Amelia Island, Florida

AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. (July 23, 2009) – Many of Amelia Island’s finest hotels, resorts and inns are rolling out new money-saving meeting packages in an effort to attract more corporate meetings and group events.  The island’s convenient location, award-winning venues and peaceful natural surroundings have long made Amelia a favorite destination for meetings and events.  With a combined 100,000 square feet of meeting and conference facilities, the tiny island is big on options and regularly accommodates groups of every size in a unique mix of luxurious ballrooms, quaint meeting rooms at historic inns, and traditional, no-nonsense conference space. 
New meeting packages on Amelia Island include the following:

Amelia Hotel at the Beach
For small board retreats or an event for 60 guests, the Amelia Hotel at the Beach has created a tiered incentive program for groups booking at least five guest rooms for a meeting or event.  Groups booking five or more guest rooms are eligible for a discount on meeting room rates; groups booking 15 or more guest rooms will receive complimentary use of meeting space; and large functions requiring 20 or more rooms receive both a complimentary meeting facility and a complimentary room for the group coordinator.  The staff is dedicated to providing affordable, friendly service for all corporate events, assisting guests with catering, business services and island outings for families and executives. For more details, visit www.ameliahotel.com.

Amelia Island Plantation
The Four-Diamond Amelia Island Plantation is offering a variety of plans and incentives for small gatherings, large business meetings, and group sizes in between.  For travel dates though March 2010, the Affordable Meetings Program offers complimentary airport transportation, complimentary group recreation, a complimentary one hour welcome reception, 25% off audio-visual, and 25% off golf greens fees for group tee times. For information on this plan and additional packages, call 888.261.6165, email groupsales@aipfl.com and visit www.aipfl.com

Elizabeth Pointe Lodge
Known for providing outstanding personal attention, Elizabeth Pointe Lodge offers 400 square feet of meeting space in its Miller Cottage, where guests can conduct meetings in complete privacy, free from competition, and without leaving the beach. Meetings packages include a 15 percent discount on room rate for those booking eight or more rooms (10 percent discount for less than eight rooms), Sunday through Thursday. Guests will also receive 10 percent off the meeting space rate. The discounted fees include full breakfast in the morning, complimentary newspaper, free parking, social hour in the evening and beach amenities. All guests enjoy complimentary computer access and high-speed WiFi internet throughout the facilities.
Audiovisual assistance, telecommunications, fax, copy, and secretarial services are also available at additional fee. Special event, tour and charters can be arranged. Golf, tennis, sailing, horseback riding, deep-sea fishing, and other activities are all available on Amelia Island and the staff will be delighted to arrange the excursions for guests. For more information, visit www.elizabethpointelodge.com.

Hampton Inn & Suites
Hampton Inn & Suites is located amid the shops, restaurants and charming brick taverns of downtown Fernandina Beach, within walking distance of the harbor.  Now through October 30, 2009, guests booking 10 rooms (Sunday thru Thursday) will receive 50 percent off the meeting space rate, and 10 percent off room accommodations, as well as complimentary breakfast each morning.  Large conference rooms provide ample space and comfortable amenities, including high-speed internet access and catering services.  For additional details, visit www.hamptoninnandsuites.net.

Residence Inn, Amelia Island
The new Residence Inn, Amelia Island offers meeting space for up to 90 people.  Recently completed, the 133-room property provides suite-style rooms, complete with kitchens and dining rooms, ideal for meeting attendees.  Guests are within walking distance to the pristine beaches and water activities on Amelia Island. The Residence Inn is offering any guests booking 10 or more rooms a complimentary conference room.  For more information on this new hotel and its meeting facilities, visit www.residenceinnameliaisland.com.

The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island opens a new $22 million ballroom facility in November.  With more than 32,000 square feet of function space, the Ritz-Carlton provides outstanding indoor and outdoor meeting options at affordable prices.  The Association Value Package is available on select dates in 2010 and 2011 to meetings guests, and features such perks as one complimentary suite upgrade for every 40 contracted rooms, one complimentary Presidential or Garden View Suite, customized catered food and beverage pricing, 15 percent discount on in-house audio/visual equipment, complimentary internet access in guest rooms, and a flexible attrition contract clause.   Guests can also book a group with the Meetings Within Reach offer, which includes daily continental breakfast for all attendees, daily meeting room rental for one room, daily internet access for one meeting room and 20 percent discount on in-house audio/visual.   The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island is also offering a per-person pricing structure with rates starting at just $80 per person that includes a meeting room and set-up, a continental breakfast, morning and afternoon breaks and a full lunch buffet.  For details on these packages, visit www.ritzcarlton.com/ameliaisland.

Amelia Island Williams House
The charming and elegant Amelia Island Williams House is an ideal bed and breakfast for small, intimate business meetings or retreats.  The innkeepers supply meeting set-up for guests, a full breakfast each morning, and an evening reception with complimentary wine and cheese. They also have an extensive onsite catering menu available. The bed and breakfast offers a traditional meeting facility, as well as more comfortable options, including the formal dining room and living room. When all 10 guest rooms are booked for a function, the meeting space is complimentary and groups receive a 20 percent discount on the guest room rate (through January 2010, excluding holidays).  For additional information, visit www.williamshouse.com.

For a list of all meeting space options, visit www.ameliaisland.com/groups.

About Amelia Island
Northeast Florida’s coastal treasure, Amelia Island is a barrier island rich in colorful history and breath-taking natural beauty.  Its long, beautiful beaches, abundant wildlife and pristine waters have made the island a favorite destination for outdoor adventure.  Upscale resorts with world-class spas, championship golf and exclusive dining blend effortlessly with a captivating collection of bed and breakfast inns and historic districts.  The island is home to Fernandina Beach, once a vibrant Victorian seaport village and now a charming downtown district of eclectic shops, attractions and eateries.  Forget the everyday getaway; Come make memories on Amelia Island.  For visitor information and online planning, visit www.ameliaisland.com.

- Amelia Island -

MEDIA INFO:
Katharina Brierton Lane
Hayworth Creative Public Relations
(386) 677-7000
katharina@hayworthcreative.com