North Florida
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For meetings or groups, Daytona Beach offers a community vibe rather than a large-city feel, with accessibility and affordability, according to Brenda Redmon, director of sales for Daytona Beach Area CVB. “Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) is only a few minutes’ drive from most oceanfront hotels,” she adds.
This month, the Ocean Center Convention Complex (OCCC) expects to complete its $40 million renovation in celebration of its 40th anniversary. “Upgrades include new arena seating and arena floor, LED lighting, sound system enhancements, and new interior and exterior paint,” Redmon says. Located across the street from the beach, OCCC offers more than 200,000 square feet of event space, including a 42,000-square-foot arena seating more than 9,000 guests, a 93,000-square-foot exhibit hall, a 14,000-square-foot ballroom seating 1,540 people theater style, and 32 meeting rooms.
Jackie Robinson Ballpark (where the baseball legend played in the first integrated Major League Spring Training game, in 1946), will debut a 30,000-square-foot player development facility, new clubhouses and club seating, indoor batting cages, and infrastructure improvements in time for the 2026 season. Redmond suggests the ballpark for teambuilding, along with the Tiger Woods-affiliated PopStroke mini-golf, high-speed driving thrills at the NASCAR Racing Experience at Daytona International Speedway, and the new Rainforest at Daytona Aquarium & Rainforest Adventure.
With approximately 12,000 guest lodging options, Daytona Beach offers prime meeting and event space, much of it right on the beach. The 744-room Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, located directly across from the OCCC and connected to the Ocean Walk Shoppes, features 60,000 square feet of event space for up to 2,000 guests; 200-room Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach offers 20,000 square feet of meeting space, including an 8,300-square-foot terrace; and The Shores Resort & Spa has 212 guest rooms and 20,000 square feet of event space, including a ballroom seating 765 theater style. Also, the 435-room Daytona Grande Oceanfront Resort offers 12,000 square feet of meeting and event space; 110-room El Caribe Resort & Conference Center includes 10,000 square feet of space across 12 event rooms; and the 190-room Renaissance by Marriott Daytona Beach Oceanfront Hotel has 12,370 square feet of function space. Near the Speedway, the 144-room DAYTONA Autograph Collection Hotel offers 12,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, including a terrace overlooking Victory Circle at ONE DAYTONA, a shopping, dining, and entertainment destination.
Daytona International Speedway has more than 120,000 square feet of function space and 75 luxury trackside suites. The Museum of Arts & Sciences can accommodate 400 people for receptions or 265 for seated dinners; the historic Daytona Beach Bandshell is suitable for up to 5,000 guests; and Peabody Auditorium seats 2,545.
