Meeting in Eden

The Marriott on Marco recently finished remodeling its 727 guest rooms and 54 suites. "Our future is incredibly bright," says the Marriott's Cardenuto.. The Marriott's sheer size can attract major conventions, as well as smaller events. And if it is booked, there are other hotels nearby to handle the overflow. For example, the Hilton Marco Island is a four-diamond property with oversized guestrooms, a tropical pool and meeting facilities perfect for small to mid-sized group meetings. Olde Marco Island Inn & Suites offers beautifully decorated one- and two -bedroom suites; a popular restaurant in the original inn dates to 1883. The Radisson Suite Beach Resort offers one-, two- and three-bedroom suites, perfect for attendees. And Marco Beach Ocean Resort is an all-suite hotel in the process of expanding its meeting facilities. It offers upscale Italian

dining at Sale e Pepe overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, and five-star

service throughout the hotel.

In addition to a wealth of meeting space, accommodations and special activities, Southwest Florida provides

excellent transportation and easy access to convention sites. Most off-site activities are less than 20 minutes away. U.S. 41 (also called the Tamiami Trail) and Interstate 75 are the main corridors. The interstate also heads to Florida's east coast through the Everglades along picturesque Alligator Alley. Naples Municipal Airport, where dozens of private jets and other aircraft land daily, is minutes from the city's downtown. Marco Island Executive Airport and Immokalee Regional Airport have jet-sized runways and are convenient to Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades.

Most important, Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers is within easy reach via I-75. Various types of transportation, from shuttle buses to limos, whisk visitors to the Naples area from the airport, which is in the midst of a major expansion. "We have many non-stop flights and a few new airlines," says DeBenedetto. "It's very convenient."

And that makes it even easier for meeting planners to choose Southwest Florida. "Naples ranks as one of the top locations in the world as far as bringing in premiere meetings," agrees Sean Mullen, director of sales and marketing at LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort. "People worldwide now know the area, and the address of Naples is an attraction in and of itself."