Bradenton, FL

Key Highlights

Hotels	25
Total Sleeping Rooms	6,000
Committable Sleeping Rooms*	180
Committable Meeting Rooms*	10
Largest Exhibit Space	90,000 Sq. Ft.
Largest Ballroom	90,000 Sq. Ft.
Average Hotel Room Rate	USD $99
Average Daily Meal Cost	USD $35
Average Weekly Car Rental	USD $300
*Maximum for a single hotel

Bradenton, FL Meeting Planning Overview

Home to a vibrant downtown with old-Florida ambiance, Bradenton is never short on charm. Located on Florida's southwest coast, between the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay, Bradenton features freshwater lakes, towering palms, galleries, boutique shops and restaurants. Bradenton meeting venues are to be found on the mainland and on Anna Maria Island, a pristine, unpretentious barrier island with funky little beach bars and a wooden pier; as well as Longboat Key, an upscale resort area a few minutes north of Sarasota.

Thanks to its convenient southwest Florida location, Bradenton is within a short distance of both the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) and Tampa International Airport (TPA). Located just 45 miles outside of Bradenton, the Tampa International Airport provides nonstop service to more than 70 domestic and international locations. Tampa International serves an average of 22,000 daily passengers. Serving more than one million passengers each year, SRQ is located six miles north of downtown Sarasota and only 10 miles south of downtown Bradenton. The airport features regular nonstop service to Toronto, Washington DC, New York, Chicago, Boston, Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Detroit, Indianapolis and Milwaukee, as well as seasonal international and domestic charter service.

Once on the ground, attendees can access the Manatee County Area Transit buses, which provide direct service to SRQ, downtown Bradenton and the Manatee Convention Center. Perched along the scenic Manatee River, the Manatee Convention Center is a flexible-space, full-service center located just two miles from Bradenton and 15 miles from Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. The Manatee Convention Center features seven meeting rooms, a 2,100-square-foot pre-function area and the 32,400-square-foot Center Hall, which can seat up to 4,000 delegates. The Manatee Convention Center is currently undergoing wide-ranging renovations, set for a summer 2012 completion.

There are also a number of unique venues in Bradenton that are perfectly suited for a range of group events and meetings. As the largest natural and cultural history museum on the Florida Gulf Coast, Bradenton's South Florida Museum is not only home to a number of exhibits on the region's rich heritage, but also to Bradenton's official mascot, a manatee named Snooty. Groups can get a great view of Snooty and other resident manatees when meeting in such museum spaces as the VIP Boardroom and Spanish Plaza: each features underwater views of the manatee habitat.

Other Bradenton unique venues include the celebrated Bunker Hill Vineyard and Winery, which focuses on green operations in the making of its handcrafted wines. Manatee Village Historical Park, a collection of restored, historic buildings from the region's pioneer past, welcomes private events in its 1887 church and courtyard gazebo, set under a canopy of native oak trees.

About Bradenton, FL / Additional Info

A mainland Florida city surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico, Sarasota Bay and Manatee River, among others, Bradenton is known for its friendly atmosphere and gamut of family- and group-friendly activities. Bradenton serves as the county seat for Manatee County, which also encompasses Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key and Lakewood Ranch. The county is located between Tampa and Sarasota and 16 miles of area beaches.

Bradenton boasts a unique mix of urban flair and old-Florida charm. Downtown Bradenton is bursting with restaurants, art galleries and boutiques, while the outskirts of Bradenton are home to such areas as the Village of the Arts, a working artists' community; and the beautiful, historic Cortez Fishing Village. Cortez Fishing Village is a 3.6-square-mile step back in time, lined with clapboard bungalows and narrow roads that are graced with oak and palm trees. First settled in 1890, the waterfront village is home to seafood restaurants, a boathouse museum, shops and busy docks, pulling in fresh grouper, snapper shrimp, stone crabs and pan fish. Bradenton visitors often take part in self-guided tours of the village, enjoying fresh seafood along the way.

Other popular Bradenton area attractions celebrate the region's agricultural strength, which extends beyond the city's headquarters location for citrus giant Tropicana. Mixon Fruit Farms is a working citrus grove and family-friendly attraction that welcomes guests to tour the groves aboard the Orange Blossom Express tram. Dakin Dairy Farms, a multi-generational family farm, welcomes guests to tour its operations and learn about the farms' environmentally sustainable practices and state-of-the-art methods.

Many Bradenton restaurants proudly utilize local and seasonal ingredients. One such restaurant is Pier 22, a unique waterfront restaurant specializing in international cuisine and award-winning sushi. Longboat Key's celebrated Euphemia Haye eatery utilizes fresh, local ingredients in its creative American and global fare served in a historic, wooden cottage in a tropical garden setting. The upscale Beach Bistro and casual BeachHouse, both located on Anna Maria Island, are waterfront dining at its best, while Cortez Fishing Village's Star Fish Company showcases fresh Florida seafood prepared in the simplest of ways and served on picnic tables overlooking the working waterfront.

Bradenton, FL Key Stats for Meeting Planners

Time Zone: Eastern Time (ET)
Convention Center(s):

Bradenton Area Convention Center

Hotel at Convention Center? Yes
Sleeping Rooms 1 Mile from Convention Center: 2

Airport(s):

Destination Type(s):

Golf Destination
Historic Destination

Special Event Venues
22
Population
53,623
Restaurants
231
Country Code
1
Sales Tax
7.00%
Currency
U.S. Dollar
Standard Tipping Practice
10-20%
Electricity
120V / 60Hz
Official Languages
English

Credit Cards and Travelers Cheques widely accepted? Yes

All average costs based on U.S. Government Per Diem rates as published by the U.S. General Services Administration.

Cities Near Bradenton, FL

	Distance	Estimated Driving Time	Estimated Min. Flying Time	Estimated Flight Cost
Fort Myers, FL	92 mi	1 hr 48 min	4 hr 05 min	USD $560+
Orlando, FL	125 mi	2 hr 15 min	4 hr 11 min	USD $500+
Melbourne, FL	186 mi	3 hr 14 min	4 hr 26 min	USD $500+
Fort Lauderdale, FL	218 mi	3 hr 33 min	59 min	USD $121+

Bradenton, FL Climate Information

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg. High (°F)	73	74	77	82	87	90	90	91	89	85	78	73
Avg. Low (°F)	51	52	55	60	64	70	72	72	71	65	57	52
Rec. High (°F)	86	88	91	93	99	98	98	98	98	96	91	89
Rec. Low (°F)	23	21	30	37	45	55	62	62	58	40	27	24
Rainfall (in)	2.5	3.0	2.9	2.6	3.0	6.2	9.0	9.3	8.2	3.4	2.0	2.2

Bradenton boasts a typical southwest Florida climate, marked by hot summers and mild winters. Bradenton's spring months average a high of 82°F and low of 60°F, summer months a high of 90°F and low of 71°F, fall months a high of 84°F and low of 64°F and winter months a high of 73°F and low of51°F. With an average high of 91°F and average low of 73°F, August is Bradenton's warmest month, while January's average high of 72°F and average low of 50°F make it Bradenton's coldest month. The rainy season spans June through September.

Meeting Planning in Bradenton, FL

Bradenton Area Convention Center

Perched along the scenic Manatee River, the Manatee Convention Center is a flexible-space, full-service center located just two miles from Bradenton and 15 miles from Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. The Manatee Convention Center features seven meeting rooms, ranging from 1,333 to 4,085 square feet, a 2,100-square-foot, pre-function area and the 32,400-square-foot Center Hall, which can seat up to 4,000 delegates. Meeting amenities include more than 900 on-site parking spaces, a self-service business center, catering services, audio-visual equipment rentals and concessions capabilities. The Manatee Convention Center is currently undergoing wide-ranging renovations, set for a fall 2012 completion

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Bradenton, FL Airport Information

Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ)

Approximate taxi fare: $26 USD

Serving more than one million passengers each year, Sarasota Bradenton International Airport is the gateway to the southwest Florida Gulf Coast. The airport, located 10 miles south of downtown Bradenton, features regular nonstop service to Toronto, Washington, DCW, New York, Chicago, Boston, Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Detroit, Indianapolis and Milwaukee, as well as seasonal international and domestic charter service. Airport amenities include short- and long-term parking, as well as retail and dining services. Groups may reserve the 20-person conference room for meetings and events. Sarasota Bradenton International Airport provides direct access to Manatee County Area Transit buses; the buses stop at the airport Monday through Saturday.

Airline carriers serving Sarasota Bradenton International Airport

Air Canada
AirTran Airways
Continental Airlines/Cape Air

Delta Air Lines/Comair
JetBlue Airways

Southwestern Airlines (Spring 2012)
US Airways

Tampa International Airport (TPA)

Approximate taxi fare: $105 USD

Located just 45 miles outside of Bradenton, the Tampa International Airport provides nonstop service to more than 70 domestic and international locations. Tampa International serves an average of 22,000 daily passengers; airport amenities include shopping and dining options, as well as short- and long-term parking and the on-site, 295-room Marriott Tampa Airport.

Airline carriers serving Tampa International Airport

Air Canada
AirTran Airways
American Airlines
British Airways
Cayman Airways
Continental Airlines

Delta Air Lines
Frontier
JetBlue Airways
Sky King
Southwest Airlines

Spirit Airlines
United
US Airways
WestJet

Bradenton, FL Ground Transportation

Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT)

The Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) bus system operates 11 routes throughout Manatee County, serving downtown Bradenton and such attractions as DeSoto Square Mall, Manatee Convention Center and Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, as well as area theaters, sporting arenas, restaurants and beaches. MCAT also operates a free beach express shuttle on Sundays and holidays, as well as the free Island Trolley, which provides daily serve to Anna Maria Island and Coquina Beach. MCAT connects with the Sarasota County Area Transit. MCAT buses run Monday through Saturday from 5:40 AM to 8 PM, while the Manatee Trolley runs daily from 6 AM to 10:40 PM. One-way adult fare is $1.25, while transfers are $0.25 each. Passengers may purchase one-day passes for $4 and seven-day passes for $15.

Amtrak

The Bradenton Amtrak curbside bus stop is located at the Manatee County Courthouse, at 1114 Manatee Avenue West.

Greyhound

The Bradenton Greyhound station is located at 4028 1st Street West. Station hours are from 6 AM to 9 PM daily.

Rental Cars

Both Sarasota Bradenton International Airport and Tampa International Airport feature rental car counters for Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National and Thrifty.

Taxi

Passengers traveling through Sarasota Bradenton International Airport and Tampa International Airport can access several taxi companies outside of the airport. Travelers should pay a taxi fare of approximately $26 from Sarasota Bradenton International to downtown Bradenton and approximately $105 from Tampa International to downtown Bradenton.

Distance To...

	Distance	Estimated Driving Time	Estimated Min. Flying Time	Estimated Flight Cost
Fort Myers, FL	92 mi	1 hr 48 min	4 hr 05 min	USD $560+
Orlando, FL	125 mi	2 hr 15 min	4 hr 11 min	USD $500+
Melbourne, FL	186 mi	3 hr 14 min	4 hr 26 min	USD $500+
Fort Lauderdale, FL	218 mi	3 hr 33 min	59 min	USD $121+