What does southern hospitality mean to you? If you’ve never experienced southern hospitality, you may wonder what the big deal is. Isn’t everyone hospitable for the most part? Well, yes, they are….but in the south, it’s a little bit more magical than that.

Southerners love meeting people. They love to feed, serve, and entertain visitors as if they were family. Being polite with good manners is just the beginning. The southern accent including “yes, ma’am” and “one moment, sir” is not just a draw, it’s one of the important ways that southern hospiality shines through daily interactions. It’s no wonder folks love to bring reunions, conferences and meetings to Amelia Island. Between the beautiful beaches, varied accommodations, customizable recreation, world-class dining and, yes, southern hospitality, our friendly little island stands out proudly when welcoming visitors of all sorts for their special gatherings. Here are are few diverse meeting or conference venues on Amelia Island where southern hospitality, like the Florida sun, really shines.

ACCOMMODATING ACCOMODATIONS

The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island is a 5-Star sought after meeting location where luxury is complemented by a secluded beachfront setting. With more than 48,000 sq. ft. of conference venue space, dedicated Meeting Services Specialists thrive on creating perfect events of any scale from tradeshows and board meetings to wellness and corporate retreats. The Ritz-Carlton always lives up to its motto, “We are Ladies and Gentlemen serving Ladies and Gentlemen.”

The Omni Amelia Island Resort has been hosting families, friends, reunions and corporate events for over forty years. With 80,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, you’re sure to find the perfect wedding venue, meeting room, or event space. The staff always goes above and beyond – whether it’s your banquet server finding your favorite tea flavor or your housekeeper leaving a thoughtful note after completing their service, the Omni Amelia Island Resort is the complete southern hostess where the guest always comes first.

If you don’t need the vastness of a resort, the newly remodeled Hampton Inn & Suites in historic downtown Fernandina Beach is a great option. Overlooking the Fernandina Harbor Marina, the Hampton Inn & Suites and is within walking distance to downtown restaurants, shops and tours. Their friendly staff goes above and beyond according to this happy guest… “The hotel GM and staff recognized my retirement with an upgraded suite and a bottle of wine with sweet note. They really went the extra mile!”

Opening soon is the Courtyard by Marriott and SpringHill Suites by Marriott with their dual property operating under one roof close to the beach. The two hotels will have 239 guest rooms in among four stories in its’ 37,000-square-foot building and will feature a vast poolscape and state-of-the-art meeting and event space. With service levels like these, it’s a given that these accommodations have rigorous standards for guest cleanliness which provides peace of mind and safety for all visitors.  

Wining & Dining

While you may not always think so, a restaurant is a great place to host a meeting or corporate retreat. If they have the space and capability, it’s an excellent way to keep the attention of the attendees. Many a business deal has been sealed over dinner and drinks and Cafe Karibo, located in historic downtown Fernandina Beach, has several great indoor or outdoor spaces to choose from. Their private upstairs dining room can accommodate receptions, corporate functions, family reunions, and more. With a top notch staff, Cafe Karibo is ready to help with any occasion. David’s Restaurant & Lounge offers exquisite service and fine dining in your choice of two luxurious settings. Surrounded by rich mahogany and fine wines, The Private Wine Room is perfect for a more intimate dinner function while the larger Private Dining Room is a great space for a business meeting or party. One guest recently reviewed the restaurant: “Fabulous service and wonderful attention to detail. An absolutely wonderful meal. From caviar to salted caramel cheesecake everything was magnificent.” For those folks who want to meet but mostly drink, The Decantery is your spot. With wine dispensers on the wall, excellent craft cocktails, mouthwatering desserts, and friendly and knowledgeable mixologists, The Decantery takes “meeting” to a whole new level. Grab a seat on one of their comfy sofas and start letting Amelia Island interrupt your meeting style.

Parks & Rec

The days of being cooped up in windowless meeting rooms are becoming fewer and farther between. Conference attendees want access to the outdoors, fresh air and nature. Egan’s Creek Greenway is a protected area of land smack in the middle of Amelia Island where grass-covered roads serve as a network of trails that are suitable for hiking, biking, and even meeting, all while studying wildlife and native vegetation. Benches are located throughout the greenway to sit a spell and take it all in. If your corporate retreat screams for nostalgia, set your sights on Fort Clinch State Park where history and nature collide. The grounds of the old fort are a great place for conference events where folks can step back in time and just feel the 1864 garrison life all around them. For family reunions or casual get-togethers, Main Beach Park has all your bases covered. Main Beach overlooks the beautiful Atlantic ocean and offers sand volleyball courts, a playground, several picnic shelters, restroom facilities, outdoor showers, beach accesses, and a large grassy area for picnicking or a game of catch. I’m pretty sure your family will thank you and beg to come back year after year.

“Meet” me on the Greens

What if your next business meeting was four hours of golf? Let’s face it, sitting for hours on end in business meetings can be tiresome and sometimes boring. Why not tee it up on some of the most stunning and enjoyable courses in northeast Florida? Just make sure to do your research first and pick a course that is suitable for everyone playing. Some Amelia Island courses offer wide open fairways and large greens while others are tight and tree-lined testing not only your ability but your patience as well. You want to entertain your clients, not leave them feeling highly frustrated! Check out detailed information on each of the five distinct golf courses on Amelia Island and make plans to take your meeting to the great outdoors! Or, for those that don’t take their game too seriously, enjoy Scottish greens on island time at Gregor MacGregor Mini Links & Drinks. This lush garden putt putt course combines some of the south’s favorite pastimes: a round of golf, a tasty drink, a little competitive smack talk, and beautiful scenery. Forget stuffy boardrooms and hit the links, whether big or mini!

Consider Amelia Island for your next corporate event, retreat, reunion or large scale event. Whether it’s walking and talking along Egan’s Creek Greenway, sealing a deal over 18 holes, meeting in the lap of luxury at a seaside resort, or setting up a stellar event on the hallowed grounds of Fort Clinch, your “attendees” will be talking about the friendly northeast Florida island with the grand southern hospitality. See y’all soon!