The Sarasota Municipal Auditorium contains 10,000 square feet of unobstructed event space for everything from elegant galas to small meetings. Next door, the Bayfront Community Center features 2,000 square feet of event space.
Area hotels with event space include the 266-room Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, which has 37,496 square feet of event space and accommodates 880 banquet style, 1,150 theater style, and 1,200 for receptions. Outdoors, the 19,800-square-foot Golf Club Lawn fits 1,000 for receptions.
The 294-room Hyatt Regency Sarasota has 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, including the 9,879-square-foot Sarasota Ballroom, which can host 1,250 reception guests. The 2,400-square-foot Marina Boathouse accommodates 200 for banquets and 250 for receptions. Downtown’s 180-room Embassy Suites by Hilton Sarasota offers 3,646 square feet of function space for 215 people theater style and 300 for receptions.
The 229-room Resort at Longboat Key Club offers 12,000 square feet of event space, including the 5,200-square-foot Harbourside Ballroom that holds 300 people. Opening this summer, the new St. Regis Longboat Key will have 36,285 square feet of event space, including 13 event rooms, an 8,100-square-foot ballroom, and a 100,000-square-foot great lawn. Other components include a private beach, pools with personal cabanas, and a saltwater lagoon with resident Galapagos tortoises.
Sarasota’s Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall has a state-of-the-art auditorium and space for 1,800 guests. The Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, featuring several function areas, can accommodate 400 for receptions.
