Indian River County is a world away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, yet geographically close to most of Florida’s top attractions. This quaint seaside county is surrounded by 26 miles of lush, unspoiled beaches, the Indian River Lagoon and Blue Cypress Lake. The city of Vero Beach was recently named one of the “100 Great Towns in America” and “The Perfect Beach Town” by national publications.
Easily accessible by air, 30 minutes from Melbourne International Airport, and 90 minutes from Palm Beach and Orlando international airports, Indian River County has recently enjoyed a renaissance and welcomes small- to medium-sized groups with beautiful hotels, state-of-the-art meeting facilities and event venues.
Your clients will find beautiful oceanfront hotels such as Vero Beach Hotel & Spa, Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, Gloria Estefan’s Costa d’Este Beach Resort, The Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Oceanside, the Caribbean Court Boutique Hotel and the Driftwood Resort.
The riverfront island ambiance of The Inn at Captain Hiram’s Resort is popular with planners, along with a host of meeting properties throughout the destination.
For sports-minded groups, Vero Beach Sports Village offers an Olympic-size swimming pool, tennis and basketball facilities, sand volleyball, and a professional-quality fitness center.
On the mainland, just minutes from the beach, is the new SpringHill Suites by Marriott.
Your group will discover excellent art and history museums, galleries, and theaters that rival the most cosmopolitan cities and serve as unique event venues. The area also boasts five-star group dining with an interesting array of cuisine.
A multitude of nature, heritage and watersport activities are available for groups, from exploring the Pelican Island National Wildlife Visitor Complex to ocean fishing at Sebastian Inlet.
Nearby, Sebastian is nestled quietly between Vero Beach and Melbourne on the Indian River Lagoon. Known for its excellent fishing, surfing and watersports, take a walk along Sebastian’s Riverfront past old fish houses, dockside restaurants and marinas harboring pleasure boats of all sizes just waiting to take your client out on the water.
The Sebastian River area is also host to a multitude of nature-based activities. Groups can take private cruises led by local naturalists or kayaking tours through the Indian River Lagoon and spot giant loggerhead sea turtles, manatees and other marine life. The Environmental Learning Center’s boardwalk nature trail offers above-ground views of pine trees, mangroves, and thousands of species of animals, fish and birds.
For more information, visit indianriverchamber.com.
