OT: Business Meeting in Gainesville

Question

My VP came to me yesterday and asked me to put together a semi-boondoggle/business meeting around the weekend of the NHRA Winternationals in Gainesville on March 9-11. We need to meet with a major vendor of ours who's headquartered in Jacksonville, and with my VP being an NHRA fan, he thought this would be unique event rather than your typical cliched golf weekend.

I know nothing about Gainesville other than UF is located there, and they've historically had some pretty good football.

I'm looking for a higher caliber hotel where we can stay and also have a business meeting for 2-3 hours (to justify the trip). I'm not wanting a Days Inn, Fairfield Inn, or other such "motel." I need something pretty nice. Since I'm not paying, price is not an issue (within reason, of course. $200-300 night is OK.). Any suggestions?

Also, on one evening, I need to make reservations for dinner. Again, price is not an issue, but I want a good caliber restaurant, that's not a chain but a local establishment, and with good food.

I want to impress the boss and figured some fellow SEC friends could help a brother out.

Any help would be very appreciated!!!!

This post was edited on 2/21 1:25 PM by Hog4W

This post was edited on 2/21 1:27 PM by Hog4W

Originally posted on Gator Sports Forum by Hog4W.

Answer 1

Best one that has conference center type amenities that I know of is the University Hilton on 34th street. There is another Hilton on I-75 and Archer road, but that's further from campus and the NHRA track (Which is on the opposite side of town anyways). The newest and biggest one in town is the Hilton on 34th and is nice enough we've eaten thanksgiving day dinner there a few times.

If it's a race weekend, you might want to contact them, or whoever you are going to get reservations with soon though.

Link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g34242-d224600-Reviews-Hilton_University_of_Florida_Conference_Center_Gainesville-Gainesville_Florida.html

Originally posted on Gator Sports Forum by grommit.

Answer 2

I will look into the Hilton. I've got a quote request into the Gainesville Hotel and Conference Center on Newberry Road. It looks quite nice.

I'm still open to nice dinner suggestions in the area.

Originally posted on Gator Sports Forum by Hog4W.

Answer 3

Dragonfly.

Dragonfly.

Dragonfly.

Originally posted on Gator Sports Forum by Gator4Peace.

Answer 4

Dragonfly is a sushi restaurant that is more about its atmosphere then its food.Its very popular with the university crowd.

If you want steak then Embers is very good & has the best wine list in town by far. If you want Italian then Manuel's Vintage Room is excellent also with a good wine list including some stuff that is very nice.

Seafood is at Bluewater Bay. Its trucked in fresh from the atlantic & gulf every day.

Originally posted on Gator Sports Forum by Ghost of Spaceheater.

Answer 5

Almost forgot Emiliano's. It's carribean/Cuban/Spanish. Its also very good.

There's a place called the paramount grill that used to be very good but has declined a bit. The food is French influenced bistro style.

Manuel's & Paramount are wine & beer only. If you're looking for pure dining experience & quality of your meal than Manuel's is the best restaurant in town. Best wine list is Ember's. If you want a good meal that's more down to earth then Bluewater Bay.

Originally posted on Gator Sports Forum by Ghost of Spaceheater.