Take Your Naples Meeting Outdoors

You might think that our beautiful beaches, superb properties, exceptional service and great group offers would be reasons enough to bring your meetings to the Paradise Coast. But we've also come up with plenty of ideas on how you can take your next meeting outside the typical four boring walls. Rest assured, if you don't find what you're looking for here, there are plenty of other exciting group adventures just waiting to be discovered.

The following list should get your creative juices flowing.

Bring out their animal instincts

One of the area's most striking group venues is NGALA Wildlife Preserve in Naples. Your get-together in this luxurious tented facility will feature live African animals, fine food and spirits plus music and adventure – everything you need to bring your group function to a whole new level of excitement.

Although NGALA means the "place of the lion" in Swahili, it's also home to other animals including Walter, a 3-year-old white rhino. Your meeting guests will be amazed as they pet this gentle giant. Only half-grown, he already weighs 2,800 pounds.

In addition, NGALA offers varied themed events such as an authentic Old-World safari and an Everglades adventure. There's also an open lawn for unlimited creative concepts such as awards ceremonies and unveilings. This magical site is perfect for accommodating groups of 20 to 1,000 guests.

Give your guests a good paddling

The Paradise Coast boasts many charters that are off the beaten path, and for one your group won't soon forget, try a kayak fishing excursion in Everglades National Park. Everglades Area Tours provides equipment, instruction and extensive interpretation of the natural environment. Guests and kayaks are brought onboard the "mother ship" called the Yak Attak, taken to the backcountry and then set loose. Snook, tarpon, redfish and trout abound. Your meeting guests will return with some really good fish stories to share with their companions.

If you have a female group to entertain, try a "Cowgirl Kayakers" adventure from You and A Kayak, a kayak guide service providing customized tours departing from City Seafood restaurant in Everglades City between November and April. Half-day, full-day and multi-day trips are offered at all skill levels with extensive interpretation of the natural environment. Other fresh ideas and themed outings are available.

A poker-faced good time

Some of life's best lessons can be learned around a poker table – like when to hold them, when to fold them and when to play them close to your chest. You can give your group a few valuable pointers at the Seminole Casino Immokalee.

The newly expanded Poker Room is open every day of the week. Staff will gladly assist you with a customized poker tournament including refreshments. And to ensure a worry-free good time, Dolphin Transportation can deliver your group, depending on its needs and number, by various means ranging from custom sedan to mini-bus to motor coach.

Keep the excitement rolling

Need something special to hold your attendees' interest between meetings? Naples Segway & Trike Tours is ready to roll to your rescue. The energy-efficient, non-polluting Segway Human Transporter maneuvers easily, even without an accelerator or brakes.

This makes them perfect for fun group experiences and team-building exercises for groups of two to 50. Events can last from 20 minutes to an hour and a half. They include a Party in the Park, perfect for lunchtime breaks, and a team-building scavenger hunt covering six city blocks. Segways, food and supplies are all part of the package.

These should give you a good idea of the types of adventures that await your group on the Paradise Coast. For more details and additional great ideas, check out the Paradise Coast Digital Meeting Planning Guide.