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FAM REPORT DAYTONA BEACH MORE THAN JUST By CHERAY O’ NEAL W hen one thinks of Daytona Florida, spring break andNASCAReasily come tomind. However,busi- ness planners will be pleasantly surprised to know that nestled in this quaint city is an array of incentives to entice the doubters. Let’s start with the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront resort. This hotel features 744 affordable guest rooms including suites and beachfront cabanas with most rooms overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The non-smoking hotel offers delicious amenities from high-speed Internet access, wondrous meeting facilities, private pools, ocean fire pits, signature spa treatments and fresh seasonal menu selec- tions at seven different restaurants and lounges. And it’s affordable! Each room graced with comfy feather Serenity Collection bedding and a great viewon tranquility,TheOcean. Need I saymore? Business planners will delight in the fact that their clients are sleeping well and experiencing much relaxation, thus able visualTec experts to guarantee an experience beyond expecta- tions. The Hilton allows for boundless imagination and cre- ativity tomake this business tripmemorable for years to come. As if this wasn’t already a perfect fit, the Daytona experi- ence outside the hotel is quite lovely. Options include Debary Hall, The Museum of Arts and Sciences, Ponce de Leon Inlet light station, and Daytona International speedway, which by the way offers some amazing team building experiences like simulated car races. For great music or theatre please try the Peabody auditorium and the Oceanfront Band shell. Everything from jazz to musical, film screenings to live music concerts can be enjoyed here. For the golf lovers try LPGA international for great golf and great food. History lovers try The St. Johns River (Florida’s longest river and one of only three in the United States that flows south to north); The Pioneer Settlement for the Creative Arts (a living history museum in Barberville); The African American Museum of Art; and the DeLand Memorial Hospital Museum (which was a working hospital from 1920 to 1948). Music lovers will enjoy the 17-day Daytona Beach International Festival, the largest international and orchestral music festival in Florida. For the adventurer, Skydive Deland (386-738-3539) offers a great team building experience. If spa/massage are your choice in relaxation, it’s a must to experience Johanna. She can definitely soothe your aching bones and leave you floating on cloud nine. For foodies, try Doc Bales Grill, Seaside Food Pavilion and the best fun in the sun at The Pelican Bar. The resort is connected to Ocean Walk and ready to do their best in the boardroom. TheHilton boasts over 60,00 sq. ft. of flexible indoor and scenic outdoormeeting accommodations. The space easily accommodates groups from 20-2,000 with each of your guests enjoying the brilliant ameni- ties, service and exquisite cuisine. The resort also has access to unparalleled audiovisual equipment to match it’s stunning catering. Take advantage of the freedom in creating your personal- ized space inNorth towersPonceDeLeon 1,620 sq. ft.or South Towers more intimate beach level rooms (650 sq. ft.) and if you’re looking for support in a large event, try north pre-con- vene’s 5,125 sq. ft. What I foundmost amazing was nomatter the space large or small, it felt like home. Business planners are provided with a dedicated conference service teamand audio- 20 Shoppe’s with additional dining, entertainment and shopping and is directly across the street from Daytona Lagoon Waterpark and Arcade, if you feel like being a kid again. The newly renovated 200,000 sq. ft. Ocean Center is a stunner for business planners and groups looking for space, elegance and affordability. The assortment of indoor space, idyllic beachfront outdoor settings and beach cabanas overlooking Atlantic shores pro- vide a great option for groups seeking events and meetings complete with ocean breezes. The Hilton is an excursion filled with fun, culture, relaxation and affordability. Business planner’s there’s no reason to look any further. Contact Angela Cameron 386.947.8007, Email: Angela.- Cameron@Hilton.com Black Meetings & Tourism July/August 2011: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com