Sunday, 08 March 2009 15:56
Reprinted from www.visitfrlorida.com
Space Coast Takes Off at MPI Southeast Conference
Florida's Space Coast made a dramatic entrance at the MPI Southeast Educational Conference, held in August at Sawgrass Golf Resort & Spa, a Marriott Resort in Ponte Vedra Beach. The northeast Florida resort set the stage for the conference theme: Innovation, Imagination, Absolutely.
Three, two, one - liftoff
Despite inclement weather, a great turnout of meeting professionals and supplier members were seated at lunch on day two of the conference when the ballroom suddenly came alive with music recorded to the sound of a space shuttle launch. Smoke billowed out from under the stage and a digital countdown began as the room vibrated to a video clip of an actual launch.
As the smoke cleared, Apollo astronaut Robert Springer emerged and inspired the audience with tales of his experience as a two-time space shuttle astronaut. Afterward, Nick Thomas, a certified educator at Kennedy Space Center moderated a question and answer session. (Believe it or not, Thomas is so well-versed in NASA information that he knows every astronaut's biography by heart.)
And this was the dramatic introduction to all that the Kennedy Space Center and Florida's Space Coast have to offer for meetings and incentives. The presentation introduced meeting professionals to the diverse group options offered at the Space Center year 'round.
Rocket gardens and moon landings
For an "out of this world" reception or banquet, take advantage of the built-in dramatic décor of the Rocket Garden, a PCMA-certified venue featuring dramatically-lit historic rockets and capsules from Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions. The Dr. Kurt H. Debus Conference Facility directly overlooks the Rocket Garden. For a different look, try The Apollo/Saturn V Center, which portrays moon-landing missions within a 100,000-square-foot facility. A huge Saturn V moon rocket in various stages sets the ambiance
U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame
Smaller groups can hold a banquet or reception in The U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, which boasts the world's largest collection of astronaut memorabilia including displays, interactive exhibits, simulators and tributes to the heroes of the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and Space Shuttle programs. Simulators allow guests to recreate the feel of walking on the moon, driving a rover on Mars and the powerful force of "4Gs."
Astronaut Appearance programs
Through the Astronaut Appearance programs, groups can incorporate presentations, question and answer sessions and photo opportunities with an authentic space hero into their program or event. Arrangements can also be made to dine with an astronaut or have them accompany your group through tours and some of the interactive experiences available at Kennedy Space Center. It can even be arranged for attendees to tour restricted areas of the Center such as the Launch Complex 39 Observation Gantry.
Teambuilding and more
For creative teambuilding, the ATX - Astronaut Training Experience allows your attendees to experience firsthand what it takes to be an astronaut. This unique half-day program includes a very realistic mission simulation in an orbiter mock-up, meeting an astronaut and simulator experiences including learning to walk on the moon and how to withstand powerful G-force training. Specialized teambuilding events can also be designed to meet your group's objectives.
Two 400-seat IMAX theatres and a 300-seat Astronaut Encounter Theater are also available to groups, offering state-of-the-art audio/visual facilities and meeting space.
Cocoa Beach, Titusville, Melbourne and Palm Bay are all part of Florida's Space Coast, which is located on Central Florida's East Coast. Beyond its space-related attractions, the Space Coast also has Atlantic Shores and an assortment of group accommodations from oceanfront hotels to casual properties.
