Small Market Meetings December 2018

SMALL MARKET

MEETINGS MARKETING MEETINGS | PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARIES | GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA DECEMBER 2018

s a s n Ka

THE COLORS OF

CHICAGO

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69 FORT WAYNE

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CHAMPAIGN

74 HENDRICKS COUNTY

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TERRE HAUTE

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LOUISVILLE

OPENING THIS YEAR! FIVE REASONS TO CHOOSE HENDRICKS COUNTY FOR YOUR NEXT CONFERENCE 1

A variety of venues, including the brand new 21,000-square-foot Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center

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Next to the Indianapolis International Airport, with free shuttle service to hotels

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Free parking at all Hendricks County venues

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An experienced Visit Hendricks County staff who will do the legwork for you—venue selection, welcome bags, event marketing and more

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Just minutes from downtown Indy, with easy access from I-70, I-74 and I-65

To compare venues and get started, go to VISITHENDRICKSCOUNTY.COM/MEETINGS

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Becky Harris, Director of Sales | Becky@VisitHendricksCounty.com VisitHendricksCounty.com/Meetings | 800-321-9666

DAYTON

INDIANAPOLIS

CINCINNATI

ON THE COVER: The colorful glass exterior of Museum at Prairiefire in Overland Park mimics the wildfires that have burned in the area throughout Kansas’ history. Courtesy Museum at Prairiefire

INSIDE VOLUME 19 | ISSUE 12

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IDEAS Presidential Libraries

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CITY Greenville, South Carolina

HOTEL Chattanooga Choo Choo

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TOWN Hagerstown, Maryland

D E PA R T M E N T S

8 INSIGHTS 10 PROFILE John Percy

Crisis Management Planning

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12 MANAGING Marketing

MEETING GUIDE Kansas

Meetings

SMALL MARKET MEETINGS is published monthly by Pioneer Publishing, Inc., 301 E. High St., Lexington, KY 40507, and is distributed free of charge to qualified meeting planners who plan meetings in small and medium size towns and cities. All other meeting industry suppliers may subscribe by sending a check for $39 for one year to: Small Market Meetings, Circulation Department, 301 East High St., Lexington, KY 40507. Phone (866) 356-5128 (toll-free) or (859) 225-1452. Fax: (859) 253-0499. Copyright SMALL MARKET MEETINGS, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of editorial or graphic content in any manner without the written consent of the publisher is prohibited.

FOR SALES CALL KYLE ANDERSON 866-356-5128

kyle@smallmarketmeetings.com

Mac T. Lacy Publisher/Partner

Brian Jewell Editor

Daniel Jean-Louis Account Manager

Herbert Sparrow Executive Editor/Partner

Ashley Ricks Graphic Designer

Kyle Anderson Account Manager

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Savannah Osbourn Staff Writer Christine Clough Copy Editor Rena Baer Proofreader

Courtesy Historic Post office

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M EET I N S OUTH W ALTON.COM

FROM WHITE BOARD TO WHITE SAND

Discover diverse meeting facilities and world-class accommodations and service, all just steps from sugar-white sand beaches and turquoise water. Our 16 beach neighborhoods offer personalized experiences for each visitor – enjoy creative cuisine, thrilling eco adventures, festive nightlife, boutique shopping and championship golf courses. Easy to reach via two airports and less than a day’s drive from major Southeast metropolitan areas, you’ll find it all in South Walton, Florida.

Luxury hotel at 63 Main Street, Rosemary Beach, FL.

The top resort and meeting location – beach to bay.

One resort experience; many unique meeting options.

thepearlrb.com | 866-234-4889

sandestin.com/smm | 833-208-4221

watercolorresort.com | 866-547-3159

MIRAMAR BEACH • SEASCAPE • SANDESTIN • DUNE ALLEN • GULF PLACE • SANTA ROSA BEACH • BLUE MOUNTAIN BEACH GRAYTON BEACH • WATERCOLOR • SEASIDE • SEAGROVE • WATERSOUND • SEACREST • ALYS BEACH • ROSEMARY BEACH • INLET BEACH

SNAPSHOT

How Many Meetings Do You Plan?

Here’s how our readers’ meetings activity breaks down: Small Market Meetings readers are a busy bunch. In a recent survey, we asked how many meetings they plan per year, and over 62 percent reported they plan more than 10 meetings annually. And nearly a quarter of our readers plan more than 30 meetings each year.

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CUSTOM CONTENT

LOUISIANA’S NORTHSHORE A PE ACE FUL VIBE AND R E ASONABLE PRICES

DRIVE MEETINGS ACROSS

LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN

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or decades, New Orleanians needing a quick getaway have sped across the 23.8-mile Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. When they reach the lake’s north side, they slow down beneath tall pines and Southern oaks in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana’s Northshore.

The Northshore is many things New Orleans is not: quiet, peaceful and reasonable, but, like New Orleans, it offers flavor-packed food, melodic music and abundant activities. It’s also easy to reach, crisscrossed by interstates 10, 12 and 59 and an easy drive to airports in Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Gulfport, Miss.

For groups willing to explore the riches of the region’s many small towns, the Northshore, like New Orleans, is a good place for meetings.

A NATURE BREAK: HONEY ISLAND SWAMP

Zondra White Jones, senior sales manager for the St. Tammany Tourist and Convention Commission, has plenty of ideas to offer meeting planners.

Among her favorites for off-site adventures are tours of Honey Island Swamp, where Cajun Encounters uses 22-passenger boats to safely explore from its dock near Slidell.

Although she’s not outdoorsy, Jones is always enthralled on these tours, where the calls of owls, frogs, alligators and other swamp dwellers break the silence. “I feel like I’ve gone back in time. It’s pristine,” she said.

Now, with the addition of an outdoor pavilion, a tour can turn into an event, with a catered Cajun-style dinner, music and dancing.

EACH TOWN HAS ITS OWN PERSONALITY

Jones points out that having multiple towns multiplies the possibilities-from festivals and farmers markets to historic districts for shopping an dining.

An inexpensive way to add a local touch is to take attendees to a festival. In the spring and fall in particular, there’s one somewhere nearly every weekend, celebrating anything from crabs, buskers and bikes to art, antiques and wooden boats. Local businesses, like the nationally known Abita Brewery in Abita Springs, also offer possibilities. Abita has event spaces, offers tours for $5 that include a tasting and brings in food trucks and music on select fall Fridays.

IT’S SHOW TIME AT MOVIESETS

The Northshore has its share of funky, off-beat venues including Moviesets, which playfully calls itself a “reel venue.” Its owners primarily rent items -- anything from cars to lamps -- for movies filmed in Louisiana, but they’ve also turned their warehouse into an event space, setting up vignettes that use pieces from movies like Planet of the Apes or 12 Years a Slave, which make fun, built-in party backdrops.

THE SOUTHERN RETURNS IN STYLE

In downtown Covington, a historic hotel is making headlines and drawing a corporate meeting crowd. The Southern opened in 2014, a 47-room renewed rendition of the 1907 hotel where everyone in Covington celebrated special occasions.

Larger meetings opt for the 155-room Clarion Inn and Suites Conference Center in Covington or stay in limited-service properties near the interstate in Slidell and Covington and meet at the Northshore Harbor Center in Slidell, a 45,000-square-foot, one-level convention facility near Lake Pontchartrain.

It’s made all the better by its proximity to the waterfront Blind Tiger restaurant and, in 2019, a new location of Middendorf’s, the Manchac, La., restaurant famous for its thin fried catfish.

Another selling point for the Northshore, especially this time of year, is its climate. Sure summers are hot and humid, but winter is moderate. “Last Christmas [2017], we were wearing shorts,” said Jones.

CONTACT INFO:

Louisiana's Northshore St. Tammany Parish Tourist and Convention Commission Zondra White Jones 800-634-9443 zondra@louisiananorthshore.com LouisianaNorthshore.com

INSIGHTS WITH VICKIE MITCHELL

ARE YOU PREPARED?

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n recent surveys, 75 percent of meeting organizers said they had not prepared a crisis communication strategy or a contingency option for their event.

Being unprepared for potential threats — terrorism, weather disruptions and pandemics, among them — is a big mistake, according to Brenda Rivers, an attorney and founder/ CEO of Andavo Meetings, Incentives and Consulting.

Rivers, who does a great deal of training and consulting concerning crisis strategy, says it is imperative that meeting planners take steps to protect attendees and safeguard their organization’s reputation and financial integrity.

“It doesn’t matter if it is a large meeting, a complex meeting or a smaller meeting; what it has to do with is the location, foreseeable risks and the potential impact of a disruption or crisis,” said Rivers. “Every meeting should have some type of a risk management plan.”

A four-hour training program she and her staff have developed helps meeting planners create a thorough crisis plan. The training is based on her book, “The Meeting and Event Risk Management Guide: How to Develop Your Risk Management Playbook,” published by Meetings Today (andavomeetings.com/event-crisis-management).

Here, Rivers outlines five steps meeting planners should take in planning for a crisis.

To reach Rivers at Andavo Meetings, call 720-398-5504, visit andavomeetings.com or email brivers@andavomeetings.com.

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An expert shares tips on crisis management planning

Record actions taken to ensure safety.

Event planners have a duty to take all reasonably necessary steps to ensure safety and security: to anticipate and plan for guests who drink too much, bring a firearm or have a medical emergency, for example. When an event is open to the public, vulnerability to an active shooter, a bomb threat or terrorism must be considered. Large events always present crowd management challenges. When planners record the actions they have taken to prepare for these and other potential crises, they show they have fulfilled their duty of care. By including a risk management strategy in their event planning, planners demonstrate they have taken active steps to plan for a crisis. If a crisis does occur, that record will be strong evidence that the planner did everything reasonable and prudent under the circumstances to keep attendees safe.

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Writing a contract?

Include a safety and security clause.

Every major contract with a hotel, off-site venue or destination management company should include a safety and security clause.

The clause stipulates that the supplier will help develop a plan to mitigate safety and security risks before the event and will provide its nonconfidential emergency response plan. The clause should also include who the planner should call in an emergency and the best ways to reach those responders. The clauses must also cover actions the responder is expected to take to ensure attendees’ safety.

Sit down for a safety and security pre-con.

Planners should convene an on-site pre-conference meeting to discuss safety and security with their staff, on-site security, audiovisual and production staffs, the DMC and other partners who would be mobilized during a crisis. Rivers advises rehearsing the roles team members will play during a crisis, an evacuation for a fire, a bomb threat or an active shooter. If the meeting is a large one, rehearse crowd control best practices. For large meetings, planners might consider hiring private security and EMT services to ensure quick response.

Decide who will disseminate information.

Planners, their staff and their organization’s communication team should create a basic crisis communication plan that designates who, in a crisis, communicates news and updates to those affected, as well as who decides when, what and how to communicate. Communication tools also should be determined. Include the event website, mobile app, social media and hashtag push notifications, as well as old-fashioned media like verbal announcements, flyers, bulletins or voicemail in hotel rooms for those who aren’t tech savvy. Write sample messages for the most likely crises; they can serve as guidelines during a crisis. Designate an on-site spokesperson, and plan for a centralized information area where attendees can ask questions of qualified staff.

December 2018

Identify foreseeable crises.

Create a section for risk management that identifies foreseeable crises such as medical emergencies, weather disruptions, power outages, fires and alcohol-related issues, then write a crisis response plan for each. The plan should be based on vulnerabilities specific to an event, such as jellyfish season at a beach resort. The plan should identify first responders and detail how to reach them, what to do until help arrives and how first responders can be expected to handle the crisis. Rivers’ mantra is “If the planner does not know what to do in the first 10 minutes of any of these foreseeable crises, they are not prepared.”

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THECONFERENCE

MEETING LEADERS JOHN PERCY

JOHN PERCY, CENTER, AND TEAMMATES AT VISIT NIAGARA USA CELEBRATE A SUCCESSFUL MEETING IN NIAGARA FALLS.

“I remember looking around the room at our reception, and at least half of the guests were people I’d worked with over the years, who had become friends, who had really become more like family.”

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BY MOLLY PHILLIPS

owerful,” “thunderous” and “mesmerizing” are all words used to describe Niagara Falls, and many people refer to it as the Eighth Natural Wonder of the World.

It’s a tall order to market such an iconic destination to the world and an even taller one to do so successfully for almost three decades. John Percy, president and CEO of Destination Niagara USA, has done just that — and isn’t done yet.

Raised outside of Detroit, the Midwestern transplant graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 1985. Percy chose to move to quaint Niagara Falls in 1989 to do marketing for a shopping center and soon found himself swept away by the beauty of western New York and the quality of life he discovered there.

“I love this community, I love western New York. The people are warm and hospitable; the authenticity that thrives in the people who live here is remarkable,” said Percy. “They are the most giving people I have ever witnessed.”

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Shortly after moving to Niagara Falls, Percy accepted a seat on the board of the local convention and visitors bureau, where he was brought on staff as vice president of tourism in 1998. Five years later, Percy navigated the merger of several of the area’s marketing arms into a single department; he was the solo employee retained, as vice president of sales and marketing, for the consolidated Niagara Tourism and Convention Corporation. Later promoted to president and CEO, he’s now held that title and post for more than a dozen years.

Percy also credits relationships as the primary reason he’s stayed so long in the same industry and at the same organization.

Reminiscing on his recent marriage, he said, “I remember looking around the room at our reception, and at least half of the guests were people I’d worked with over the years, who had become friends, who had really become more like family.”

Relationships, Percy said, also remain at the core of the corporation’s success, as well as his own. “You need to do the advanced, technological stuff,” said Percy, “but even if you’re doing all of that and doing it well, 70 to 80 percent of our business is still relationship-driven.”

It’s a formula that’s been successful for

Percy and his team through decades of the department’s — and Niagara Falls’ — evolution. Recently, the team created an award-winning new website, launched advanced geofence digital marketing initiatives and drove tourism to the No. 1 spot on the list of Niagara Falls’ top industries.

Percy humbly notes that success also comes easily when you have a great product to sell. “It’s so natural here — the topography, the water, the scenery — it’s very outdoor driven and family driven.” He said.

“And at the end of the day, it’s iconic.”

In addition to the falls themselves and the activity-rich surrounding parks and rivers, Niagara Falls has grown into a prime destination for wining and dining, which, Percy said, is another thing he loves about his town.

“I love the farmers markets in the area,” said Percy, “There is so much culinary artistry that resides here.”

Stopping by the farmers market on a Saturday morning, you might find Percy meeting friends for breakfast at the Marketside diner or indulging in fourth-generation Italian fare at Fortuna’s on 19th Street.

“Also,” said Percy, “you must go to Hibbard’s Custard. It’s hand-scooped. It’s been there for years — it’s incredible. Every group I send there sends me emails raving about it.”

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

EXECUTIVE PROFILE NAME

John Percy

TITLE

President and CEO

ORGANIZATION

Destination Niagara USA

LOCATION Niagara Falls, New York

BIRTHPLACE Bristol, Tennessee

EDUCATION Bachelor of Arts in marketing from Eastern Michigan University

CAREER HISTORY • Began in the shopping center industry outside college at Trappers Alley in Detroit.

• Was promoted to marketing director of the Rainbow Centre in Niagara Falls in 1989.

• At the Niagara Tourism and Convention Corporation, formerly the Niagara Falls CVB, was vice president of tourism beginning in 1998, then vice president of sales and marketing in 2003. Has been president and CEO since June 2006.

TIPS FROM JOHN PERCY

• Use the DMO from the destination you have chosen as the site of your meeting — we can be a great resource at no cost to you or your organization.

• Incorporate local art vendors from the destination to showcase local products during your meeting. It’s a great way to introduce your attendees to a bit of that local flavor.

• Think of holding off-site parties or events to showcase unique meeting sites.

December 2018

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MANAGING

Marketing Your Meetings VETERAN PLANNERS SHARE THEIR SECRETS TO MARKETING SUCESS

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BY SAVANNAH OSBOURN

arketing meetings and events can be a daunting task for new planners, especially at a time when most people are inundated with emails and online advertising and tend to ignore traditional marketing tactics. For more insight into some of the ways that planners can engage their audience and attract new attendees, we spoke with three experienced meeting professionals. Here are some of the key points they highlighted. .

REGISTRATION INCENTIVES Registration incentives play a major role in boosting attendance and encouraging people to register in advance, which is vital to helping planners ascertain how many people plan to attend.

Most conferences offer incentives for early-bird registration, giving out gift prizes, tickets to exclusive events, reduced registration fees and other benefits to those who register by a certain date.

To attract newcomers to the event, planners might include a special rate for first-time attendees and extend benefits to anyone who brings a friend to the conference.

VIDEO MARKETING Attendees may not take the time to click on an ad or a link to a website, but more often than not, they will take a moment to watch a brief video.

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Shawna Suckow CMP AND FOUNDER

Senior Planners Industry Network Global speaker on sales and marketing Experience: 26 years

“Get video testimonials from previous attendees because they’re going to be your best salespeople. They’re far more believable than anyone in charge of the conference. That way you amplify your voice, and it’s not just one person — it’s all those influencers and brand ambassadors pushing the message.”

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"You need to have a call to action. When many event planners first start marketing, they’ll do a banner ad with a great picture but don’t tell attendees what they do. And don’t just say, ‘Register now!’ Use words like ‘Register today and save 15 percent!’ or ‘Register now and be among the best in the industry!’

You want to be impactful.”

Video has become a powerful tool in the marketing world, especially as many marketers move away from older communication methods like email and phone and focus more on reaching their audience through social media.

And video marketing does not have to be expensive or time-consuming. Sometimes the most effective way to promote an event is to enlist the help of former attendees and ask them to share short video testimonials with their friends and acquaintances in the industry. According to Keith Johnston, managing partner at i3 Events, many conferences are now hiring dedicated staff to capture testimonials.

“Just like they say nothing attracts a crowd like a crowd, nothing tells me more about an event than another attendee,” said Johnston. “If I can see videos or images of attendees raving about the event, I’m much more likely to click the link.”

This tactic may become even more relevant as General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) becomes more prominent around the world, preventing online marketers from targeting email addresses at random. By encouraging attendees to reach out to their peers, planners can comply with GDPR while taking advantage of existing relationships in the industry to cast a wider net.

ARRESTING VISUALS AND TAGLINES

Keith Johnston PRESIDENT AND CEO

Publisher of Planner Wire, managing partner at i3 Events and award-winning author Experience: 17 years

December 2018

Most people receive a barrage of emails daily, and in many cases, they are going to delete promotional emails without opening them. To help prevent your marketing efforts from being funneled into someone’s trash folder, Shawna Suckow, founder of the Senior Planners Industry Network, suggested using a vague question or phrase in the subject line, such as “Can you attend?” or “Join us in San Francisco,” which often spurs the recipient to open the message and implies that a response is needed. Email is another great opportunity to incorporate video marketing, since video emails appear differently in the inbox and readers are more likely to click on them.

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MANAGING

In addition to getting creative with video and taglines, planners should also make sure that any photography they use is high-quality and Instagram-worthy, even if they have to invest in hiring a professional photographer for their event. Instead of using artificial stock photos, it is always more advantageous to showcase live images from previous conferences to make the visuals more relatable and immediate. Videos or images of any featured speakers or entertainment coming to the event is also a good way to generate interest.

“Make people feel like they want to be a part of the experience,” said Milena Santoro, president and CEO of MS Productions.

Milena Santoro

CMM, CMP AND PIDP, PRESIDENT AND CEO MS Productions Inc. Experience: 23 years

MEETING SPACES

DEGRAY LAKE RESORT STATE PARK

VACATION VIEWS

#ARStateParks

Choose from five Arkansas State Park lodges that offer first-class accommodations in the most scenic settings in the state. Whether it’s a private getaway or corporate retreat, we can help personalize your experience.

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888-AT-PARKS • LodgesofArkansas.com

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“Most people don’t put the time into creating an actual marketing strategy, so start from there. Plan out a calendar schedule from the day of the event and work backward. What are the key messages? When are you going to launch save-the-dates? When does registration open? When are you going to announce the speakers?

Make sure you’re communicating through stages.”

December 2018

A MESSAGE WITH PERSONALITY Every effective marketing message has a voice. Even when it comes to promoting professional events and conferences, planners should not be afraid to put some personality and humor into their marketing content, whether it is a goofy staff photo or something more creative.

“If your message is bland and all business-speak, then people won’t pay attention to it,” said Johnston. “If you can be funny, that goes a long way.”

Sometimes, even a witty or sarcastic tone can be effective, like in the case of the infamous Wendy’s Twitter page, which regularly posts snarky comments about other fast-food chains, as well as many memorable Super Bowl ads. Although it does not always have to be comedic in nature, the voice and tone of your marketing content is always important to consider.

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IDEAS

Courtesy Clinton Presidential Library

MORE THAN MUSEUMS Presidential libraries lend an air of distinction to meetings

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BY SAVANNAH OSBOURN

residential libraries and museums are more than just a biographical homage to a single person; they act as a time capsule of American culture, capturing the political turmoil, ideologies and challenges of the day while providing a more intimate glimpse into the careers and personal histories of the nation’s most powerful leaders. Out of the 14 museums in the current presidential library system, here are five locations to consider as a powerful backdrop to your next meeting or event.

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RONALD REAGAN PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY

SIMI VALLEY, CALIFORNIA Perched atop a hill in Simi Valley, California, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library is one of the state’s most esteemed attractions, honoring the life and legacy of Ronald Reagan, a political outsider who made a definitive impact on American politics during the latter half of the 20th century.

The largest event space on the property is Air Force One Pavilion, a spacious venue that can seat up to 1,600 guests for a formal reception. The pavilion houses a retired Air Force One plane that served seven sitting U.S. presidents, including Presidents Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, Gerald Ford, Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. While visiting, guests can step inside the distinguished aircraft and experience the setting where Reagan handwrote many of his speeches and signed important legislation.

“It’s the only place in the world where you can dine beneath a retired Air Force One plane and get a picture at the door doing the famous presidential wave,” said Deanna Baker, director of events at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute.

Above: The Clinton Library and Museum has exhibits detailing Bill and Hillary Clinton’s early life together.

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Though the pavilion floor is only available for rent after museum hours, the Air Force One Overlook provides a more intimate space for groups of 90 or fewer in a private room. The Presidential Learning Center is another large indoor venue that meeting groups can rent throughout the day; it accommodates up to 800 guests in the auditorium and up to 250 guests in the mezzanine. Just outside the Presidential Learning Center, the Ruwe Terrace and the West Lawn offer some of the most scenic views on the property and frequently set the stage for large-scale outdoor receptions. The centerpiece of the terrace is a nine-foot-tall section of the Berlin Wall. www.reaganfoundation.org

“It’s the only place in the world where you can dine beneath a retired Air Force One plane and get a picture at the door doing the famous presidential wave.”

— Deanna Baker, Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute

GERALD R. FORD MUSEUM

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN Overlooking the banks of the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, the Gerald R. Ford Museum is a unique member of the presidential library system in that its museum and library are in two separate locations: The museum is in Grand Rapids, and the library is in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Meeting groups can take advantage of the extensive space and resources available at the museum branch, which functions as a 54,000-square-foot educational facility with 15,000 square feet of permanent exhibit space and 3,500 square feet of rotating exhibit space. Many of the exhibits explore Ford’s early life in Grand Rapids as well as his unusual position as the only U.S. politician to have served as both vice president and president without having been elected to either office, this because of the resignations of top officials in the previous administration in the wake of the Watergate scandal. Among the 19,000 artifacts on display are memorabilia from Ford’s 1976 campaign, gifts from heads of state and

Courtesy Reagan Presidential Foundation

Courtesy Ford Museum

December 2018

Courtesy Reagan Presidential Foundation

Left: A photo on display at the Gerald R. Ford Museum Top: The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library’s Air Force One exhibit Bottom: An outdoor event at the Reagan Library

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IDEAS

nearly 200 of Betty Ford’s stylish gowns and dresses.

The museum lobby is a popular venue for receptions, dinners and speeches; 100 guests can be accommodated for seated events. Planners can also use a 250-seat auditorium with built-in audiovisual equipment and natural lighting. After their event or meeting, attendees can stretch their legs in the beautiful Betty Ford Garden, which features a reflecting pool and fountain, as well as President Ford’s burial site. www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov

WILLIAM J. CLINTON LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS The William J. Clinton Library and Museum is one of central Arkansas’ premier event venues, boasting more than 10,000 square feet of flexible meeting space throughout a lush, 29-acre campus overlooking the Arkansas River.

“The center offers visitors a very unique venue unlike anything else in Arkansas,” said Jordan Johnson, spokesperson for the Clinton Foundation. “The

building itself is an architectural marvel, and it’s situated in the middle of a manicured public park on the banks of the Arkansas River.”

Based within walking distance of the River Market entertainment district in downtown Little Rock, the library shares the property with the Clinton Foundation and the Clinton School of Public Service. Inside, visitors can explore replicas of the Oval Office and the Cabinet Room; see unique items on display, such as Clinton’s presidential limousine; and watch a 12-minute orientation movie about the 42nd president’s background and achievements.

Planners can host up to 400 guests for a seated event in the 3,500-square-foot Great Hall and Terrace, an elegant venue that features natural bamboo floors and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city.

The Clinton center’s on-site restaurant, 42 Bar and Table, can also be rented for private events. During the warmer seasons, the 13,500-square-foot Scholars Garden can serve as a scenic backdrop for luncheons, cocktail receptions and company meet-and-greets. www.clintonlibrary.gov

Below: An archival photo from the Clinton Library

Courtesy Clinton Presidential Library

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Step Into Little Rock’s Oval Office...

...and Central Arkansas‘’‘s Premier Event Venue

Eli Murray Photography

From the elegant glass and wood walls to sweeping views of the Little Rock skyline, the Clinton Presidential Center is the perfect venue for your business meeting, conference, or private lunch.

Our culinary experts can create a one-of-a-kind menu with farm fresh, locally-sourced ingredients that will exceed your expectations.

Best Place to have a Special Event 2011, ‘13, ‘14, ‘15, ‘16, ‘17

Event Venue

Best Venue Finalist 2014, ‘15, ‘17

1200 President Clinton Avenue • Little Rock, AR 72201 501-748-0454 • www.clintonpresidentialcenter.org/hostanevent

Call us today to begin planning your perfect event.

DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY, MUSEUM AND BOYHOOD HOME

When your meeting enjoys the amenities of one of the Midwest’s fastest growing cities.

ABILENE, KANSAS In Abilene, Kansas, one of the most historic towns in America’s heartland, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home pays homage to the extensive military and political career of the country’s 34th president, Dwight D. Eisenhower.

“Eisenhower had nearly 40 years of public service before he was even president with his dual career as a five-star military general and president of Columbia University, so we really cater to a diverse audience, from people who come because of his military background to others who love visiting presidential libraries,” said Samantha Kenner, communications director of the museum. “It’s a unique way to learn about our country’s history.”

There are six event venues located across the 22-acre campus, including an education classroom, a conference room and two auditoriums. The library lobby offers a distinguished space lined with Italian marble for receptions and other formal events. Just beyond the lobby, planners can take advantage of a beautiful indoor courtyard with carpeted floors and capacity for up to 300 guests theater style. Dangling from the two-story ceiling in the center of the courtyard is a crystal chandelier given to Eisenhower by the people of Czechoslovakia.

Below: Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home

Home to the University of Illinois, Champaign County is an ideal choice for regional gatherings.

We’ll help you on the path to success, providing the tools to get people to your event and make sure the experience is Outside of Ordinary!

SCHEDULE A SITE VISIT TODAY TO RECEIVE AN OUTSIDE OF ORDINARY GIFT! 800.369.6151 | CAITLYNF@VISITCHAMPAIGNCOUNTY.ORG

CHAMPAIGNMEETS.COM

Courtesy Eisenhower Presidential Library

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LIBERTY SCIENCE CENTER

WHERE BUSINESS MEETS PLEASURE Impress your colleagues by holding your next business gathering at Liberty Science Center.

The iconic building offers spectacular views of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. Our glassenclosed Observation Tower is the region’s most impressive space for an intimate dinner or cocktail reception. Our board room boasts a 45-seat horseshoe table with flexible adjacent breakout space. Plus you can explore our galleries, theaters, and the biggest planetarium in the Western Hemisphere before or after your event.

Contact our Special Events team today to plan your most memorable business get-together ever.

L S C . O R G / E V E N T S | S P E C I A L E V E N T S @ L S C . O R G | 2 0 1 . 2 5 3 .1 3 7 8

Many groups enjoy pairing their event with a private exhibit tour of the museum, where they can view weapons, medals and other artifacts from World War II as well as memorabilia from Eisenhower’s presidential campaign. One highlight for many visitors is seeing the D-Day table where Eisenhower and other leaders of the Allied Forces planned the historic invasion of Normandy during World War II. The museum building is now undergoing a comprehensive exhibit redesign that is scheduled to be completed in June 2019. Until then, existing exhibits can be viewed inside the library. www.eisenhower.archives.gov

GEORGE H.W. BUSH PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS Located at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum is a testament to the life and work of President George H.W. Bush and showcases the

Courtesy Bush Library

of meeting space Experience Lied Lodge & Conference Center — less than an hour south of Omaha.

D • • • •

iscover endless opportunities to engage and inspire all across Arbor Day Farm.

14,000+ square feet of amenity-rich meeting space Fully updated guest rooms and chef-inspired dining Experienced staff solely focused on serving your needs Unique and engaging team-building opportunities

Follow nature’s lead at Arbor Day Farm, where the takeaways are as rich as the experiences themselves.

800-546-5433 • liedlodge.org

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www.smallmarketmeetings.com

unique challenges and cultural influences that characterized his time in office following the Cold War. Museum highlights include a World War II Avenger Torpedo Bomber, a 1947 Studebaker, a slab of the Berlin Wall and a full-scale replicas of Bush's Situation Room and Camp David office. The museum also features a special exhibit on first lady Barbara Bush and her public service efforts on behalf of literacy, volunteerism and AIDS awareness and prevention.

In addition to the museum and library, the complex encompasses the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center and the Bush School of Government and Public Service. Meeting groups of all sizes can make themselves at home in the conference center, which provides ample event space in two auditoriums and three banquet halls, while enjoying proximity to the museum and other attractions on campus. The conference center lobby is a good place for conference registration, book signings and small receptions. www.bush41.org

Courtesy Bush Library Center

“Eisenhower had nearly 40 years of public service before he was even president with his dual career as a five-star military general and president of Columbia University” — Samantha Kenner, Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library

Opposite: Preparing for an event at the George H.W. Bush Library Above: George H.W. Bush Library

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h t u o S arolina C COOL Falls Park on the Reedy River sits in the heart of Greenville, South Carolina.

All photos courtesy VisitGreenvilleSC

CITY

Greenville blends urban sophistication with Appalachian scenery

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N

BY KATHERINE TANDY BROWN

ow into its fifth decade of a transformation from a South Carolina mill town, Greenville has morphed into a remarkably user-friendly tourism and meetings destination with a strong corporate base. Its walkable downtown offers distinctive venues, arts and entertainment, with award-winning restaurants, boutique shopping and exceptional night life. And the surrounding Appalachian foothills add a beautiful natural ambiance to this urban destination.

GREENVILLE AT A GLANCE

LOCATION: Upstate South Carolina in the Blue Ridge Mountains foothills ACCESS: Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, Interstate 26 HOTEL ROOMS: 9,000 CONTACT INFO: VisitGreenvilleSC 800-351-7180 www.visitgreenvillesc.com

GREENVILLE CONVENTION CENTER

BUILT: 1964; primary renovation 2002-2004; aesthetics renovated 2015-2016 EXHIBIT SPACE: 368,000 square feet OTHER MEETING SPACES: 17 breakout rooms

MEETING HOTELS

Hyatt Regency Greenville GUESTROOMS: 327 MEETING SPACE: 40,000 square feet Embassy Suites by Hilton Greenville Golf Resort and Conference Center GUESTROOMS: 268 suites MEETING SPACE: 44,000 square feet

WHO'S MEETING IN GREENVILLE UPS ATTENDEES: 180 Urban Land Institute ATTENDEES: 700 Synnex Corporation ATTENDEES: 1,300

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Destination Highlights

DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS

Green River Adventures

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f it didn’t already have a catchy slogan — “Yeah THAT Greenville” — this upstate South Carolina city could be known as “Accolades ‘R’ Us.” Among numerous kudos, it’s been named by MSN as one of the Top 10 Places You Absolutely Have to Visit, by Southern Living as one of the South’s Tastiest Towns, by Parade as one of the Top 10 of America’s Best Downtowns and by Garden and Gun as the Hippest Little City in South Carolina.

Pegged Esquire Magazine’s Next Big Food City in the South, this foodie heaven with more than 600 restaurants creates cutting-edge cuisine.

Greenville rocks with downtown celebrations at NOMA Square, and Heritage Green adds culture with four museums, including the Greenville County Museum of Art, which pays homage to Southern-inspired artists. A 22-mile, multiuse greenway, the Swamp Rabbit Trail, winds through town and traverses the Reedy River, which flows through the middle of the city. Along the route are stop-off restaurants and a bike challenge track.

A 345-foot-long pedestrian bridge spans the river’s 27-foothigh urban waterfalls; along with rolling gardens and rockworks, they afford pleasing views for patrons at eateries, boutique shoppers and strollers along the riverbanks. More than 100 installations of public art add humor and imagination.

Rounding out the city’s appeal, its capacity to provide a work/ life balance has created a strong corporate base, including major bases for companies such as Michelin, BMW and Synnax.

“Ultimately, Greenville’s appeal is about the fusion of natural resources and an urban downtown area that you just don’t find anywhere else,” said David Montgomery, vice president of sales for the Greenville Convention and Visitors Bureau. “A 32-acre park and one-of-a-kind floating pedestrian bridge set a tone for our market that encourages meetings and events to come explore what’s happening outside the meeting venue, to explore the entire destination.”

BMW Performance Driving School

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DISTINCTIVE VENUES

Distinctive Venues

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n anchor of downtown Greenville, the Peace Center Complex serves as the upstate area’s arts hub and hosts a full range of performances, including the Greenville Symphony, the Greenville Ballet and an outstanding Broadway Series. Groups can gather in a 2,100-seat concert hall, a 400-seat theater, a patron’s lounge and a variety of historic and contemporary spaces. Built in 1882, the restored Huguenot Mill has room for 20 attendees at a conference, 350 at a reception.

“The center is on the Reedy River, with great access to hotels, restaurants, coffee shops and shopping,” said Chelsy Cox, a Peace Center events coordinator.

For on-the-edge team building, the BMW Performance Center will “zoom” your employees into working together while sharing the thrill of driving fast. Options include the popular Track Meet, which puts members behind the wheel of various BMW models to learn handling and safety, and Hot Lap, in which, members drive the high-performance cars with instructors.

A cafe, a coffee bar, Wi-Fi and a conference room are included in a full or half-day event.

Replicating the dimensions of Boston’s Fenway Park, Greenville’s 6,700-seat Fluor Field is home to the Greenville Drive baseball team, a Class A affiliate of the Red Sox. A nod to the past, used bricks recycled from old mills create the park’s nostalgic look.

A short block from Main Street, Avenue offers indoor and outdoor spaces and state-of-the-art audiovisual options; it accommodates up to 200 guests seated and 400 for cocktail receptions.

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Major Meeting Spaces

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hough the Greenville Convention Center lies three miles from downtown and does not have an attached hotel, its 280,000 square feet of flexible space ups its ante in the meetings market.

A short drive from the area’s largest shopping mall, the center hosts corporate events, consumer trade shows and regional and state association meetings, with an occasional Bassmaster class that takes advantage of a weigh-in arena and terrific fishing 40 miles away.

“Our clientele is not looking for an 800-room hotel block, doesn’t mind a 10-minute drive downtown, and it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg for them,” said John Willusz, general manager of the convention center.

With 40,000 square feet of meeting space, the Hyatt Regency Greenville is the city’s largest meetings hotel. All 327 guest rooms and suites were renovated in 2018. Amenities include a 15,000-square-foot ballroom, an award-winning farm-to-table restaurant, a lounge on NOMA Square and championship golf courses nearby.

“When you need a leg stretcher from meeting, you can head outside and walk the few steps to Falls Park,” said Dirk Bengel, the Hyatt’s general manager.

In the heart of midtown Greenville on a 75-acre campus, the Embassy Suites Greenville Golf Resort and Conference Center was completely renovated in 2016. Within a year, the city’s Swamp Rabbit Trail will wind along the 18-hole golf course, providing guests with walking and biking to downtown.

For corporate groups, religious conferences and sporting events such as NCAA basketball and local Swamp Rabbits hockey, Bon Secours Wellness Arena has 14,000 square feet of meeting space. Private suites accommodate 18 to 50 people.

MAJOR MEETING SPACES

Greenville Convention Center

NO BOUNDARIES • A multi-use arena with over 200,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit hall space with seating for 10,000 • Numerous venue options for meetings of any size • More than 3,500 sleeping rooms within 15 minutes of the airport

You’re our top priority.

We also offer something you may not find in larger cities: personalized service.

Leave boundaries behind and contact us today.

BMC VB.com December 2018

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ESCAPE THE ORDINARY Grand Wayne Center is more than an event facility — it’s an experience, crafted to simplify every event planner’s To-Do list!

AFTER THE MEETING

AFTER THE MEETING

Old Cigar Warehouse in Historic West End

The Liberty Bridge at Falls Park

After the Meeting

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terrific way to experience Greenville’s cool, complex charisma is on a walking or driving jaunt with Greenville History Tours, led by local author and historian John Noland. History-focused tours can highlight any of this heritage-rich community’s seven official historic districts. Participant capacity depends on the destination.

Culinary tours are a specialty. At the Chef ’s Table visits five different downtown restaurants to meet chefs and/or managers and sample scrumptious cuisine. Driving tours include the Greenville BBQ Trail, which offers a peek into noted local kitchens and smokehouses.

For an eye-pleasing breath of fresh air and refreshing hikes, visitors can hook up with Mother Nature for wide Appalachian vistas a short drive from town at 3,000-acre Table Rock State Park and at Cesar's Head State Park, named for a rock formation that resembles the Roman politician and military general.

AFTER THE MEETING

The Community Tap

The Midwest’s Favorite Drive-To Destination!

Easy by Air via Fort Wayne International (FWA).

120 West Jefferson Boulevard | Fort Wayne, IN 46802 grandwayne.com | 260.426.4100

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www.smallmarketmeetings.com

HOTEL

A Chattanooga Icon

BY KRISTY ALPERT

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amed after Glen Miller’s big-band hit that went on to become the first gold record ever produced, the Chattanooga Choo Choo hotel and entertainment complex has a golden legacy all its own that has made it a beloved fixture in the community.

Although people from all over, as well as local Chattanoogans, come to stay and play at this 24-acre complex, the site was once a bustling train station that played host to a generation of travelers.

Terminal Station, as it was known at the time, opened in 1908 and continued operations until its closing in 1970. It was then that a group of local businessmen saved the historic building and transformed it into a unique vacation complex.

Today, the complex comprises a high-end hotel, two full-service restaurants, numerous bars, two music venues, a comedy club, a distillery, a guitar museum and various retail outlets. The hotel itself boasts 122 rooms: 95 of them are considered traditional rooms, and 27 are housed inside historic Pullman train cars on the property.

“We’re very fortunate to be the anchor of our community and neighborhood, called the Southside of Chattanooga, which really gives us character that you might not find in other hotel properties or businesses because they’re not a portion of a community,” said Kelly Skinner, director of operations for the Chattanooga Choo Choo. “Not only do we want to bring focus to the hotel for people to stay and enjoy a conference here, but we want to be a great community leader and offer it to people here for meetings but also offer something for the people who live around us.”

All venues are booked separately, but groups looking to meet within the complex can contact the hotel directly for recommendations on which venue would be a fit for their meeting or event. From gathering in one of the region’s top restaurants to meeting inside a museum that houses the world’s largest collection of rare and vintage guitars, the Chattanooga Choo Choo takes meeting guests on an adventure they won’t soon forget.

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Photos courtesy Chattanooga Choo Choo

THE 1908 TERMINAL STATION AT THE CHATTANOOGA CHOO-CHOO

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

M E E T I N G S PAC E S

GROUPS CAN HAVE ELEGANT MEAL EVENTS AT THE CHATTANOOGA CHOO CHOO’S PREMIER DINING VENUE, STIR.

Only the Hospitality Suite, which holds up to 50 guests, is in the Chattanooga Choo Choo hotel; the rest of the venues on this expansive property are individually owned and are booked independently. Options with their capacities include Songbirds, 500 guests; Comedy Catch, 250 guests; Stir Restaurant, 30 guests; Frothy Monkey, 50 guests; Glen Miller Gardens, 2,000 guests in this two-acre outdoor space; American Draft, 30 guests inside this “pour-your-own-beer” train car; and a new e-sports arena slated to open in February 2019, about 600 guests.

C AT E R I N G Catering is a breeze in the two restaurant venues, Frothy Monkey and Stir, where chefs work with groups to arrange preset meals or allow them to order right off the menu. The two restaurants also offer catering to the other venues on the complex, although groups can choose from a selection of preferred caterers at any nonrestaurant venue at the Chattanooga Choo Choo. Guests that reserve the Hospitality Suite at the hotel can bring in their own food and beverage.

A new restaurant opening next spring will also have meeting space and will offer catering to each of the venues on-site as well. Alcohol is allowed in all venues.

E N T E R TA I N M E N T

HOTEL FACTS LOCATION

Chattanooga, Tennessee

SIZE

122 rooms

MEETING SPACE Varies by venue

ACCESS Chattanooga Airport

CONTACT INFO

423-266-5000 www.choochoo.com

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Guests of the hotel don’t have to go far to find excitement and entertainment at the Chattanooga Choo Choo, as the complex offers everything from dining and nightlife to shopping and live music.

Guests can explore Glen Miller Gardens before catching a comedy show at Comedy Catch or a live performance at Songbirds. A handful of the Pullman train cars have been converted into experiential sites, including the Refinery 423 vintage shopping boutique and the Escape Experience, where guests can test their wits with an escape experience in a runaway train. Free shuttle service is available to the airport and the downtown areas, and the complex is adjacent to Chattanooga’s popular open-container district, Station Street.

NEW IN 2019 The New Year will bring many new additions to the Chattanooga Choo Choo’s already impressive lineup of meeting spaces and venues. These will include Tennessee’s first e-sports arena, where guests can watch teams compete live against each other in a virtual environment. The venue will be able to host groups of about 600 and will offer a fun and exciting way to experience this burgeoning $20 billion esports industry. The second addition, a new restaurant, will add another culinary offering to the dining options at the complex.

The restaurant will also include some meeting space and will provide catering to other venues on-site.

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TOWN

n w o t s r e g a H HISTORIC

MARYLAND

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BY KATHERINE TANDY BROWN

here’s beauty to be had in a city that embraces its past.”

So said National Geographic Traveler in naming Hagerstown, Maryland, one of its Best Small Cities for 2018.

With four designated historic districts, Hagerstown is steeped in heritage. Founded in 1776, Washington County is rife with important historic sites and was the first county to be named for America’s first president. Scenic byways surround Hagerstown itself: the Old National Road, the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal, the Civil War trails Journey Through Hallowed Ground and the Antietam Campaign. There’s even a not-so-historic but fun wine trail.

Add to that the area’s natural beauty at five National Park Service sites.

Those include the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal and the Antietam National Battlefield, plus Harpers Ferry, the Appalachian Trail and the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, aka “The Nation’s River.”

For meetings, Hagerstown bucks tradition. Instead of a dedicated convention center, the town boasts 70,000 square feet of hotel meeting space. Its newest properties lie on contiguous campuses off two interstates, with dining and shopping options galore, all a short drive to downtown. In the city’s Arts and Entertainment District, Potomac Walk at Bulls and Bears can accommodate up to 375 for a reception, and the nationally recognized Washington County Museum of Fine Arts features a 3,000-square-foot, glass-enclosed atrium for private events.

Numerous off-site venues include 40,000-square-foot Seven Ten. In addition to a conference center with three meeting rooms and top-of-the-line technology, this all-things-fun facility offers team building in a 22-lane, luxury bowling alley and game arcade along with personalized catering and a new lounge. Banquet capacity is 25 to 170.

At Antietam Brewery, attendees learn the importance of teamwork in the craft beer industry, then sample the result. Big Cork Winery, with breathtaking views of the Appalachians, offers classes, dinners, tastings and art in the vineyard.

“One reason Hagerstown is ideal for small meetings and retreats is its proximity to I-81 and I-70 and to the Washington, D.C., metro area,” said Audrey Vargason, director of sales for Visit Hagerstown. “But, ultimately, planners choose our area for the aesthetic value of its nearby national parks, its arts and entertainment district and unique events venues.”

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Photos courtesy Visit Hagerstown

OUTDOOR ART IN HAGERSTOWN

By Scantner Photography

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Bowman Hospitality Campus

HAGERSTOWN’S BIG CORK WINERY MAKES A DISTINCTIVE VENUE FOR OFF-SITE EVENTS.

Hagerstown’s meetings hotels are located on two adjacent campuses three miles from downtown. The Bowman Hospitality Campus consists of a 158-room Ramada Plaza, an 80-plus-room Holiday Inn Express and Suites and a 102-suite Homewood Suites by Hilton. A new Home2 by Hilton is set to open in spring/summer 2019. When completed, the easy-to-walk campus will have over 450 hotel rooms and a combined 24,000 square feet of meeting space, with the Ramada’s 7,158, as the largest. Suitable for smaller groups of 30 to 150 attendees, this campus also offers a ballroom for up to 150, full-service catering and banquet options, and numerous breakout rooms.

Plamondon Hospitality Campus

HAGERSTOWN MARYLAND

With a combined total of 200 guest rooms, Springhill Suites and the Courtyard by Marriott occupy the Plamondon Hospitality Campus. Each property features intimate meeting rooms with 1,500 square feet and small breakout spaces. Both the Plamondon and Bowman campuses sit alongside an exit off Interstate 81 near the Valley Mall and dozens of restaurants.

Known for Maryland-style crab cakes and prime rib, the Fireside Restaurant and Lounge is next to the Ramada Plaza.

LOCATION

Western Maryland, at the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers.

ACCESS BALTIMORE

Washington International, Dulles International, Reagan National and Hagerstown Regional airports; interstates 70, 81 and 68.

OUTDOOR DINING AT BULLS & BEARS

MAJOR MEETING SPACES

Bowman Hospitality Campus, Plamondon Hospitality Campus, Clarion Hotel and Conference Center, Best Western Grand Venice Hotel, Wedding and Conference Center.

HOTEL ROOMS 2,000

OFF-SITE VENUES

Maryland Theatre and Performing Arts Complex, Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, Potomac Walk at Bulls and Bears, Seven Ten, Antietam Brewery, Big Cork Winery

CONTACT INFO

Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau 301-791-3246 www.visithagerstown.com

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TOWN

n w o t s r e g a H

MARYLAND THEATRE

Maryland Theatre and Performing Arts Complex

River and Trail Outfitters

The star of Hagerstown’s Arts and Entertainment District, the 100-yearold Maryland Theatre can host 1,280 people in its historic auditorium. Due for completion in fall 2019, a $15 million expansion will add several spaces, including a 400-person performance space, a 250-attendee meeting space, a trade show area, a cocktail lounge, a conference room and glass-walled space overlooking downtown.

“Because Washington County doesn’t have a convention center, we see ourselves as the downtown hub, with all things art, education and business,” said Jessica Green, the theater’s executive director.

Team building in the Hagerstown area is a natural thanks to Mother Nature. River and Trail Outfitters can get corporate groups out in it with options that include low ropes and aerial courses, along with tubing, canoeing, kayaking, biking and zip lining.

“Because of our location at the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, we can combine morning lawn activities, such as A-frame and Skiis, along with afternoon whitewater rafting,” said Alex Slick, group sales and marketing rep. “It’s a full day where we start building a team foundation on land and finish it on the water.”

Experience

By H3 Photography

Meetings with a view in the mountains of western Maryland

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Garrett Co.

Maryland

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Within 3 hours or less from Baltimore, D.C. and Pittsburgh

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Why choose Deep Creek for your next meeting or retreat?

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Traditional and unique meeting venues

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Over 4,000 lodging rooms from hotels to luxury chalets

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40+ Restaurants, Coffee Shops, Bars and Catering Options

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Year-round activities and attractions including great team building opportunities

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Perfect meeting destination for the whole family

www.deepcreekgroups.com | 301-387-5238 34

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

THE BARN AT BROWNSTONE IS ONE OF TOPEKA’S MOST DISTINCTIVE VENUES.

Uniquely Kansas

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Meetdieng Gui

Courtesy Brownstone

BY KRISTY ALPERT

rom a converted dairy barn to an old train depot and even a historic post office, groups meeting in Kansas will find a wide variety of venues with distinctive characteristics and signature charm. Consider some of these creative spaces for off-site events or after-hours celebrations during your next Kansas meeting.

BROWNSTONE

Topeka The story of the Brownstone begins in the late 1920s, when students from Kansas State University’s School of Architecture banded together to design an architecturally unique, fully functioning dairy barn. The barn changed ownership a handful of times, surviving the destructive Topeka flood of 1951 and transforming itself from a dairy farm to a family home, to a small business and then to a bed-and-

December 2018

breakfast; since 2016, it has been a venue for celebrating and gathering with friends, coworkers and family.

“Connie and Steve Brown were born and raised in Topeka and purchased the barn in 2016,” said Abbey Brown, managing director of the Brownstone. “They shared a goal of creating a place of celebration for the community to enjoy.”

The Main Event Hall, which holds up to 200 people, has been carefully restored to preserve the original salt-glazed block silo, now a circular wine cellar and bar, making it the perfect setting for receptions, corporate events, trade fairs and more. The venue also offers a smaller conference room for up to 25 people for more intimate meetings or boardroom-style events.

The Brownstone also offers groups a limestone patio with an outdoor fireplace that overlooks the beautiful pastoral landscape, so attendees can sit back before, during and after events to slow down and take in the historic atmosphere of the venue. Groups can also enjoy special services like audiovisual support, event coordination, breakout rooms, tables and chairs, and an on-site catering kitchen. www.thebrownstonetopeka.com

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Meetieng Guid

MUSEUM AT PRAIRIEFIRE

A MUSEUM AT PRAIRIEFIRE GALA

Overland Park At first glance. the stunning Museum at Prairiefire is enough to ignite a sense of awe and excitement, as the exterior comprises an eye-catching display of NASA-designed dichroic glass artfully arranged to mimic the intensity and passion of the prairie fires that defined Kansas’ history and paved the way for its fertile future.

“Our whole building is a tribute to Kansas,” said Terri Thompson, director of community engagement and development of the Museum at Prairiefire. “It’s a tribute to the prairie fires that made farming work in this environment. The structure itself is impressive, but the coolest thing is that every single person that rents from us, whether it’s a 50th wedding anniversary or a corporate function, is supporting the underserved schools in the city, since we give back to the KC Urban Advantage program. We’re trying to make all of Kansas City stronger by doing our part.”

Meeting venues include the Great Hall and the Terrace, which accommodate up to 300 people each; the Innovation Zone, which holds 50; two classrooms that, combined, hold 100 people; and the boardroom, for up to 15. Before and after meetings, guests can tour the 7,000-square-foot exhibition hall or check out the 360-degree virtual reality theater to get a front-row seat to active volcanoes. The events team works with local vendors for catering and event planning. www.museumatpf.org

Courtesy Museum at Prairiefire

meet dodge city

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www.visitdodgecity.org www.smallmarketmeetings.com 1-800-OLD-West

DEPOT THEATER COMPANY AND HISTORIC SANTA FE DEPOT

Dodge City Built toward the end of 2004, the Depot Theater Company is widely credited with saving one of the oldest structures in Dodge City. The building was designed as an addition the 1898 Santa Fe Depot Building, a structure once destined for demolition. But through careful construction and renovation, the two structures now coexist, creating a unique blend of history and modernity.

“There are a lot of theaters in Kansas, many historic, but no one has a historic fully restored Santa Fe Depot and Fred Harvey House like ours,” said Josh Roesene, board member on the Depot Theater Board of Directors at the Depot Theater Company. “It is the largest in the state and one of the oldest buildings in Dodge City.”

The building is home to an active theater company and offers several unusual opportunities for visitors.

“We produce eight main-stage productions each season, six of which include a full meal,” Roesene said. “One is performed by grade school children and one by area high school kids. We also offer entertainment in the form of musicians and singers, and our theater group often presents murder mystery dinners, if you are looking for entertainment as part of your time with us.”

Optional rental spaces include the Dinner Theater room, for up to 220 people; the El Vaquero Dining Room — which originally housed a Fred Harvey restaurant — for up to 100 people; and the Fred Harvey Hotel lobby and bar, for up to 50 people. www.depottheaterco.com SmallMarketMeetings.qxp_Layout 1 11/16/18 4:03 PM Page 1

DODGE CITY’S SANTA FE DEPOT

Courtesy Depot Theater

PLAN THE PERFECT MEETING IN MANHATTAN

Manhattan exceeds your expectations.

• Unique dining • Exceptional meeting venues • Walkable meeting destinations

December 2018

Oh Manhaan !

VISITMANHATTANKS.ORG 37

Meetieng Guid

FLINT HILLS DISCOVERY CENTER

Manhattan Naturalists rave about the beauty and almost otherworldly landscape of the Flint Hills. Nowhere else in North America can visitors experience the abundance and density of intact tall grass growing from the crags of flinty limestone eroded from underlying bedrock.

In 2012, the Flint Hills Discovery Center opened with a 35,000-square-foot facility.

“The center is dedicated to educating people about the flint grass eco-region and tallgrass prairie,” said Jonathan Mertz, event supervisor for the Flint Hills Discovery Center. “It is all about the prairie.

We are surrounded by it, and even our building is a green building, where native stone was used. The architecture reflects the prairie and all different aspects from the water to the stone to the people.”

Visitors are welcome daily during regular operating hours, but meeting and event groups have exclusive access to the center after hours. The entire building can be rented out to groups of up to 500 people, and the building’s rooftop terrace, which can hold up to 200 people, acts as a perfect setting for watching the sun go down during a lively cocktail hour. The center also offers two small private rooms for daytime rentals; each can host up to 50 people.

Meeting guests receive free Wi-Fi and audiovisual equipment and can enjoy the center’s proximity to several hotels and restaurants in Manhattan’s downtown district. www.flinthillsdiscovery.org

HISTORIC POST OFFICE

Ottawa Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Historic Post Office in Ottawa has become a Kansas landmark. The iconic architecture of this Neoclassical 1913 building, combined with its historical significance in the community, makes it a favorite venue of meeting groups. The new owners recently completed a massive restoration, complete with the addition of two gorgeous meeting spaces.

“The restoration has also been meticulous,” said Rob Boyer, co-owner of the Historic Post Office. “We have maintained all the historical elements: marble flooring, antique safes throughout, soaring floor-to-ceiling windows. The Historic Post Office is one of the unique venues in Kansas.”

The Historic Post Office offers two meeting spaces. The grand ballroom can accommodate groups of up to 300 and is perfect for larger gatherings, receptions, corporate events and charity dinners.

The second meeting space, the Speakeasy Lounge, can comfortably accommodate up to 100 guests. The lounge features built-in televisions and a surround sound system, and it’s the perfect setting for sports parties, rehearsal dinners, birthdays, class reunions and intimate events looking for a Speakeasy feel.

All events come complete with setup, cleanup, and use of tables, chairs, linens, centerpieces, audiovisual systems, a dance floor and day-of event coordinator. Catering and bar service is available upon request. www.historicpostoffice.com

FLINT HILLS DISCOVERY CENTER

Courtesy Flint Hills Discovery Center

AN ELEGANT EVENT AT THE HISTORIC POST OFFICE

Courtesy Historic Post Office

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www.smallmarketmeetings.com

On Campus in Kansas

T

A JAYHAWK STATUE EXEMPLIFIES THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS SCHOOL SPIRIT ON DISPLAY IN LAWRENCE.

Meetdieng Gui

Courtesy Explore Lawrence

BY KRISTY ALPERT

hough its prairies played a major role in defining the state’s history, it’s Kansas’ amazing dedication to higher-education institutions that is laying the seeds for a bright future.

Kansas is home to more than 100 colleges, universities and trade schools, with the Kansas Board of Regents presiding over an extensive list of six state universities, 19 community colleges, five technical colleges, six technical schools and one municipal university.

Each university offers its own signature blend of campus culture and traditions, and the college towns surrounding them are no different. These Kansas destinations are alive with excitement whether or not school is in session, with an air of youth and vibrancy that extends to everything from the local burger joint to the grandest convention center.

College towns are fantastic choices for hosting meetings. Venues often portray a proud sense of school spirit, and many offer packages that include extras like tickets to sporting events, tours of the campus,

December 2018

and passes to campus music and theater performances.

Whether you’re a Jayhawk, a Wildcat, a Tiger or a Shocker, here are some of the best Kansas college towns for booking a spirited meeting or event.

LAWRENCE

Lawrence is home to two universities: the University of Kansas, founded in 1865, and Haskell Indian Nations University, founded in 1884. But it’s the former that earned the town the nickname from Rolling Stone magazine — one of the “best lil’ college towns” in the country — in an iconic 2005 issue.

“The University of Kansas campus is practically right in the center of town, almost as if the town literally revolves around it,” said Lauren Driessel, higher education sales manager for Explore Lawrence. “It’s the largest employer in the community. I’m extremely proud of the collaborative spirit between the city and the university. You’ll see reflections of the university throughout the town by the number of businesses that use the university’s mascot, the Jayhawk, in their name or decor.”

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Popular venues at the campus and their guest capacities include the versatile Kansas Union, 600; the brand-new Burge Union, 857; the dignified Adams Alumni Center, 250; the basketball-themed DeBruce Center, 680; the prestigious Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, 300; the expansive Lied Center, 2,000; the stunning Spencer Museum of Art, 216; and the classrooms at the campus, available when class is not in session.

Catering, campus tours, ticket packages and even appearances by mascots Big Jay and Baby Jay can be arranged through the university’s events team. www.unmistakablylawrence.com

AN EVENT AT FORT HAYS STATE UNIVERSITY

MANHATTAN

Manhattan is referred to as the Gateway to the Flint Hills because of its proximity to the limestone-lined prairie that features unique geological characteristics. The town is home to numerous hiking and biking trails, but it’s the university within the borders that draws many people to this spirited settlement.

“Manhattan and Kansas State University are remarkably intertwined,” said Michael Goens, communication coordinator at the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce and Visit Manhattan.

“Banners to support K-State fly in front of downtown shops, as game days are a central part of the Manhattan experience. The city’s unofficial nickname, Manhappiness, is derived from a mutual caring for one another that is conveyed to tourism and travel.”

Courtesy Hays CVB

THE FIELDHOUSE AT PITTSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY Courtesy Crawford Co. CVB

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www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Meetieng Guid 483, as well as the Charles Koch Arena, 10,506; Eck Stadium, 6,000; and the Champions Club, 300.

Book the Wichita State marching band — the Shocker Sound Machine — and the WuShock to really drum up excitement at your next event. www.visitwichita.com

HAYS

A KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL GAME Courtesy Manhattan CVB

A bevy of campus meeting selections start at K-State Student Union. The Union features six meeting rooms and a spacious ballroom with a capacity of 1,000, plus two auditoriums, for a total of 30 rooms.

More meeting spaces are offered at K-State Alumni Center, with 15 rooms and 1,435 total capacity; the Jardine Tower, with four rooms, for approximately 200 total capacity; and the Kramer Dining Center, with six rooms and space for 358 guests. Additional venues include the West Stadium Center and the Bramlage Coliseum concourse.

Catering, shuttle services and tickets to Wildcats sporting events are all available for booking. Don’t forget to request the school’s pep band and mascot to add a spirited touch to your Purple Pride event. www.manhattancvb.org

WICHITA

As the largest city in the entire state of Kansas, Wichita isn’t the typical college town. Its aviation heritage is legendary and its numerous parks, theaters and museums make it a popular Kansas destination. But despite the city’s metropolitan composition, even locals will agree that it’s Wichita State University’s presence that keeps the city alive with inimitable spunk and spirit.

“Wichita State University adds a thrilling component to the Wichita community, which energetically supports the Shockers and sporting events in the city,” said Moji Rosson, vice president of sales for Visit Wichita. “It has been said that WSU athletics are the ‘Big Game’ in town. With Wichita not having a professional basketball team, the Shockers have become that team that the whole city gets behind and supports. During basketball season, you will see Shocker gear everywhere you go.”

The university was instrumental in securing Wichita as a host city for many NCAA events, but the campus venues also offer multiple options for groups large and small. Venues and their guest capacities include the Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex, 1,700; the Marcus Welcome Center, 450; and the Rhatigan Student Center,

December 2018

There’s an overwhelming sense of community pride within the city of Hays, where much of the town is made up of longtime residents, as well as Fort Hays State alumni who fell in love with the small town of 21,000 and chose to stay to raise their families.

“True to their name, Tiger alumni are fiercely loyal, and former students and community members alike show up year-round for homecoming parades, basketball games, ribbon cuttings for new buildings and fundraising events,” said Melissa Dixon, executive director for the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Their spirit and support is contagious, urging others to strive for success while remembering to give back to the next generation of students.”

Fort Hays State University offers a variety of meeting and event spaces, including Gross Memorial Coliseum, which has 6,196 spectator seats with an additional 1,400 optional floor seating; the Beach/ Schmidt Performing Arts Center, which seats 1,100 people; Eagle Communication Hall in the Robbins Center, maximum 160 people; and the Fort Hays Ballroom in the Memorial Union, maximum 500 people. The Memorial Union, FHSU’s Sternberg Museum of Natural History and other campus facilities offer a wide range of meeting and conference room spaces.

Facility rental rates include audiovisual equipment and room setup/tear-down. Shuttle service, catering and group rates for tickets to campus events are available upon request. www.visithays.com

PITTSBURG

Shades of crimson and gold glisten both on campus and off in Pittsburg, home to Pittsburg State University. The city and university work together to promote a unified vision of town pride and community betterment.

“The Pittsburg area community and Pittsburg State University share a special bond,” said Devin Gorman, executive director of the Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau, “It has been forged over time and is now interwoven into the fabric of our everyday lives. The remarkable level of community support for Pittsburg State is clearly evident in the gorilla statues, split-face gorilla logos, flags, and other forms of crimson and gold that adorn our businesses and homes.”

The university hosts a range of conferences, meetings and events each year. Venues include the Overman Student Center, for up to 120 guests; the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts, maximum 1,100 guests; the Robert W. Plaster Center and Weede Gymnasium, maximum 160 guests; and a range of off-campus spaces that include the Memorial Auditorium and Convention Center and the Frisco Event Center.

For meeting groups, the CVB can help arrange tickets to local shows and courtesy shuttle transportation. www.visitcrawfordcounty.com

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2018 SMALL MARKET MEETINGS INDUSTRY DIRECTORY ARKANSAS

ARKANSAS STATE PARKS

1 Capitol Mall Little Rock, AR 72201 501-865-5853 Linda Hodges linda.hodges@arkansas.gov www.arkansasstateparks.com/lodges Natural beauty and state-of-the-art facilities in Arkansas State Parks Lodges make them perfect meeting, retreat and conference venues. We have meeting rooms that can accommodate 20 to 200. Meeting amenities include projection and sound equipment, full-service catering, restaurant on site, overnight accommodations, beautiful views and curated activities. Let us help you choose the lodge that is right for your next meeting.

ARKANSAS

EUREKA SPRINGS CAPC

121 E Van Buren, 3B/P.O. Box 522 Eureka Springs, AR 72632 479-253-7333 Karen Pryor, CTIS karen@eurekasprings.org www.eurekasprings.org Life in this Victorian Village brings one surprise after another. Around every corner you’ll find fine art, fine dining, shops to please all, historic architecture, unique lodging, spas to pamper and spoil you and events that attract quests, conferences, groups and tours year round. We aren’t just a meeting space; we’re a meeting PLACE. Extraordinary Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

ARKANSAS

CLINTON PRESIDENTIAL CENTER

1200 President Clinton Ave. Little Rock, AR 72201 501-374-4242 Tina Eoff teoff@clintonfoundation.org www.clintonpresidentialcenter.org/visit The Clinton Presidential Center is a world-class educational and cultural venue offering a variety of educational programs and tours, permanent and temporary exhibitions, as well as special events and lectures, presenting a unique perspective of the work – past, present, and future – of the 42nd President of the United States, William Jefferson Clinton.

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FLORIDA

VISIT SOUTH WALTON

25777 US Hwy 331 S Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 800-822-6877 Dawn Truemper meetings@visitsouthwalton.com www.visitsouthwalton.com/meetings Imagine modern meeting facilities, premium accommodations and exceptional service, steps from award-winning sugar-white sand beaches and turquoise water – all enhanced by a diverse dining scene, boutique shopping and championship gold. South Walton, Florida, is continually recognized as a premier destination that offers an upscale, yet casual place to host conferences.

ILLINOIS

ENJOY PEORIA - THE PEORIA AREA CVB

456 Fulton St., Ste. 300 Peoria, IL 61602 309-676-0303, 1-800-747-0302 Joni Staley jstaley@peoria.org www.enjoypeoria.com Enjoy Peoria also offers a dedicated services team – who will be there with you from the first “Hello” to the last “See You Soon.” Peoria – big city amenities with small town hospitality!

ILLINOIS

MEET CHICAGO NORTHWEST

1933 N Meacham Rd., Ste. 210 Schaumburg, IL 60173 847-490-1010 Heather Larson, CMP sales@chicagonorthwest.com www.chicagonorthweset.com We are your go-to experts on the Chicago Northwest region.

With over 60 hotels and 10,000+ guest rooms, finding the right venue to host your event, meeting or convention is easy. 4 hours from anywhere in the continental U.S. and free parking everywhere gives your event an advantEDGE!

ILLINOIS

VISIT CHAMPAIGN COUNTY

17 E Taylor St. Champaign, IL 61820 217-351-4133 Caitlyn Floyd caitlynf@visitchampaigncounty.org www.visitchampaigncounty.org Home to the University of Illinois, Champaign County is an ideal choice for conferences, with more than 4,500 hotel rooms and over 240,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. Our renowned Midwest Hospitality and collection of Outside of Ordinary experiences have made us the fastest growing city in Illinois.

INDIANA

GRAND WAYNE CONVENTION CENTER

120 W Jefferson Blvd.

Fort Wayne, IN 46802 260-426-4100 Marcy McKinley mmckinley@grandwayne.com www.grandwayne.com Grand Wayne Convention Center in Fort Wayne, IN, features 225,000 sf of carpeted, individually climate-controlled, luxuriously appointed meeting, exhibition, and conference spaces. Intuitive floor plans, divisible rooms, three adjacent hotels, easy access, free WiFi, and in-house sales, event management, AV, and catering create the Midwest’s most accommodating event venue.

INDIANA

VISIT HENDRICKS COUNTY

8 W Main St. Danville, IN 46122 800-321-9666 Becky Harris, Director of Sales becky@visithendrickscounty.com www.visithendrickscouty.com Offering affordability, diverse venues and proximity to the Indianapolis Airport and major interstates, Hendricks County provides an ideal destination for any gathering.

A new Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center and numerous shopping, dining, recreation and cultural options, make it the ideal location for your next meeting or conference.

KANSAS

DODGE CITY CVB

400 W Wyatt Earp Blvd.

Dodge City KS 67801 620-225-8186 or 1-800-OLD-WEST Megan Welsh meganw@dodgecity.org www.visitdodgecity.org When you “Get the Heck INTO Dodge” you’ll find everything you need to ensure a memorable time. Dodge City offers the perfect retreat, plenty of peace and quiet for a productive meeting. With over 30 meeting facilities able to accommodate smaller intimate groups up to 1000 participants and more.

KANSAS

MANHATTAN CVB

501 Poyntz Ave. Manhattan, KS 66502 785-776-8829 Karen Hibbard karen@manhattan.org www.visitmanhattanks.org Visit Manhattan provides expert care for meetings, conferences, conventions, outdoor events and sports/tournament support. Manhattan boasts 15 hotels, 1,375 hotel rooms and a brilliant collection of attractions. Walkable amenities prevail in Downtown Manhattan amid a lively, college-spirited environment. Learn why Manhattan identifies vibrantly among the “Happiest Places in America.”

LOUISIANA

ST. TAMMANY PARISH TCC/ LOUISIANA’S NORTHSHORE

68099 Hwy 59 Mandeville, LA 70471 985-892-0520 Zondra White Jones zondra@louisiananorthshore.com www.louisiananorthshore.com Location, unique meeting spaces and personalized assistance are just a few reasons to meet on the Northshore.

I-10, I-12, and I-59 travel through St. Tammany Parish; we’re easily accessible to conference attendees in the Southeast region. Our sales team specializes in making small market meetings a success with site visits, room blocks, meeting room suggestions and complimentary goody bags.

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

2018 SMALL MARKET MEETINGS INDUSTRY DIRECTORY MARYLAND

GARRETT COUNTY COC

15 Visitors Center Dr. McHenry, MD 21541 301-387-4386 Jen Durben jen@garrettchamber.com www.deepcreekgroups.com Meetings are elevated in the mountains of Western Maryland. Whether a group is looking for a traditional on-site meeting space or seeking something a little out of the ordinary like a vacation rental home or even a bed & breakfast for a cozy retreat, look no further than the Deep Creek Lake area.

NEBRASKA

LIED LODGE & CONFERENCE CENTER

NEW JERSEY

LIBERTY SCIENCE CENTER

222 Jersey City Blvd.

Jersey City, NJ 07305 201-253-1388 Gia Woodson rwoodson@lsc.org www.lsc.org Hold your next business gathering at LSC and enjoy spectacular views of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. Host an executive dinner in the glass-enclosed Observation Tower, a staff meeting in a fully equipped theater, or just a fun outing. Our experts cover every detail so you can get down to business.

NORTH DAKOTA

BISMARCK-MANDAN CVB

2700 Sylvan Rd. Nebraska City, NE 68410 800-546-5433 Theresa Brown tbrown@arbordayfarm.org www.liedlodge.org Lied Lodge & Conference Center in Nebraska City offers 14,000+ square feet of customizable meeting space, 140 fully-updated guest rooms, team-building activities, and award-winning dining. Located on the 260-acre Arbor Day Farm (less than one hour south of Omaha), it is the ideal setting for your next meeting or retreat.

1600 Burnt Boat Dr. Bismarck, ND 58503 701-222-4308 Sheri Grossman, CEO sheri@bmcvb.com www.noboudariesnd.com No Boundaries here the city meets wide-open spaces, with metropolitan amenities and a hometown atmosphere. • Multi-use arena with over 200,000 square feet of meeting & event • 3,500 sleeping rooms within 15 minutes of the airport Contact us to leave boundaries behind.

NEBRASKA

OHIO

LINCOLN CVB

1128 Lincoln Mall, Ste. 100 Lincoln, NE 68508 402-434-5344 Derek Feyerherm dfeyerherm@lincoln.org www.lincoln.org/smallmarket2019 Lincoln continues to be a top meeting destination in the Midwest, impressing planners for its affordability, options for entertainment, walkability and safety. New venues are continually opening, providing both traditional and unique spaces that will pique the interest of conference attendees.

Now is the time to experience Lincoln for yourself!

December 2018

TEXAS

FORD PARK ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX

5115 I-10 S Beaumont, TX 77705 409-951-5400 Jamie Nielsen jamie_nielsen@comcastspectacor.com www.fordpark.com Ford Park is the premiere convention, meeting, sports and entertainment destination of Southeast Texas! Conveniently located in Beaumont, Texas on Interstate Highway 10 between Houston and Lake Charles, our versatile event center features five world-class facilities to cater to all of your event needs.

WISCONSIN

MANITOWOC AREA CVB

4221 Calumet Ave. Manitowoc, WI 54220 920-686-3077 Megan Bruckschen mbruckschen@manitowoc.info www.manitowoc.info The Manitowoc Area Visitor & Convention Bureau offers several convention services including welcome bags, registration help, entertainment assistance and more. Only in Manitowoc can your meeting delegates go below deck on a WWII Submarine at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, see where a piece of the Sputnik crashed outside of the Rahr-West Art Museum, and welcome a calf into the world at the Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center.

VISIT GREATER LIMA

144 S Main St., Ste. 101 Lima, OH 45801 419-222-6075 Sharree Brenneman-Reehling sbrenneman@visitgreaterlima.com www.visitgreaterlima.com The Veterans' Memorial Civic and Convention Center is our largest state-of-the-art meeting and exhibition space.

Dine at a selection of local and national restaurants with a variety of cuisines, and stay in comfortable, accessible accommodations. Whether you are visiting for the first time or are a repeat guest, you can always expect a warm welcome in Allen County.

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