Getting out of the office and exploring somewhere new should be an exciting opportunity for those attending a work conference or trade show – not a stressful experience. Thankfully, the Bradenton Area offers the ideal easygoing setup for business travelers. Not only is the newly transformed Bradenton Area Convention Center close to two international airports with multiple nonstop flight options, but the destination also makes it easy to safely and leisurely explore once visitors have arrived. Here are three tips to share with your group so they can stress less and have more fun in and around the Bradenton Area.
1. Find Your Ideal Stress-Free Route.
While the vibe in the Bradenton Area feels worlds away from the everyday, the destination itself is quite easy for most people to get to – whether they’re traveling from in-state, across the country, or around the world. For those located in Florida or within driving distance, the Bradenton Area Convention Center is a mere four miles off of I-75 – the state’s longest running interstate, connecting many major cities.
The area is also home to the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ), which is only 12 miles from the Bradenton Area Convention Center. In addition to offering nearly 70 nonstop flight destinations in the U.S., the airport recently added a new terminal with even more airline options and convenient amenities. Flying into Tampa International Airport (TPA) is another convenient choice, with more than 100 nonstop domestic and international flights. Plus, it’s only about 40 miles away from the Bradenton Area Convention Center – and an easy, scenic drive.
2. Pack for Leisurely Walks Around Downtown Bradenton.
Not far from the Bradenton Area Convention Center and Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa campus is downtown Bradenton, where visitors will find an array of restaurants and entertainment within easy walking distance. This includes nearby group attractions you might have on your agenda – like baseball outings at LECOM Park, art classes at the Herrig Center for the Arts, or happy hours at any of our riverfront restaurants. When it comes to free time, downtown’s Bradenton Riverwalk is great for a casual stroll or jog, a pickup game of beach volleyball, or simply watching wildlife and boats out on the Manatee River. Also close by, Old Main Street features charming boutiques and galleries, perfect for picking up local souvenirs.
3. Go Farther With Eco-Friendly Transportation.
Should event-goers wish to explore a little farther – beyond downtown Bradenton or around the nearby beach communities of Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key – that’s easy to do, too. And best of all, our options for hassle-free transportation help support our destination-wide commitment to sustainability.
For trips between Palmetto and Bradenton, visitors can request an on-demand ride from FreeBee. This free ride share service uses 100% electric vehicles to provide door-to-door transportation. It runs Wednesday–Sunday, and wheelchair-accessible vehicles are also available. Travelers should download the app for more information and to request a ride.
The Gulf Islands Ferry offers round-trip service from the Downtown Bradenton Riverwalk Pier to the Historic Bridge Street Pier on Anna Maria Island. It’s the perfect car-free (and carefree) way to get to the island – no traffic, no parking, just a relaxing, reduced-emissions ride on the water. Have your group bookmark GulfIslandsFerry.com so they can easily purchase tickets or check the latest route schedule.
And once on Anna Maria Island, you can book the Monkey Bus as a fun way for your group to ride around together – it’s equal parts transportation and entertainment, with drivers doubling as DJs and playing music requests for their passengers to sing along if they’d like. There’s also the island’s free trolley that groups can hop on and take wherever they want to go. It operates 365 days a year from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., between Coquina Beach on the south end of the island (near the Bridge Street Pier ferry stop), all the way up to Pine Avenue on the north end. Want even more wind in your hair and less impact on the environment? Plenty of places on the island rent bikes and golf carts for cruising around.
Want more travel tips or help coordinating logistics for your group? Let our team of local Bradenton Area experts help make your event successful and seamless.