Meeting attendees are in town to do business, but it doesn’t have to be boring. Florida isn’t called the Sunshine State for nothing. Meetings here will shine a spotlight on the importance of creativity and coordination.

You’ll find no better example of what Florida’s Sports Coast brings to the boardroom table than Saddlebrook Resort. The setting and staff here set an event up on a tee for planners to bring out the best in attendees. Best known for its two golf courses designed by the legendary Arnold Palmer, the 540-room Saddlebrook sports 34 versatile meeting and breakout rooms and 15 spectacular outdoor event spaces.

Planners needn’t be playing to a golf crowd to take advantage of the luscious greens. Take your group outside to the commons or one of the resort’s terraces that overlook the famed playing greens. Better yet, plant a flag on the 18th fairway of the Saddlebrook Course. The 9,600-sq.-ft. Superpool makes a splash as a reception venue too.

The resort naturally lends itself to golf and tennis tournaments and fundraisers. Themed meals and events are a hit at the Sports Village. But the most fun just might be the build-a-boat regattas in which attendees use cardboard and tape to create something that is hopefully seaworthy. At the end, they try it out at the pool. Sink or swim, this activity thrills.

Find a more conventional venue for your gathering at Hyatt Place and Conference Center Tampa Wesley Chapel. The Sierra Conference Center holds 350 attendees theater-style and 250 banquet-style. Located right off Interstate 75, the location can’t be beat.

Make it happy hour (or two or three) at Florida Avenue Brewing Co., an ideal venue for networking events, corporate meetings and more. One of the largest family-owned breweries in the state, Florida Avenue Brewing has three event spaces to choose from, or you can rent out the entire 9,500-sq.-ft. site. Tours are available to provide a behind-the-scenes experience.

Facilities here are adept at hosting stellar youth tournaments, but provide flexibility for meetings, corporate events, and other special gatherings. 

Did you know the largest ice sports facility in the Southeastern U.S. is in Florida’s Sports Coast? You do now. AdventHealth Center Ice spreads five rinks—two NHL-sized—over 150,000 square feet. Hockey tournaments and figure skating competitions are regular occurrences here. Meeting planners can rent ice time for a cool excursion. The ice sheets are removable for planners eyeing a night out without the fear of a wipeout.

Only a few miles away is Wiregrass Sports Campus of Pasco County, which holds eight basketball courts and 16 volleyball courts. A dedicated cheer area adds another dimension to the venue, which includes a VIP Sky Deck to catch the action. Attendees interested in a different kind of sport can head half a mile away to The Shops at Wiregrass, which offers retail, restaurants and entertainment options. 

Planners working on fundraisers, charity drives, galas and special events should consider Fox Hollow Country Club, featuring one of the last courses designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones Jr. Make no mistake about it, this is one of the premier golf sites in the Tampa area—one sure to draw a big crowd. Upscale and casual dining is available on-site, and staff is accustomed to hosting exquisite private events.

Starkey Ranch District Park is a fun, versatile option for Little League, softball, soccer and other outdoor events. Ten more fields are in the works. Four picnic tables and 20 miles of trails make this a fine getaway from the meeting room for lunch or an afternoon excursion—be it for hiking, yoga or another outdoor activity.

The game’s afoot for some unusual networking and teambuilding here.

Raise your hand if you’ve ever wanted to jump out of an airplane. Now is your chance at this unique hot spot in Zephyrhills. Sky Dive City employs instructors with thousands of jumps between them to guide you on what is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many attendees. You’ll never look at the world the same way again after taking this leap, a great lesson on changing perspective.

Those a little more grounded will want to zip over to TreeHoppers Aerial Adventure Park in Dade City. Treetop courses of myriad skill levels allow all attendees to get in the swing of things. Zip lining between trees never gets old—nor do the views high above the park. If encouraging your group to go out on a limb is the objective, there is no finer activity.

Planners won’t be sticking their necks out with a safari tour at Giraffe Ranch. This is a real working game farm that offers an agritourism experience your group will be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. Feeding wild animals is just a taste of what adventure awaits here.

Move the party to the water by renting a charter and booking with Windsong Charters & Boat Rentals. Pontoons, sailboats and a floating tiki bar are available for multi-hour trips, including at sunset. Planners with a more active or wellness-minded crowd can direct their group to kayaking and paddleboarding.

Epperson Lagoon provides a completely different way to relax seaside. Children of all ages (that means you, too!) love the large floating inflatable obstacle course and waterslide at this man-made oasis. Here’s a chance to let off some steam after productive meetings.

Thrills await attendees ready to wakeboard on a lake at Lift Adventure Park. As a teambuilding exercise, have your group master the cable-held ride before trying your hand at the inflatable obstacle courses. The waterpark and recreation center also features an offshore jungle gym and private beach.

Meetings and events are all fun and games until you must pay the bills. Florida’s Sports Coast eases concerns with an array of affordable lodging options. Hilton Garden Inn Wesley Chapel and Hilton Garden Inn Tampa Suncoast Parkway are conveniently located near the area’s top venues and attractions, without breaking the bank. Parents traveling with young athletes will appreciate that both have on-site pools.

Leave boring behind and bring your event to Florida’s Sports Coast. The sunshine, unusual teambuilding activities and memorable event venues give planners myriad options to energize attendees to excel during meetings and back in the office. Adventure awaits attendees here.