Testimonials - The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel

Testimonials

What better way to find out about a meeting destination than from other planners? Here are just a few stories from meeting planners about their experiences on The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel.

Meeting Planner: Tim Shaw, International Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning Association

Meeting Location: The Pink Shell Beach Resort & Spa, Fort Myers Beach

Event: Annual membership meeting (scheduled for February 2008)

Attendance: 150 representatives from member companies around the world

Bid Process: "The local Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB) was very responsive. When I made a generic query though their Web site, I received a call within 24 hours from their sales representative in the DC area. We met for lunch within 10 days, and she had a good understanding of our needs thereafter. She solicited proposals for us based on the size of our meeting and our budget constraints; and we narrowed our choices and arranged a visit to The Pink Shell within six weeks. It all happened very quickly."

Site Visit: "It was the whole package that convinced us to book our meeting at The Pink Shell, the whole facility itself. The property certainly was willing and dedicated to get this meeting booked. Their bid came in at the right price, and they're located close to the airport for easy access by our members."

Local VCB Support: "This is by far the most responsive VCB I've ever worked with in terms of the quality of their response. My whole experience with them has been positive. On my site visit, they met me at the airport, handled all of my ground transportation, gave me a tour of Fort Myers, and took me to possible venues for off-site events. I received a fantastic reception from them. I talked with the VCB reps more than I did with the resort staff until I got on site. The VCB walked me through the process every step of the way, and they've been diligent with their follow-up ever since."

Impressions of the Destination: "It's great. I've always known Fort Myers as a vacation destination and not a meeting destination. I understand they're trying to change that perspective. I hope it works. We've been to Ft. Lauderdale, the Keys, and quite a few other places in Florida for this meeting. Our members are really going to like this one!"

Willingness to Book Again: "Fort Myers/Sanibel has a lot to offer meetings, not just small meetings but large ones as well. I'd recommend returning based on our experiences so far."

Overall Experience: "I wouldn't change a thing about my experience so far. I wish they were all this easy!"

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Meeting Planner: Andrea Ramos, General Electric

Meeting Location: Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa, Fort Myers
"It's a tradition of sorts. It's like going home every year. I look forward to it."

Event: High-level attorneys' practice group

Attendance: 55-60 vice presidents from GE businesses

Service: "They (resort staff) want to be sure you're comfortable and that you come back. They bend over backwards...very accommodating. I've already signed my contract for 2008."

Value: "They give me good deals. The price is reasonable, and it's in a beautiful spot."

Staff: "They're just superb. They're family. They make me look good...They know what I like and when I like it. They make my life a lot easier."

Standouts: "Stand-outs? They do that all the time. Even though I've been coming here seven years, it feels like the first time every time. They take very good care of me. It's always a joy."
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Meeting Planner: Gail Tannenbaum, CMP, Electronic Industries Alliance

Meeting Location: Hyatt Regency Coconut Point, Bonita Springs

Event: EIA Executive Leadership Forum & Board of Governors Meeting

Attendance: 60 executives, some with their families

Accessibility: "One great thing about the destination is the proximity to the airport, which is extremely easy to arrive and depart from. And once you're on the ground, it's 20 minutes (to the property). You can't beat it."

Service: "In 20+ years, it was one of the better customer service staffs I've ever worked with. You just have to say what you need, and it's done."

Facility: "Someone consulted with a planner when designing this resort. Even though they're a lot of rooms, it's a very condensed area. You can get anywhere in a minute. Everything flowed very well."

Attendee Reaction: "I heard ‘Great spot for a meeting, Gail.' That's what you want to hear. It was important for me to introduce our executives to a new area."

Standouts: "We had some AV challenges; and the AV people set it all up without comment, even though it wasn't their equipment. They made everything happen quickly, and they came by often to see how they could help. Usually that's not the case."

Advice to Other Planners: "Run, don't walk! You can really stand out. I'd recommend the hotel for service, for excellent space, and for indoor and outdoor activities. I loved it. I'd return in a second."
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Meeting Planner: Bob Eyton-Jones

Meeting Location: Hyatt Regency Coconut Point

Event: National sales meeting for Hockey Division of Reebok Canada

Attendance: 190 sales representatives from North American and Canada

Facility: "I love the ease and flexibility of the meeting space and the way it breaks down into sub-rooms. The breakout rooms are in close proximity to the ballrooms; and all the space is close together, so you can have huge events at the same time in the two wings with two ballrooms. That's very convenient. Also, we did a number of events outside so we weren't always in the same space. We were able to mix it up and constantly have something going on in different places at the resort."

Staff: "I was blown away by the flexibility and willingness of the staff -- from convention services to the restaurants and even the Shipping Department. The answer to everything was: ‘Sure. Let me find out how to make that happen for you.'"

Standouts: "The resort was very accommodating. To stage our meeting, we turned one of their ballrooms into the Montreal Forum, with stadium seating and bleachers on the side, a hockey rink-like stage in the middle of the ballroom, and a jumbotron hanging from the ceiling."

Attention to Detail: "Little touches added pizzazz and notoriety. We worked with the resort to alternate Reebok's signature colors of blue and red in the fountain and on the palm trees and plants for our welcome event; and we projected the company logo onto the resort's pool waterfall. It made for a very dramatic and memorable effect."

Site Visit: "They did their homework for the site visit and thought it through. Everyone wore little pins bearing the new Reebok logo and the slogan for the new ad campaign in the correct font, and the meeting room was set for our meeting with a rear-screen projector playing a video of Reebok's latest ad campaign. We went into one of the junior suites, and on one of the beds was a whole slew of kids' hockey equipment. I was taken by that. It really helped to make the sale because it proved their commitment to us. They said, ‘Bring it on!'"

Impressions of the Destination: "We did have the opportunity to play golf and to host some smaller dinner functions in local restaurants. They were wonderful and so accommodating. ‘Absolutely. It will be our pleasure,' was always the response we got to our requests."

Overall Experience: "It was extremely positive -- probably one of best meetings Reebok Canada has ever had. It raised the bar from past meetings."

Likelihood of Returning: "I'd return in a heart beat! I'm already fishing for new clients to bring back down there. My disappointment is that we weren't able to take advantage of the private island. I would've liked to have used it, the marina and the other facilities we didn't get a chance to experience. Next time!"
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Here's what other planners had to say about their meetings on The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel:

"My association enjoys the Fort Myers area as a destination for a number of reasons. We like the 'tropical' feel of the area and the consistently good weather - and good golf! The airport is easy to manage, and there are many direct flights for our members."
-- Joan C. Menzer
Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges

"The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel were a great location for our event because it combines ease of access via the new airport with a diverse range of accommodation choices. The area boasts an ideal location for both work and play. Direct fly-in from across the country combined with outstanding properties in a wide variety of rate ranges appeal to both the attendee and the planner. The area is a personal favorite and a professional winner."
-- Kathleen C. Devey
International Foodservice Distributors Association

"All of the employees of the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point challenged themselves to care and to commit to our attendees with an outrageous sense of enthusiasm. The staffs' efforts to please in a very caring, capable, courteous and efficient manner were gratifying and very much appreciated by our attendees."
-- Patricia Berry, Vice President
International Financial Services Association

"Wow! Once again, your company, resort (South Seas Island Resort) and conference center helped us to have another extremely successful conference...We look forward to coming back and hosting our conference at your facility again."
-- Gregory Kelder
Resolute Management Inc.