Florida Convention Center Parking and Modern Technology

Nothing is more frustrating than finding a good spot to safely leave your car when you are running late to a corporate event or need to meet people at an exact time. Find quick and convenient parking at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale. Below are some parking options and modern technological suggestions for making your parking experience a breeze while attending our conference facilities.

There are several parking options to choose from at the Broward County Convention Center. Our conference venue is conveniently connected to the Northport Parking Garage with covered, air-conditioned skywalks. The Northport Parking Garage is illuminated and patrolled by security. The average hourly parking price is $3.00. There are also plenty of all day parking options that surround the conference venue. The average daily parking price is $15.00.

In today's modern world, you now have the option of using modern technology to help facilitate your search for parking. ParkMe is a mobile phone app that can be quite useful when visiting Ft. Lauderdale. It helps you avoid all the hassle and book a guaranteed parking spot in advance. ParkMe utilizes advanced rate calculation to recommend the best parking spot based on your location, what kind of vehicle you are driving, and how long you'd like to stay. You can also use the ParkMe comparison engine to determine the best parking options based on price and proximity. ParkMe's direct-to-driveway guidance pinpoints exactly where available parking spots can be found. ParkMe will also allow you to pay for parking using other parking partners without hassle through ParkMe's payment provider integrations.

G+

Convention Center Events

The Ft. Lauderdale Convention Center specializes in running successful and memorable events. Exhibitors trust our conference venue to deliver their best to the attendees. Our convention center is known as "the convention center that meeting planners love" because our knowledgeable staff assists event planners in every department to ensure that things go smoothly when the big day finally arrives.

The Ft. Lauderdale Convention Center has hosted major events throughout the years, including car and boat shows, major sporting events, and graduations. It has hosted the Tropical Plant Industry Exhibition, the Exxxotica Expo, Wheel of Fortune, and served as the Media Center for Super Bowl XLIV. It has served more than 5 million guests and 5,500 meetings since opening its doors in 1991. For news and information on upcoming events, visit the convention center events calendar page at http://ftlauderdalecc.com/calendar.html. Many events are listed as private, but there are many other events that welcome public attendance. Public events can include everything from food expos to car auctions.

Our LEED-certified, 600,000-square-foot conference facilities offer state-of-the-art technology, free Wi-Fi, creative food and beverage options that rival the finest restaurants, and flawless service each and every time you visit. There is also plenty of convenient, covered parking and 24 hour on-site building security. The Fort Lauderdale Convention Center is nestled on the Intracoastal Waterway and surrounded by all that South Florida has to offer. The building is a five-minute drive from the airport, within walking distance of many local hotels, and less than one mile from Fort Lauderdale's famed Blue Wave beaches.

G+

Convention Center Attractions

The Ft. Lauderdale Convention Center invites you to experience nearby hot spots ranging from beautiful beaches and shopping districts to popular attractions and the natural beauty of the Florida Everglades.

Beaches

Visitors who want to spend time at the beach will appreciate Fort Lauderdale's 23 miles of beaches that offer sunbathing and swimming. There are also a variety of recreational opportunities at John U. Lloyd Beach State Park. This park offers canoe rentals, fishing, swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving.

Shopping

Shoppers will want to visit Las Olas Boulevard. Shops here sell jewelry, gifts, and all kinds of art. Las Olas also offers gourmet food and various types of cuisine at several upscale restaurants in the area.

Historical Attractions

History buffs will enjoy visiting the Stranahan House. This house was built in 1901 and still looks the way it did in 1915 with authentic furniture from Victorian times. The Bonnet House Museum and Gardens is another historic house in Ft. Lauderdale. The Bonnet House was built in the 1920s and retains its look from that early period. The beautiful grounds have tropical vegetation and a hibiscus garden.

The Ft. Lauderdale Antique Car Museum is also another popular museum in the area. It resembles a Packard showroom that car buyers would have visited during the 1920s.

Natural Attractions

People who are looking for outdoor adventures should visit the Florida Everglades. A popular attraction called Billie Swamp Safari offers eco-tours by swamp buggy and exciting airboat rides. They also have an authentic Seminole village that offers overnight stays in a native Indian-style chickee surrounded by 2200 acres of wildlife including alligators, deer, and bison.

Indoor natural adventures can be found at the Museum of Discovery and Science, which is two miles from our convention center. Visitors can watch otters play in the EcoDiscovery Center at the museum and ride a simulated airboat ride takes people on a virtual trip through the Florida Everglades.

Our conference facilities offer convenient driving access to all these popular attractions and hot spots. People who prefer to travel by water can ride water taxis that make several stops close to Fort Lauderdale attractions. Either way, you’ll be in the heart of the action when visiting the Ft. Lauderdale Convention Center.

G+

10 Common Convention Center Event Planning Mistakes

10. Not Having Enough Help On The Event Day
Labor costs can always be an issue when trying to balance event budgets, but falling short on workers can cause bigger problems than going over budget. You can’t expect to do everything yourself if you are the event planner because coordinating employees, vendors and event details is enough to keep you occupied by itself. Don’t be afraid to hire additional workers in advance because it will become more difficult once things get in motion.

9. Not Allowing Enough Setup Time
There is always a race against time when setting up an event, but you should have an estimate of how much time you’ll need to get everything in place. It looks bad having a room full of employees running around when the first guests arrive. Your goal should be to have everything in place at least 15 minutes before the main doors open.

8. Forgetting To Confirm With Your Vendors
Most event vendors serve multiple clients in several different industries, so they have a lot to remember. Always get a verbal or email confirmation from all vendors at least 48 hours before setup time. An email confirmation is usually best because you can outline your specific expectations and ask vendors to reply in writing.

7. Not Respecting Capacity Limits
Check conference venue capacity limits and make sure you are well aware of how many people can attend your event. The Fire Marshall can shut you down if capacity limits are exceeded. Maximum occupancy numbers are usually listed in commercial spaces.

6. Not Having Signage Leading Guests To The Event
If you have an event that is even a little ways away from the entrance of the convention and meeting facility, someone may get lost. Anticipate this potential problem by having signs and maps that easily and clearly direct attendees to the event room. This is particularly helpful if a convention center has other events going on, or if your event takes up several floors.

5. Forgetting About Your Attendees
Make sure the needs and expectations of your attendees are not ignored. You should also provide coffee if it's a morning event and enough water and/or refreshments for everyone. Restrooms should be near and checked for cleanliness before the event begins.

4. Not Explaining Parking
Make sure the conference center parking is close and explained on the invitation or confirmation notice. If parking isn't included in the price of the event, then explain the situation in advance. People are usually more forgiving when they know exactly what to expect.

3. Not Ensuring Proper Registration
Onsite registration and management at your conference should be planned in advance. Using an electronic system for the registration of attendees is always better than a printed attendee list. This will ensure that the registration process goes much quicker and that records are kept accurately.

2. Forgetting To Test The Audio/Visual System
Rehearsal is always key in “show business”. Faulty cables, laptops, projectors and other technical problems can ruin a presentation. Make sure there is a technical professional present at the event to handle any A/V problems.

1. Not Creating A Financial Plan
When it comes to event planning, budget is the key. You should create a financial plan for your event managers and follow it closely to avoid going over budget. Your plan should include costs such as supplies, printing, refreshments, and security. Every single detail is important when planning the budget for your event.

G+

Florida Convention Center Services

The Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center is proud to be the conference facility that meeting planners love. Hosting more than 5 million guests and 5,500 meetings since opening its doors in 1991, this Convention Center consistently exceeds guest and meeting planner expectations for five-star food service, state-of the-art technology, and outstanding service in a modern, eco-friendly facility.

Audio Visual Services

The preferred in-house provider of audio visual services at our Florida conference venue is Everlast Productions. Everlast Productions is a full service audio visual production partner. From exhibitor needs, informal banquet functions, to corporate presentations, Everlast Productions will personalize every detail to redefine expectations from start to finish. The creative team can design a presentation or program for any budget to make your event worthy of a standing ovation. Everlast Productions is dedicated to staying on the cutting edge of technology to better serve our clients in all aspects of the production process.

Event Security

Our conference center knows that security and safety for attendees and exhibitors are of great importance. Allied Barton maintains on-site building security 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week.

AlliedBarton is the largest American-owned security officers services company. For more than 50 years, AlliedBarton has been the recognized security industry leader. They have pioneered many security standards used to keep businesses and communities safe. They take security very seriously. No matter where they serve, AlliedBarton strives to be the most responsive security services firm in the industry.

Internet & Telecom

CCLD Networks is a proud partner with the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center. CCLD Networks has provided service to thousands of events in the convention and hospitality industry throughout the last three decades and we understand the importance of technology for each event. CCLD Networks is on-site at our Florida convention center and has the experience and expertise to ensure your technology services function seamlessly during your time in south Florida.

Throughout the year, on a day-to-day basis, CCLD Networks builds up and tears down custom data networks for the Fort Lauderdale Convention Center’s various customers. Sometimes, this is as simple as a hard-wired Internet connection, others times it requires the design, engineering and configuration of private, secure networks for our customers. As each and every event differs in their setup, requirements and use of our network, CCLD Networks’ Event Technology Managers work hand-in-hand with our customers in designing, engineering and building out custom networks.

Utilities

Edlen Electrical Exhibition Services is the nation’s largest independent utility contractor and the exclusive partner at our convention and meeting facility for utilities services: electric, water, & compressed air. Since 1975, Edlen Electrical Exhibition Services specializes in providing unsurpassed electrical service to the trade shows, conventions and the special event industry – servicing over 4,000 events annually at 245 venues nationwide. Their expertise and customer service are the reasons show organizers, decorators and facility managers select Edlen to provide efficient and affordable power solutions.

Accommodations

When it comes to Fort Lauderdale convention center hotels, one size does not fit all. That's why the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau is pleased to offer meeting planners the Lauderdale Convention Collection, a partnership with six upscale hotels located within a short distance of the Broward County Convention Center that provides large organizations requiring up to 2,700 rooms with a unified convention experience and one-stop planning assistance.

The six frontline luxury hotels participating in the Collection include the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina, Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six, Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port Hotel, Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotel, and Fort Lauderdale Embassy Suites. Additional outstanding properties are available if meeting needs exceed the initial room package.

These accommodations and services will ensure that your next event is an unforgettable success.

G+

Event Planning Suggestions at Florida Conference Facilities

At the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention Center, our goal is to provide you with the highest levels of service and personal attention. The resources of our Florida event planning services department will be available to you throughout your event planning and implementation stages, but we would like to offer some suggestions below so you can stay on track with what we consider to be the 14 most important items in planning your event.

Item #1: Three Contracts Mailed and Three Signed Contracts Returned with a Deposit
Deadline: 30 Days After Mailing

Item #2: Executed Contract is Mailed to Client When Deposit and Signed Contracts are Returned
Deadline: 1 Week Later

Item #3: Review the Event Planning Guide
Deadline: Pre-Planning Stage

Item #4: Select Service Contractor (Decorator)
Deadline: Pre-Planning Stage

Item #5: Submit 6 Floor Plans to Event Manager
Deadline: Prior to Lease of Exhibit Space

Item #6: Final Rental Deposit
Deadline: 2 Months Prior to Event

Item #7: Submit Meeting Room/Ballroom Specs to Event Manager
Deadline: 2 Months Prior to Event

Item #8: Request Order Forms for Exhibitor Kits (Electrical, Air/Water, Telephone, Internet, Audio-Visual)
Deadline: Prior to Mailing of Exhibit Kits

Item #9: Receive Event Estimate from Event Manager
Deadline: 30 Days Prior to Event

Item #10: Submit Certificate of Insurance to Facility
Deadline: 30 Days Prior to Event

Item #11: Finalize Event Staff Schedules
Deadline: 30 Days Prior to Event

Item #12: Finalize Special Services with Event Manager (Box Office, EMT/First Aid, Police, Fire Watch, Marshalling Yard, Pre-Con, Info Desk)
Deadline: 30 Days Prior to Event

Item #13: Finalize Audio-Visual Needs
Deadline: 21 Days Prior to Event

Item #14: Event Estimate Returned to Event Manager
Deadline: 14 Days Prior to Event

Our experienced event staff at the Ft. Lauderdale Convention Center will provide additional information and guidance throughout the planning stages of your event. We encourage you to communicate with your Event Manager directly, and as often as necessary. Keeping the doors of communication open with us will help ensure the success of your event.

G+

Convention Center Event Catering & Concessions

From convenient booth service to themed evening celebrations, The Ft. Lauderdale Convention Center offers expansive exhibit halls, multi-functional ballrooms, meeting rooms and pre-function areas. Our experienced sales staff and chefs customize individualized food and beverage programs, and plan all the details that ensure your event is a success.

Together, the Broward County Convention Center and SAVOR Ft. Lauderdale offer a broad menu of services tailored specifically for the needs of our clients. We have extensive experience catering every type of occasion, from cocktail receptions and buffets to trade show exhibitor entertaining and large sit-down dinners. Our program, which includes food kiosks, concessions and portable carts, offers convenient options for the "grab-and-go" crowd.

Catering

Our chefs will work with you to customize an individualized food and beverage program for your exhibit hall show floor. We might craft a personalized food court, assemble branded box lunches, or serve gourmet specialties served by our professional wait staff. We might provide portable carts featuring food selections from around the globe or specialty beverage services including espresso and cappuccino. Together, we'll determine the right approach and personalized touch for your Florida corporate event.

Concessions

The Ft. Lauderdale Convention Center's permanent and portable concessions serve such diverse, fresh fare as piled-high deli sandwiches; grilled hamburgers, carved turkey; healthy, low-calorie dishes; vegetarian entrees, gourmet pizzas; signature entrees; and homemade desserts. Attendees can experience the flavors of South Florida or find their favorite global cuisines without stepping outside the convention center. For a convenient to-go lunch, or a relaxing cappuccino and dessert, our facilities will meet your needs and your tastes

SAVOR and Ft. Lauderdale Convention Center offer a broad menu of services tailored specifically to our clients' needs. Let us make your next Florida convention event unforgettable!

G+