Small Market Meetings February 2023

Photo courtesy of Bodacious Shops of Block 42

Puzzled Where To Meet?

ACROSS

2. Hike and bike trails pass through here.

3. Has the best facilities between Denver and Omaha.

6. 1,350 of these happen every year.

DOWN

1. Downtown Hub for eats and drinks.

4. Historical monument on 1-80.

5. A campus of conference, events and hotels.

7. Every year 1 million of these migrate through

8. HS FB All-Star game.

(We’ll give you a hint: Kearney.)

Kearney, where the Heartland gathers.

Every year, Kearney hosts more than 1,350 events. From the Nebraska Shrine Bowl to conferences large and small, top-notch entertainment – heck, even a million Sandhill Cranes make sure to meet in Kearney every year. Why? Because Kearney has the best facilities between Denver and Omaha, experienced staff, and wonderful volunteers that make sure every event that comes to town is taken care of.

If you’re looking for a host city for your next event, make sure you look at Kearney, Nebraska.

IN SIGHTS

WITH VICKIE MITCHELL

CHILD’S PLAY

In every grownup, beneath the Brooks Brothers, Prada and Armani, beats the heart of a child. But as we grow older, we’re discouraged from expressing that inner child — the one who laughs a lot, is in constant motion and is always up for adventure. Perhaps it’s time to inspire the kid at heart in your meeting attendees with some elements of child’s play at an upcoming event.

Tap into fun and nostalgia with these activity ideas

Let go of my Lego

The pandemic led to a lot of new trends, including a return to the toy box. People with time on their hands at home started thinking again about Legos, American Girl dolls, Lite Brites and other childhood toys. Hasbro, Mattel and even McDonald’s, which rolled out Happy Meals for adults in the fall, believe the trend will outstay the pandemic and are designing products aimed at the older set. One exec described it as “kids at heart with grown-up wallets.” So it could be fun to add universally popular toys to a meeting. Imagine a builders’ conference where attendees work together to construct a Lego model of the White House or garden club members clinking plastic blocks to “grow” a Lego orchid. Beyond Legos are some even simpler and less expensive ways to enjoy kid-inspired fun and games — coloring books, Silly Putty, and card games like Old Maid or Go Fish!

Recesses need no monkey bars

Kids need a break from sitting and so do we. That’s what recess is all about. Incorporating what one researcher has called “movement snacks” doesn’t require monkey bars and slides or even leaving the breakout room. How about 10 minutes of yoga or even chair yoga? Musical chairs works well when everyone’s at rounds and peppy music is played. Other ideas requiring little time or equipment are team-building favorite Life Raft, where teams squeeze onto a piece of cardboard or within a taped-off square on the floor. Groups can be timed or race against one another and the competition could be a playoff, with top teams squeezing onto ever-shrinking “rafts.” Another challenge that will elicit laughs is indoor fort building. Supply teams with cardboard boxes, sheets and other oddball building materials and see what they can construct in 10 minutes, then offer tours of each fort or a prize.

Show and tell is an eye opener

The value of this longtime classroom tradition goes beyond teaching us a bit more about those around us and perhaps seeing them in a different light. It also requires public speaking and builds confidence. Show and tell can take several forms, and people don’t necessarily have to drag along their Little League baseball trophy or grandma’s cast-iron skillet. It can start with a simple question: “What one item would you rush to save if your house were on fire?” Or “What one possession is priceless to you and why?” Or, try a rendition known as Lucky Penny. Collect a pile of pennies; have each person draw one and talk about something memorable or significant that happened in their life that year.

Class trips transport us

Remember climbing aboard the yellow school bus for an outing to the local zoo or, in my case, a bourbon distillery? Those class trips got antsy children out of the classroom and into a different sort of learning environment. They taught memorable lessons, like “lions can’t purr” and “in early stages, bourbon burbles in vats like a witch’s brew.” Class trips also work for meetings. During a January conference in Florida, for example, Veterinary Meeting and Expo attendees could take behindthe-scenes tours of veterinary operations at Sea World or swim with manatees. Almost every city has options for day trips. In Shreveport, Louisiana, options include a backstage tour at Shreveport Municipal Auditorium, where Elvis performed, and the African American Experience at Southern University Museum of Art. Historic homes, hotels, museums, zoos, sports stadiums, local factories and other attractions often offer tours that can be tailored to a group’s professional interests.

We all scream for local ice cream

From our first birthday party, ice cream is a treat we can’t wait to eat. In fact, 96% of Americans say they eat the sweet frozen dessert. Like craft beers, craft ice creams have boomed in towns large and small, so it’s easy to find locally loved ice cream shops wherever you meet. Take Raleigh, North Carolina, with at least seven options including Two Roosters, which started as a mobile ice cream shop but now has multiple stores. Two Roosters will still bring its roasted strawberry and honey, coffee bourbon or other tempting flavors to meetings. It’s a small company with a big sense of humor. On its events form, Two Roosters’ sample answer to the question “Any other information about the event?” is “Our company just got audited by the IRS. No one went to jail … woo-hoo! We’d love to have you treat our team to ice cream.” North Carolina State’s Howling Cow ice cream is another option. Visit the new Dairy Education Center and Creamery for a scoop made of milk from cows at the 329acre university farm and learn in interactive video exhibits about how ice cream is made. There are also tours.

SMALL MARKET SUMMIT

CRUISE ON IN TO

Galveston MEETINGS

BY DAN DICKSON

Along the northwest coast of the Gulf of Mexico is the Texas island city of Galveston, a community known for its beautiful beaches, interesting history, commercial and cruise line ports, and a hit song, “Galveston,” made popular by singer Glen Campbell.

Galveston is a welcoming destination for both meeting professionals and tourists. Because of that, it will be the host city for the 2023 Small Market Meetings Summit, May 10–11 at the San Luis Resort Hotel, Spa and Conference Center on the city’s Gulf shore. The 32-acre property has 200,000 square feet of meeting facilities, which includes 43,000 square feet of exhibit space, a 15,000-square-foot grand ballroom and other adaptable meeting spaces that total 12,000 square feet. The hotel has an impressive 700 guest rooms. There are 10 restaurants on-site and many relaxing resort-style amenities to make guests feel special.

“Many meeting planners choose Galveston for the destination’s beaches and also for the variety of lodging venues from resorts and historic hotels to affordable chains, beach houses and condominiums,” said Mary Beth Bassett, director of public relations for Visit Galveston, the local convention and visitors bureau.

The Summit will bring together more than two dozen top meeting planners and many destination providers who will try to convince the planners to bring future meetings to their cities, states, resorts, attractions and other venues. By coming early or staying late for the day-and-a-half conference, delegates can tour the city and see for themselves all the amenities that make Galveston an efficient and affordable meeting site for groups.

“Galveston is a historic beach town, and home to a busy port, some great family attractions, wonderful restaurants and museums, and historic sites,” said Bassett. “Many of those sites also lend themselves as off-site meeting or reception venues.”

This mid-size Texas city was founded in 1839 and has a population of 48,000. It is located about 45 miles south of Houston by way of Interstate 45. Most motorists arrive in the city via the interstate causeway, which crosses over the bay. Car ferries also bring vehicles and people to the island from the mainland.

When flying in, visitors either use George Bush Intercontinental Airport,

north of Houston, and commute south to Galveston, about 70 miles away, or the smaller Hobby International Airport, located on Houston’s south side, and travel 40 miles down to Galveston.

MEET, THEN PLAY ON THE WATER

In addition to the excellent San Luis Resort Conference Center, there are several other top locations in Galveston where meetings can be held. The Galveston Island Convention Center is located right on the Gulf and is part of the San Luis Resort property. The convention center has 140,000 square feet of meeting and event space available for bookings.

Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa and Convention Center is a beautiful facility that just keeps growing. It has many choices for its flexible spaces. The center has large expo halls and several ballrooms to handle trade shows, corporate meetings or special events.

After the business of the day concludes, there is a tremendous number of things to do at Moody Gardens, which is designated as a nonprofit educational destination that utilizes nature to promote recreation, conservation and research. The 1.5-million-gallon Aquarium Pyramid is one of the largest aquariums in the Southwest and features interactive encounters with penguins, sharks, seals, jellyfish and tropical fish, and more. The experience is full of conservation messages that stress the importance of protecting the world’s oceans.

Also on-site at Moody Gardens is the Rainforest Pyramids, where the miraculous rainforests of Africa, Asia and the Americas are replicated, and visitors see plants and animals like river otters, sloths, monkeys and collections of rare birds.

The Discovery Museum examines the connection between music, math and science and brings visitors to the crossroads of technology as they learn just what makes music. A new exhibit in the Discovery Pyramid is “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: An Interactive Adventure.” Moody Gardens partnered with the design and production company Super 78 to take visitors through every stage of a submarine voyage, including amazing views of sea life. At the end of a busy day, visitors may want to relax and enjoy a 45-minute ride on the Colonel Paddlewheel Boat, a replica of paddlewheel crafts common in the 1800s. Longer dinner cruises are available, with Tex-Mex, Hawaiian, French and Louisiana Bayou theme nights.

ON THE WATER

There are unique attractions everywhere in Galveston, so visitors can enjoy themselves day and night. Galveston Island has 32 miles of shoreline with many distinct beaches and parks for people to enjoy.

All photos courtesy Visit Galveston

AN AERIAL VIEW OF GALVESTON’S BEACH

BEACHFRONT RESORTS AND ATTRACTIONS SUCH AS GALVESTON ISLAND HISTORIC PLEASURE PIER MAKE GALVESTON AN ATTRACTIVE DESTINATION.

With warm Gulf waters from spring to October, there’s something for everyone to do. Naturally, fishing is popular for locals and tourists alike, and it can be done from shore, off a dock on the fun Galveston Fishing Pier, in a quiet isolated spot, or far out on the Gulf or a charter boat.

Other water-related activities include relaxing on a sunset cruise, feeling the thrill of a jet boat ride, and hopping on a boat and going dolphin spotting on the bay. There are numerous locations on shore where adventurers can rent all the equipment they need for activities like kayaking, rafting, paddleboarding, kite boarding, jet skiing and other activities.

Being an island city surrounded by water, visitors can be assured that Galveston’s restaurants have plenty of fresh, delicious Gulf Coast seafood. Chances are good that a diner’s snapper or grouper made its way from the nearby Gulf to their restaurant dinner plate only a day or two earlier.

The Texas Seaport Museum is home to the beautiful 1877 tall ship Elissa. It is a fun and interesting museum ship that is ideal for a tour of the decks and down below. The theater has a presentation that explains how the old ship was rescued from the scrapyard and meticulously restored. Now it is listed on the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Groups can hold business meetings or socialize on the pier with seating for up to 300 people. Or they can board the Elissa and hold a reception there with as many as 500 people.

Another waterfront attraction is Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, which offers family-oriented entertainment spread over a pier that juts out over the Gulf and features rides, food venues, retail shopping and midway games.

Galveston may be a relatively small city, but it may surprise some to learn it is home to the fourth busiest cruise port in the United States. Carnival and Disney cruise lines operate cruises from Galveston, as does Royal Caribbean, which recently opened a $125 million terminal that features the Oasis-class Allure of the Seas cruise ship. Plans are in the works to bring Princess and Norwegian cruise lines to Galveston, raising the city’s tourism profile even higher.

Some hotels that are adjacent to the cruise docks offer parking and free shuttle rides to the cruise terminals, giving tourists every reason to come to Galveston a day or two early to enjoy the town before their ship departs.

IN-TOWN ACTIVITIES

There are more activities to take part in in the city. Galveston’s downtown is home to one of the finest collections of Victorian-era architecture in the United States. Galveston was known in the 1880s as “The Wall Street of the South” for its financial success. Homes and buildings, especially in the downtown Strand District, reflected that. Historic motif includes Greek Revival, High Victorian, Gothic, Neo-Renaissance, Italianate,

GALVESTON ISLAND HISTORIC PLEASURE PIER

GALVESTON RAILROAD MUSEUM

DEEP-SEA FISHING OFF THE GALVESTON COAST

French, Romanesque and Beaux Arts architecture. A tour with a guide is a wonderful way to see the spectacular structures. It is no surprise the area is a National Historic Landmark District.

The Strand District also has great shopping, interesting restaurants and fun nightlife. There are about 100 shops in this neighborhood, which encompasses 36 blocks. Visitors can walk, take a pleasant horse-drawn carriage ride or hop on a convenient trolley to get around the district.

The Bryan Museum, not far from the beach, has one of the world’s largest collections of historical artifacts, artwork and documents connected to the American West. Naturally, Texas is well represented there.

Many locals and visitors enjoy catching a show at The Grand 1894 Opera House, a performing arts venue that has been a Galveston institution for more than a century. The season runs from September to May, and the audiences enjoy everything from hit Broadway shows to concerts and musicians, comedians and more.

“There is so much to do in Galveston besides just the beaches,” said Bassett. “People will enjoy the many land activities our city has to offer.”

“Galveston is a historic beach town, and home to a busy port, some great family attractions, wonderful restaurants and museums, and historic sites. Many of those sites also lend themselves as off-site meeting or reception venues.”

— Mary Beth Bassett, Visit Galveston

GALVESTON ISLAND TROLLEY

AN ELEGANT EVENT AT THE BRYAN MUSEUM

PICTURESQUE HOMES IN GALVESTON

MEETING LEADERS

SONYA EASLEY

BY REBECCA TREON

As a young woman, Sonya Easley had a passion for fashion. She went to design school and worked in the fashion industry for several years. In fact, she was part of orchestrating Bryant Park’s famed 7th on Sixth shows — the hottest ticket in New York Fashion Week. The high pressure and fast-paced environment of these shows honed Easley’s organization skills, attention to detail and ability to interface with the public — all qualities that proved essential in her future roles.

“I love the excitement of being able to strategize and plan an event based on goals and objectives,” said Easley. “One of my former stakeholders that I worked with paid me the biggest possible compliment when he said, ‘Sonya has a way of taking your vision and bringing it to life.’ It’s one of the things that drives me every day when I get up and work on a project: How can I execute this and create the experience the person has envisioned? ”

Easley jumped from fashion into tech, working for companies like Lucent, where she oversaw the VoIP launch and organized trade shows and various meetings ranging in size from five to 3,000 attendees. With budgets in the millions, Easley coordinated every detail, from speakers to travel arrangements to registration and A/V equipment. When the dot-com industry went belly-up, Easley moved over to pharmaceuticals, the New Jersey region’s next-biggest industry, working with massive corporations like Johnson & Johnson and Valeant.

“I worked across all sectors — meetings,

trade shows, events — I got to do them all,” said Easley. “I’ve grown to where I am in this industry because I approach it not as planning a meeting but as planning an experience. When someone has a vision, it’s my job to create it.”

Easley loves a challenge and thrives under pressure, which is when she says she does her best thinking.

“It makes me think strategically, where I realize I only have one shot to make it work,” she said. “When you create an experience where people feel a part of the meeting, you’re creating the culture that is going to drive the business. I want everyone who goes to that meeting to feel like they’re valued.”

Easley also makes a point to know all the likes and dislikes of her team of directors, for example, one loves Junior Mints, another loves orange-flavored Monster drinks and one loves gummy bears, so Easley makes sure those favorites are on hand at their meetings. “If we’re going to take people away from their home and make them sit in a conference room all day, I want them to be as comfortable as possible and have a little treat they love,” she said. “That little touch will put a smile on their faces and it goes so far.”

Easley is so successful in her role because she practices what she considers the golden rule of being a good meeting and event planner: remembering that the meeting is all about the attendee and making it an event people want to attend.

“You can’t be in this business because you want applause,” she said. “You have the opportunity to create what they walk away with, which is really a gift.”

EXECUTIVE PROFILE

NAME

Sonya Easley

TITLE

Senior Manager, Meeting Planning and Field Coordination

ORGANIZATION

Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America

LOCATION

Jersey City, New Jersey

BIRTHPLACE

New Jersey

EDUCATION

B.S. Hospitality Administration/ Management, University of Phoenix

CAREER HISTORY

• Senior meeting and events specialist, Johnson & Johnson (2004-2011)

• Meeting and events consultant

BASF (2012-2014)

• Senior manager, meetings and conventions, Valeant Pharmaceuticals (2015-2017)

• Senior manager, trade show, meeting and event management, Getinge (2017-2018)

“You can’t be in this business because you want applause. You have the opportunity to create what they walk away with, which is really a gift.”

CORRECTION:

An article about Lubbock, Texas, in the November/December issue incorrectly identified the universities in the city. Lubbock is home to Texas Tech University and Lubbock Christian University. The article also misrepresented the size of the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center. The facility has about 98,000 square feet of event space.

SONYA EASLEY POSES WITH CARRIE CHARLICK, FOUNDER OF ESSENTIAL BODYWEAR, AT IMEX 2022 IN GERMANY.

Without a Hitch

PRODUCTION PROS SHARE SECRETS TO RUNNING SEAMLESS EVENT PROGRAMMING

BY RACHEL CRICK

It’s no secret that production has the power to make or break a meeting. Missed lighting cues, malfunctioning microphones and haywire visuals are every planner’s nightmare. With the added technology that accompanies virtual and hybrid events, the stakes are even higher. That’s why many planners choose to work with production companies, teams whose techs and experts can streamline an event’s audiovisual and technological needs. To ensure their event’s success, it’s in each planner’s best interest to learn how to collaborate effectively with these important stakeholders. Whether they’re partnering with a production team or handling event production on their own, here are some ways planners can be sure to hit their marks.

PROVIDING A VISION

One of the best ways to improve an event’s production starts by having a cohesive vision for the event long before it takes place.

Ryan Dawson-Fuerman, event manager at Perfection Events, said the first thing to consider about an event’s production is “being on board between the client, us and any vendors that we’re bringing in from an A/V or production standpoint. [Make sure] that we're all on the same page about what that vision is and how we’re all going to execute it.”

Many clients have specific ideas for their events. Whether these ideas are grand or relatively simple, it’s the planner’s job to make that vision a reality in whatever capacity they can. According to Washington Arias, president and CEO of Everlast Productions, planners should be upfront about their client’s vision for the event by giving the production team a big picture of how they want the event to look and feel.

“It is important to know what is expected of us and what experience you are looking to achieve for your attendees,” Arias said.

The initial pre-production discussions should also include conversations about budget and the scope of a project to keep the client’s expectations realistic. For instance, adding virtual components to events can dramatically affect the cost of production. While many clients may think hosting a panelist via Zoom or added streaming services is as simple as connecting another computer to the production booth, technology components like this can blow a huge hole in their budget.

Experience: 28 years

On how to make sure the event’s production goes right: “If your team is equipped with the right tools and mindset, that’s half the battle.”

Washington Arias

PRESIDENT AND CEO

Everlast Productions

Experience: 15 years

The planner, the production team and, most importantly, the client all need to know what to expect out of their event and agree on how to achieve their dreams while staying well within their means.

COMMUNICATE THE DETAILS

When it comes to executing events, details matter. The more details a planner can give their production team, the more likely their event is to succeed.

Sarah Soliman, president and CEO of Soliman Productions, said this process often starts with RFPs. Planners should ensure “that the RFP is fully developed and includes room dimensions and specific details on what the actual needs are for each room.”

While pre-production details of an event are usually still being nailed down during the RFP process, it’s important to give as detailed of an outline and as much information to the production team as possible, or for planners to record that information themselves.

The number of rooms or spaces an event will have, the number of panelists a general session will feature and the number of attendees expected are all details that will affect the number of resources required to successfully pull it off. Additionally, details help production teams and planners work out a “run of show” or detailed outline of how the event will play out from a production standpoint.

“The more information we’re equipped with, the better it is for us to understand the overall flow of the event,” Soliman said.

Once the project begins moving forward, the planners should stay in close contact with the production team and the client to keep on top of the ever-shifting details. Soliman recommends having weekly calls to keep everyone in the know about changes that could affect the event’s logistics.

No detail is too small for a production team to take note of, because any little change could have a huge impact on the program. If the keynote speaker shifts from being in-person to virtual or the company CEO decides to give their speech 15 minutes sooner, keeping up with developments like these prevents any upsets and makes the event run smoothly.

ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE TEAM

When it comes to pulling off an event of any size, an efficient team is like a well-oiled machine.

“Whenever we work with a production company, we call them partners, because we’re really working in lockstep,” said Dawson-Fuerman.

In pre-production, this often means collaborating with the whole team of audiovisual techs, project managers and producers to make important decisions about the event’s execution. Expert audiovisual technicians can help the productions run smoothly

“It all starts with that run of show. My most successful events are ones that have a clear run of show, and then, along with that, a producer that oversees it.”

Sarah Soliman

PRESIDENT AND CEO

Soliman Productions

by quickly and effectively troubleshooting and working through any issues; if they’re very seasoned, they can even predict and stop potential problems from breaking out.

When it comes time for the event itself, there should be a director or a producer who can make sure the run of show is being executed effectively. It becomes the producer’s job to call out cues and help manage any difficulties that may occur during the event. Even if a planner chooses not to work with a production company, this role is important to fill.

“A producer serves as a captain leading the ship,” Soliman said. “If you don't have someone doing that, there is no safeguarding that production, and it’s just kind of a free for all.”

PREPARING FOR ‘WHAT IFS’

When relying on technology, it’s important for planners and production teams to run rehearsals, double-check equipment and implement back-up plans. These safeguards help prevent errors and catch problems before the event occurs. Getting all necessary materials to production teams well in advance allows them to do these practice runs as well.

“We try to have PowerPoint slides, any videos, any assets they need for the event,” said Dawson-Fuerman. “We want them to have them in their hands so they can be doing their own run throughs and testing.”

Arias said it’s also critical to give techs access to the event space as early as possible. Whoever is doing an event’s production should have plenty of time to set up before an event and incorporate the set-up into their timeline.

Sometimes, no matter how many times the equipment is checked or how expertly trained the techs are, technology malfunctions and things go wrong. These breakdowns can sometimes be chalked up to human error, like missed cues, or unpredictable technology such as power outages. Especially when it comes to virtual and hybrid event components, factors outside a planner’s control can be to blame for disruptions, and not everything can be planned for.

Whether a planner or production team member makes a mistake, or something goes wrong through no fault of their own, the best plan of action is to be transparent with the client and inform them about the problem and potential solutions quickly.

Handling a malfunction gracefully means “staying in contact with the client and ensuring they know what we’re doing,” Soliman said. “They’re not understanding if they don’t know what’s going on.”

“The best thing to do is to remain calm, take a few deep breaths, try troubleshooting the issue, don’t be too proud to ask for help, be patient and polite to your crew, and be honest when speaking to your client,” said Arias.

Ryan Dawson-Fuerman

EVENT MANAGER

Perfection Events

Experience: 20 years

“The most important aspect of production is working together as partners from the very beginning and communicating all the client’s needs.”

TOURNAMENT TIME

These new sports complexes can host varied athletic events

BY RACHEL CRICK

Accompanying the rise of global sporting events, sports tourism has become a significant sector of the events industry in recent years. Sports complexes, the impressive venues that host everything from local T-ball leagues to regional competitions and national tournaments, are important players in this industry. These venues accommodate a wide variety of youth and adult sports on a recreational and competitive level and are extremely profitable investments in a community because of their contributions to the tourism sectors of the areas they serve.

Here are some of the country’s newest developments for hosting sports tournaments and events.

BELL BANK PARK MESA, ARIZONA

Designed to host youth, adult and recreational sports, Bell Bank Park is a sports complex and event venue serving the Southwest. It was created in partnership between Bell Bank, Legacy Cares and Legacy Sports USA to host tournaments and leagues in a broad range of sports, as well as bring in high-profile performers and events. At 320 acres, the massive complex is the largest of its kind in the country and opened in January 2022. It features eight baseball/ softball fields; 20 basketball courts; 35 soccer, football and lacrosse fields; 57 indoor volleyball courts; and 41 pickleball courts. It also has an arcade, an e-sports venue, indoor and outdoor stadiums, a 20,000-squarefoot fitness center and a Full Swing Suites sports simulator. Additional amenities like a zipline and sports bar and restaurant ensure those visiting for tournaments and competitions can indulge in a bit of fun within the park.

“Bell Bank Park, Legacy Sports USA and Legacy Cares are truly delivering on their promise to make the park a hub for the local community while serving as the newest tourism destination in the southwestern United States,” said Lance Fite, director of sports sales at Visit Mesa.

Above: At 320 acres, Mesa’s Bell Bank Park opened in 2022 as the largest sports complex of its kind in the country.

Courtesy Visit Mesa

IDEAS

In addition to all that nearby Phoenix has to offer, Mesa gives travelers plenty of choices for dining and lodging with its selection of over 900 restaurants and 60 hotels. Travelers can take advantage of Arizona’s beautiful weather and the beautiful surrounding Sonoran Desert with a trip to any one of the scenic regional and state parks. They can also learn about art, history and science at one of Mesa’s many museums. bellbankpark.com

CORNERSTONE SPORTS COMPLEX STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI

Kids in Mississippi don’t often get the opportunity to play on turf fields recreationally, but that’s changing thanks to the Cornerstone Sports Complex. Opening during the summer of 2023, the complex will bring extra opportunities for recreational and competitive youth sports and community connection in Starkville. The 12-acre complex will include 12 baseball/softball diamonds, 12 fields suitable for youth soccer or football, two T-ball fields, batting cages, playgrounds and a walking trail. It will also feature 668 parking spaces

and community lawn spaces, making it the perfect spot for community gatherings.

“It will be a good meeting of community recreation and sports tourism,” said Ashli Coggins, marketing and sponsorships manager at Starkville Parks and Recreation/Cornerstone Sportsplex.

The addition to the close-knit Starkville community is the result of close collaboration between the Starkville Parks and Recreation Department and local organizations. Starkville is known as “Mississippi’s College Town” because it’s home to Mississippi State University, which is right around the corner from the new complex; the university’s architecture program contributed the designs for comfortable and innovative family seating within the parks. Visitors in town for a tournament can experience an abundance of shopping and dining in historic downtown Starkville. In addition to the city’s historic Hotel Chester, they will also find lodging at several bed and breakfasts, a Holiday Inn Express, and LaQuinta Inn and Suites.

playcornerstone.com

PART PLEASURE. ALL LAREDO.

Book your next business meeting in Laredo, Texas. Our welcoming facilities, comfortable accommodations, personalized service, and a ordable prices ensure your group is at the top of their game. And our bustling nightlife and welcoming bars will help them unwind and have a little fun. Book your meeting today and see if your group quali es for incentives.

laredo.

visitlaredo.com

1.800.361.3360

Make Your Next Meeting a Memorable One!

Let us introduce you to unique experiences that will wow your attendees. From Florida’s hottest resort meeting destination, Streamsong Resort, to rustling up a corporate cattle drive at the largest dude ranch in the eastern US, Central Florida exceeds your expectations. Once adjourned, your attendees will enjoy everything else Central Florida has to offer, including our incredible eats, epic outdoor adventures, and nearby access to top Florida attractions. Start planning your next major event today at MeetCentralFlorida.com

IDEAS

FOREVERLAWN SPORTS COMPLEX CANTON, OHIO

Designed around Canton’s Pro Football Hall of Fame Museum in Canton, Hall of Fame Village is an entertainment venue with 100 acres of diverse attractions for travelers. The ForeverLawn Sports Complex, which opened in August 2022, is one part of this visionary destination that opened with the rest of the campus amenities. In total, the Hall of Fame Village campus features seven turf fields, a grass field, concessions, a coach’s viewing area, classroom space and athletic training room. It hosts leagues and tournaments in sports like football, flag football, rugby, lacrosse and soccer. Five of these fields are found within the ForeverLawn Sports Complex.

“We were able to take it from four nice turf fields that were great to play on all year to a destinations sports complex where you could come and spend the whole day playing but then have creature comforts around you,” said Clint Fetty, vice president and general manager at Hall of Fame Village Sports.

The Hall of Fame Village is still adding to its long

list of family-friendly amenities, with plenty to come in 2023. In addition to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Museum in Canton, competitors and their families will be able to enjoy on-site attractions like a Ferris wheel, ziplines, a Build-A-Bear store and plenty of options for dining and shopping. Canton and the surrounding areas have over 10 hotel properties to accommodate travelers. hofvillage.com

RISE INDOOR SPORTS COMPLEX

BERMUDA RUN, NORTH CAROLINA

RISE Indoor Sports Complex is one of the largest indoor sports complexes in the Southeastern region, doubling as both a hub for community health and a venue for competitive sports. The nearly 123,000-square-foot complex opened in May 2021 and has been playing host to tournaments for a broad range of indoor sports, including basketball, volleyball, wrestling, soccer, weightlifting and gymnastics. The complex includes eight basketball courts, 12 volleyball courts, pickleball courts, 28,000 square feet of turf fields, a training center, a cardio studio and

New sports complexes, clockwise from left: ForeverLawn at Hall of Fame Village in Canton; Cornerstone Sports Complex in Starkville; Future Legends Complex in Windsor

Courtesy Future Legends Complex

Courtesy Cornerstone Sports Complex

Courtesy Hall of Fame Village

...one rendezvous at a time

Gillette, Wyoming's CAM-PLEX multi-event facilities encompasses over 1,000 acres of land and features a fine arts theatre, a convention/exhibit hall, two multipurpose pavilions, a racetrack, rodeo grounds, 1,730 RV sites, and a 21-acre park and picnic area.

concessions with indoor and outdoor dining. It’s also the site of the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Clinic.

“By offering well-rounded health and wellness programming, along with competitive opportunities, RISE plays a major role in the local quality of life,” said Wendy Horne, marketing director at RISE Indoor Sports Complex.

Bermuda Run is near Clemmons, Winston-Salem and Greensboro, North Carolina, making RISE easily accessible and centrally located in the state and region. From a Hampton Inn in Bermuda Run to historic hotels in downtown Winston-Salem, the immediate area surrounding RISE offers travelers plenty of lodging in a range of settings. Bermuda Run features several award-winning golf courses for visitors to enjoy. In the nearby Yadkin Valley, travelers can explore more than 45 vineyards and wineries, 19 of which can be found on the Surry County Wine Trail.

riseindoorsports.com

FUTURE LEGENDS COMPLEX WINDSOR, COLORADO

Located about an hour from Denver in Windsor, Colorado, the Future Legends Complex is an indoor-outdoor, 118-acre complex designed to host both youth and professional sports. The complex was partially opened in January and is set to fully open later in the year. It will feature an indoor multipurpose dome, 10 multipurpose turf fields, eight outdoor and two indoor baseball/softball diamonds, 16 volleyball courts and a multipurpose stadium. Future Legends is the future home to the Northern Colorado Owlz, a Pioneer League baseball team, but will also host plenty of leagues, tournaments and recreational sporting events for youth and adults alike.

“We will have traditional sports on our diamonds, fields and hardcourt, but will also integrate innovative, different and new sports as well,” said Jackie Keesling, director of marketing and communications at Future Legends. “Our indoor and outdoor diamonds will host baseball and softball, and we will have a Miracle Field to accommodate children and adults with special needs and special abilities. Our multipurpose fields will have soccer, lacrosse, flag football, ultimate frisbee, dodgeball, futsal, quidditch and anything else you can think of.”

Future Legends Complex is distinct as a sports complex because it will also include on-campus lodging with approximately 260 hotel rooms, as well as retail and dining for competitors and their families. Additionally, Windsor features a Springhill Suites and a Holiday Inn Express, a number of restaurants and breweries, and natural parks, where visitors can experience the beautiful scenery of Colorado. futurelegendscomplex.com

Restaurants LOCAL BREW & MEAD COAL MINE TOURS

experience A

GREATER CONNECTION

There’s a special type of magic that happens when you gather people in the ideal space at the right time. What it generates is a feeling of togetherness and connectivity that inspires the best work, and the happiest people. Greater Ontario takes that magic and makes it soar with the perfect setting where you can get down to business, and moments later, you can set free on any adventure of your choosing. It’s all here for you, right now.

Are you ready to get connected?

DESERT VIBES IN Las Cruces

BY ELIZABETH HEY

Bordering the Chihuahuan Desert and wedged in by jagged mountains, Las Cruces offers a vibe and culture all its own. Meetings and outdoor activities can be planned year-round due to 320 days of annual sunshine. Rich in both history and culture, this town provides big-city amenities, including a LEED-certified convention center adjacent to New Mexico State University.

“The most common feedback we hear is that we’re extremely welcoming, which is part of our Hispanic and New Mexican culture,” said Lorena Lozano, media publications manager for Visit Las Cruces.

Culture weaves itself throughout the city. New Mexico State University displays one of the world’s largest collections of Mexican retablos, and their Zuhl collection showcases petrified wood, fossils and geological artifacts. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, the Farmers and Crafts Market is a Las Cruces tradition. On the first Friday of each month, the lively Fine Arts Flea Market hosts approximately 100 vendors, food trucks, live entertainment, and usually, a car show.

Near downtown, New Mexico heritage took root in the historic town of Mesilla. Until 1854, when the U.S. finalized the Gadsden Purchase, Mesilla was part of Mexico. Today, Las Cruces lies approximately 40 miles from the nation’s southern border, and that history is still honored. Mesilla’s traditional plaza houses more than 40 shops and galleries. The bells of the plaza’s 1855 Basilica of San Albino have been rung by the same family since the 1870s.

Given that Las Cruces is in the heart of the world’s chile-growing region, Mexican cuisine takes center stage. With its famously haunted Carlotta Room, the upscale Double Eagle serves steaks and margaritas in an 1849 mansion adorned with a hammered gold ceiling. On the colorful patio of Andele’s Dog House, the salsa bar ranges from mild to smokin’ hot. And the “Walk of Flame” Green Chile Trail leads to Caliche’s Frozen Custard for sweet-spicy green chili sundaes.

“Our welcoming culture is reflected in the food, the people here and the way we love to celebrate,” said Lozano. “Our many festivals feature our music and rich agricultural history, which includes 400 years of wine making and the region’s Hatch chilis.”

LAS CRUCES NEW

Southern New Mexico

50 miles from El Paso International Airport, at the crossroads of interstates 10 and 25

MAJOR MEETING SPACES

Las Cruces Convention Center, Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces

HOTEL ROOMS

3,000

OFF-SITE VENUES

New Mexico State University, New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, Rio Grande Theatre, DH Lescombes Winery and Bistro CONTACT INFO

Visit Las Cruces 575-541-2444 visitlascruces.com

Meet and Greet

Awarded LEED Gold certification, the Las Cruces Convention Center emphasizes “green” meetings. Situated on 10 acres, it offers just over 42,000 square feet of functional space, including 10 meeting rooms totaling nearly 8,500 square feet and a 17,236-square-foot exhibit hall. The nearly 8,900-square-foot ballroom features an outdoor covered event space with views of the Organ Mountains. Additionally, receptions and gatherings can be held in 7,100 square feet of indoor pre-function space that connects to 12,800 square feet of outside pre-function space, adjacent to many of the meeting rooms. An in-house chef and full culinary team can create custom menus.

Cultural Stay

Las Cruces hotels offers more than 3,000 guest rooms and 128,000 square feet of meeting space. Most notable, Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces overlooks the valley and reflects the city’s Spanish Colonial history and tradition. As one of New Mexico’s Heritage Hotels and Resorts, the family-owned company establishes culturally distinctive properties that blend the Southwest’s Native American, Mexican, Spanish and American Western influences. This property provides more than 10,000 square feet of indoor meeting space and 25,000 square feet of sophisticated outdoor event space, including a palm-lined pool and a new on-site restaurant, Mezcla, for indoor and al fresco dining.

Southwestern Diversions

The New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, where the desert’s history comes alive, offers more than 18,000 square feet of meeting space and a 14,355-square-foot courtyard with mountain views. On the National Historic Register, the 1926 Rio Grande Theatre is the nation’s only two-story adobe theater, seating 389 guests. Classic films, theater, live music and private events fill its calendar. DH Lescombes Winery and Bistro hosts private tastings, meetings and receptions. The winery tour begins with a mimosa, followed by a guided vineyard tour, lunch, and wine pairing at the Lescombes’ home near Lordsburg. Tours conclude at the Deming operation with tastings straight from the barrel.

The Rugged Outdoors

Tucked into the Organ Mountains, Dripping Springs Natural Area offers four scenic trails. Ten miles east of Las Cruces, the moderate one-and-a-half-mile Dripping Springs Trail climbs to the ruins of a resort that hosted famous guests in the 1870s, such as Pancho Villa. Hikers can also explore remnants of a livery and sanatorium. Farther away, White Sands National Park ranks as the world’s largest gypsum dune field and can be seen from space. Winding Dunes Drive leads through this whitewashed panorama. A variety of trails includes short boardwalks and the five-mile Alkali Flat Trail, which traverses up and down massive dunes.

THE LAS CRUCES CONVENTION CENTER IS KNOWN FOR ITS SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AND OPERATIONS.

ONE-STOP DESTINATION

Feel the Energy in Sedona

BY REBECCA TREON

Sedona, Arizona — a hub of New Age activities said to hold numerous “energy vortexes” — draws thousands of visitors for metaphysical and spiritual reasons. Its breathtaking natural surroundings are part of its appeal, too, and in the center of it all is the Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock. The resort not only offers access to the area’s higher vibrations but also plenty of on-site options for recreational activities, relaxation and meetings.

Groups of many sizes will be able to accommodate their meeting needs in the resort’s 25,000 square feet of customizable space. Indoors there are 14,400 square feet of space with two ballrooms, 12 meeting rooms and four executive meeting rooms, while the outdoor space includes a porch lawn, a patio and pool deck spaces.

Hilton Sedona at Bell Rock offers on-site dining at its ShadowRock Tap + Table, an indoor-outdoor space with a bar featuring fire pits and yard games, and serving local craft beer and regionally inspired cuisine.

The resort’s relaxation game is on point with two pools, an adults-only lap pool that offers sunrise yoga classes and is adjacent to the Sedona Athletic Club, and a family-friendly pool offering fun for all ages. The resort’s spa offers massages and facials with Sedona-inspired offerings like palm reading, numerology and sound bowl therapy. While the resort’s on-site activities include things like s’mores by the fire pit, star gazing and live music, event planners can work with a representative to customize activities of interest for their group.

“What’s unique about our meetings is that most of them include that leisure component, so for groups, we want to give them an experience that incorporates the destination,” said Jill Skeen, director of sales and marketing at the resort. “We curate the experience because everyone wants something a little different, but we include wellness, guided hikes, star gazing, a reception in a special place — we accommodate everyone’s tastes.”

The resort offers plenty of off-site activities within walking distance, including shopping, dining and the Tlaquepaque Arts Village. Sedona’s outdoor recreation opportunities are endless — guests can hike, mountain bike, or golf, or they can arrange day trips, Jeep tours and other scenic excursions.

SOUTHWESTERN ART IN THE LOBBY

HILTON SEDONA RESORT

LOCATION

Sedona, Arizona

SIZE

221 (mostly suites)

MEETING SPACE

25,000 square feet (indoor and outdoor)

ACCESS

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (90-minute drive from Sedona), Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (40-minute drive from Sedona), Interstate 17 and State Route 89A

CONTACT INFO

928-284-4040

hilton.com

MEETING SPACES

The Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock has over 25,000 square feet of meeting space (14,400 square feet of it indoors), with two ballrooms measuring 4,992 square feet and 3,800 square feet. It has numerous configurations, four executive meeting rooms plus breakout spaces and executive suites. The outdoor event space includes the porch lawn, two pool patios and the canyon patio. Hilton Sedona offers its on-site professional event planning, plus PSAV audio/visual services and support during the event. Catering is available through the on-site restaurant, ShadowRock Tap + Table.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Each of the 221 guest rooms at the resort have a private balcony or terrace with panoramic views of the iconic red rocks, the area’s mountains, the pool or golf course. Every room has a gas fireplace, a granite wet bar, a mini-fridge, a microwave and a coffeemaker. Rooms also have 42-inch televisions, work areas, high-speed internet, irons and ironing boards, and hair dryers. Among the rooms are 171 suites (some are ADA accessible), 50 deluxe guest rooms, four whirlpool suites and two open-concept junior suites.

ON-SITE ACTIVITIES

Visitors to Sedona will want to enjoy the resort’s unique spa offerings, such as aromatherapy, sound therapy, numerology, tarot and “smudging ceremonies.” The space offers relaxing treatments and a deck with a view of the red rock landscape. Guests can play 18 holes on the 6,646-yard, par-71 championship course surrounded by stunning rock formations. The Sedona Athletic Club has three tennis courts, a 25-meter lap pool, a fitness center, steam rooms and saunas, a cafe and lounge, fitness classes and an outdoor boot camp warrior pit. There is a Pink Jeep Excursions desk on-site to book any off-site activities like guided hikes to Bell Rock, a purported energy vortex.

DINING

ShadowRock Tap + Table is the Hilton Sedona’s signature restaurant, in an indoor/outdoor space with an expansive patio. Centered around a bar that serves locally brewed beers and specialty Sedona-inspired cocktails, it’s a hub of activity, with 13 TVs (three are 74-inch jumbo screens), to watch sporting events. The outside patio has fire pits and seating where guests meet for the pet-friendly “yappy hour” to listen to live music with a drink or roast marshmallows for s’mores. Poolside, the seasonal Blue Water Cafe serves sandwiches, wraps, salads and boozy popsicles. Caffeine-inclined guests will enjoy the Starbucks located in the lobby.

GUESTS AT HILTON SEDONA RESORT GET STUNNING VIEWS OF THE SURROUNDING RED ROCK FORMATIONS.

Photos courtesy Hilton Sedona Resort

Get away from it all to

Kentucky State Parks

Whether for 20 or 400, we will help you find the perfect environment. Take advantage of knowledgable interpreters at one of our 17 state resort parks for a personalized tour or hike during your visit to discover what makes Kentucky so memorable.

DEGRAY LAKE RESORT STATE PARK

CONTENTS

NEW IN THE SOUTHEAST

New and improved meeting venues await groups around the region.

MOUNTAIN DESTINATION

Discover the scenery and serenity of these favorite Southern spots.

SMALL-TOWN CHARM

These Southern towns pack big appeal for meeting groups.

HISTORIC HOTELS

Host a timeless meeting at one of these Southern properties.

Courtesy Rutherford

Clockwise from top left: A new hotel in Greenville, South Carolina (courtesy AC Hotel by Marriott Greenville); the view from Virginia’s Wintergreen Resort (courtesy Wintergreen Resort); the James Madison Inn in Madison, Georgia (courtesy the James Madison Inn); Rutherford County Courthouse in Murfreesboro, Tennessee (courtesy Rutherford CVB)

The premier event and meeting venue in Kentucky.

Centrally located between Louisville and Lexington, the Shelbyville Conference Center melds versatility, beauty, and modern amenities to provide a welcoming and accommodating venue for events of all types.

Flexible floorplans and state-of-the-art technology allow for all groups of any size — from as intimate as 10 guests to as grand as 400 attendees — to gather together in the premier event and meeting venue in Kentucky.

Call (502) 633-6388 to discuss availability and for all inquiries.

STS CELEBRATES THE SOUTH DURING ANNIVERSARY YEAR

BY MAC LACY

Monica Smith’s extensive background in meetings sales and management is apparent when she cites her principles for selling a destination. With management stops at Visit Jacksonville, Visit Pasadena and Visit Newport Beach, the president and CEO of Southeast Tourism Society (STS) brings solid credentials to her role in promoting Southern states as meeting destinations.

“My mantra for selling destinations was always the four A's,” she said. “Planners need to know about a city’s accessibility, its availability of hotel and meeting space, its affordability and its amenities. Those are questions a planner will ask before placing a meeting or convention with anyone. And now, I have a role in answering those questions for the entire Southeast.”

Smith knows she and her members have one of America’s best regions to sell.

“Meeting delegates are still visitors,” she said. “When they come to our region, they expect Southern hospitality, good weather and great air service. Our culture, arts and entertainment options all come into play. Selling the South and its charm is a major calling card that all our destinations can use.”

As the chief executive of STS, Smith now works both sides of the meetings market, since she and her staff manage numerous events themselves. Over the course of a calendar year, they’ll handle site selection, marketing and management of events like STS Domestic Showcase, STS Marketing College,

the STS Group Sales Symposium, STS Congressional Summit and their new SMPR Forum, which provides two days of educational programming prior to Domestic Showcase.

“At SMPR Forum, we’re training marketing, sales and public relations professionals about the principles of the group, meetings and sports segments of the industry,” she said. Smith and her associates are prioritizing two strategies in planning the meetings they manage currently.

“We’re planning our events further in advance,” she said. “There are so many travel industry events now that we’re trying to avoid conflicts by getting our dates out there earlier. We’re also approaching all our meetings as partnerships with our destinations. We’re emphasizing what our destinations bring to the delegate experience and working hard to showcase our host cities.”

In 2023, all STS events take on an additional luster due to the organization’s 40th anniversary celebration.

“There is a strong legacy to consider when you look at 40 years of service to the industry,” said Smith. “Our members have a sense of pride in hosting their peers in the travel industry in 2023 during this special year. Our anniversary will be front and center at all these gatherings and our members are proud of what the Southeast Tourism Society has meant to them personally and professionally. At the end of the day, everyone looks at this like entertaining your friends in your home and works hard to put their best foot forward.”

Courtesy the Don CeSar

THE AWARD-WINNING MARITANA AT THE DON CESAR IN ST. PETERSBURG BEACH IS ONE OF SEVERAL DINING OPTIONS ON SITE

NEW NOW and

Venues are opening and expanding throughout the South

BY PAULA AVEN GLADYCH

Several meeting venues have opened in the Southeast in the past year, with more scheduled to open soon. These new developments include a Romanesque amphitheater, three full-service hotels, a newly renovated convention center and a newly designed and award-winning fine arts museum.

Check out these new and improved venues for hosting your next event in the region.

By Tim Hursley,

courtesy AMFA

THE ARKANSAS MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS IN LITTLE ROCK WILL UNVEIL ITS $142 MILLION RENOVATION IN APRIL.

THE ORION AMPHITHEATER Huntsville, Alabama

The 8,000-seat Orion Amphitheater in Huntsville, Alabama, was designed to look like an open-air Roman coliseum except with all the latest and greatest audio-visual equipment. The amphitheater, built in in the same vein as famous outdoor musical venues such as Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado or the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, opened to the public in May 2022. Since then, it has hosted about 20 major concerts from the Dave Matthews Band to Widespread Panic and Stevie Nicks.

When the facility isn’t hosting concerts, the backstage areas, including a private dining space upstairs, are available for rent. The dining room can host groups up to 80 for meetings, luncheons or workshops. Groups also can rent out the entire amphitheater for concerts, lectures or other events.

“We are striving to do an elevated boutique hotel feeling for back of house,” said Ryan Murphy, managing director of Huntsville Venue Group-The Orion Amphitheater. “We’ve gotten tremendous response from that.” The backstage areas took inspiration from Huntsville’s Rocket City reputation and feature retro furniture from the 1960s and 1970s. There is a vast park space with a large dome that can seat up to several hundred people, and Jeff & Blues, a dive bar modeled after an old Amish barn, which can be rented out for events.

The Orion has a list of preferred caterers for events and features two full kitchens, one front of house and one back. It also provides tables, chairs, linens, audio-visual equipment and smart TVs for streaming purposes.

theorionhuntsville.com

ARKANSAS MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS

Little Rock, Arkansas

In Little Rock, the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts is undergoing a $142 million revamp integrating aspects of the original 1937 building into a new more modern concept. The museum, which is known for its art collection, art school and performing arts experiences, will host its grand opening on April 22.

The 133,000-square-foot building, designed by architecture practice Studio Gang and landscape architecture firm SCAPE, has already garnered design awards. The building preserves some historic elements, such as the original entrance from 1937 combined with glass-enclosed spaces and a pleated roof that covers the entire building from north to south.

The light-filled atrium at the heart of the new museum building can host 300 people seated or 500 for a standing reception. The Cultural Living Room is a second-floor space with soaring floor-to-ceiling glass walls that overlook the courtyard entrance and Crescent Lawn. It can host 350 for a seated dinner.

The Glass Box makes for a more intimate space, while the Performing Arts Theater is perfect for presentations or performances. The facility also has some smaller meeting spaces, including a lecture hall and research center. Larger groups can rent the entire facility if it isn’t being used for fundraisers, proms or ticketed events. AMFA Catering is the exclusive full-service caterer and alcohol provider for events held there.

arkmfa.org

SAVANNAH CONVENTION CENTER

Savannah, Georgia

The 330,000-square-foot Savannah Convention Center, which overlooks the Savannah River in Savannah, Georgia, celebrates its 23rd anniversary in 2023, having served as a primary economic driver for the community by stimulating growth through new hotels, air service, restaurants and more, said Joseph Marinelli, president of Visit Savannah. The center is undergoing a major renovation and expansion, which will be completed by early 2024, doubling the size of its exhibit hall from 100,000 square feet to 200,000 square feet and adding a 45,000-square-foot ballroom and a 900-space parking garage.

The project will bring the number of breakout meeting rooms at the facility to 50, with more than 30 of them customizable for layout and size. A new 58-foot-wide hangar door will allow the center to stage vehicle and airplane exhibitions. The new entrance will feature an all-glass façade.

Beginning next year, the convention center will be able to host much larger groups and events up to 4,000 people. The expansion project is more than 50% complete and “the building has remained fully operational throughout the construction with minimal disruption to existing groups,” Marinelli said.

The convention center will go from being the 152nd largest center in the U.S. to the 74th largest once everything is completed. A new convention hotel is planned for the property. visitsavannah.com

By Josh Weichman, courtesy Orion Amphitheater

Courtesy Savannah Convention Center

By Erica Goldring, courtesy Orion Amphitheater

HUNTSVILLE’S ORION AMPHITHEATER, OPENED IN 2022

AN ARTIST’S RENDERING OF THE EXPANDED SAVANNAH CONVENTION CENTER

BOARDROOM SPACE AT THE ORION AMPHITHEATER

So Close You Can TASTE IT

Escape to a whole new destination right under your nose. With locally owned restaurants, lush parks, walkable shops, and small-town hospitality just outside the big city, Brookhaven is as easy to get to as it is to enjoy.

Welcome to your perfect place to be and belong.

Start your adventure at exploreBrookhaven.com.

GREENVILLE’S NEW HOTELS

Greenville, South Carolina

Greenville, South Carolina, recently opened two brand new full-service hotels: the Grand Bohemian Lodge and the AC Hotel by Marriott Greenville Downtown. The Grand Bohemian, which opened in September 2022, is a luxury hotel overlooking the cascading waterfalls of Falls Park on the Reedy and the famed Liberty Bridge. The hotel, which resembles a national park lodge, was built with weathered wood and natural stone as accents to help it blend seamlessly with its beautiful natural surroundings. It has 187 guest rooms, 30 of which are balcony suites, an art gallery, a 1,000-bottle wine room, a library, a spa, a restaurant and a bourbon bar.

Groups hosting events at the Grand Bohemian have their pick of both indoor and outdoor spaces. The hotel has a 1,900-squarefoot ballroom, two meeting galleries and a private dining room, all of which can be reserved for meeting and events.

The AC Hotel by Marriott Greenville Downtown, which opened in February 2021, is located on the corner of Main and Broad streets in the heart of Greenville. The eight-story hotel has 196 guest rooms and suites, four food and beverage concepts and nearly 9,000 square feet of meeting and event space that can host groups up to 350 in its largest room.

The hotel also features a private collection of art, with more than 100 works by 35 local artists and on-site catering. visitgreenvillesc.com

Courtesy Grand Bohemian Hotel Greenville

Courtesy AC Hotel by Marriott Greenville

Courtesy AC Hotel by Marriott Greenville

THE EXTERIOR OF GREENVILLE’S NEW GRAND BOHEMIAN HOTEL

A PUBLIC SPACE AT GREENVILLE’S NEW AC HOTEL

AC HOTEL BY MARRIOTT GREENVILLE DOWNTOWN

Our Latest Expansion Is a Work of Art

Centrally located in North Carolina, Winston-Salem is a welcoming meeting destination with a history committed to reinvention and innovation. Named one of the South’s Best Cities on the Rise by Southern Living, Winston-Salem boasts the recently expanded 150,000-square-foot Benton Convention Center in the heart of our vibrant, walkable downtown. Elevate your next event in Benton South’s reimagined meeting space featuring the 24,000-square-foot Gallery Ballroom. Winston-Salem will have you looking forward to playing, meeting, and staying in our hip and histortic city.

5,300 HOTEL ROOMS

1, 200 Downtown

100+ DOWNTOWN Restaurants & Shops

UP TO $3,000 IN Meeting Incentives

KIMPTON THE FORUM HOTEL Charlottesville, Virginia

The brand-new Kimpton The Forum Hotel in Charlottesville, Virginia, is situated on the grounds of the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. Slated to open in April, the hotel has 198 guest rooms, 22,388 square feet of indoor function space and 17,969 square feet of outdoor function space. The largest indoor space can host groups of 480 at rounds and 360 in a classroom setting.

The facility’s backyard is a beautiful five-acre arboretum and botanical garden that overflows with lush greenery, walking trails, curated gardens and a tranquil pond that are perfect for hosting outdoor events. The arboretum extends to the Rivanna Trail, which connects UVA’s North Grounds and UVA School of Law to the larger Charlottesville community.

The hotel has an on-site steakhouse that offers regionally sourced cuisine for breakfast and dinner. The Taproom offers classic pub fare and a large selection of beer, spirits and wines. The lobby bar is another spot to have a drink with colleagues.

The Charlottesville area offers meeting attendees plenty of options for how to spend their free time. Three presidential homes nearby offer group tours: Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, James Monroe’s Highland and James Madison’s Montpelier. The Michie Tavern, a colonial-style tavern, serves up Southern fare daily, and the region is home to more than 40 wineries along the Monticello Wine Trail.

forumhotelcharlottesville.com

Photos Courtesy Kimpton The Forum

KIMPTON THE FORUM HOTEL IN CHARLOTTESVILLE

AN INTERIOR VESTIBULE AT THE KIMPTON

PLAN YOUR NEXT InCentralLouisiana

EXAS

Our sales staff can assist you with personalized group itineraries, hotel leads, planning guides, and tours. Being centrally located in the middle of the state, the area offers a wide variety of venues, historical sites, and unique Louisiana experiences in and around the “Heart” of Louisiana.

SOUTHERN ELEVATION

BY PAULA AVEN GLADYCH

From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Great Smoky Mountains, the southeastern U.S. is full of amazing mountain destinations that offer meeting groups a chance to get out of the city and enjoy all types of outdoor recreation while still having access to full-service meeting venues and lodging. Here are some mountain destinations to consider for your next meeting in the Southeast.

These mountain destinations offer scenery and serenity

Courtesy Wintergreen Resort

WINTERGREEN RESORT SITS ON 11,000 ACRES IN VIRGINIA’S BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS

THE LODGE AT MOUNT MAGAZINE Paris, Arkansas

The Lodge at Mount Magazine sits on the south bluff of Arkansas’s highest peak, Mount Magazine, which rises 2,753 feet. It is in Mount Magazine State Park, a major destination in the state for relaxation and outdoor and extreme adventures, such as horseback riding, backpacking, mountain biking, rock climbing and hang gliding.

The lodge features 60 guest rooms, Skycrest Restaurant, a conference center, a heated indoor swimming pool, a fitness center, and a game room. There are 13 cabins to choose from in one-, twoand three-bedroom configurations with fully equipped kitchens, fireplaces and covered decks with outdoor hot tubs. The mountain also has 18 campsites for the more adventurous.

The banquet hall is 3,840 square feet and can be divided into three separate rooms. The room can seat 200 for a banquet or 304 theater-style. Two smaller meeting rooms can host groups of 50 theater-style or 30 in a classroom setup. The lodge’s 125-seat restaurant can also be used for event space and features a menu of classic Southern cuisine. The dining room is dominated by a two-story tall native stone fireplace and large windows with beautiful views of the Petit Jean River Valley and distant Blue Mountain Lake below.

In their free time, meeting attendees can visit numerous wineries at the base of the mountain or spend time at Cove Lake Recreation Area, a 160-acre lake where visitors can swim, fish or rent boats. The visitor center has exhibits that explore the local flora and fauna and is a great place to learn more about the area.

arkansasstateparks.com

FORREST HILLS MOUNTAIN RESORT AND CONFERENCE CENTER

Dahlonega, Georgia

The family-owned Forrest Hills Mountain Resort is about one hour outside of Atlanta in Dahlonega, Georgia. It features 32 private cabins, each with a hot tub and fireplace, 12 luxury bi-level suites with steam sauna and other amenities, and small lodges that come in either four-, eight-, 12- or 16-room units. The Tree Topper Lodge is the largest with 16 bedrooms, each with a bathroom, a kitchenette and an outside deck. It has 48 beds. The Conference Center Ballroom is within easy walking distance and can seat up to 200 theater-style. Some of the other small lodges have their own hospitality or meeting rooms.

The resort has seven meeting rooms and four dining rooms, including the Secret Garden for couples and the Rose Garden, which can be used for formal or casual banquets of up to 200 guests.

For fun, groups can ride horses, take a horse-drawn carriage tour, swim or play tennis. There are three golf courses within a 10to 20-minute drive of the resort, as well as Dahlonega’s old-fashioned town square.

Groups can organize a chuck wagon ride to the Riverhouse for a barbecue cookout with all the trimmings, a bonfire and live entertainment. The resort has two wagons plus one tractor-pulled trolley to transport groups to the event. There are also two regulation-size volleyball courts, gem mining and massage on site. forresthillsresort.com

CHEROKEE CONVENTION CENTER AT HARRAH’S CHEROKEE CASINO RESORT

Cherokee, North Carolina

Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort is a meeting planner’s dream with 1,800 deluxe guest rooms and suites, nine dining options, a casino, live entertainment and a luxurious full-service Mandara Spa, all situated on 56 acres at the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The property is owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, so the history and culture of the tribe permeate the resort. Between the hotel and the Cherokee Convention Center, the resort has 130,000 square feet of conference space.

Photos courtesy AR DPHT

THE LODGE AT MOUNT MAGAZINE IN ARKANSAS

WINE

STARGAZING AT MOUNT MAGAZINE STATE PARK

Courtesy Forrest Hills Mountain Resort

FORREST HILLS MOUNTAIN RESORT IN DAHLONEGA

The convention center, which was added in 2021, has 83,000 square feet of conference space, including a 32,000-square-foot ballroom, 11,100 square feet of pre-function space and 26 meeting rooms. The exhibition hall offers 33,000 square feet of space with 6,000 square feet of pre-function space. Inside the hotel, the Council Fire Ballroom can host groups up to 1,100 people theater-style.

The resort’s culinary team can handle all a group’s food and beverage needs, from coffee service and midday breaks to multicourse meals. To get out of the ballroom, groups can rent out some of the resort’s restaurants for the evening. Dine-arounds allow groups to sample food at different restaurants on property.

For fun, the resort has heated indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness center and an 18-hole championship golf course. Groups wanting to participate in friendly competition can organize bowling or e-sports tournaments at Ultrastar Multi-Tainment Center. The facility also has an arcade, private party rooms, Strikes Lounge (a boutique bowling alley and bar), and an Esports Zone. The 3,000-seat event center hosts entertainment with artists ranging from Miranda Lambert to the Stone Temple Pilots. Several retail shops offer everything from soap and Christmas ornaments to ladies’ apparel and homemade fudge.

caesars.com/harrahs-cherokee

WINTERGREEN RESORT

Wintergreen, Virginia

Wintergreen Resort sits atop a mountain overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains in central Virginia. The all-season resort is spread out over 11,000 acres, both on the mountain and in the valley below, and offers everything from snow sports, such as skiing, snowboarding and tubing, to hiking on 30 miles of trails managed by the Wintergreen Nature Foundation.

Wintergreen offers villa-style lodging ranging from studio suites to multi-bedroom condominiums and private homes up to nine bedrooms. Many groups enjoy reserving the larger homes or condos for both their lodging and their meetings. The resort has about 200 unique lodging units, so it can host a wide variety of groups. With 39,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, the resort can accommodate large groups. Its largest indoor space, Skyline, can host groups of 400. There also are two ballrooms and a 6,000-square-foot event tent pad with slope-side mountain views.

For fun, groups can take advantage of the resort’s 45 holes of golf, tennis and pickleball at Racquet Sports Center at Devils Knob. The Spa at Wintergreen has two pools, three hot tubs, a sauna and a fitness center. Discovery Ridge Adventure Center offers summer mountain tubing, indoor ninja warrior course, climbing tower, minigolf, gem-mining and disc golf. Lake Monocan has a sand beach, which groups can utilize for swimming, canoeing, kayaking and standup paddleboarding. The resort also will organize team-building events for meeting groups, including cardboard boat regattas and beach Olympics, scavenger hunts and guided hikes.

wintergreenresort.com

Courtesy Wintergreen Resort

Courtesy Wintergreen Resort

Courtesy Harrah’s Cherokee

Courtesy Harrah’s Cherokee Courtesy Wintergreen Resort

GUY FIERI’S CHEROKEE KITCHEN AND BAR AT HARRAH’S CHEROKEE CASINO RESORT

WINTERGREEN RESORT GOLF

WINTER ON THE MOUNTAIN AT WINTERGREEN RESORT

HARRAH’S CHEROKEE CASINO RESORT IN NORTH CAROLINA

VIRGINIA’S WINTERGREEN RESORT

A-CLOSE-OUT-THE-CONFERENCEAND-STICK-AROUND-FOR-ABROADWAY-SHOW-KINDA-TOWN

OVERLOOK EVENTS CENTER Pikeville, Kentucky

Situated in the Appalachian Mountains of Eastern Kentucky, the Overlook Events Center is perched on a reclaimed mining site with breathtaking views of the Pikeville Cut-Through Project, an engineering project that began in 1973 with the sole purpose of relieving the barrage of flooding that the city of Pikeville experienced annually. The Cut-Through Project also gave the city more room for development due to the relocation of the Levisa Fork of the Big Sandy River away from downtown.

The event center features a large outdoor patio with amazing 360-degree views and an open concept indoor meeting space that can accommodate up to 350 guests.

Pikeville is also home to Appalachian Wireless Arena, a premier entertainment and conference venue in the heart of downtown. The 126,000-square-foot facility has an arena floor that can provide concert seating for 7,000. The building was designed as a multi-purpose facility, complete with about 5,000 square feet of ballroom space overlooking the arena floor.

Groups wanting to visit the area have their pick of fun outdoor activities, as well as a healthy dose of history. Pikeville’s claim to fame is the infamous feud between the Hatfields and the McCoys. Visitors flock to the area to learn more about the feud and take a self-guided tour of sites associated with the two families.

overlookeventscenter.com

OUR MOUNTAINS ARE EXCITED TO MEET YOU.

Once your meetings are complete, entertainment galore among the Great Smoky Mountains await. The many meeting facilities in Pigeon Forge provide space for groups of all sizes, from 20 to 12,000. These facilities are conveniently situated mere minutes from hundreds of family-friendly activities, including shows, Dollywood, unique dining experiences, museums and so many more ways to make work fun.

Courtesy Overlook Events Center

KENTUCKY'S OVERLOOK EVENTS CENTER

MEETINGS WITH A VIEW

Looking for a place to host your next meeting, conference or convention? Look no further than Corbin, KY. Conveniently located off of I-75 exit 25 in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Corbin is home to 2 premier meeting and conference centers. The Corbin Arena features a 31,250 square foot floor and a 19,261 square foot concourse, making it perfect for conferences and tradeshows. Directly below the Arena is the Corbin Center, a 20,000 square foot facility complete with an executive board room, five classrooms and an 85 x 63 square foot multipurpose space. After the meeting get out and enjoy the Original KFC, Cumberland Falls State Park, the Laurel Lake and our vibrant and eclectic downtown! We can’t wait to host you…..Corbin LOVES Company!

www.corbinkytourism.com

606-528-8860

SMALL IN is

BY PAULA AVEN GLADYCH

The Southeast is full of quaint small towns that roll out the red carpet for meeting groups. Here are five places with walkable downtowns, unique history and full-service amenities that give groups the convenience of larger destinations.

These Southern towns are big on charm

Courtesy Rutherford CVB

CANNONSBURG VILLAGE IS A HISTORIC TREASURE IN MURFREESBORO, TENNESSEE

ANNISTON, ALABAMA

Anniston, Alabama, started out as a private company town in 1872, founded by the Woodstock Iron Company. It wasn’t until 1883 that the city officially incorporated. The area is known for its walkable communities, the outdoors and mom-and-pop shops. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy hiking, biking and horseback riding along trails on the former U.S. Army base Fort McClellan. The Chief Ladiga Trail, a paved pedestrian path through Anniston, will soon connect to the Silver Comet Trail coming from Georgia, creating the longest paved pedestrian pathway in the U.S.

The city also figured prominently in the fight for desegregation in the 1960s after a mob of white residents attacked and then firebombed a Greyhound bus full of African American Freedom Riders trying to call attention to the problem of segregation. Visitors to the city can take a self-guided driving tour of the Anniston Civil Rights Heritage Trail, which includes the Freedom Riders National Monument where the bus burning happened in 1961, as well as a mural of the bus on a wall facing the bus depot alleyway.

Anniston Meeting Center is the largest event center in the city, with the 13,000-square-foot Anniston Hall, three conference spaces that can each seat 100 to 150 people and the Victoria Room for executive meetings. Anniston Museums and Gardens, home to Anniston Museum of Natural History, Berman Museum and Longleaf Botanical Gardens, also offers several meeting spaces for rent, from auditoriums and classrooms to museum exhibit halls and the Longleaf Event Center.

Hotel Finial on the city’s main boulevard has 61 rooms, breathtaking architecture and ample room for meetings or events up to 200 people.

visitcalhouncounty.com

NEW BERN, NORTH CAROLINA

The second-oldest city in North Carolina, New Bern has a beautiful downtown district surrounded by water. Its biggest claim to fame is the Tryon Palace State Historic Site, which was the first capitol of North Carolina. Visitors to New Bern can take advantage of the quaint independently owned shops, restaurants and galleries in town while enjoying the waterfront views. Groups can take trolley tours of the area or enjoy the Croatan National Forest for hiking and biking.

New Bern’s 40,000-square-foot Riverfront Convention Center is the top meeting spot in the city. It underwent a full renovation in 2019, so everything is state of the art. There are 170 hotel rooms attached to the convention center, divided between a Doubletree by Hilton and a Tapestry by Hilton, which is set to open in April. The Courtyard by Marriott offers an additional 100 guest rooms about a block from the convention center.

The Doubletree and Tapestry offers an additional 16,000 square feet of meeting space, which is undergoing complete upgrades with digital reader boards, infrastructure, and an updated food and beverage program.

New Bern is the birthplace of Pepsi, and groups can visit the store and pharmacy that started it all. The facility also can be utilized for dessert and cocktail socials. Several art galleries in town can double as event spaces, as well as the New Bern Firemen’s Museum. In their downtime, groups can take guided boat tours or ghost tours in town. visitnewbern.com

CAMDEN, SOUTH CAROLINA

South Carolina’s oldest inland city, Camden is known as the steeplechase capital of the world, with the National Steeplechase Museum and the 60-acre South Carolina Equine Park, which plays host to the Carolina Cup every year. Camden is also the site of the Battle of Camden, a Revolutionary War battle that took place in August 1780, where the British Army under Lt. General Charles Cornwallis defeated the Continental Army.

Meeting planners can tap into that history by organizing events at the Revolutionary War Visitor Center, which can host groups up to 240. The center tells the story of the Southern Campaign of the Revolutionary War and South Carolina’s part in turning the tide when all seemed lost.

Courtesy Visit New Bern

NEW BERN’S TRYON PALACE STATE HISTORIC SITE

NEW BERN'S RIVERFRONT CONVENTION CENTER

Courtesy City of Anniston

ANNISTON’S HOTEL FINIAL

AN OUTDOOR EVENT AT RIVERFRONT CONVENTION CENTER

Meeting Guide

Hampton Inn Camden is the only full-service meeting hotel in the city, with 400 square feet of meeting space and 70 guest rooms. Holiday Inn Express and Suites and Comfort Inn and Suites offer another 131 guest rooms between them. The multi-purpose Camden City Arena can seat 1,600 and has facilities for sporting events, conventions and entertainment. Other venues include the Arts Center of Kershaw County, which can accommodate up to 300, the National Steeplechase Museum or the Historic Camden-Kershaw-Cornwallis House.

Downtown Camden and Uptown Dusty Bend offer plenty of shopping opportunities with boutique shops, antique stores and art galleries to peruse.

classicallycarolina.com

MURFREESBORO, TENNESSEE

Murfreesboro, in the heart of Tennessee’s Rutherford County, is just 35 minutes southeast of Nashville. The county is steeped in history, and visitors will enjoy exploring the Stones River National Battlefield and Cemetery or wandering the halls of two antebellum homes, Oaklands Mansion and Sam Davis Home. Cannonsburgh Village, a reconstructed pioneer settlement that represents 100 years of early Tennessee history from the 1830s to the 1930s, has a gristmill, schoolhouse, doctor’s office and general store to explore. The Rutherford County Historic Courthouse Museum from the pre-Civil War era is worth a visit. It served as a watchtower, ballroom, prison and hospital.

The county has 62 lodging properties with 5,500 guest rooms and more than 250,000 square feet of meeting space in more than 60 venues and a beautiful convention center to welcome events of all sizes.

The Embassy Suites Murfreesboro Hotel and Conference Center is the largest meeting venue, with 283 guest rooms and 63,000 square feet of flexible event space. The largest space is the Grand Ballroom at 28,800 square feet. It has 19 meeting rooms. The Doubletree by Hilton-Murfreesboro has 3,840 square feet of meeting space with three meeting rooms and 169 guest rooms.

Off-site venues include The Grove at Williamson Family Farm, with 10,000 square feet of space in the Main Barn, Loafing Barn and Silage Shed, Oaklands Mansion or the View at Fountains, a modern conference and event venue at Fountains at Gateway. The full-service venue includes 5,800 square feet of indoor event space and 1,900 square feet of outdoor, covered patio space.

visitrutherfordtn.com

Courtesy Rutherford CVB Courtesy Visit Camden

CAMDEN’S REVOLUTIONARY WAR VISITOR CENTER

THE GROVE AT WILLIAMSON FAMILY FARM

STAUNTON, VIRGINIA

Located in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, Staunton is known for its beautiful architecture. The city was lucky enough to survive the Civil War relatively unscathed and features many wonderfully preserved 18th and 19th century homes and buildings.

Downtown Staunton has six historic districts to explore and features independent retailers, art and antique galleries, restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops and craft breweries. From April through October, the city closes four blocks of Beverley Street to vehicle traffic so businesses and musicians can spill out into the street. Staunton boasts a vibrant arts and music scene, and the American Shakespeare Center presents the works of Shakespeare and his contemporaries at Blackfriars Playhouse, a re-creation of Shakespeare’s indoor theatre.

The Frontier Culture Museum is a living history museum that sheds light on life in early America. Staunton also is home to the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum. The entrances to Shenandoah National Park, Blue Ridge Parkway and Blue Ridge Tunnel are all located within a short drive of Staunton.

The city has several full-service meeting locations, including Hotel 24 South and Conference Center, which can host groups up to 400, and the Blackburn Inn and Conference Center, with 10,000 square feet of flexible meeting space and 49 guest rooms. It can host groups of 20 to 200. The city has 25 hotels with 1,659 hotel rooms. visitstaunton.com

Courtesy Grand Bohemian Hotel Greenville

Photos courtesy Visit Staunton

DOWNTOWN STAUNTON AN EVENT VENUE AT HOTEL 24

OUTDOOR MUSIC AT THE BLACKBURN INN

PA T PERFE T

These historic hotels enhance meetings throughout the South

BY PAULA AVEN GLADYCH

Ahistoric hotel can add an air of sophistication or timeless interest to any meeting. In states throughout the Southeast, historic properties offer opportunities for diverse and memorable meeting experiences.

From rustic and Jeffersonian to pink and elegant, these five historic hotels across the South make picture perfect spots to host meetings and events.

Courtesy the Don CeSar

GUESTS ENJOY A DRINK AT THE POOL BAR AT THE HISTORIC DON CESAR IN ST. PETERSBURG BEACH.

1886 CRESCENT HOTEL AND SPA Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Perched above the Victorian village of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, the 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa is small compared with other grand hotels of the time, with just 72 guest rooms and a few cottages. The full-service resort was first built in 1886. During the Great Depression, since nobody could afford to travel, the resort was turned into an all-girls college. In 1937 it was bought by a snake oil salesman who turned the hotel into a cancer hospital. He bilked people for two years before being run off, and the property returned to a resort soon after.

The current owner bought it in 1997, along with the Basin Park Hotel, and spent millions renovating it and bringing it back to its 1886 grandeur with heavy curtains and stenciled walls. It is a full-service resort, and meeting groups don’t have to leave the property to have a good time. The hotel offers crafts, painting classes and hatchet throwing. It also has a spa and salon.

The resort’s Crystal Ballroom can accommodate a reception of 350 people. The Conservatory is a smaller room with three glass sides overlooking the surrounding forest. It can hold 125. The resort has two garden spaces that can host groups up to 350. Tents can be erected in the Crescent Gardens on the side of the hotel, or the East Lawn, which is on the back side of the hotel.

The Frisco Sporting Club sits on 15 acres that can host events, and there are several small cottages built in the 1990s that can be used for meeting spaces for smaller groups. The hotel has an onsite catering team, and a former employee of the hotel leads nightly ghost tours, as the facility is famous for its paranormal activity.

crescent-hotel.com

THE DON CESAR St. Petersburg Beach, Florida

Known as the Pink Palace, The Don CeSar sits on its own private section of St. Petersburg Beach, Florida. The grand 95-yearold Great Gatsby-era hotel features private beaches, outdoor terraces and plenty of outdoor recreational opportunities, including kayaking and paddleboarding. Like many historic hotels before it, the building has gone through many incarnations over the years, including serving as a hospital for veterans returning from World War II. The facility reopened as a hotel in 1973 and has since been added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Since 2018, the hotel has undergone a full renovation of its guest rooms, meeting rooms and common areas; added a new pool bar with a rooftop deck; and opened a new breakfast, lunch, and dinner restaurant, Society Table. The full-service spa has a steam room, whirlpool, sauna and outdoor terrace, and there are three boutique shops and six dining establishments.

For meetings, the hotel has everything from a small boardroom to a huge ballroom that can host up to 250 people for groups wanting to tap into a legendary part of Florida’s past. There are meeting spaces on the fifth floor, ground floor and lobby level. Outdoor spaces include a beach pavilion, a courtyard, North Beach and an outdoor deck that is part of Rowe Bar, the hotel’s beachfront bar.

All the resort’s meeting spaces feature floor-to-ceiling windows, letting in plenty of natural light with views of the private beachfront or the bay. Team-building options include sandcastle competitions, beach games, Build-a-Boat (where teams work together to build a working watercraft), or Build-a-Bar competition, where they must build a bar and come up with a signature cocktail for the group.

doncesar.com

THE JAMES MADISON INN

Madison, Georgia

The James Madison Inn is one of the oldest hotels in downtown Madison, Georgia, situated in a gorgeous historic district that has many elegant 19th century homes that were saved from destruction during the Civil War. More than 45 have been lovingly restored and are on the National Register of Historic Places. The James Madison Inn is a 17-room boutique hotel full of antiques and Southern charm that combines modern technology and amenities with the feel of an old-fashioned bed and breakfast.

Groups can rent out the entire inn, as well as individual indoor or outdoor venues. The hotel has several meeting rooms, including the Media Room, which is set up conference-style and can host executive meetings up to 12 people. Located just steps from the inn is Variety Works, a barn-style venue with wooden walls, beautiful chandeliers and concrete floors that was built in the 1870s as a manufacturing facility. The two-story building now hosts events up to 175 people. It also has a backyard for outdoor events called the Round Bowl Springs Gazebo and Event Lawn.

The area is surrounded by woods, a small pond and peaceful walking trails.

jamesmadisoninn.com

Courtesy 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa

Courtesy James Madison Inn Courtesy the Don CeSar

1886 CRESCENT HOTEL AND SPA IN EUREKA SPRINGS

THE JAMES MADISON INN THE DON CESAR

What’s yours?

GENERAL MORGAN INN AND CONFERENCE CENTER Greeneville, Tennessee

The General Morgan Inn was built on the site of a former tavern that served the community of Greeneville, Tennessee, during the Civil War. After the railroad built a depot in Greeneville in 1886, a local entrepreneur saw the need for a nice hotel to accommodate travelers. The Grand Central was a beautiful four-story brick building with marble trim that looked very much like the General Morgan looks today. The only difference is that over the years, the hotel acquired the Mason Hotel and Union Hotel and connected them to form the current establishment.

The General Morgan was renovated in 1996 as part of a major redevelopment project in the area. The inn has 51 guest rooms and Brumley’s Restaurant, serving steak and seafood along with sandwiches and salads. Groups up to 300 can rent out the 2,950-square-foot Grand Ballroom, or the room can be divided into three separate spaces. The Rooftop Terrace is perfect for outdoor functions of 300 people, with 3,200 square feet of it covered by a tent. There is a boardroom available that seats up to 12, and Brumley’s Restaurant, which is named in honor of the Brumley family, which owned and operated the Hotel Brumley from 1920 to 1980, can accommodate up to 100. The restaurant has three distinct dining rooms: the Club Room, the Greene Room and the library, which can all be used for smaller group events.

generalmorganinn.com

THE GENERAL MORGAN INN LOBBY

GENERAL MORGAN INN AND CONFERENCE CENTER

Photos courtesy General Morgan Inn

When the meetings end at Oaklawn, the fun begins. Start with a glass of white at The First Turn. Then, more good times at the blackjack table. This is my Oaklawn.

Describing Gatlinburg, Tennessee is easy

Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountain Park, Gatlinburg is a quaint town is filled with everything a meeting planner needs for a successful event: a beautiful, state of the art convention center, 16,000+ sleeping rooms, comprised of full-service and limited-service hotels, and motels, cabins, and condominiums. Gatlinburg also offers hundreds of shops and restaurants as well as entertainment attractions for every age and interest.

MAKE THE MOST OUT OF YOUR MEETING EXPERIENCE IN TUSCALOOSA

Located in the heart of West Alabama, Tuscaloosa offers a legendary experience your guests won’t forget.

Home to The University of Alabama, you’ll find a welcoming community with a fun college town vibe. You can choose from more than 40 lodging facilities, local restaurants featuring eclectic cuisine, a walkable and vibrant downtown, outdoor spaces, historical attractions, and a destination that’s easily accessible.

Let’s create that legendary meeting experience today.

THE GREENBRIER White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia

The earliest guests of The Greenbrier came to White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, to “take the waters” to restore their health in 1778, but it wasn’t until the 1830s that prominent individuals such as presidents, judges, diplomats, and merchants began to flock to the mountain resort. Before the Civil War, five sitting U.S. presidents stayed at the property, cementing it as one of the most prominent resorts in the country.

The Greebrier has 710 guest rooms and more than 200,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, including 40 breakout rooms and a 16,500-square-foot exhibit hall. The facility is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and amenities, such as enclosed projection rooms with online computer hookups, sophisticated multimedia equipment and Dolby Surround Sound.

Groups meeting at the resort have their pick of 55 indoor and outdoor activities to fill their downtime, including an aerial adventure course, bowling, bunker tours, escape rooms, horseback riding, kayaking and sport shooting. Golfers will want to set up tee times at the Old White, an 18-hole golf course that opened in 1914, or the Meadows, an 18-hole course that opened in 1911. Two nine-hole courses are also available. The resort also has The Greenbrier Casino Club, a full-service spa, retail shops, and 19 food and beverage establishments.

greenbrier.com

Photos courtesy the Greenbrier

THE ICONIC FRONT ENTRANCE AT THE GREENBRIER

A SCULPTURE AT A GREENBRIER GOLF COURSE

FISHING ON GREENBRIER PROPERTY

MEET OFF THE Beaten Path

Discover waterside charm, world-class amenities and easy access on Florida’s Southwest Gulf Coast. Superb hotel and venue offerings will soon include the new Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor, opening in Fall 2023. Learn more at PureFloridaMeetings.com.