2 days ago
Diversity, Inclusion, and the Outdoors: How Greater Fort Lauderdale Welcomes Everyone Under the Sun
The newly expanded Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale combines waterfront beauty, cultural diversity, and inclusive design to create an ideal setting for large, accessible events. With state-of-the-art features, on-site accommodations, and a welcoming spirit, it's a destination where creativity, well-being, and belonging thrive.
Greater Fort Lauderdale's enviable weather and miles of golden beaches make it an easy choice for event planners who appreciate nature's positive impact on well-being and productivity. But beyond that postcard-perfect surface, you'll find that the region's true beauty lies in its warm hospitality and cultural diversity.
And when you pair those ideal elements with the recent expansion of the waterfront Broward County Convention Center (BCCC), you've got the perfect recipe for a meaningful mega event.
'We are a sophisticated, diverse, dynamic destination that offers great airlift, world-class meeting and convention facilities, upscale hotels, and endless opportunities for activities and excitement beyond the meeting room,' said Mike Pouey, the Vice President of Sales and Business Development for Visit Lauderdale.
How BCCC Prioritizes Accessibility and Inclusion
Diversity and inclusion are not a passing trend in the Greater Fort Lauderdale area — they're an integral part of the destination's DNA. There's a strong history of Seminole and Caribbean heritage, and the region is home to people from 170 countries. More than 145 languages are spoken here, and you'll find Greater Fort Lauderdale's rich cultural diversity reflected in the local restaurants and cultural events.
In addition, LGBTQ+ residents and visitors feel at home in Greater Fort Lauderdale. 'It's known as Florida's LGBTQ+ capital for its welcoming vibe and abundance of gay-owned bars, restaurants, and other businesses, as well as its annual Pride Festival and LGBTQ+ events,' Pouey said.
Fort Lauderdale is also committed to the inclusion of travelers with disabilities. 'Accessibility initiatives implemented across the region ensure that the destination welcomes travelers with both visible and hidden disabilities,' Pouey said. 'Broward County Convention Center is accessible-friendly, the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is part of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program that supports travelers with disabilities, and even the beaches have features for travelers of all abilities to be able to enjoy the beach and the water.'
Interested in planning an event at the Broward County Convention Center but unsure how you can welcome 'everyone under the sun?' According to Pouey, the BCCC team provides a variety of resources and services for planners to create an inclusive and accessible event. 'By supporting the 'everyone under the sun' motto, BCCC offers an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and able to participate fully.'
Networking feels effortless when the ocean is your backdrop.. Photo credit: visit lauderdale.
The New Broward County Convention Center: Features & Highlights
Here are some key ways they achieve this:
Accessibility features: The convention center is equipped with wheelchair ramps, accessible restrooms and seating areas, and other features that ensure all attendees can navigate the venue comfortably. BCCC was the first convention center in North America to participate in the Sunflower program, and an on-site Sunflower room offers a quiet place for attendees with disabilities to relax between meetings.
Customizable spaces: With flexible indoor and outdoor event spaces, planners can tailor layouts to meet the specific needs of their audience, ensuring that everyone can participate fully.
Staff training: The convention center staff is trained in accessibility best practices, enabling them to assist event planners in implementing inclusive strategies.
Collaboration: The center actively works with event planners to understand their specific accessibility needs and provide guidance on creating an inclusive environment.
Connected & Convenient: Location Advantages for Planners
Located just five minutes from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, event attendees can reach the Broward County Convention Center moments after their flight touches down. And the location isn't just convenient for arrival and departure — it's also within walking distance of several hotels and a quick drive to ports (including Port Everglades, which is adjacent to the convention center), restaurants, and an abundance of outdoor activities along Greater Fort Lauderdale's 24 miles of beaches.
'There are numerous golf courses in the area, as well as watersports, such as deep-sea fishing and scuba diving,' Pouey said. 'And you can find plenty of shopping and dining options on Las Olas Boulevard, in the heart of Fort Lauderdale.' Some popular spots, like the legendary Elbo Room, a beach bar on the corner of Las Olas and A1A, have served cold drinks, warm hospitality, and live music for over 80 years.
Mix business and mingling with rooftop views that inspire connection.. photo credit: visit lauderdale.
Waterfront Wellness: The Value of Blue Space in Meetings
Beyond the logistical ease of BCCC's location and the appeal of the entertainment options in the Greater Fort Lauderdale area, this extraordinary setting also offers natural mind and body benefits to foster engaging meetings.
Studies have found that being near 'blue spaces' (bodies of water such as lakes, rivers, or oceans) promotes physical activity and has a restorative effect on the mind. BCCC offers a six-acre outdoor plaza on-site, and less than one mile away, conference goers can also access several beaches certified as 'Blue Wave' for their safety, cleanliness, and environmental standards. So, whether you host open-air meetings at BCCC or plan an off-site team building or relaxation activity at the beach, this waterfront location is ideal for event planners and attendees who value the balance of work and wellness and are interested in an environment that inspires creativity.
Newly Expanded Facilities for Mega Events
The recent expansion is taking the Broward County Convention Center from 600,000 square feet to 1.2 million square feet. 'We're doubling in size,' said Richard Fredette, BCCC's Director of Facilities. 'We'll have a six-acre plaza in front of the building with an acoustical amphitheater and a couple of areas where we can add enclosed tents. And we'll have the 801-room Omni hotel at our door, connected to the existing building. It's a game changer for Fort Lauderdale.'
The updated developments are indeed catapulting BCCC into an entirely new category. 'Our newly expanded convention center and the Omni hotel are ideal for large conventions that need to occupy several overflow hotels,' Pouey said. 'Our expanded expo hall puts us in the 'mega convention center' category, allowing us to accommodate more attendees and huge trade shows.'
According to Pouey, the expansion, coupled with the availability of the area's high-end hotels, 300 sports venues, numerous parks and recreation facilities, beaches, pleasant weather, and entertainment, also makes BCCC a perfect fit for incentive trips, large medical and healthcare conventions, and sporting events.
But growing in size doesn't mean sacrificing the welcoming vibes Fort Lauderdale and BCCC are known for. In fact, the expanded space is creating even more opportunities to share that hospitality with more people through highly customized large events, indoor and outdoor meetings, and memorable dining experiences.
Inspiring Events Start Here: Tailored Experiences at BCCC
From the initial site visit through the closing event, Fredette said the BCCC team presents meeting planners with tailored options and advice down to the smallest details, such as mocktails that are inclusive to attendees who don't drink alcohol and tropical touches that take meals beyond typical trade show eats to exceptional fare that reflects the flavors of Fort Lauderdale and the event.
Now, there's more room to enjoy it all at BCCC. 'The new tropical outdoor waterfront event area can host welcome receptions and other meals, entertainment functions, and activations,' Pouey said. 'The convention center will also have one of the largest waterfront ballrooms (65,000 square feet) in the state and numerous branding opportunities for planners, including over 85 digital monitors.'
photo caption: The Broward County Convention Center boasts a 6-acre outdoor plaza and multipurpose venue. photo credit: visit lauderdale
In addition to acoustical architecture, LED color-changing lighting, and other state-of-the-art technology, Fredette said the ballroom has another extra special feature. 'On the east side of the Atlantic Ballroom is a floor-to-ceiling glass wall that overlooks the Intracoastal Waterway, where you can see boats and cruise ships going in and out.' This is yet another way BCCC connects meetings — even those held indoors — to the stunning setting outside.
This is an ideal home base for meetings and events that prioritize inclusivity, diversity, accessibility, well-being, and creativity. Now, with the expanded facilities and the on-site Omni hotel, Fort Lauderdale and the Broward County Convention Center are ready to welcome 'everyone under the sun.'
This content was created collaboratively by Visit Lauderdale and Skift's branded content studio, SkiftX.
