I'm working to schedule a meeting for 20-30 people from across the country in mid to late February. Many of the folks llive in colder climates and have requested a location that is "warm, like a beach, but not Orlando". Relative ease of flying to the location is an issue, and of course the company would like to keep expenses reasonable. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Have you thought about Las Vegas? Great place for a meeting as there are many conventions there but plenty of places to play as well. Pools are heated and open in the winter and its certainly an easily accessible location. Another "Florida" suggestion would be Ft. Lauderdale but I think Vegas would win out.

Las Vegas can be quite cool in February. Average highs in the low 60's. Does not sound like beach weather to me. And not all hotels have heated pools. Another good destination could be Tampa. You have warm weather, international airport, and the beach!

Palm Springs has an airport and offers perfect weather conditions for those seeking warmer weather in February. Scottsdale is another option that you might look into.

Are you posting on the Caribbean boards too? would your crowd go to Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands (all potentially no-passport destinations)?

san diego, palm springs - probably expensive

How about a place that isn't 'like a beach' it IS a beach: Cocoa Beach, Florida, the closest beach to Orlando (about 60 miles east) or people could fly into Melbourne instead. Cocoa Beach is a pretty cool town with some fine restaurants and fun but relaxing things to do. Cape Canaveral is right up the road so maybe you could schedule a tour for the group or you might get lucky and there will be a launch which the group could watch from the Space Center or from your beach at the hotel. Specifically, the Holiday Inn Cocoa Beach is a nice beachfront property that won't break the bank and is nicely located.

We attended a meeting in San Diego and loved it. We were based near the convention center. Great views of the bay, close to beaches, shopping, great eating.

San Diego is a great convention town, but it tends to be cold and rainy in February (at least for California standards). The Palm Springs/Desert area is a much better idea for that time of year. Any golfers in your group would love the location!

Even Palm Springs can be pretty cold in February! Would you consider some place in Mexico? Possibly Cancun which is easy to get to from the Midwest.

San Antonio, Texas, is a great warm location for February. You can book at a hotel right on the river walk. The river walk offers a great evening walk or morning run, and is lined with neat restaurants and bars, and small boats offer rides on the river. The winter weather in early Feb. is mild and warm enough to enjoy one of the outside cafes by the river for dinner, and to wear shorts and a T-shirt during the day. The Alamo is also right across the street from some of the riverside hotels (The Hyatt, I believe). I enjoyed a conference there the second week of Feb. a couple of years ago. It was a very popular location with our group who came from all across the country.

I'd have to agree that Palm Springs is a good choice. While it may only be in the mid-70's, I hardly find that to be cold weather conditions (cold for the desert yes, but not cold in comparison to most of the nation). There is plenty to do in the Palm Springs area and plenty of hotels and resorts to choose from.

Have you thought about the Ft Myers/Naples area of Florida? Love it here. Gret beaches, good convention hotels right on the water.

Alos if they are looking for nightlife, try the Miami/Ft Lauderdale area. Lot's to do.
Duane

I, too, like the Cocoa Beach area, but think it could maybe be cool in February. How about the Keys?

I travel with my husband to meetings all over the country. The only sure warm weather, mid-February destinations we've found are Phoenix or Tuscon, Arizona. No beach, but great golf, pools, shopping, scenery, food and atmosphere. Phoenix is my personal favorite because it offers more culture, but we had a great meeting in Tuscon at the Loewe's Ventana Resort (I think that was the name). Previous posts are quite correct in there caution of geting warm weather from Florida or S. California locations in February. Good luck.

Agree w/ Julia. San Antonio.
Our co. had a meeting late Feb. About the same amt of people from all over the country.

Stayed at The Menger, right next door to The Alamo, a block from the Riverwalk.

Brought only one pair of long pants, the rest were shorts as it was in the 80s all week.

Even went out to the Hill Country to a "Dude Ranch" for a "Cook Out". Pretty nice!
Kal