Getting the Most Out of a Destination

How to find unique, immersive activities to attract and engage groups

February 28, 2025 Event planners seeking natural, friendly destinations with year-round sunshine, meeting- and incentive-ready infrastructure and plenty for attendees to see and do will find all that these qualities definitely add up to successful meetings. As organizations lean into incorporating memorable activities around wellness, giving back or having hands-on fun, destinations with islands, beaches and neighborhoods can deliver with serene beaches, historic landmarks and outdoor adventures surrounded by breathtaking nature.
Make time for break time

Successful events that carve out time for wellness and serenity are bound to be appreciated long after delegates return home. One destination that has optimized several partners to weave wellness initiatives into their venue’s offerings – from historic buildings to wildlife refuges – is Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods.

Nancy MacPhee, manager of tourism product development for the destination, suggests an outing like this to combine history, nature and wellness in a unique mix: “The Edison and Ford Winter Estates, a riverfront historic home located right downtown on the river is the former winter home of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, and [attendees are] doing outdoor waterfront yoga.”

In addition, MacPhee offers these ideas: “We’re very lucky to have the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge where people can see a variety of wildlife, especially birds. It’s a very quiet place, so they offer meditation walks, and accommodate groups upon request.” The Refuge has more than 6,470 acres of hiking, walking and driving trails, plus observation towers, fishing docks and boardwalks, making it an ideal option for attendees to spend an afternoon.

Any peaceful setting is fertile ground for a retreat-like atmosphere. In the greater Fort Myers area, “the Wonder Gardens have started doing wellness experiences like guided mindfulness walks on their property, and they also do tours for groups. It’s really beautiful, with lots of wildlife to look at,” notes MacPhee, adding that some local resorts are extending their spa offerings and yoga outside.

Healing and then some

An area sporting wildlife won't necessarily hold a group's interest on its own. See what enhancements can be added. MacPhee says, “Some wildlife reserves offer evening experiences during the full moon, where groups can walk on a boardwalk over water without using flashlights, while a guide narrates about the skies. We’re unique, because we have three lighthouses in the greater Fort Myers area, and you can climb one of them on Boca Grande – the Gasparilla Island Lighthouse.”

Activities that emphasize expressing creativity can take many forms – from pottery to sketching to journaling – and are becoming more and more popular. They're also therapeutic. Attendees can channel their inner artist at places like Azaleas on the Corner in Fort Myers, where an evening of painting paired with wine will spark great conversation within your group. “You can do a sip-and-paint or sip-and-stem floral workshop to create a centerpiece for your table while enjoying different wines,” says MacPhee.

Make every moment count

With many attendees working from home or on hybrid schedules, planners eager to bring people together for unforgettable experiences are always looking to organize fun hands-on activities ... like learning how to sail. For example, in the greater Fort Myers area, the Offshore Sailing School has a fleet of 26-foot-long boats that can be booked for groups. “You can take a group of 25 or 30 out on these boats – with four or five people in each boat – and it’s a wonderful team-building experience, because you’ve got to work together to get the sailboat going in the right direction,” says MacPhee. 

“And then at the end, you race against the other people in your group; it’s really fun.”

For the sweet tooth attendees in your group, arrange something along the lines of a chocolate-making workshop. In the case of Fort Myers, that's the Norman Love Chocolate Salon. “He is one of our premier chocolatiers, and he offers cooking classes. Some are timed around holidays like Easter and Valentine’s Day, but a group could certainly go in for a tour of his chocolate factory and then request a cooking class,” says MacPhee.

Seek the unique

The eternal question for planners: what's unique about a particular destination? What are the one-of-a-kind outings you can arrange? In the case of Fort Myers and surrounding neighborhoods, its downtown has more historic structures than most communities in southwest Florida, including house theaters. According to MacPhee: "These offer a different perspective for groups; you can do a behind-the-scenes tour and watch the actors, practice for the evening performances coming up or you can go to a full-blown theatre performance.”

Most destinations have their particular twists on F&B, reflected in their local cuisine. For example, several restaurants in the greater Fort Myers area offer catch-and-cook experiences that groups love. “If you’re fishing on your own or with a captain, and you want to bring your fish into a restaurant, they’ll cook it for you, and they’ll work with you to cook it however you want,” MacPhee says.

And talk about unique? "We even have a brewery, Fort Myers Brewing Company, that’s doing yoga – they call it ‘brewga’ – at the brewery, and they also have barre classes along with tours for groups,” MacPhee says.

These ideas can be applied to any destination, as any city or town has something unique to discover. And when the destination has access to nature, it increases a planner's ability to add mindful elements to the overall experience.

Source: northstarmeetingsgroup.com