October 10, 2018, Hurricane Michael blasted the Florida Panhandle between Mexico Beach and Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City as a Category 5 storm with maximum sustained winds of 160 miles per hour.
“The area is rebounding from Michael, and they just want to get back on the map and let people know they’re open for business,” said Joe Cappuzzello, president and CEO of The Group Travel Family, which manages six travel and meeting planner conferences. “We reached out to them to see if we could help. We brainstormed with the CVB, and they committed to hosting three of our conferences over the next three years. We’re going to help to promote the city.”
The Sheraton Panama City Beach Golf and Spa Resort is where the conferences will take place. “We’re excited to showcase this beach community at the Small Market Meetings Summit in May, Select Traveler Conference in 2021 and Going On Faith Conference in 2022,” said Cappuzzello.
The Sheraton property has been completely renovated, including all the guest rooms and suites, the meeting spaces, the spa, the salon and the restaurants. The property appears to be in even better shape than before the storm ravaged the area.
