Destination Orlando

The IHRIM 2013 Conference and Technology Exposition will be held at Disney's Contemporary Resort, Lake Buena Vista, FL.

With Disney's four major theme parks, Universal's two, and marine adventure parks SeaWorld Orlando and Discovery Cove Orlando, plus more than 90 other area attractions, fantasy is always on tap here.  Beyond Orlando's man-made wonders are sparkling lakes, lovely gardens, relaxing state parks and, within shouting distance, a string of Atlantic Coast beaches. Add to this list championship golf courses, luxury resorts with spas, cuisine to please the international palate and shopping districts that run the gamut from bargain outlets to upscale malls, and Orlando measures up to a full-out, year-round crowd pleaser.

Walt Disney World® Resort, site of the IHRIM 2013 Conference,  includes four theme parks: Magic Kingdom® Park, Epcot®, Disney's Hollywood Studios™ and Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park; two themed water parks; championship golf courses (don't forget to register for the HRIM Foundation's golf tournament on June 2, which will be held on one of those championship courses); spas; ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex; and Downtown Disney® Area, a shopping, dining and entertainment district.

Downtown Orlando – The business side of the city, downtown Orlando is also a hot spot for nightlife, dining and entertainment. Museums, art galleries, theatres and concert venues make it a great spot for a day or evening – of exploring. The downtown neighborhood of Thornton Park offers great people-watching from sidewalk cafes and interesting boutiques, While Lake Eola is the perfect backdrop for several community festivals.

International Drive – As Orlando’s tourism corridor, International Drive offers 14 miles of hotels, shopping and dining attractions. The north end of “I – Drive,” as it’s known by the locals, is anchored by Prime Outlets International Outlets, Festival Bay Mall and Wet ‘n Wild® - Orlando. The center stretch of I-Drive is home to the Pointe Orlando shopping dining and entertainment complex, while the southern end of I-Drive features SeaWorld® Orlando, Aquatica™ – SeaWorld’s Waterpark, Discovery Cove® and Orlando Premium Outlets.

Universal Orlando Resort Area – Located on the west side of Interstate 4, the Universal Orlando Resort® is home to Universal Studios Florida® and Universal’s Islands of Adventure® theme parks where you can experience the magic of Harry Potter, and Universal CityWalk® shopping, dining and entertainment area. 

Winter Park - Located just minutes northeast of downtown Orlando, the quaint city of Winter Park offers upscale boutique shopping along Park Avenue and amazing museums and galleries, as well as nationally recognized art shows each spring and fall.

Gatorland - A slice of roadside Americana since 1949, watch with amazement as alligators lunge for lunch and wrestle with handlers. You can also see live flamingos, a petting zoo with barnyard critters and an aviary filled with friendly lorikeets. Don't leave without having your photo taken between the gigantic alligator jaws at the park's entrance.

Kennedy Space Center - Meet an astronaut, experience a simulated space shuttle launch, tour launch headquarters, watch space footage filmed by astronauts and relive Neil Armstrong's historic moon landing at Kennedy Space Center. This escape to reality is well worth a daytrip to the Space Coast.

The Everglades - Catch glimpses of Florida wildlife such as alligators, eagles, turtles and birds while your airboat scoots through wetlands and across the headwaters of the Everglades. Boggy Creek Airboat Rides offers this exhilarating “wild Florida” encounter.