Foundation's "The Big Deal"
The M.P.I. Foundation hosted "The Big Deal," a casino event Sunday night at the Hilton Orlando sponsored by Caesars Entertainment, Hilton Worldwide, and Encore Productions. The winner of the poker tournament received a seat at the 2012 World Series of Poker.
Photo: Jack Huynh
Peabody Opening Reception
For an opening reception at the Peabody Orlando, an entertainer served champagne from a satin-covered frame created by Mascioli Entertainment. The frame held 112 champagne glasses.
Photo: Alex Dellagata
Peabody Opening Reception
Hello Florida! produced the reception at the Peabody Orlando for participants in M.P.I.'s hosted buyer program. Ice Magic embroidered the hotel's logo on furniture from its new "Totally Mod" line. Party Guys provided nine-foot T-shaped wrought-iron chandelier stands.
Photo: Alex Dellagata
Closing Night Block Party
The closing night festivities began with a block party at Universal Orlando's CityWalk, followed by cocktails and dessert at Hard Rock Live. A.F.R. Event Furnishings provided lighted furniture, while Letz Dance On It provided a hologram dance floor.
Photo: Dan Higgins/Hard Rock Live Orlando
On Monday night, the new Dave & Buster's on International Drive hosted a "Planners Playground," with entertainment from Mix on Wheels.
Photo: Exulting Images
