Photo credit above: Omni Amelia Island Resort

Amelia Island, Florida is an ideal backdrop for meetings, conferences, incentive programs, and special events. Few destinations are better suited for groups to come together and allow their surroundings to inspire their business vision and strategies. It’s the best of both worlds all on one island. Our unique combination of natural attributes paired with business and leisure amenities is unmatched. The natural wonders are, well, a wonder for meeting goers in need of a breath of fresh air outside of the board room.

Simply put, meeting and event planners — to say nothing of the attendees they serve — can have it all here on Amelia Island. The charm and convenience ensure that visitors in town for a few days of meetings feel like they’re practically in paradise. Read on to learn how you can have your fun and meetings too, on Amelia Island.

Outdoor Adventures

Breathe new life into your conference by heading outdoors for memorable team-building opportunities. These activities are sure to be a hit with attendees.

• Nothing compares to riding horseback along the beach and catching the ocean breezes atop a saddle. Amelia Island Horseback Riding and Happy Trails Walking Horses offer folks a chance to check this item off their bucket list.
• For those who are a little more grounded, a day exploring Fort Clinch State Park combines our region’s history with miles of hiking and biking trails. A great place for camaraderie in nature.
• Scheduling kayaking and/or stand-up paddleboarding would be a stroke of genius. The backwaters and creeks of Amelia Island are loaded with flora, fauna and wildlife.
• Take things up a notch with a thrill ride from Backwater Cat Adventures. Like a go kart on water, these unique and speedy boats are perfect for those seeking an adventurous way to see the island.

Group Tours

Finding a group tour isn’t hard, but narrowing all the great choices down to one could be a challenge.

• Omni Amelia Island Resort offers a Nature Segway Tour led by a staff naturalist who will provide a unique experience throughout the resort’s maritime forests and marsh waterways.
• Experience the Sprouting Project at Omni Amelia Island Resort, where groups can discover the farm-to-table journey firsthand. Explore the gardens, aquaponic greenhouse, barrel room and apiary and engage in interactive workshops and tastings. 
• Be on the lookout for dolphins, sea turtles, egrets, manatee and more during an Amelia River Cruise around the island. Boats can accommodate up to 84 guests and the captain will share stories of the region’s unique history.
• Fishing excursions are natural bonding experiences. There is no shortage of charters to send your group out for a “reely” good time. Whether backwater or off shore, you’re guaranteed a great fishing story.

Easily Accessible

One of the beauties of Amelia Island is that its unique attractions are easier to get to than you can imagine.

• Meeting attendees, incentive winners, and executives traveling for a corporate retreat can fly into Jacksonville International Airport. From there, it’s a scenic half-hour drive to downtown Fernandina Beach.
• Looking for something a little smaller and more private? Bent Wing Flight Services at Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport offers corporate and private airplanes and jets the luxury of easy landings and carefree departures.
• Our location, just off Interstate 95, also makes driving here convenient from many major southern cities, including Atlanta, Charlotte, and Birmingham. Once on the island, our best restaurants, retail spaces, and event venues are no more than 15 minutes away regardless of which hotel is your home base.

Downtown Charm

Historic downtown is a great option for building in downtime for attendees or planning a group outing. The 50-block area is easily navigable and offers plenty of dining, shopping and activities.

• Planners can book one of the restaurants in this historic seaport village for a group meal with unbeatable views and atmosphere. Beyond fresh seafood, cuisine options also include Asian, Italian, Southern, Cuban, and more. And be sure to save room for the ice creameries and candy shops. Happy hours are a blast at the breweries, too.
• Any beach trip — leisure or business — is improved with a treasure hunt. For that, we encourage exploring the eclectic and independent shops that stretch from the harbor-front to down and around Centre Street.

Premium Hotel Properties

The island’s south end luxurious resorts are breathtaking, providing terrific scenery, outstanding meeting space, and unbeatable service. The southern hospitality on Amelia Island ensures that a visit here is one that will never be forgotten.

• The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island sets the standard for luxury, making the most of its gorgeous outside space and impressive interior. The amenities are ideal for corporate events, VIP retreats, and incentive programs for top performers. The 446-room hotel has 48,000 square feet of conference space, including a ballroom that comfortably holds 1,430 conference guests. A luxury spa and 18 holes of championship golf are stellar on-site activities for team building and relaxation. The concierge and hotel staff are available to assist with corporate social responsibility (CSR) opportunities that support the local community and environment. Yoga and meditation are among the most popular wellness options.
• Omni Amelia Island Resort (pictured above) is another crown jewel. There are 402 oceanfront rooms and more than 300 villas and homes on the property. Planners have 80,000 square feet of function space to create engaging experiences. Venues include ballrooms, boardrooms, restaurants, lawns, terraces, and of course, the beach. An 18-hole championship golf course and a new 10-hole short course make the Omni an ideal site for charity events, fundraisers, and interoffice competition and team building.

Planners looking for smaller, more budget-friendly meeting space and lodging options have quite a few to choose from.

• Courtyard by Marriott and Springhill Suites by Marriott (pictured above) share space in this budget-friendly lodging site just steps from the beach. There’s more than 6,000 feet of meeting space, including a poolside, outdoor function area. Combined, the hotels have 239 guest rooms.
• The Residence Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites Historic Harbor Front, and the Amelia Hotel at the Beach are other great options for small board retreats that offer outdoor pools and stunning water views.
• Intimate events can take advantage of the several Victorian B&Bs that allow attendees to enjoy an authentic local experience. Most of these inns are found in the historic downtown, making for a perfect jumping-off point for a day of networking, team building, and business.

Get away from the daily grind to enjoy the beauty, built-in fun, and other amenities that will inspire your team to new heights when they return to work. See for yourself why Amelia Island is the perfect choice for your next meeting.