Gulf Shores and Orange Beach: Meetings on the Gulf
Watch for:
- The Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission is now part of the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau.
- Guy Harvey’s Island Grill and Shop in Orange Beach opened a 5,000-sq. ft. gallery this spring.
- Phoenix All Suites Hotel West in Gulf Shores plans to open a 4,000-sq. ft. conference space in June 2009.
- People are whispering about a 25,000-sq. ft. meeting facility possibly opening in Orange Beach next year … stay tuned.
- In September 2008, the Baldwin County Heritage Museum will open its “Shipwreck! Treasures from the Odyssey’s SS Republic” exhibit, featuring videos and historical artifacts.
Want to enjoy the high seas?
Incorporating a water-based meeting or social event into your agenda here is a no-brainer — there are plenty of companies offering dolphin cruises, sightseeing tours, boats with meeting space and banquet facilities, and dockside party packages. Your challenge is to do it with a fun twist: Perhaps have attendees catch and cook their dinner during the cruise under the tutelage of experienced fishermen and chefs, combine the excursion with an art or photography class, or use the boat as a prelude to something even more fabulous (like a top-secret banquet in a remote location or front-row seats to a concert at The Wharf).
Want high-tech amenities and attractions?
Groups can rent out an auditorium at the Cobb Pinnacle 14 movie theater for A/V presentations. The Estuarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, an aquarium and marine life research laboratory, has indoor and outdoor event space. The Amphitheater at The Wharf in Orange Beach is a 10,000-seat, state-of-the-art facility that also hosts top national acts.
Want group dining?
There are pizzerias and steakhouses, but seafood is really the way to go when meeting here; royal red shrimp, a local delicacy, are best from late summer through fall. Gulf Shores Steamer is widely considered one of the best seafood restaurants. The Original Oyster House in Bayou Village has Gulf views and seafood buffets for groups of up to 60 people. San Roc Cay Marina has restaurants such as Louisiana Lagniappe and Café Grazie. At The Wharf, recommended eateries include Ginny Lane Bar & Grill and The Vilaggio Grill. Lulu’s at Homeport Marina, owned by Jimmy Buffett’s sister Lucy, is a local institution.
Want to pamper attendees?
Voyagers serves gourmet cuisine with a focus on — you guessed it — Gulf seafood; the chefs also will cook your group’s catch. The Craft Farms clubhouse overlooks the Cotton Creek Golf Course; groups can dine in the on-site restaurants and lounges, have a cocktail party on the 18th green, enjoy a glow-in-the-dark putting contest or network during an outdoor shrimp boil with live music.
Want unusual off-site venues?
The Wharf, a new dining, shopping and entertainment complex in Orange Beach, has an outdoor events pavilion, a major concert venue, a 15-screen digital movie theater, the South’s largest Ferris wheel, the Monsters from the Deep attraction, and numerous shops and restaurants. Christian Life Church has theater-style seating for up to 600 people, beachfront event space, and boats for evening cocktail and dolphin cruises (capacity: 75-100). The Flora-Bama Lounge, a legendary honky-tonk on the Alabama-Florida border, can set up private areas and entertainment for groups, and is known for its mullet-toss competitions.
Want to team-build?
Ike’s Beach Service has climbing walls and other items that can be incorporated into a beachside Olympics. Dolphin Cove Creations also can arrange beach Olympics or mullet toss tournaments.
