EyeCon 2024: Come for the CE, stay for the sun and fun

(Image Credit: AdobeStock/aiisha)

There will be fun and learning in the sun when EyeCon 2024 kicks off September 27-28 at the Hilton Ford Lauderdale Marina in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

EyeCon will offer attendees an experience that will mold their future success as they unlock essential CE/CME credits and network with key industry leaders.

All of this learning will take place against the backdrop of sunny Fort Lauderdale, but all work and no play makes for a dull time. There are myriad options for attendees who want to make the trek more than another conference visit.

While the city may bring out the inner beach bum in all of us, it is also a diverse destination with vibrant nightlife and family-friendly activities.

Situated on the southeastern coast of the Sunshine State, Fort Lauderdale is famous for its beaches and boating canals. The area boasts 24 miles of golden beaches bustling with trendy bars and a restraint-filled boardwalk.

The Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina is situated on the Intracoastal Waterway, less than 10 minutes from the sand and waves of the ocean. It offers a beach shuttle, and water taxis ferry guests to shopping and dining options along Las Olas Boulevard.

While on the Boulevard, you also can visit Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale or a local museum like the Museum of Discovery and Science, a perfect stop for ophthalmologists still thirsty for knowledge.

Other amenities include a pool area featuring palm trees and an outdoor tropical restaurant.

Fort Lauderdale Beach and Fort Lauderdale Beach Park offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy the sun and fun of South Florida. Think of it as a calmer, tamer version of Miami Beach.

So, you’ve hit the beach and are looking for more. Fort Lauderdale has it.

You can tour the “Venice of America’s” 300 miles of inland waterways on a gondola, paddle boat, or water taxi. Along the way, you can marvel at the mansions and yachts along “Millionaire’s Row.”

You can rent a jet-ski, mini powerboat, or ride a Segway, or even schedule an airboat adventure at nearby Everglades Holiday Park. Airboat rides are also available in Fort Lauderdale. Boat cruises are a popular option.

When the sun goes down, the fun begins. The Fort Lauderdale region has an active nightlife scene, with entertainment ranging from bars and restaurants to gaming, dancing, and live music. Attendees can partake in the nightlife that puts Fort Lauderdale on the map.

Fort Lauderdale features The Strip, a promenade that is situated along the A1A highway, lined with fine dining, hotels, boutiques, and bars. Attendees can visit the International Swimming Hall of Fame, offering a history lesson on swimming in the US and around the world, featuring pools and a museum of memorabilia.

The Hugh Taylor Birch State Park offers miles of trails and a lagoon. Visitors can enjoy coastal wilderness at the park, which is open from 8 am to sunset 365 days a year. You can canoe or kayak in the largest of the coastal dune lakes.

The Bonnet House Museum and Garden’s history dates back more than a century. It offers something for art lovers, animal lovers, horticulture enthusiasts and history buffs. Its campus is perfect for a stroll through nature, and you may even be visited by monkeys.

Other outdoor activities include fishing excursions, snorkeling, and guided coral reef tours. The adventurous can take a guided kayak eco-tour through mangrove tunnels along the waterways.

Still not adventurous enough? How about catching a bird’s eye view of the Fort Lauderdale coastline during a parasailing excursion?

If you are looking for something a little more family-oriented, Bluefoot Pirate Adventures offers interactive pirate ship cruises. During the one-hour event, you will learn how to talk like a pirate and battle real pirates with water cannons. Private sunset cruises are also offered.

Xtreme Action Park is one of the largest indoor entertainment facilities in the Sunshine State, offering a range of activities, including go-kart racing, bowling, arcade, game rooms, a rope course, trampolines, VR escape rooms, and miniature golf.