In case you haven’t heard the news—and by this point, you really should have—this May, SBC will welcome 10,000 professionals from across the North and South American regions for the inaugural SBC Summit Americas.
The event, which will incorporate crowd-favourite elements from SBC’s previous Americas-focused summits, will take place from May 13-15 at the Broward County Convention Center in sunny Fort Lauderdale, Miami.
Now, seasoned SBC attendees may be familiar with the sandy shores of Miami Beach from our previous SBC Summit Latinoamérica event. However, with SBC Summit Americas taking place in a new location, we thought it would be handy to provide you with some essential insights to make your stay in Fort Lauderdale even better.
Fort Lauderdale: New Location, New Event Experience
The reasoning behind SBC Summit Americas was rather simple.
After the tremendous success of SBC’s previous American events—SBC Summit North America and SBC Summit Latinoamérica—it became clear that the industry needed a larger event. One that would bring together key stakeholders from both North and South America. Recognizing this demand, we knew our next Americas event had to be bigger and better than ever before.
With that logic in mind, SBC Summit Americas was born. But where was this event going to take place?
Like a majestic alligator glistening in the waters of the Florida Everglades, the Broward County Convention Center shone as the perfect venue.
The new home allows SBC Summit Americas to accommodate the event’s increased attendance (10,000 to be precise) and boasts 250,000 square feet of floor space that enables us to host 400 exhibitors and sponsors.
What does this mean?
Well, more space means more attendees and exhibitors, meaning more networking opportunities, leading to more business success. Simple aye?
Picking the Right Hotel For You (Whilst Also Saving $$$)
Attending an industry event is undeniably exciting, but the practicalities are not everyone’s favourite part.
There are networking events to go to, exhibitors to schmooze, and meetings —oh, so many meetings—to attend. So it is only natural that at the end of the day, you want to open your hotel room to a blast of air conditioning, a comfy bed, and a nice view to soak in.
Thankfully, booking your hotel for your time in Fort Lauderdale has never been easier, as SBC has partnered with Connection Housing to secure exclusive hotel rates for anyone attending SBC Summit Americas.
Dont believe us? Listen to the wise words of Santina Simons, Head of Events, Americas SBC, and Cristian Robalino, VP of Marketing, Americas SBC, below:
Let’s take a quick look at some of the hotel options:
Disclosure: All pricing listed is in USD and does not include additional taxes and fees.
Walking Distance to the Broward County Convention Center
- Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Marina Hotel (0.3 miles): $219.00 /night
- Four Points by Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Airport/Cruise Port (1.2 miles): $169.00 /night
- Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina (0.6 miles): $219.00 /night
Budget-Friendly Options
- Holiday Inn Express Fort Lauderdale Cruise Airport (0.5 miles): $149.00-$159.00 /night
- Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale 17th Street Convention Center (0.5 miles): $149.00 /night
Luxury Stays for an Elevated Experience
- Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa (1.9 miles): $319.00 /night
- Sonesta Fort Lauderdale (3.8 miles): $259.00 /night
For the Beach Lovers
- Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa (1.9 miles): $319.00 /night
- Sonesta Fort Lauderdale (3.8 miles): $259.00 /night
- AC Hotel Fort Lauderdale Beach (3 miles): $259.00 /night
Waterfront Properties
- Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina (0.6 miles): $219.00 /night
- Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa (1.9 miles): $319.00-$339.00 /night
- Sonesta Fort Lauderdale (3.8 miles): $259.00 /night
- AC Hotel Fort Lauderdale Beach (3 miles): $259.00 /night
- Riverside Hotel (3 miles): $189.00 /night
Close to the Airport
- Holiday Inn Express Fort Lauderdale Cruise Airport (0.5 miles): $149.00-$159.00 /night
- Four Points by Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Airport/Cruise Port (1.2 miles): $169.00 /night
Ready to book? Click here to secure your hotel before it’s too late!
Planes, Trains, and Water Taxis
In addition to the Broward County Convention Centers’ providing a bigger venue space for the event, the venue was also chosen due to its central location.
Located in downtown Fort Lauderdale, the Broward County Convention Center can be accessed via train, car, and even a water taxi (but we will come onto that a bit later).
Getting to the event/hotel from the airport
Flying into Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport? You’re just a quick 15-minute Uber ride from the convention center. Coming from Miami International Airport (MIA)? It’s slightly farther, but still only a 40-minute drive to the venue.
Want to drive yourself to the event? No problem!
Whether you’re local or staying a bit farther out and planning to drive, getting to SBC Summit Americas is a breeze.
- Interstate North or South
Florida Turnpike or I-95. Exit I-595 East to US-1 North (Federal Highway). US-1 (Federal Highway) to SE 17th Street (East). Follow SE 17th Street to Eisenhower Blvd (South). The Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center’s main entrance is SE 20th Street. - A1A Highway South
A1A South turns into SE 17th Street. Follow SE 17th Street to Eisenhower Blvd (South). The Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center’s main entrance is SE 20th Street. - A1A Highway North
A1A North to East Dania Beach Boulevard. East Dania Beach Boulevard US-1 North (Federal Highway). US-1 North to SE 17th Street (East). Follow SE 17th Street to Eisenhower Blvd (South). The Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center’s main entrance is SE 20th Street. - US-1 (Federal Highway) North or South
US-1 (Federal Highway) to SE 17th Street (East). Follow SE 17th Street to Eisenhower Blvd (South). The Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center’s main entrance is SE 20th Street.
Parking: The Broward County Convention Center is conveniently connected to the Parking Garage via a covered, air-conditioned skywalk. Featuring 1,500 spaces, the Parking Garage is well-illuminated and patrolled by security.
Introducing our Water Taxis’
Driving to an event is sooo 2024—so why not rock up to SBC Summit Americas in style by hopping on one of our Water Taxi shuttles?
Lauded for having some of the most beautiful beaches in the U.S., Fort Lauderdale also features a network of picturesque waterways, leading to some naming the area the “Venice of America”.
Here at SBC, we couldn’t let this opportunity SWIM by, so for SBC Summit Americas, attendees will have the chance to utilize a number of dedicated water taxis.
Stretching from Hollywood Miami to the doors of the Broward County Convention Center, this is a great opportunity to skip the traffic, take in the beautiful Miami scenery, and enjoy that beautiful water breeze.
Dedicated Water Taxi stops are also located within a close walk of eight of the official SBC Summit Americas hotels. These include:
- Hyatt Centric Las Olas Fort Lauderdale
- Riverside Hotel
- Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale
- Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa
- B Ocean Resort Fort Lauderdale
- Sonesta Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort
- AC Hotel Fort Lauderdale Beach
- Pier Sixty-Six Resort
Local Nightlife and Extracurricular Activities
So, the important parts are out of the way. You now know why we have relocated, you have secured your hotel, and you have mapped out the best way to the event.
But what to do when you are outside of SBC Summit Americas?
Fort Lauderdale is a beautiful city, a stone’s throw away from the heart of Miami, offering as many opportunities to eat, drink, and dance as it does UV levels from the sun (you will need suncream).
Whether you are planning to extend your trip by a day or two or just want to find a nice spot to take clients to (when you are not at official SBC networking events, of course), we have compiled a brief list of activities for you.
- Beach Bars: With 23 miles of sandy shores and swaying palms, Fort Lauderdale’s beach bars are the perfect place to sip cocktails by the ocean. The Wreck Bar is a quirky classic, where mermaids dance behind portholes, while Casablanca Cafe offers 1920s elegance with sea views. For a laid-back vibe, head to Lulu’s Bait Shack, where Cajun-Creole bites and giant fishbowl cocktails steal the show.
- Nightclubs: Fort Lauderdale’s clubs are buzzing with thumping beats, live music, and creative drinks. The Manor Complex is notable for its drag and burlesque acts, while Escape Lounge and Club Euro keep the party going late. For Latin and reggae vibes, Blue Martini is a must.
- Rooftop Bars: Take in Fort Lauderdale’s skyline from Sparrow at Dalmar Hotel or Rooftop @1WLO—both offering unbeatable views. High Tide serves Florida-inspired cocktails in a lush setting, while SKY Bar’s sleek terrace is perfect for ocean views.
- Live Music: From jazz to rock, Fort Lauderdale has it all. Blue Jean Blues offers nightly jazz and blues, Qbar Blues & Burgers brings New Orleans flair, and NYSW Jazz Lounge mixes swing with Latin jazz. Learn to line dance at Round Up or rock out at Culture Room.
Miami Ad-Vice
The lead-up to any event is normally spent booking meetings, ensuring your team’s goals are aligned, and for anyone lucky enough to be speaking or exhibiting at the event, ensuring those final touches are there.
Amongst the hustle and bustle of event preparation, it’s easy —and completely understandable—to forget some of the finer details of attending an event in Miami. So here is a little tip sheet to help you on your travels.
- Suncream: Fort Lauderdale in May is hot. With average temperatures ranging from 73°F to 86°F, bringing suncream is essential to avoid ending up red in the face.
- Portable Fans: We at SBC are massive fans of this nifty gadget. The halls of the Broward County Convention Center will be air-conditioned, but with 10,000 delegates, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
- Light Clothing: Having just returned from SBC Summit Rio, one lesson I learned is that linen is your best friend. With events typically involving a lot of walking and talking against the backdrop of Miami heat, staying cool and comfortable is essential.
- Bring Bottles of Water: Thankfully, SBC Summit Americas will be full of exhibiting brands offering drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic), as well as plenty of food and beverage stands. However, bringing your own bottle of water ensures you’ll never have to step away from the action.
- Comfortable Footwear: With the event covering an impressive 250,000 square feet, you’ll likely hit your daily step count by lunchtime. Ensuring you wear comfortable footwear could be a game-changer for your week.
- Portable Chargers: From using our dedicated SBC Connect App to exchanging LinkedIn profiles, your phone is an essential tool for getting business done. Make sure you bring a portable charger to avoid the embarrassment of the dreaded 1% battery warning.
Final Thoughts
SBC Summit Americas was established to answer the demands of the industry for a bigger venue that would allow seamless interaction between the North American and South American regions.
However, a bigger venue wasn’t enough for what will be one of the most significant events in the industry calendar. Quality of life was also essential to making SBC Summit Americas a success.
Through exclusive hotel rates, a central location, innovative travel options, and a city brimming with nightlife and culture, SBC Summit Americas far exceeds just an event—it is an all-encompassing experience that will leave as many memories as it does meetings in your diary.
Click here to secure your spot today for the discounted price of $400.
Operators and affiliates can apply for complimentary passes.
