Small Market Meetings February 2024

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ON THE COVER: Illustration by Kathryn Holloway

VOLUME 25 | ISSUE 2

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MANAGING Social Media for Meetings

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IDEAS Minor League Ballparks

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By Ira Kerns, Courtesy Discover Newport

TOWN Ogden, Utah

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CITY Newport, Rhode Island

6 INSIGHTS

Learning from sports legends

8 SMM SUMMIT Get to know DuPage County

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14 PROFILE

MEETING GUIDE America’s Southeast

Martisha LaCroix

SMALL MARKET MEETINGS is published monthly by Pioneer Publishing, Inc., 301 E. High St., Lexington, KY 40507, and is distributed free of charge to qualified meeting planners who plan meetings in small and medium size towns and cities. All other meeting industry suppliers may subscribe by sending a check for $39 for one year to: Small Market Meetings, Circulation Department, 301 East High St., Lexington, KY 40507. Phone (859) 253-0503.

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A sheriff, a doctor, a cattleman, and an executive walk into a bar...

(There’s no punchline, we just host a lot of events. )

(Planning your next event in Kearney is no gamble.)

Kearney, where the Heartland gathers.

Kearney, Where the Heartland Gathers.

Kearney, where the Heartland gathers.

Everything from large conferences, to regional sporting events Typically, Kearney hosts more than 1,350 events a year.

hundreds of smaller professional and educational Hosting your event in Kearneyasiswell no as joke.

Superior meetings all host their events in Kearney. The reason is simple. facilities, top-notch event & catering staff, ease forbest facilities between Denver and Because Kearney has the Why? Because Kearney has the bestvolunteers facilitiesthat between Omaha, experienced staff and wonderful make attendees, plus affordably, come together to make sure every event that comes to town is taken care of. and Omaha, and experienced staff that make sure Kearney a fantastic place for Denver conferences of all types! every event is a win!

If you’re looking for a host city for your next event, make sure

at Kearney.

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

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BE A GOOD SPORT

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ports can unite us. We rally around teams, cheering them on from the couch or an icy stadium seat. This time of year, football and basketball grab headlines, thanks to pro football’s playoffs and Super Bowl and college basketball’s NCAA Final Four. Both sports can do more than ignite fans though; elements of each can bring excitement and vigor to meetings and events. Perhaps it’s a conference kickoff in a football stadium luxury suite, a meet-and-greet with a former NBA standout or a tailgate networking event in a college town known for its winning football program. So, make a game plan and have a ball.

Add some new plays to your meeting plans

At these halls of fame, everyone’s a champ Put sports stars in the spotlight

From pep talks about teamwork to tips on setting goals, former football and basketball players and coaches are happy to deliver. All American Entertainment, Sports Speakers 360 and Athlete Speakers book sports figures, with fees starting in the $5,000 to $10,000 range to 10 times that or more for headliners like Joe Theismann, LeMar Odom, Deion Sanders, Tiki Barber and Kenny Smith. Most athletes will talk about their sport and careers, but many also tackle subjects like Black history, diversity, mental health, fitness, Christian values and leadership. The lineup is male dominated, but among the female athletes available are dynamos like Kara Lawson, head women’s basketball coach at Duke, and Katie Sowers, the first openly gay coach in the NFL.

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If football and basketball had holy places, they would be the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. In Canton, hall of famers can be hired to swoop in for private events. Imagine the excitement former Minnesota Viking Cris Carter, Dallas Cowboys’ Emmitt Smith or Green Bay’s LeRoy Butler could bring to a reception in a sporty space like the Hall of Fame Presentation Center. In Springfield, no one will have trouble finding the Hall of Fame — just look for the gleaming two-story basketball, an eye-catching architectural feature that links the hall’s two wings. A spotlight event space, Center Court has a basketball court, a balcony and dome ceiling. During an evening event, guests can fast break through 40,000 square feet of exhibits. Downtown hotels are nearby, but even closer is the Hilton Garden Inn Springfield, on the hall’s grounds. smallmarketmeetings.com

Score points with a sporty party theme

A party with a football or basketball theme should be all fun and games, starting with food. For example, tailgating is pregame football fun that can be replicated in a convention hall or hotel parking lot. This is no stuffy sit-down dinner, so lean into food that’s easy to eat while standing — snacks like meatballs and wings. Deliver cocktails and mocktails in water bottles like players use or in cups stamped with the local team’s logo.

For entertainment, have a team mascot pop in for pictures or invite cheerleaders or a pep band to rally the crowd. Better yet, divide your guests into teams and challenge them to create and demonstrate their own cheers. Don’t forget to provide them with some pom-poms. Or organize a free-throw-shooting or football-passing contest. It’s easy to do anywhere, thanks to Nerf balls and goals. And, what’s always a winning game at a sports theme event? Sports trivia.

Need inspiration?

Look to winning coaches

Business leaders often look to winning coaches for inspiration as they build and lead their teams. Two legends, college basketball’s John Wooden and pro football’s Vince Lombardi, are long gone, but books about how they managed to mold championship teams, year after year, live on. Lombardi’s son, lawyer Vince Lombardi Jr., has written numerous books about his dad’s years as coach of the Green Bay Packers. “The Lombardi Rules: 26 Lessons from Vince Lombardi — the World’s Greatest Coach” is one of them. Among the books written about Wooden and his 27 successful seasons at UCLA is “The Essential Wooden: A Lifetime of Lessons on Leaders and Leadership.”

If you are looking for more recent books, not written by coaches, check out Texas A&M basketball coach Buzz Williams’s bookshelf. On average, Williams reads a book a week; among them are “Hidden Genius,” “Thanks a Thousand,” “Atomic Habits,” “Next Level Thinking,” “Discipline is Destiny,” “The Happiest Man on Earth,” and “The Power of a Humble Life.”

February 2024

Champion teams give college towns cache

Success in college sports has elevated the profile of many smaller cities. You can score points in these towns by holding events at the colleges and universities that have made them famous. For example, in Lexington, Kentucky, home of the University of Kentucky Wildcats, convention goers can meet in an expanded, renovated convention center that’s linked to UK’s home court, Rupp Arena. In Lawrence, Kansas, where the University of Kansas rules, campus is dotted with meeting spaces including sports complexes, the Jayhawk Club, Jayhawk Welcome Center, a classroom building with a green roof, and right next to campus, the Oread Hotel. Even when the University of Michigan isn’t playing, Ann Arbor rocks. Plus, the school’s campus is rich with gathering places including “The Big House,” also known as Michigan Stadium. It’s the largest stadium in the U.S., worthy of a guided tour and packed with venues like Jack Roth Stadium Club, with its views of the playing field and campus.

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FRESH AIR IN

DuPage County

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GARDENS AT CANTIGNY PARK GREEN BAY’S KI CONVENTION CENTER

SMALL MARKET

MEETINGS SUMMIT This Chicago neighbor will host the Small Market Meetings Summit

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THE FORGE: LEMONT QUARRIES IS AN OUTDOOR ADVENTURE PARK THAT OFFERS ZIPLINING AND MORE TO ATTENDEES.

BY R ACHEL CRICK

est of the Windy City, DuPage County offers a breath of fresh air.

That’s not to say it’s small. Located about 20 miles away from Chicago, DuPage County is home to approximately 925,000 people, making it the second-most populous county in Illinois. Yet this population is spread across 38 communities and over 300 square miles. Many of its communities offer a quaint feel, with charming downtown districts boasting boutique shopping and local eats. It’s also a nature-lover’s haven, with plenty of green spaces, hiking trails and forest preserves.

That’s not to say it’s missing urban amenities. With plentiful shopping, including one of the country’s largest outdoor shopping malls, and a diverse array of dining experiences, there’s plenty of worldly entertainment to go around.

This collection of energetic communities will be the site of the 2024 Small Market Meetings Summit. On May 22–23, 25 meeting planners will sit down with representatives from hotels, conference centers and destinations to network and make plans.

They’ll be meeting in the village of Burr Ridge at the Chicago Marriott Southwest at Burr Ridge, a 184-room hotel with almost 11,000 square feet of meeting space. This space includes an 8,000-squarefoot ballroom, divisible into five sections, as well as three conference rooms and two board rooms.

All photos courtesy DuPage CVB, unless noted

February 2024

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SMALL MARKET

MEETINGS SUMMIT

With over 110 hotels featuring 16,000 sleeping rooms and a combined 2 million square feet of meeting space between them, DuPage County offers meeting planners an impressive array of conference hotels to choose from in each of its communities.

“I think our accessibility to downtown Chicago without being in Chicago is important,” said Angela Rauen, senior sales manager at the DuPage Convention and Visitors Bureau. “And we’re just 25 minutes from both international airports, and that really stands out for a smaller destination outside of Chicago.”

A SWEET SPOT FOR MEETINGS

DuPage County’s accessibility is one of its top selling points for a reason. It’s eight miles away from the O’Hare International Airport and 17 miles away from Midway International Airport, and it has an airport of its own, the DuPage Airport, located in West Chicago. With eight major interstates close by or crossing through the county, it’s easy to get to by car. And thanks to PUTTSHACK commuter trains, it’s easy to travel between Chicago and DuPage’s communities.

Meeting in DuPage promises planners proximity to one of the country’s largest cities without the price tag. Its communities are poised to offer competitive rates and lower

“I think our accessibility to downtown Chicago without being in Chicago is important, and we’re just 25 minutes from both international airports, and that really stands out for a smaller destination outside of Chicago.”

— Angela Rauen, DuPage Convention and Visitors Bureau

PINSTRIPES OAK BROOK Courtesy Pinstripes

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OAKBROOK CENTER CHICAGO MARRIOTT SOUTHWEST AT BURR RIDGE

taxes, and these locations come with amenities such as free parking.

Event planners considering DuPage County should contact its convention and visitors bureau, which offers assistance with convention services, such as on-site registration and social media support, as well as assistance with sourcing catering or transportation needs.

In addition to its many hotel properties with meeting space, the county has plenty of off-site venues to spotlight.

OUTDOOR RECREATION

DuPage County features 500 miles of trails and 60 forest preserves, which are perfect for hiking in the warmer months and cross-country skiing or sledding in the winter.

“We’re known for our outdoor greenspaces, and we’re the healthiest county in Illinois,” Rauen said. “We’re very active.”

Some of the county’s most famous greenspaces can be found at the Morton Arboretum, a 1,700-acre tree-filled garden and outdoor museum. Guests can wander the tranquil landscapes to learn about its many trees. It’s also an event venue offering elegant indoor and outdoor spaces for events of all sizes and types. In the community of Wheaton, another popular meeting venue is Cantigny Park, a 500acre park featuring a historic mansion, lush gardens, a 27-hole golf course and a visitors center with a theater and café.

The county offers plenty of other ways for guests to enjoy nature via wildlife sightings. One of the Brookfield Zoo’s most popular venues is its Discovery Center, a traditional banquet facility with three

February 2024

spaces. But meetings at the zoo can also come with opportunities to see the animals close-up.

Another favorite outdoor activity in DuPage is golfing, as evidenced by the county’s 50-plus golf courses, many of which have meeting and banquet spaces in their clubhouses. But if attendees would rather golf in a climate-controlled setting, DuPage is also home to a 390 Golf Experience and a Topgolf.

One of the most distinct games offered in DuPage is WhirlyBall, which can be found in Naperville. The game, a combination of basketball, lacrosse, hockey and bumper cars, may have guests scratching their heads at first, but it’s sure to leave them smiling in the end.

One prominent outdoor space for events and activities is The Forge: Lemont Quarries, a park with abundant opportunities for adventure and exploration. While it doesn’t have meeting space, it’s one of the premier spaces to hold outdoor events or events centered around physical activity, such as races or outdoor concerts.

URBAN ENTERTAINMENT

Visitors should be sure to leave plenty of room in their suitcases, because there’s some serious shopping to be done in DuPage County.

The second-largest outdoor shopping mall in the country, Oakbrook Center, has over 160 shops, restaurants and entertainment venues.

“Here, you have high-end shopping, a wide range of restaurants and bars, and inside there, you have very unique venues,” Rauen said.

Within Oakbrook Center, several venues can serve as outings for off-sites, team-building or social events. These include Puttshack, a mini-golf course, bar and restaurant, and Pinstripes Oak Brook, which features a restaurant, meeting space, bowling and bocce courts.

Oakbrook Center’s newest entertainment venue is the Sony Pictures Wonderverse, a first-of-its-kind experience offering a virtual reality games and interactive experiences, alongside themed dining.

Additional shopping centers include the Fashion Outlets of Chicago, with 130 designer shops, and the Burr Ridge Village Center.

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SMALL MARKET

MEETINGS SUMMIT

For more traditional avenues of entertainment, attendees can amuse themselves with a show at the Drury Lane Theatre. It’s also an elegant event venue, adorned with beautiful details like crystal chandeliers, with over 35,000 square feet of event space. This includes the Grand Ballroom, which can hold up to 1,800 for a banquet and can be divided into four rooms.

The Elmhurst Art Museum, a contemporary art museum, features plenty of galleries for visitors to explore, including a preserved Miles van der Rohe home. The museum can be rented out in its entirety for events and can seat up to 160 for banquets.

Some well-known restaurants in DuPage also double as venues for group dinners, meetings or social events. These include Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse, prominently featuring one of the Windy City’s greatest sports icons and serving fine cuisine to as many as 250 guests; Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket, a famous Route-66 restaurant that can be rented out; and the North American Pizza and Culinary Academy, a well-known restaurant and culinary school that can host events or cooking classes, which make excellent team-building activities. discoverdupage.com

ELMHURST ART MUSEUM

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Scan the QR Code to register for the 2024 Small Market Meetings Summit in DuPage County, Illinois.

DRURY LANE THEATRE AND EVENTS

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February 2024

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“Event planning isn’t a cookiecutter thing. If you’re coming from a different industry, like tech or the medical field, you’re an expert. Do those events! Be industry specific — that’s your in.”

MEETING LEADERS MARTISHA LACROIX

M

BY RE B E CCA TRE ON

artisha LaCroix — “Tish” to those who know her — grew up in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, raised by her grandparents. Fresh out of high school and a young mother, her first attempts at college didn’t pan out.

“I tried college to see if it was something I wanted to do, but my son was only about 1 year old at the time,” she said. “I knew I wanted to go to school and do something in business — it was on my heart, but I didn’t know exactly how it would work out. It took me a long time to finish because I was a single mom trying to figure it all out.”

As a kid, Tish’s grandparents were big on road trips — and making sure she and her siblings had the opportunity to eat at upscale restaurants to learn etiquette. Her first stab at event planning came when the pastor’s wife at church asked her to organize the Christmas dinner.

“I’ve always been up for a challenge — and that’s when I really fell in love with hospitality,” LaCroix said. “I didn’t know then that ‘hospitality’ is composed of so many things. I’d go and Google and teach myself the whole process of everything needed for the event. That’s when I realized what I wanted to major in.”

Once she set her sights on hospitality, she started to realize how vast the field is. Things started falling into place — LaCroix found an online degree in hospitality with the University of Massachusetts and graduated in 2015, followed by a master’s program in conflict mediation and negotiations management

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from the University of Alabama. Simultaneously, she had married and become a military wife facing multiple relocations as she raised a family. But hospitality was a lodestar, always drawing her into starting an event planning business.

“I fell in love with it,” she said. “I love to travel, and I love event spaces. When I step into an event space, it’s like a coach stepping onto a football field — I feel that same vibe. I love to watch events come to life.”

One of the things LaCroix loves most about the hospitality industry is that it allows for flexibility — something that was crucial as a mom and military wife. She wouldn’t have been able to work a typical 9-to-5 job while her husband was deployed in Afghanistan, for example. Now that he’s retired, she has stepped into her event planning business, LaCroix Events, full time.

“I think putting myself out there was the hardest part of it — but I took a chance and started my business in 2011,” she said. “We were doing a lot of religious events, then picked up small businesses that were having events, and then the SMERF market.”

Though COVID slowed things down temporarily, business at LaCroix Events is back, booming and better than ever. Tish LaCroix encourages anyone thinking about going into the event planning industry to draw on the experience they already have.

“Event planning isn’t a cookie-cutter thing,” she said. “If you’re coming from a different industry, like tech or the medical field, you’re an expert. Do those events! Be industry specific — that’s your in.”

EXECUTIVE PROFILE NAME

Martisha (Tish) LaCroix TITLE

Senior Event and Talent Manager O RGA N IZ AT IO N

The LaCroix Agency LOC AT IO N

Columbia, South Carolina B I R T H PL ACE

Pawleys Island, South Carolina E DU C AT IO N

• Bachelor’s degree in hospitality and tourism management • Master’s degree in conflict, mediation and negotiation management C A R E E R H IS TO RY

• Refreshing Lives Ministry, event manager (2010–12) • New Beginnings Ministry of Faith, events ministry leader (2012–15) • The LaCroix Agency, senior events manager (2011–present)

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TIPS FROM

MARTISHA LACROIX • Enjoy the moment. We sometimes get to enjoy cities, states and countries many people only dream of. So take it in and make some memorable events.

• Learn from every event. We should always be learning and growing.

• Build relationships to expand your resources.

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: MARTISHA LACROIX WITH HER FAMILY; HOSTING A MOTHER/DAUGHTER SLUMBER PARTY; MANAGING A WOMEN’S EVENT IN LAS VEGAS

February 2024

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IT’S ALL WHO YOU KNOW

Chloe Odell

DIRECTOR OF BRANDING AND EVENTS Wicked Apple Media

A 2022 graduate of the University of North Texas, Chloe Odell is a member of the Texas Alliance of Convention, Meeting and Event Operation Managers (TxACOM), an event industry organization in North Texas. She spoke with Small Market Meetings about the importance of young meeting professionals building trusted networks.

What is the importance of being wellconnected in the meetings and events industry?

A:

Having connections within the event world can more or less make or break you. Connections are vital because for a lot of things in the industry, you always know someone or need to know someone. If you have a client that needs something for an event, such as a 360-photo booth, or if I need specific trays for catering, speDo you think emerging professionals face cific tablecloths, etc., always having those connections can any specific obstacles on this front? help you.

Q

A:

I would say yes and no. No, because just being immersed there’s a lot of opportunity to make connections. There’s a lot of organizations that make a good platform for event managers to get involved with one another and make those connections. But the world has changed a lot in general. I would say yes because you’re entering a new space. There was a past way of doing things, and now it’s maneuvering a new system for yourself as a young event planner.

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What makes someone a good connection to have?

How do you choose which people to network with?

A:

It has to do with the specifics of the events you’re having. I feel that good connections would be very specific to the needs of your client or event. I don’t do wedding planning, so it wouldn’t be in my best interest to have a lot of connections with wedding planners. We do a lot of video and audio, so it’s huge for us to have connections in that. It’s knowing your niche, what you need and the needs of planning your event and reaching out based on that, from florists to lighting to linens.

How do you find a mentor?

A:

When I look for those connections, I really look for people who are excited to see the industry grow, and with that, it goes based on generation. I am in the younger generation of event planners, and I have something to learn from the generations before me. I look for people with a lot of experience and knowledge.

I can ask them questions, or they can guide me or let me know if I should do things a different way. I can be open and get an honest opinion from them.

What advice would you give to other young professionals in the meetings and events industry who are trying to grow their networks?

A:

My advice is to talk to as many people as you can; meet as many people as you can; join organizations and put yourself out there. Home in on those connections and what will push you further. Mentorship is highly important, and I highly suggest looking for a mentor and absorbing as much as you can. Before, when I wasn’t as involved with the event industry and organizations, I found it a lot more difficult to pull the rabbit out of the hat. Meeting people and learning from their experiences, asking questions, talking services, exchanging services has made all the difference.

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Like and Share

SOCIAL MEDIA EXPERTS RELAY TIPS FOR PROMOTING EVENTS IN 2024

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BY R ACHEL CRICK

hanks to social media, event marketing has evolved exponentially in the past two decades. Few things have changed the cultural zeitgeist so thoroughly as these new digital tools. In recent years, social media promotion has become a vital and highly effective event marketing strategy, thanks to its low cost and extensive reach. But in the swiftly changing world of hashtags and stories and reels, even the most seasoned planners may be at a loss when it comes to juggling the many platforms and types of content.

When it comes to using social media to promote meetings and events, here’s what experts had to say about maximizing ROI and developing a winning strategy.

On curating social media content: “If you understand your target audience and demographics and their online behavior, you can tailor your content to better resonate with them.”

WHERE AND WHAT TO POST Planners can promote their events on many social media platforms, making it challenging to decide what to post on which platform.

For starters, it’s a good idea to at least have a presence on all platforms, including Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram, Snapchat, LinkedIn and Tik Tok. “We’re on all platforms because that’s where we need to be,” said Jeanette Stensgaard, founder and owner of ShePlans Co., a Colorado-based event planning company.

A planner will likely use some of these platforms more than others, depending on the demographics of the event’s target audience, including age and occupation. For example, if a planner is trying to promote an event to baby boomers, Facebook will perform much better than Tik Tok and Instagram, which are primarily used by younger generations. If the event is geared toward professionals, LinkedIn is a particularly good resource. It all comes down to knowing an audience and what social media they prefer. And if planners want to draw in the general public, diversifying platforms will cast a wider net.

“We put together different campaigns, and depending on the event, we would structure that campaign to reach a certain audience,” said Aurice Guyton, founder and lead planner at Aurice Guyton Events, an event planning company based in San Francisco.

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Jeanette Stensgaard FOUNDER AND OWNER ShePlans Co. Experience: 17 years

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“Using social media is definitely necessary.

Everybody is online, and every event has a social media promotional piece.”

Guyton said if the event she’s promoting is a conference, highlighting the keynote speakers and sponsors would be prudent; if the event is a festival, she would highlight food and entertainment.

While the content depends on the event itself, there are rules and trends for planners to follow when it comes to social media marketing: Visuals, and especially video, are everything. Whether that’s using Tik Tok videos and Instagram Reels to show off the event or going live on platforms like Facebook and Twitter, video is in right now.

“Video draws you in and paints a picture of what the event will look like,” said Guyton. “You can see how much fun people are having. It creates that FOMO [fear of missing out].”

Another noteworthy observation from the experts: Posts that focus on people and emotions tend to get more engagement than simple pieces of information.

“We’ve found the posts we do that involve people and are from our events perform the best versus a stagnant piece of content,” said Jessica Rife, events director at E Source, a research and data science firm based in Colorado.

ENGAGE WITH YOUR AUDIENCE

Aurice Guyton OWNER AND LEAD PLANNER Aurice Guyton Events Experience: 15 years

February 2024

Social media users are constantly being bombarded with information and advertising on their feeds, so creating content that actively engages them is crucial.

Connecting with an audience isn’t just about catching their eye; it’s also about building relationships and establishing a positive image of the event’s brand.

“They have to see you’re trustworthy, that you’re reliable, that your company or team is dependable, because you want to build that trust factor,” Guyton said. “Doing that, you build a community of people who will then follow you, then attend your festival.”

Stensgaard also encouraged planners to “actively engage and build relationships to create buzz around the event.”

One way to create this community and engage an online audience is using the interactive features of social media, such as hashtags, which invite everyone to take part. Hashtags organize all posts from attendees and organizers alike to

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create a centralized online presence for the event. Polls, quizzes, live-streaming and even contests can also be utilized to get future attendees involved leading up to the event.

Another way for planners to interact with the audience is to ensure they’re responding to their comments promptly, answering questions and interacting with audience social media posts. Many attendees post about events using hashtags, and simply sharing their post or commenting is a friendly gesture that strengthens relationships.

On social content that performs well: “Those posts that are about the people and not just boring, content-driven posts are the ones that perform the best. Creativity is definitely needed.”

TIMING IS EVERYTHING One of the most important things about a social media marketing strategy is the timing of posts. Planners must strike a delicate balance between keeping their event in the spotlight and not overwhelming or annoying their audience with posts.

“Whenever we know we’re going to have that content, we map that out in the marketing calendar,” Stensgaard said.

This marketing calendar should use the event’s important dates, such as registration deadlines, as markers for social media posts.

This will ensure the content is well organized and posted consistently.

“My annual conference is in September, so we will typically send out a save-the-date in late January or early February and build out from there,” Rife said. “As it gets closer, within that three-month window, we’re doing more content than the first several months.”

The first pieces of event marketing can be far out, just to get the event on the attendees’ radar.

But as the event draws nearer, more frequent posts are necessary to build excitement.

Guyton recommends not releasing all the information at once. While basic details can be included in the save-the-date or registration reminders, posting about the more exciting details, such as keynote speakers, live entertainment or exciting activities is a way to pique prospective attendees’ interest and generate buzz.

“We ramp it up closer to the event,” Guyton said.

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Jessica Rife EVENTS DIRECTOR E Source Experience: 17 years

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As far as what time of day to post, most social media platforms allow users to analyze what time of day their audience is online.

Planners should post during peak online hours to increase the chances of engagement.

TO DELEGATE OR NOT One question looming large among planners is whether they should hire someone to help with their social media. The consensus is yes, if a planner can afford it.

“I do delegate that,” said Rife. “Social media is a really creative role, and you want someone who is going to have fun with it.”

Stensgaard agreed it could be a wise investment because it takes a lot of time and know-how to create content and then curate it as part of a marketing strategy.

“With having a person on staff like a social media manager, you get that research and someone who is there for strategic review and reviewing the clicks, watching the algorithms,” said Stensgaard.

However, Guyton warns planners to do their homework when it comes to hiring social media help, because there’s a difference between an intern that has social media accounts and a social media marketing expert.

“A really good social media content person isn’t cheap,” said Guyton. “But if they’re professional, they can show you the profiles, the other brands they’ve worked with, and you can see if it aligns with what you do.”

If a planner can’t afford a quality social media content staff, they can still do it themselves.

Stensgaard recommends sites such as Hootsuite to act as a centralized platform for creating and scheduling their social media content.

A planner can also outsource some of the more technical elements of social media without hiring someone full-time. If video editing or infographic making isn’t their strong suit but they still want to make engaging content, Guyton recommends looking to platforms like Upwork and Fiverr for good deals on video editing or small graphic design projects.

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MORE THAN MEETS THE

Ocean Oxnard, California, is a meetings-friendly destination on the Southern California coast with tons of personality.

Let us help you craft a one-of-a-kind event for your attendees. From site selections and walkthroughs to epic welcome parties and kickoff celebrations, we’re here to help inspire you to plan a successful event in a stunning location. Oxnard’s Mediterranean coastal climate with 276 days of sunshine each year, miles of pristine beaches, harbor recreation, direct access to Channel Islands National Park and incredible dining and entertainment options will entice your guests to arrive early and stay late. Start planning today.

VisitOxnard.com February 2024

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Courtesy Wichita Wind Surge

UPPER DECK EVENTS Minor league baseball stadiums make winning venues

T

BY R ACHE L CRICK

here may be no crying in baseball, but there is plenty of meeting and event space.

Baseball stadiums are where America’s pastime intersects with delicious food and versatile venues. These parks offer indoor and outdoor spaces for meetings, from upscale suites overlooking the infield to chill rooftop hangouts. With top-notch venues and skilled catering teams, ballparks can handle a broad range of events. When it comes to meetings, consider these

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minor league baseball stadiums around the country that are guaranteed to knock it out of the park.

RIVERFRONT STADIUM

WICHITA, KANSAS Aptly named for its proximity to the Arkansas River in the scenic districts of downtown Wichita, Kansas, Riverfront Stadium is home to the Wichita Wind Surge, the Double-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. The stadium was completed in early 2020 and saw its first season in 2021.

“This is the community’s park,” said Maggie McLaughlin, special events manager at Wichita Wind Surge. “It’s very versatile and has many different spaces that can be used, as well as the beautiful backdrop of the downtown area of Wichita.”

The stadium’s largest indoor space is the Fidelity Bank Bravely Onward Club, which has a capacity of over 300. It also has a full bar, easy access to the parking lot and a great view overlooking the field.

The Wichita Baseball Museum, which chronicles the city’s baseball history with a range of exhibits,

Above: The Wichita Baseball Museum at Riverfront Stadium can host events for up to 100 attendees.

smallmarketmeetings.com

can comfortably host meetings of 25-100 people.

Two additional party suites can host small meetings. The stadium’s covered outdoor spaces include the Coors Light Party Porch, which can hold 240 people, and the Emprise Bank Pavilion, which accommodates 310.

Riverfront Stadium can provide microphones, projectors and a video board for a welcome message. They can also provide tables and chairs for many setups. Their in-house catering department,

“This is the community’s park.

It’s very versatile and has many different spaces that can be used, as well as the beautiful backdrop of the downtown area of Wichita.”

— Maggie McLaughlin, Wichita Wind Surge

OVG Hospitality, handles food and beverage, as well as concessions for the park. This makes the stadium a one-stop shop for planners. milb.com/wichita/ballpark

POLAR PARK

WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS In Worcester, Massachusetts, Polar Park is the home of the Worcester Red Sox, a Triple-A Boston Red Sox affiliate affectionately known by locals as the “Woosox.” The park opened in 2021.

“It’s nice to mix it up from your usual hotel conference rooms or traditional conference centers,” said Hannah Butler, vice president of special events at the Worcester Red Sox. “Being in Worcester, Massachusetts, we’re very centrally located, so we’re great for those who want to pull people from all over New England.”

The park’s most popular event space is the DCU Club, an indoor, climate-controlled venue offering a great view of home plate. It can accommodate up to 270 banquet-style, 300 theater-style or 325

Courtesy Visit Wichita

Courtesy Wichita Wind Surge

February 2024

Courtesy Visit Wichita

Riverfront Stadium scenes, clockwise from left: An event in the Wichita Baseball Museum; gathering on the field; stadium artwork

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reception-style, and includes projectors, televisions and a sound system. Other popular indoor spaces include a board room with a capacity of 40 and televisions with hybrid meeting capabilities.

For especially large groups, the stadium’s open-air,

“It’s nice to mix it up from your usual hotel conference rooms or traditional conference centers. Being in Worcester, Massachusetts, we’re very centrally located, so we’re great for those who want to pull people from all over New England.”

— Hannah Butler, Worcester Red Sox

Polar Park scenes, clockwise from left: A game at Polar Park; the stadium exterior; view from the concourse

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covered concourse is available to rent and can accommodate up to 3,000 people. The park’s Home Plate Bar and the Craft Corner are each available to rent for social events like happy hours and receptions.

The park’s exclusive, in-house catering team can serve everything from concessions to plated dinners. An in-house events team is available to assist in the execution of meetings and celebrations. The park prioritizes its role as an event venue, so it’s open year-round. polarpark.com

SUTTER HEALTH PARK

WEST SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA Formerly known as Raley Field, Sutter Health Park was completed in 2000 for the Sacramento River Cats, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. Located in West Sacramento, the park is just across the river from downtown Sacramento.

Photos courtesy Worcester Red Sox

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Polar Park

DISCOVER

unique venues ACROSS

Worcester Art Museum

AC Marriott Worcester

Old Sturbridge Village New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill

CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS an ideal meeting destination

Your attendees can fly, drive or take the train to Central MA for meetings and events centrally located in New England. Rich in history, culture and natural beauty, the region’s unique venues are only matched by the variety of fun group experiences.

For meeting planner tips, hotels, intineraries & so much more, consider us your local guide to Central Massachusetts.

Mechanics Hall

Worcester Regional Airport (ORH)

DCU Center The Hanover Theatre

start planning at

DISCOVERCENTRALMA.ORG on social media

Union Station

February 2024

and on our app

The Publick House Historic Inn

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“It’s a very unique experience in Sacramento,” said Nicole Berwager, manager of events and entertainment for the Sacramento River Cats. “We have an amazing view of the Sacramento skyline and the Tower Bridge.”

The largest indoor venue at the park is the Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort Legacy Club, which

“It’s a very unique experience in Sacramento. We have an amazing view of the Sacramento skyline and the Tower Bridge.”

— Nicole Berwager, Sacramento River Cats

Sutter Health Park scenes, clockwise from left: An event at Sactown Smokehouse; the Beer Garden; the Legacy Club

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offers a full-service bar, a view of the park and a video wall with an HDMI-hook up, and can seat up to 250 attendees. Another popular choice of venue is the Sactown Smokehouse, on the concourse level. It’s a tented space that can accommodate up to 500 attendees. Another tented space is the Beer Garden, which can host up to 450 reception-style, offering views of downtown Sacramento, with space for live music and other entertainment. For dinners or upscale receptions, the park’s Bogle Vineyard, next to the Sactown Smokehouse, is a functioning vineyard that can offer wine tastings.

Smaller meetings can be held in the park’s suites, including the Party Suite, which is 700 square feet and opens to a smaller area for buffets or breakout sessions. In addition to in-house catering, the park provides directional signage and free parking. sutterhealthpark.com

Photos courtesy Sacramento River Cats

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As home to some of our nation’s finest athletic facilities, Hampton is a perfect host for your sporting event. With multiple design awards, the state-of-the-art Hampton Virginia Aquaplex is already home to record-setting performances. It joins a proud sports legacy shared by the Boo Williams Sportsplex, Hampton Coliseum, and Hampton Roads Convention Center, as well as Hampton waterways and Chesapeake Bay, which play annual host to national sailing and hydroplane regattas. Go beyond familiar and bring your next event to the city where champions are made, and dreams are realized.

VISITHAMP TON.COM February 2024

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FLUOR FIELD

GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA Located in downtown Greenville, South Carolina, Fluor Field was built in 2006 as a home for the Greenville Drive, the Single-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. The nearly 4,000-seat stadium was recently renovated, with improvements made to its clubhouse and lighting system.

“It’s iconic for community events, public events and even something so small as a meeting,” said Dayna Mercer, director of events at the Greenville Drive and West End Events at Fluor Field.

The park’s premier event space is the Champions Club, a versatile 4,000-square-foot space with floorto-ceiling windows that retract to reveal a view of the field and the Greenville skyline. It can comfortably seat about 60 for a banquet or up to 200 for a reception and comes equipped with four flat-screen televisions, a sound system and a projector.

Fluor Field scenes, clockwise from left: An event set-up on the concourse; the Champions Club; the Concourse Lounge

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Additional spaces at Fluor Field for events include the Rooftop, an open-air space on the roof of the stadium with great views of downtown Greenville, and the Front Porch, located behind home plate and accented with rustic touches such as a reclaimed wood bar and foiled ceiling. Both these spaces hold up to 80 guests.

[Fluor Field is] iconic for community events, public events and even something so small as a meeting.”

— Dayna Mercer, Greenville Drive and West End Events at Fluor Field

Photos courtesy Greenville Drive

smallmarketmeetings.com

GO where your team can CONNECT and CREATE

The cities of Greater Ontario offer a unique and connected meeting experience with its vibrant community, countless activities and authentic charms. Picture your teams day hiking in the San Gabriel Mountains and sharing high fives when nightlife comes alive at the Toyota Arena. For fun, adventure and value, connect with our team to learn about competitive rates and ways to stretch your budget further to create a truly memorable event.

GO-CAL.org

February 2024

So much. So close. SoCal.

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THE FRONT PORCH AT FLUOR FIELD

For larger events, the 500 Club/Furman Picnic Pavilion is being expanded to accommodate up to 600 guests. This spacious, open-air venue features covered outdoor space and will soon include large fans and a sound system, as well as four flat-screen televisions. Food and beverages are provided by an in-house chef, and the stadium’s event managers are on-site to assist with each event. westendeventsgvl.com

HODGETOWN STADIUM

Courtesy Greenville Drive

AMARILLO, TEXAS The Amarillo Sod Poodles, the Double-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, play at Hodgetown Stadium in downtown Amarillo, Texas. The stadium, first opened in 2019, is currently undergoing renovations to come up to par with MLB standards. These renovations, including improvements to the clubhouses and kitchen areas and the addition of female locker rooms and another hospitality area, are slated for completion early this year.

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM EXPERIENCES IN JUST ONE CLICK Travelers want rich, authentic, and meaningful experiences.

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Discover hands-on cultural experiences, impact organizations, sustainable products and more through the Tourism Cares Meaningful Travel Map.

Explore meaningful travel at tourismcares.org/meaningful-map

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Pictured: Visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center to explore the preservation of the traditions, languages, and art of Alaska’s Native People through statewide collaboration and education.

CMO ready to wine and dine.

CEO proud of his hardworking team.

CFO excited for the new fiscal year.

STREAMSONG RESORT :: BOWLING GREEN, FL

SUCCESS LIVES HERE. When you book your event in Central Florida, you get much more than unique meeting spaces of all sizes. Your guests will also enjoy amazing activities, comfortable quarters, exciting events, and delicious food. Learn more at VisitCentralFlorida.com.

February 2024

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The Fairly Group Club Level is one of the largest and most versatile spaces offered by the park.

It has a bar and attaches to an outdoor deck, the Pepsi Party Deck, which can hold up to 70 attendees. One of the less traditional spaces is the batting cage area, which can hold up to 150 attendees. Especially large groups can rent the stadium’s concourse. The new hospitality area will include an additional outdoor party deck that holds between 100 and 150 attendees.

Hodgetown Stadium’s in-house catering team can do everything from steak and lobster dinners to hamburger and hot dogs. Audiovisual equipment is available, including three 65-inch televisions on the club level. The stadium also provides chairs, tables, linen service and even centerpieces, making it a one-stop shop.

Hodgetown Stadium scenes, clockwise from left: Stadium event space; a dugout suite; enjoying the Party Deck

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“The biggest thing for us is that it is as turnkey as possible,” said Jeff Turner, assistant general manager of the Amarillo Sod Poodles. “We do everything from start to finish, and you get to have the view of the baseball field.” milb.com/amarillo/ballpark/hodgetown

“The biggest thing for us is that it is as turnkey as possible. We do everything from start to finish, and you get to have the view of the baseball field.”

— Jeff Turner, Amarillo Sod Poodles

Photos courtesy Amarillo Sod Poodles

smallmarketmeetings.com

There’s no better place to host your next meeting or event than the Energy Capital of the nation. Not only will you find hospitable venues, but Wyoming’s natural paradise will inspire all of your attendees to gather and connect. And with its location just an hour from Devils Tower, pre- and post-meetings will be nothing short of epic. Start planning your next meeting at visitgillettewright.com.

February 2024

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SKI IN TO

n e d Og W

BY CL A IRE HA NNU M

ith panoramic views of the Wasatch Mountains and a trailblazing spirit that dates back to its founding, Ogden, Utah, combines the peace of a cozy ski town with the amenities of a fast-paced city.

“Ogden is a beautiful mountain town with incredible history and access to nature,” said Taylor Hartman, director of marketing and communications at Visit Ogden.

Located about 40 miles north of Salt Lake City, Ogden was a power player in the forming of the American West. In 1847 it became just the third U.S. city west of the Missouri River to be incorporated, after San Francisco and Salt Lake City.

“It’s a railroad town with a lot of railroad history,” Hartman said. “So there are a lot of historic buildings. Our historic main street is registered on the National Register of Historic Places, and it’s remarkably well preserved.”

The best of Ogden’s boomtown past is still visible on a walk down Historic 25th Street, which was once built to cater to 19th- and 20th-century passengers of the transcontinental railroad. Today, Ogden is no longer a rail hub, and Historic 25th Street is now a local hotspot packed with restaurants, bars, art and more. Historic 25th Street is also the location of its most popular meeting space, the Ogden Eccles Conference Center, which combines a modern convention center and an attached 1920s movie palace. Other high-traffic meeting locations include a sprawling indoor-outdoor events complex, a light-filled converted historic parking garage and the train station that was once the center of Ogden’s transit boom.

Ogden is also a college town: Weber State University boasts an array of meeting spaces and a Division I basketball team. The city is an outdoorsy escape, offering 170,000 acres of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, thousands of acres of lakes and popular boulder fields.

Ogden has a variety of unique meeting venues and off-site hotspots to explore, from repurposed slices of railroad history to recently built modern comforts to Olympic-worthy arenas.

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AN ELEGANT EVENT AT UNION STATION Photos courtesy Visit Ogden

smallmarketmeetings.com

Ogden Eccles Conference Center

DOWNTOWN OGDEN SITS AT THE FOOT OF THE WASATCH MOUNTAINS, A POPULAR SKI AREA IN NORTHERN UTAH.

Ogden’s main meeting venue is the Ogden Eccles Conference Center on Historic 25th Street. The center consists of two different spaces: the David Eccles Conference Center and Peery’s Egyptian Theater. The conference center features more than 70,000 square feet of meeting space. Peery’s Egyptian Theater, which seats 800, is a 1924 movie palace that has been restored to its original glory.

Among its historic features is an atmospheric ceiling. “[The ceiling] looks like it’s daytime before a show starts,” Hartman said.

“Then when the show starts, the sun will set and the lights will change and then the stars will come out.”

Only-In-Ogden Venues

OGDEN, UTAH LOCATION

Northern Utah ACCESS

Salt Lake City International Airport, Ogden-Hinckley Airport, interstates 15 and 84, Utah Transit Authority train access MAJOR MEETING SPACES

Ogden Eccles Conference Center, Golden Spike Event Center, Union Station, The Monarch HOTEL ROOMS

1,357 OFF-SITE VENUES

Snowbasin Ski Resort, Powder Mountain, The Ice Sheet at the Weber County Sports Complex, Union Grill, Copper Nickel CONTACT INFO

Visit Ogden 800-255-8824 visitogden.com

February 2024

Union Station, the city’s former transportation hub, offers up 22,000 square feet of meeting space. Another popular venue is the Monarch, a 57,000-square-foot space in a renovated 1920s parking garage. For meetings that demand even more room, the Golden Spike Event Center offers 150,000 square feet and includes two indoor arenas, a stadium, two exhibit buildings and more. For groups looking to hit the slopes between sessions, the meeting spaces at Snowbasin Ski Resort or Powder Mountain will do the trick. And for off-site gatherings, lively eatery Union Grill is a goto, as is Copper Nickel, an industrial-chic raw space.

Meeting Hotels

A top hotel for attendees to rest their heads is the Hampton Inn and Suites Ogden, which is located adjacent to the Ogden Eccles Conference Center and just steps away from all the action of Historic 25th Street. Other popular hotels include the Courtyard

by Marriott Ogden, which offers about 3,200 square feet of event space; the historic Bigelow Hotel and Residences, which has 8,600 square feet of space; and the Hilton Garden Inn Ogden, which features over 2,025 square feet of meeting space.

Off-Hours Adventures When meetings are done for the day, Ogden offers a collection of restaurants, bars, shops and galleries. “We have a lot of live music, art, saloons and drinking holes,” said Hartman. “We were that way with the railroad. There were a lot of places for people to get off the train, wet their whistle, have some fun and then get back on. And we’ve kept that legacy.” Active visitors will love Ogden’s 11,600 ski-friendly acres, 210-mile hiking and biking trail, and the Ice Sheet, an arena used during the 2002 Olympic Games.

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d e d l i G s u o r o m a Gl AND

Newport’s Cliff Walk winds its way between the Breakers, a Gilded-Age mansion built by the Vanderbilt family, and the Atlantic Ocean.

By David Gleeson, Photos Courtesy Discover Newport except where noted

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smallmarketmeetings.com

NEWPORT AT A GLANCE

Newport is a Rhode Island masterpiece

E

BY E LIZ A BET H HEY

pitomizing the Gilded Age, Newport, Rhode Island, has been a hotspot for gathering and entertainment for more than a century. It became a fashionable seaside resort in the mid-1800s, when America’s wealthiest families built “summer cottages” there and hosted dazzling social events. That tradition continues today, ranging from presidential weddings to business meetings. Apparent to groups that visit, Newport’s hospitality and variety of diversions remain unsurpassed.

LOCATION: Coastal Rhode Island ACCESS: Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport HOTEL ROOMS: 2,697 CONTACT INFO:

Discover Newport 401-845-8048 discovernewport.org

MEETING SPACES Rosecliff Mansion BUILT: 1902 CAPACITY: Up to 160 for dinner and dancing Fort Adams BUILT: Established as Ft. Adams Trust in 1994, history that dates to the 1700s CAPACITY: Several indoor and outdoor locations can accomodate up to 350 guests.

Newport Vineyards BUILT: 1995 CAPACITY: Up to 150 guests for seated dinner MEETING HOTELS Newport Harbor Island Resort GUEST ROOMS: 257 MEETING SPACE: 39,438 square feet Newport Marriott Hotel and Spa GUEST ROOMS: 320 MEETING SPACE: 24,284 square feet Hotel Viking

GUEST ROOMS: 208 MEETING SPACE: 14,000 square feet

WHO’S MEETING IN NEWPORT Cloudscape Technology Conference hosted by Blue Mantis ATTENDEES: 300 February 2024

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Destination Highlights

AFTER HOURS

Bowen’s Wharf

N

ewport displays American history at every turn. Conveniently located between Boston and New York City, Newport was one of America’s five primary Colonial seaports.

In 1776, the Declaration of Independence was read on the steps of Washington Square’s Old Colony House, the nation’s fourth-oldest statehouse, which is still standing. Along the city’s cobblestone streets, Touro Synagogue dates to Colonial times and is the nation’s oldest synagogue and one of 10 architecturally distinguished buildings of that era. Another landmark, White Horse Tavern, is the nation’s oldest restaurant, serving food and libations for more than 350 years.

Newport’s No. 1 attraction is the three-and-a-half mile Cliff Walk, which runs along the Atlantic, showcasing stunning panoramas and Gilded Age mansions. Visitors can tour several of the homes, including the Breakers, built by the Vanderbilt family; the Elms, modeled after a mid-18th century French chateau; and Routh Point, which was Doris Duke’s private home until 1993 and features elaborate grounds and ocean views.

Outdoor adventures take place on land and water. From teambuilding aboard one of the America’s Cup 12-Meter sailboats to relaxed sunset cruises, water views are spectacular. Attendees can hop on a unique quad bike and pedal the coastal rail trail. Food tours, wine tastings and traditional clambakes showcase regional cuisine.

“Our greatest asset is our location,” said Tim Walsh, vice president of sales for Discover Newport. “For more than a century, visitors have been attracted to Newport because of our beautiful coastline, opulent mansions and water activities in the harbor.”

DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS

“A

The Cliff Walk

By Corey Favino

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After the Meeting

mong the allures of Newport are pre and post days because there’s so much to do,” said Walsh. “In season you can walk right off the street and play on the grass court at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, where the first U.S. Open was held. And as home to the largest fleet of America’s Cup racing yachts, many are available for charter and hold about 14 people. Each person is given an assignment, and attendees can race against their colleagues.”

For beautiful views of the rocky coast, Beavertail State Park provides four overlooks. Attendees can hike or explore the park’s Lighthouse Museum, the third-oldest lighthouse in North America.

Nearby, the 325-acre Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown supports environmental education and contains diverse habitats with seven miles of hiking trails. One popular trail leads to Hanging Rock with ocean panoramas.

Back in town, the International Tennis Hall of Fame display nearly 2,000 tennis-related objects, plus thousands of images, videos and publications. The Newport Car Museum opened in a former missile manufacturing facility in 2017. More than 95 automobiles exemplify 80 years of evolving automotive design, with separate galleries for Ford/Shelbys, Corvettes, muscle cars and more. After exploring the museums, attendees can meander Newport’s cobblestone streets and bustling wharves for souvenirs and treasures such as glasswork, pottery and jewelry to take home.

smallmarketmeetings.com

Major Meeting Spaces

Newport Marriott

MAJOR MEETING SPACES

A

ccording to Walsh, Newport focuses on small meetings hosting five to 500 attendees. Several meeting hotels, a handful of world-class boutique properties and more than 100 inns and bed and breakfasts are available. Noteworthy meeting hotels include the 257-room Newport Harbor Island Resort, which is undergoing an interior renovation to be completed this spring. Located on Goat Island, and a short walk from downtown, it offers the 8,000-square-foot Beacon Ballroom featuring floor-to-ceiling windows framing ocean views; the 4,018-square-foot Rose Island Ballroom with a large deck overlooking Narragansett Bay; and the Pavilion, occupying waterfront lawn space.

Lewis Hall, located just off the ballroom, can accommodate 28 exhibit booths in its 4,500 square feet. The spa, marina, indoor and outdoor pools, bicycles and watersport rentals round out amenities.

Downtown’s 320-room, nautically inspired Newport Marriott Hotel and Spa boasts 17 event rooms totaling 24,284 square feet of flexible space, with the largest space accommodating 840 guests. The soaring atrium can host a cocktail reception, ceremony or dinner. The 7,800-squarefoot Grand Ballroom accommodates up to 500 dinner guests. In addition to having a waterfront restaurant and bar, the property is within walking distance of local dining outlets and shops.

Harkening to the Gilded Age, the 208-room Hotel Viking is on historic Bellevue Avenue. Ten meeting rooms total 14,000 square feet. Unique spaces include the 1859 Kay Chapel, accommodating up to 200 guests.

Walkable to downtown’s dining and shopping, this property offers a spa and seasonal rooftop deck featuring views of Narragansett Bay and Bellevue Avenue while serving signature cocktails, wine and draft beer.

Courtesy Newport Marriott

Hotel Viking

Newport Harbor Island Resort on Goat Island

MAJOR MEETING SPACES

Courtesy Hotel Viking

MAJOR MEETING SPACES

By Corey Favino

February 2024

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Distinctive Venues

DISTINCTIVE VENUES

A fountain at the Elms

DISTINCTIVE VENUES

Rosecliff mansion

A

mong the city’s many elaborate locations, Rosecliff mansion tops the list. Featured in films such as “The Great Gatsby,” “True Lies,” “27 Dresses” and “Amistad,” it is modeled after a baroque pavilion built at Versailles. One historic dinner party here featured magician Harry Houdini. The ballroom accommodates up to 160 for dinner and boasts gilded bronze and crystal chandeliers and a trompe-l’oeil ceiling of painted clouds.

The Marble House, built for Mr. and Mrs. William K. Vanderbilt in 1892, features the largest private ballroom in Newport, a heart-shaped staircase, a colorful Chinese tea house and ocean vistas. Seated dinners in the Gold Room can host 60 guests, while the terrace can accommodate up to 120 guests from May through October. Cocktail receptions can host 250 guests in warmer months and 100 people in winter.

“We host everything from family-style lobster bakes [that can include] horseshoes and volleyball to whiteglove events at our mansions and everything in between,” said Walsh.

Fort Adams, a National Historic Landmark, is undergoing restoration and offers guided tours and teambuilding.

Receptions and traditional clambakes take place indoors and outdoors for 10-350 attendees. The fort is accessible from downtown via driving or water shuttle.

Since 1917, Newport Vineyards’ more than 100 acres have been family owned. In 2012, a multimillion-dollar renovation included an expansion of the 30,000-squarefoot event venue. Large gatherings, galas, private dinners and receptions use on-site event planning and farm-totable catering.

DISTINCTIVE VENUES

The Breakers’ music room

DISTINCTIVE VENUES

By Erin McGinn

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Courtesy PSNC

Newport Vineyards

By Maaike Bernstrom

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newport departures

  It’s time for a

fresh perspective.

It’s time to gather up the team and depart to Newport for a fresh perspective. Let 30,000-foot views become birds eye views.

We promise your horizons will expand – you just need the right viewpoint to see it.

Contact our Destination Experts about our complimentary planning services.

February 2024

DiscoverNewport.org

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guide DIGITAL

’2 4

s g n i t ee

how GROW YOUR M TO

Wondering how to attract more attendees to your meetings? Get tips from meetings experts in our free guide.

Download the free PDF to learn how to market your meetings, increase attendee value and bring more attendees to your next event.

SMALLMARKETMEETINGS.COM/GROW

In this FREE PDF download, you’ll hear insights from industry experts weighing in on:

• Marketing Meetings • Delivering Attendee Value • Post-conference Surveys

'24

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 knowledgeable interpreters at one of our 17 state resort parks for a personalized tour or hike during your visit to discover what makes Kentucky so unforgettable.

Speak to a group sales professional to learn more about Kentucky State Park opportunities: paige.thompson@ky.gov or call 502-892-3343. parks.ky.gov/meetings-weddings #kystateparks

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS

MEET OFF THE

Beaten Path

Discover waterside charm, world-class amenities and easy access on Florida’s Southwest Gulf Coast. Explore superb hotel and venue offerings, including the brand-new Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor. Learn more at PureFloridaMeetings.com.

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NEW IN THE SOUTHEAST

8

GOLF AND SPA

16

ONE OF A KIND

22

GETTING GREENER

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FAMILY FUN

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These new and improved venues hold exciting opportunities for meetings.

Southern resorts offer abundant opportunities to mix business with pleasure.

Meeting planners will find a variety of unique venues throughout the Southeast.

Venues and destinations around the region are investing in sustainability.

A GARDEN PARTY AT CASTLE AND KEY DISTILLERY NEAR LEXINGTON

ON THE COVER

Clockwise from top left: A golf course at Sheraton Flowood Refuge Hotel in Mississippi (courtesy Sheraton Flowood Refuge); a sustainable meeting experience at the Fayetteville Public Library in Arkansas (courtesy Fayetteville Public Library); Lexington’s Central Bank Center (courtesy VisitLEX); Ha Ha Tonka State Park in Lake of the Ozarks (courtesy Lake of the Ozarks CVB)

Meeting attendees bring the family along to these popular destinations.

PUBLISHED FOR

PUBLISHED BY

1425 MARKET BLVD., STE. 530-324 ROSWELL, GA 30076-5624 770-355-4002 SOUTHEASTTOURISM.ORG

PIONEER PUBLISHING, INC. 301 EAST HIGH STREET LEXINGTON, KY 40507 SMALLMARKETMEETINGS.COM

FOR ADVERTISING CALL KYLE ANDERSON AT 859-253-0455

4

Courtesy VisitLEX

CONTENTS

CUSTOM CONTENT

To explore Northwest Arkansas’ surprises, start in Springdale

N

BY VICKIE MITCHELL

orthwest Arkansas is packed with surprises. Vintage railcars carry passengers across trestles and through mountains. In the town where Walmart began, worldclass art hangs in a bold, beautiful museum. At a popular taproom, cider made from local apples proves worthy of national awards. Through the region, a 40-mile paved path for bikers and pedestrians links communities.

Half a million people live in and around four cities: Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale and Fayetteville. The cities stack up north to south, so close together that traveling along I-49 from Bentonville at the top to Fayetteville at the bottom takes only 30 minutes.

A SPRINGDALE SAMPLER

Springdale (pop. 90,000) is the most central, and it is a frequent homebase for meetings at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center, a 61,000-square-foot facility next to the 206-room Holiday Inn Springdale/Fayetteville Area and near some 800 limited-service hotel rooms.

Springdale’s attractions can also serve as off-site venues, including several that are downtown, where revitalization projects are under way and construction will soon start on Springdale’s first downtown hotel, a Hilton Tapestry.

The Arkansas and Missouri Railroad, based in downtown’s train station, offers chartered trips aboard vintage railcars that can last a few hours or all day.

“For a group that wanted to have a board meeting, we set up a long table in a rail-

EXPLORE SPRINGDALE Wesley Oliver 479-927-6413 wesley@chamber.springdale.com Explorespringdale.com

car,” said Wesley Oliver, director of tourism and communications for Springdale’s Chamber of Commerce. “As they met, they watched the scenery roll by.”

Near the train station, the taproom at Black Apple Cider also does private events. Black Apple was recently named the nation’s #4 cidery, and even if groups can’t make it in for a sip, they can arrange a cider delivery.

At downtown’s Shiloh Museum of Ozark History interactive exhibits and memorabilia tell how this region was slowly transformed from the wilderness Native Americans found 15,000 years ago to the economic force it has become since Walmart, Tyson and other major corporations arrived. Those companies have brought in people from all over the world to live and work in Northwest Arkansas.

That diversity is expressed in many ways, including food and music. A good example is a convention’s off-site event at the Apollo on Emma, where a mariachi band played and a Mexican dinner was served. “About half of our population is Hispanic, so we are known for having the best Latin American food in the region,” said Oliver.

MORE TO EXPLORE

Of course, given the region’s compactness, most groups venture beyond Springdale, whether it is for a float trip down the Buffalo River; a bike tour on the Razorback Greenway down to Fayetteville, home of the University of Arkansas; or a dinner at Bentonville’s Crystal Bridges Museum of Art, where guests, surrounded by fine art, can gaze out across still waters and see bridges that magically link the museum’s galleries. It can be a sparkling beginning or end to a stay in this surprising corner of Arkansas.

EDUCATION TAKES CENTER STAGE AT STS EVENTS

BY MAC L ACY

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ATRIUM ON TENTH IN COLUMBIA, MISSOURI, IS A NEW VENUE IN A REPURPOSED 1880S BUILDING. Courtesy Atrium on Tenth

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he Southeast Tourism Society (STS) has earned its reputation as one of the travel industry’s best content generators at its annual meetings, and it oftentimes places its events in smaller destinations across the region. While timely content is typically the driving factor for STS meetings, the organization’s understanding of the value of using smaller destinations is often a consideration for its events as well.

“We do take our content seriously,” said Monica Smith, president and CEO of the organization. “We stay on top of trends that face our members, use research that defines those trends and find speakers that can address them. Our members give us lots of feedback on subject matter that will help them become better at their jobs.”

STS will host its 2024 Domestic Showcase, which promotes group travel to the Southeast, March 20–24 in Little Rock, Arkansas, and will host its signature educational event, Marketing College, June 2–7 in Macon, Georgia. Both receive yearround attention from Smith and her staff.

“Our presenters at Domestic Showcase will address effective branding, marketing strategies, tourism economics and group travel trends,” she said. “These are topics our members have requested for their attendees.”

As for selecting a mid-size city that offers major appeal, she says Little Rock fits the bill.

“It’s been nearly 20 years since Domestic Showcase was in Little Rock, and it’s an exciting time to go back,” she said. “They have

just opened a new fine arts center, have new exhibits at the Clinton Presidential Library, have great new downtown restaurants and are home to Little Rock Central High School, an iconic site for America’s Civil Rights Movement.”

For STS Marketing College, which uses a three-year curriculum to award a TMP (Travel Marketing Professional) designation to its graduates, the organization takes advantage of a campus setting at Macon’s Mercer University. Most students attend the Marketing College on their employers’ dime, and Smith said STS wants to be sure it provides relevant content that will offer a return on the employers’ investment.

“We have to make a business case to many bureau heads for why they should send an employee to Marketing College for a week each summer over three years’ time,” she said. “To do that, we involve many speakers to address topics on sales, research, community engagement, public relations, digital marketing and others. This year, we hope to add an online course for our CMP graduates who want additional training.”

Smith added one thought as a recommendation for meeting planners in their evaluations of potential sites.

“Local culture separates one meeting destination from another,” she said. “Always start with a city’s convention bureau and ask about local culture that delegates would enjoy. That can make the difference between a good meeting and a great one.”

with a capital P. When you come to Baton Rouge, you’ll make the most of every minute – both on and off the clock. Because down in Louisiana, we know how to have a good time and there’s nowhere more “Louisiana” than Baton Rouge - Louisiana’s Capital City.

Plan your stay at VisitBatonRouge.com

NEW SOUTH S in the

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Ongoing development is bringing exciting meeting venues online

BY PAUL A AVE N GL ADYC H

T THE NEW EMBASSY SUITES BY HILTON VIRGINIA BEACH OCEANFRONT RESORT FEATURES SPACIOUS PUBLIC AREAS AND A VARIETY OF MEETING ROOMS.

here’s always a new place to meet in the South.

The post-pandemic years have seen a plethora of new hotels, convention centers, resorts and off-site event venues being built, expanded or renovated in the southeastern United States.

Here are a few that offer plenty of space and amenities for groups, along with fun activities and team building.

Courtesy Embassy Suites by Hilton Virginia Beach

2024 SOUTHEAST TOURISM SOCIETY

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THE ATRIUM ON TENTH

Columbia, Missouri Originally built in 1880 in the heart of Columbia, Missouri, The Atrium on Tenth is situated between three universities. The building itself has gone through many iterations in its long life, including as a car dealership and a funeral home. It was converted to an event space in 2016. Eclipse Catering and Events took over management of the facility in 2022, renovating the bar and upstairs bridal suite.

The classic building features tall ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, exposed brick, gold Chiavari chairs and polished concrete floors. There are three event spaces. The Great Room can host 350 seated for a banquet or 500 for a standing reception. The Lower Atrium mimics the Great Room but has a full bar and can accommodate 125 for a reception or 50 to 60 guests for a sit-down dinner.

The conference room can easily seat 40 people conference-style.

Rental includes tables, chairs and linens in 30 different colors and patterns. For groups that want enhanced sound quality, such as for a wedding or dance, the facility recommends they bring in their own A/V equipment. theatriumontenth.com

WAYNESVILLE INN AND GOLF CLUB

Waynesville, North Carolina Waynesville Inn and Golf Club in Waynesville, North Carolina, got its start in 1926 when famed golf architect Donald Ross chose an old dairy farm as the setting for his Carolina nine golf course. Originally it was named the Waynesville Country Club. The old dairy barn

WAYNESVILLE INN AND GOLF CLUB

Courtesy Waynesville Inn and Golf Club

DOUBLETREE BY HILTON MYRTLE BEACH OCEANFRONT

Courtesy DoubleTree by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront

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COLUMBIA’S ATRIUM ON TENTH

Courtesy Atrium on Tenth

THE EVENT CENTER AT FRANKLIN’S SOUTHALL FARM AND INN

Courtesy Southall Farm and Inn

was turned into a clubhouse with a card room and dance hall. Since then, the property has changed hands a few times and has grown and expanded to include lodging, conference facilities and more golf.

The Raines Company purchased the property in April 2021 and spent two years completely renovating it. It reopened to the public in July 2023. It was rebranded as Waynesville Inn and Golf Club and added to the Tapestry Collection by Hilton.

Situated on 165 acres, the property has 72 guest rooms and three newly constructed four-bedroom cottages. The new owners transformed the 27-hole golf course into an 18-hole, 6,500-yard championship golf course with bent grass tees, fairways and greens.

Waynesville Inn has 9,000 square feet of outdoor event space that can host 300 attendees and 6,000 square feet of indoor event space that includes its two restaurants. waynesvilleinnandgolf.com

DOUBLETREE RESORT BY HILTON MYRTLE BEACH OCEANFRONT RESORT

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina DoubleTree Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Resort is in the midst of a major property-wide renovation that is expected to be completed on May 1. The new resort, which includes Ellie Beach Resort, will be dual branded as a DoubleTree and Tapestry Collection by Hilton.

All of the hotel’s 452 guest rooms have been redesigned, and its three-story, 29,568-square-foot conference center will receive new décor, wall treatments, carpet and paint. The meeting spaces feature floor-to-ceiling windows and offer access to covered balconies that face the water. The three 8,500-square-foot ballrooms can be divided into 19 meeting or breakout spaces and can accommodate 10 to 1,000 guests. The facility has an 8,532-square-foot exhibit hall. There are also several smaller meeting rooms and hospitality suites available.

The 27-acre DoubleTree Resort has a new main building, which houses the lobby, guest registration, restaurants and a food market.

The resort is adding a new infinity pool and cabanas, three large water slides and a splash pad to the Ellie Beach Resort. A 600-foot lazy river will make its debut this fall. Outdoor venues will include firepits, hammocks, an event lawn and outdoor recreation spaces. Both resorts have beachfront locations with access to Springmaid Pier, which offers year-round fishing, seasonal boating and water sports.

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!

cor bink

m ytour ism.co

606-528-886

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SOUTHALL FARM AND INN

Franklin, Tennessee Southall Farm and Inn is a brand-new event venue about 20 minutes outside of Nashville, in the rolling hills of Franklin, Tennessee.

Set on a 325-acre working farm, the 62-room inn has greenhouses on one side and rows of heritage crops, orchards and gardens on the other. There are also 16 cottages available for rent.

Southall has several event and meeting venues on property, including The Orchard, its spacious event center, which features high ceilings, exposed beams and natural light. The facility can host events for up to 250 guests, or it can be divided into classrooms and breakout spaces. There are also two boardrooms for smaller gatherings.

An amphitheater on the shores of Lake Mishkin can accommodate 350 guests, and the Conservatory Terrace is an open-air venue alongside Southall’s greenhouse conservatories and courtyard that is perfect for a welcome reception or cocktail party. It can hold 65 guests under canvas canopies. It also features a lawn with custom Adirondack chairs.

The Jammery is Southall’s preservation kitchen, which can also double as a small meeting venue. Other venues include The Hilltop Pavilion, which overlooks the valley and includes an expansive lawn and a large deck with an outdoor cooking area. The Covered Bridge is located near the lake and can host up to 100 guests for a banquet. southalltn.com

EMBASSY SUITES BY HILTON VIRGINIA BEACH OCEANFRONT RESORT

Virginia Beach, Virginia Built as part of the Cavalier Resort complex, the brand-new Embassy Suites Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort is a short walk from the beach. Opened in February 2023, the property features free made-to-order breakfast every morning at Arbuckle’s Bar and Grill, a complimentary evening reception, a fitness center, and indoor and outdoor swimming pools.

The property is about a 10-minute drive from Ocean Breeze water park and Motor World amusement park. The Virginia Beach Aquarium is four miles away. The hotel has 10,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space and 157 guest rooms.

The Mainsail Ballroom is the property’s largest event space. It can host 150 for a banquet or 300 for a reception. The Mainsail pre-function space can host 150 for a reception. On the property’s second level, there is a smaller meeting room and a boardroom that work well for breakout spaces. For outdoor cocktail receptions or social hours, groups can host events on the pool deck, which can accommodate 200 for a banquet. Arbuckles and Tacos-N-Tequila, an open-air beachfront Mexican cantina, offer group dining experiences.

INFINITE SPACE FOR OPPORTUNITY Meet in Rocket City Home to the world’s largest space museum, “Rocket City” is an iconic destination to host your next event. Featuring impressively sized venues, a diverse culinary scene, and vibrant art & entertainment districts, Huntsville, Alabama, will exceed your expectations.

1-800-Space-4-U | huntsville.org/meetings

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HuntsvilleCVB

VisitHuntsvilleAL

MeetHuntsville

Where connections meet character Sure we’ve got a first-class conference center with over 95,000 square feet of flexible meeting space. We also have one-of-a-kind venues that connect your attendees with Tifton’s unique personality. Whatever you’re looking for we have the space, plus more than 1,300 hotel rooms, over 100

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restaurants, and the perfect location just off I-75 in south Georgia. Let us plan your next event.

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WORK PLAY P and

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Southern golf and spa destinations mix business with pleasure

BY PAUL A AVE N GL ADYC H

T MEETING ATTENDEES CAN ENJOY PAMPERING AT A NUMBER OF HISTORIC AND MODERN SPAS AROUND HOT SPRINGS.

he Southeast’s temperate weather makes it a prime spot for meeting planners who want to include a round of golf or a spa visit in their conference planning. Here are five golf and spa destinations where meeting attendees can soak in natural hot springs, pamper themselves at the spa or play several rounds at championship golf courses.

Courtesy Hot Springs CVB

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AUBURN MARRIOTT OPELIKA RESORT AND SPA AT GRAND NATIONAL

Opelika, Alabama Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort and Spa at Grand National is off the beaten path but close enough to Auburn and Opelika to make it accessible. There are 200 guest rooms and 15,220 square feet of event space, including 13 event rooms and 12 breakout spaces. The largest space can hold 500 guests.

The resort is less than a mile from the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Grand National Golf Club, which was built around Sougahatchee Lake and boasts 54 holes of championship golf. A free shuttle takes visitors to and from the course. Meeting groups that want to set up tournaments can organize them through Grand National.

The Spa at Grand National offers massages, facials, salon services, fitness classes, and men’s and women’s lounges. There is a heated indoor pool and two outdoor pools, one with a splash pad and waterslide. The poolside Splash Bar has live music nightly, and heaters are available for when the winter weather turns colder.

BARNSLEY RESORT

Adairsville, Georgia Tucked away in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northwest Georgia, Barnsley Resort is situated on 3,000 acres. There are 140 guest rooms spread between the 55-room Inn at Barnsley Resort and 39 cottages in an English-inspired pedestrian village.

The 18-hole Jim Fazio golf course at Barnsley spans 378 acres and winds around a lake, forests and gardens. One of the most sought-after golf courses in Georgia, it boasts some of the fastest AUBURN MARRIOTT OPELIKA RESORT

Courtesy Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort & Spa

A HORSEBACK EXCURSION AT BARNSLEY RESORT

Courtesy Barnsley Resort

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THE REFUGE GOLF COURSE AT SHERATON FLOWOOD

Courtesy Sheraton Flowood Refuge Hotel

greens in the Southeast, elevation changes off the tee and a great collection of par-three holes.

The Spa at Barnsley Resort features 10 treatment rooms, a coed lounge, relaxation areas, a steam room and saunas. It offers 50-minute and 80-minute treatments.

The Manor House Ruins make a great backdrop for any event.

The Manor House Pavilion is an outdoor venue adjacent to the ruins for 230 guests. The Georgian Hall features a wood-burning fireplace and space for up to 500. The Tenth Tee is an outdoor space with views of the resort’s golf course and 10-acre pond. barnsleyresort.com

SHERATON FLOWOOD THE REFUGE HOTEL AND CONFERENCE CENTER

Flowood, Mississippi About five miles from Jackson, Mississippi, the Refuge Hotel and Conference Center is near some of the state’s most popular destinations, including the Natchez Trace Parkway, Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and LeFleur’s Bluff State Park.

The hotel has 200 luxury rooms and a 27,584-square-foot conference center with 11 event spaces. The Grand Ballroom is the largest space at 9,780 square feet. It can easily host 810 for a banquet or 1,080 theater-style. The room can be divided into three smaller rooms, and a large prefunction space can accommodate 600 for a reception. The Junior Ballroom can host 430 for a banquet or can be subdivided into four rooms. There are also two smaller meeting spaces.

The Refuge Spa offers massages, facials, nails and body treatments. The Refuge Golf Course was originally designed by Roy Case and was carved from 200 acres of wetlands.

HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK

Hot Springs, Arkansas Hot Springs, Arkansas, is unique in that part of its historic downtown is within the boundaries of Hot Springs National Park. The historic Bathhouse Row is part of the National Park but sits across the street from the city’s charming shops and restaurants. Visitors come from around the world to soak in the area’s thermal spring water.

The oldest structure on Bathhouse Row, built in 1892, was recently remodeled into Hotel Hale, a boutique hotel with soaking tubs in every room. The Buckstaff Bathhouse was built over natural hot springs and has been operating since 1912. Quapaw Bathhouse is a modern spa with historical touches. It has four public thermal pools set at different temperatures.

Hot Springs Country Club is the go-to place for golf. The 18-hole Park Course was built in 1898 and renovated in 2001. The Arlington Course is a challenging 18-hole championship course that was built in 1927 and recently renovated by Master’s Champion Ben Crenshaw.

The Arlington Resort Hotel and Spa is in the heart of the National Park and features nearly 500 guest rooms. The multi-use conference center can host banquets for up to 650 and classroom setups for up to 1,000. hotsprings.org

Meetieng Guid THE RESORT AT GLADE SPRINGS’ COBB COURSE

FINE DINING AT GLADE SPRINGS

Photos courtesy the Resort at Glade Springs

Tour life with the Lowcountry tides.

No Crowds A Quiet Downtown Unique Shopping & Dining On streets where rich history and modern amenities meet, you’ll find plenty of waterfront places and spaces to meet in and savor authentic Lowcountry culture and cuisine.

Ljeffries@beaufortsc.org | 843.525.8526

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THE RESORT AT GLADE SPRINGS

Daniels, West Virginia The 200-room Resort at Glade Springs is in a gated community surrounded by three golf courses. It is also just 10 minutes away from the Grandview overlook at New River Gorge National Park, one of the top attractions in West Virginia.

The resort is considered one of the top full-service conference centers in the state, with more than 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space. The Inn has several large meeting spaces that can accommodate up to 330 for a banquet and up to 425 for a reception.

The Bright Terrace can accommodate 100 for a banquet, and the lawn can host 325 for a reception or 250 for a banquet.

The clubhouse has several meeting rooms that can host between 60 and 80 for a banquet and 110 for a reception. The clubhouse terrace is large enough to host 325 for a reception, and the 2,400-square-foot pavilion can host 200 for a sit-down dinner.

As part of their events, meeting groups can organize a golf outing or tournament on the resort’s championship Cobb Course. Groups can add games at two other on-site golf courses that are run by the local property owner’s association. Breakfast, lunch and dinner can be arranged from any of the resort’s four on-site restaurants. In their free time, attendees can play tennis, go bowling, or enjoy the indoor pool, arcade or escape room. Spa Orange offers a full range of spa and beauty services. The resort also offers excursions to New River Gorge National Park. gladesprings.com

ShelbyKY Has the best of Kentucky.

The smoothest bourbon and the most beautiful horse farms. The tastiest food.

The wildest outdoor adventures and the coziest places to stay. Pair that with our authentic Southern hospitality, and you’ll see why ShelbyKY is recognized as Your Bourbon Destination and the Saddlebred Horse Capital of the World.

In other words, ShelbyKY is everything you love about Kentucky.

High steppin’ Bourbon Sippin’ Shelbyville • Simpsonville • Shelby County, Kentucky

Host your meeting on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® Start planning at visitshelbyky.com and shelbykyvenues.com

RARE REMARKABLE and

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Make an impression at these one-of-a-kind Southern venues

BY CY N TH I A BARN E S

S GROUPS MEETING AT THE NATIONAL CORVETTE MUSEUM IN BOWLING GREEN CAN ENJOY EVENTS SURROUNDED BY BEAUTIFUL HISTORIC VEHICLES.

ome Southern meeting venues are simply unforgettable.

Unique venues make for memorable meetings — the kind that keep attendees coming back year after year. And while conference and banquet rooms have their time and place, a distinctive and unique setting for an after-hours reception or end-of-conference party will make your entire event one to remember.

Here are five special places throughout the Southeast that will excite and delight your meeting’s attendees.

Courtesy National Corvette Museum

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NATIONAL CORVETTE MUSEUM

Bowling Green, Kentucky Seven decades ago, America fell in love with its first sports car, the Chevrolet Corvette. Sleek, speedy and sexy, the “Vette” burst on the scene in 1953 in all its curvy, fiberglass glory and established itself as the American sports car.

The museum dedicated to the Corvette opened in 1994 in Bowling Green, Kentucky, not far from the General Motors’ Bowling Green Assembly Plant, where Corvettes are built.

The museum is also a favorite site for meetings and celebrations.

“Guests have so much fun at our private events,” said Eliza Nicola, senior sales manager of facility rentals. “The Skydome, our own conference center, the Chevrolet Theater — we have so many options, and of course all of these magnificent cars. What we hear time and time again is everybody says they like to book events here because it’s different than your average hotel ballroom. When you walk in, we have Corvette Boulevard, where Corvettes are lined up that people have custom ordered.”

The museum’s conference center has 8,297 square feet of space, as well as a stage, bar and prep kitchen. Other meeting spaces include the Chevrolet Theater, Corvette Boulevard and the Skydome. Planners can choose from full catering and bar options, including the Stingray Grill. Factory tours are also available. corvettemuseum.org

THE GRAMMY MUSEUM

Cleveland, Mississippi Muddy Waters, Elvis Presley and BB King all called Mississippi home. And at a cotton gin four miles outside of Cleveland, Mississippi, Delta bluesmen Robert Johnson, Honeyboy Edwards

A RECEPTION IN THE LOBBY AT THE GRAMMY MUSEUM

Courtesy Grammy Museum

A WEDDING AT THE AMERICAN ROSE CENTER

By Legacy Photography, courtesy American Rose Society

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GEORGE WASHINGTON’S MOUNT VERNON

Courtesy VTC Photos courtesy AR DPHT

A BACKYARD EVENT AT THE BIG HOUSE MUSEUM IN MACON

Courtesy Big House Museum

and Pops Staples created songs that became the foundation of American music. This rich legacy is why the Recording Academy selected Cleveland for the second location of its GRAMMY Museum (the first is in Los Angeles).

Built in 2015, the 28,000-square-foot GRAMMY Museum partners with the institute to give students majoring in music real-world experience in the business side of the music industry.

“Our interactive exhibits are included when you hold an event at the museum, so guests can do their own tours of the permanent collection and current exhibits,” said Brittany McClendon, the museum’s communications and development manager. “We have a classroom, a conference room and a sound stage for presentations.

Groups can hold a lunch or dinner in our large lobby, and we can also arrange things on the front porch.”

The museum has several spaces available for meetings, including its 5,400-square-foot front porch, 2,700-square-foot lobby, a 130-seat theater and a smaller conference room. grammymuseumms.org

THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND MUSEUM AT THE BIG HOUSE

Macon, Georgia Another music-centric venue is the Allman Brothers Band Museum in Macon, Georgia. Although the band is said to have “invented” the genre known as Southern rock in Florida in 1969, the following year found the band decamping to Macon to record at Capricorn Records. In keeping with the communal spirit of the times, much of the band — girlfriends, groupies, roadies and children — moved into an 18-room Tudor Revival home known as “the Big House,” remaining there until 1973.

In 2009, the Allman Brothers Museum at the Big House opened, hosting the largest collection of Allman Brothers memorabilia in the world, including instruments, albums, concert posters and notebooks containing lyrics written by Gregg Allman and Dickey Betts. Many rooms are preserved as they were when the 1900 home on Vineland Avenue served as the nerve center for the group.

The monument to the founders of Southern rock celebrates their legacy and is available for events. Guests can gather on the gracious grounds and enjoy live music at one of rock music’s in-

c a e to l P A

Your Story

Hosting an unforgettable meeting is more than just solid presentation decks. It’s creating connections outside the conference spaces. Bring your team to Oxford, and we’ll bring them together. @VisitOxfordMS

Plan your next event at VisitO xfo rdMS . c o m /Me e t i n g s

Meetieng Guid conic historical locations. The Charles H. Jones Pavilion outside the house can accommodate groups of up to 200. Groups also get access to the museum, although food and beverages must remain outside due to the nature of the exhibits. thebighousemuseum.com

AMERICAN ROSE CENTER

Shreveport, Louisiana Everything (and every event) is coming up roses at the American Rose Center, a gorgeous garden at the national headquarters of the American Rose Society in Shreveport, Louisiana. “We have been at this location in Shreveport for 50 years, so we’re celebrating that 50th anniversary” said Claire Bissell, the society’s executive director. “And last year, we completed a $2 million garden restoration project, which included renovating the gardens and updating our meeting and venue spaces, as well as our ballroom.

With about 20,000 rose bushes of 100 varieties in 65 separate gardens on more than 100 wooded acres, the center is both fragrant and colorful, with an extended bloom season.

“Our large ballroom can accommodate up to about 400 people,” said Bissell. “There’s also a large pavilion on the back of our building where we can open up our glass doors from the indoor ballroom and join that indoor and outdoor space.”

Groups can hold outdoor events for up to 1,500 in the gar-

dens at the Rose Center. Indoors, the Klima Rose Hall can seat 200 guests, and the Beaird Reception Hall can accommodate 150 guests seated. All catering, audiovisual gear and other equipment must be provided by third-party vendors. rose.org

GEORGE WASHINGTON’S MOUNT VERNON

Mount Vernon, Virginia The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association is the oldest national historic preservation organization in the country, and we have them to thank for the preservation of Mount Vernon, the Virginia plantation where Revolutionary War general and first president of the United States George Washington and his wife, Martha, made their home.

The Palladian mansion and 30 outbuildings occupy 500 acres overlooking the Potomac River, about 15 miles from Washington, D.C. The estate has a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces for meetings, parties and other special events. Groups of up to 1,200 can be accommodated on Mount Vernon’s East Lawn, which overlooks the river. The Mount Vernon Inn restaurant is perfect for receptions, and groups of up to 300 can hold events in the Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center, which also offers fascinating exhibits and short films. Another venue option is the Ford Orientation Center, which can accommodate groups of up to 400. mountvernon.org

When you meet in Bowling Green, the Home of Corvette, we’ll help you curate a supercharged experience that’s sure to rev up relationships!

After the day’s sessions at one of several convention and conference centers, offer attendees exhilarating team-building activities at the NCM Motorsports Park or mind-clearing boat tours, yoga and hikes at Lost River Cave.

Learn more and virtually explore our meeting spaces at VisitBGKY.com/Meetings.

CONTACT US TODAY Marissa@VisitBGKY.com | 800.326.7465

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Meet Me in the

e l M idd IN

WHERE THE HEART OF LOUISIANA MEETS THE HEART OF HOSPITALITY. SCAN ME

SCAN HERE TO

VISIT OUR WEBSITE:

Meet me in the middle, where our central location is just one of the reasons to explore everything our area has to offer. From custom itineraries to planning guides and tours, our staff is ready to help you plan an unforgettable experience. Explore historical sites, attend electric events, dine at award-winning restaurants, and see why we’re more than just a great location, we’re at the heart of hospitality.

AlexandriaPinevilleLA.com

N GREEN GROWING and

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The Southeast is making strides in sustainability

BY PAUL A AVE N GL ADYC H

T LEXINGTON’S CENTRAL BANK CENTER, WHICH WAS EXPANDED IN 2022, HAS EARNED LEED CERTIFICATION AND MAINTAINS NUMEROUS SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICES.

he South is making strides toward sustainable hospitality.

From the use of LEED-certified green buildings and renewable energy sources to rooftop gardens, composting and food-rescue plans, meeting venues throughout the region are taking tangible steps to reduce their environmental impact. Here are five sustainability initiatives meeting planners should know about.

Courtesy VisitLEX

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FAYETTEVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY

Fayetteville, Arkansas Fayetteville Public Library has a long history of sustainability. The original Blair Library building was the first registered LEED Green Building in Arkansas. It features solar panels on the roof that generate 6% of the building’s required energy. The glass windows allow in plenty of natural light, and daylight harvest sensors dim the light fixtures.

The library underwent a major expansion in 2021 and now offers eight event and meeting spaces and 21 study rooms. The Event Center has more than 8,000 square feet of space with a theater capacity of 700, banquet capacity of 400 and open capacity of 1,300. The Ziegler Reception Room is located next to the Event Center and pre-function space, and is perfect for smaller meetings or receptions of up to 60 people.

The J.B. and Jonelle Hunt Family Gathering Glade is an outdoor space that features a 200-person amphitheater that can host concerts, movies or forums. A 16-station teaching kitchen is a great space to host culinary courses or demonstrations.

The building’s expansion resulted in a 70% reduction in energy leakage, a 66% improvement in energy usage and a 50% reduction in lighting wattage per square foot. faylib.org

LEX FOR GOOD SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS PROGRAM

Lexington, Kentucky In Lexington, Kentucky, VisitLEX operates the LEX For Good Sustainable Business Program. This initiative keeps track of hotels, restaurants, attractions, and meeting and event venues that are actively pursuing sustainability initiatives and have implemented measures such as energy efficiency, waste management, recycling and native plantings. If these businesses meet certain criteria, they are featured on the VisitLEX website and gain access to training and coaching with Bluegrass Greensource, an environmental education partner.

Meeting planners wanting to host a more sustainable meeting can choose from different venues that are part of the program.

Central Bank Center, which completed a $300 million expansion in 2022, is LEED certified and pays for large event recycling

THE LODGE AT MOUNT MAGAZINE IN ARKANSAS

FAYETTEVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY

Courtesy Fayetteville Public Library

among other efforts. Its catering company is dedicated to using local foods and flavors. The facility features 100,000 square feet of exhibit space, 16 meeting rooms, 11,000 square feet of flexible event space and a 24,300-square-foot ballroom. visitlex.com

AIRLIE HOTEL AND CONFERENCE CENTER

Warrenton, Virginia Warrenton, Virginia’s Airlie Hotel and Conference Center got its start as a three-story Greek Revival mansion in 1899. After the original mansion burned down, it was rebuilt as a two-story manor house in 1924. Airlie House remains on the property and is used as a wedding and event space. The 150-room hotel opened in 2017, along with eight four-room cottages. Airlie can host groups of up to 280 in its 17 meeting spaces.

The largest space is 2,557 square feet and offers views of Lake Stanley and the gardens. The LEED-certified pavilion is shaped like an octagon and features a 360-degree covered veranda for amazing views of the surrounding landscape. A permanent tent next to Swan Lake is a perfect spot to host a barbecue or picnic with a firepit and lawn games.

The property has a legacy of embracing sustainability, from its first organic garden to the founding of Berkshire Farm, a 20-acre facility that harvests 20,000 pounds of produce a year. That produce is served at Airlie’s on-site restaurant, Harry’s, and is shared with the community and local food banks.

The Butterfly Garden, which was dedicated on Earth Day in 1995, features 46 varieties of native plants that are known to attract butterflies. Instead of driving around the property, guests can use bicycles, which reduces emissions. The facility recycles everything from grease to lamps and composts kitchen scraps in its organic garden.

Airlie is also a National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat, with buffer zones around lakes and ponds to keep wildlife safe. airlie.com

GREENVILLE CONVENTION CENTER

AIRLIE CONFERENCE CENTER Courtesy Airlie Conference Center

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Greenville, South Carolina The Greenville Convention Center in South Carolina has embraced sustainability throughout its operations, from using environmentally safe cleaning products that help reduce pollution in area waterways to hand towels that meet EPA standards for post-consumer wastepaper content and biodegradable bathroom tissue that is made from 100% recycled paper.

GATLINBURG TENNESSEE 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.

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GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-522-4700.

M A K E O A K L AW N YOUR MEETING D E S T I N AT I O N

With more than 18,000 sq. ft. of traditional and unique meeting spaces and a seven-story hotel, Oaklawn in Hot Springs, Arkansas is your ideal meetings destination. Our talented hospitality team is here to assist with everything you need, from delectable plated or buffet food choices for breakfast, lunch and dinner to fun, themed decor to customize your event (or, bring in your own decorators — we offer that option, too).

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In the kitchen, all leftover food is donated to local charities and food banks. Food waste is composted locally and turned into a soil amendment to promote sustainable agriculture and landscaping in Greenville and its surrounding communities.

The convention center works with local waste contractors to compact paper and cardboard products and divert recyclables. It also conserves energy by implementing dark days and upgrading to energy-efficient vacuum cleaners, washing machines and dryers.

With 280,000 square feet of exhibit and event space, the convention center can accommodate groups up to 25,000. meetgcc.com

PROXIMITY HOTEL

Greensboro, North Carolina Proximity Hotel in Greensboro, North Carolina, is a LEED Platinum hotel that was designed and constructed using guidelines of the LEED Green Building Rating System. It uses 39% less energy than a conventional hotel by using efficient materials and the latest construction technology.

One hundred solar panels cover the rooftop to heat water, and geothermal energy is used to power the restaurant’s refrigeration equipment, which saves water.

Proximity reduced its water usage by 33% — saving 2 million gallons of water the first year — by installing high-efficiency Kohler plumbing fixtures. Regional vendors and artists provided materials to reduce transportation and packaging, and the hotel uses low-emitting VOC paints, adhesives and carpets to reduce indoor air contamination.

The hotel has 7,300 square feet of meeting space and 147 guest rooms, including 10 suites. The Weaver Room is the largest event space, featuring 12-foot ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows. proximityhotel.com GREENVILLE CONVENTION CENTER

Courtesy Greenville Convention Center

When It Comes To Meetings & Conventions,

Our Stage is Bigger Than Ever.

There are venues, attractions, and experiences that are uniquely Columbus, Georgia that will create a big experience for your conference attendees. Where else can you find four distinctly different Meeting Districts, some of the hippest hotels in Georgia, and the longest urban whitewater course in the world? From our riverfront Convention Center to truly original off-site venues, meeting spaces in Columbus are authentic and customizable.

Intrigued? Contact us to get started.

Go All Out

FUN FUNCTIONAL and

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Bring the family for meetings in these popular Southern destinations

BY CY N TH I A BARN E S

V WINTERTIME MEETINGS CAN DOUBLE AS EXCITING FAMILY OUTINGS AT WEST VIRGINIA’S SNOWSHOE MOUNTAIN RESORT.

eteran meeting planners know the secret to boosting their conference attendance: Hold the event in one of the South’s premier family vacation destinations.

Busy professionals love mixing business and pleasure by bringing their families to their conferences. And in destinations that cater to visitors of all ages, meeting planners find a combination of exciting attractions and useful venues that make family-friendly events a breeze.

Here are five meeting destinations in the Southeast that are also famous for family fun.

Courtesy Snowshoe Mountain Resort

2024 SOUTHEAST TOURISM SOCIETY

Meetieng Guid

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Meetieng Guid

SNOWSHOE, WEST VIRGINIA

HA HA TONKA STATE PARK NEAR LAKE OF THE OZARKS

Courtesy Lake of the Ozarks CVB

TANGIPAHOA PARISH’S GLOBAL WILDLIFE CENTER

Skiing may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of West Virginia, but think again. Snowshoe Mountain is the largest ski resort in the mid-Atlantic and offers all-season fun for visitors of every age. But what it doesn’t offer may be the biggest draw of all. Located in the National Radio Quiet Zone, there’s little or no cell service.

“One thing that I hear from a lot of families when they come visit us is ‘the kids didn’t have cell phone service, so we talked and interacted and played board games,’” said marketing director Shawn Cassell. “I like to say, ‘disconnect to reconnect,’ and that really does happen here.”

The resort is situated at the top of the mountain (almost 5,000 feet above sea level), which makes for spectacular sunrises and sunsets. Meeting attendees can relax in a hammock alongside Shaver Lake, take a scenic ride on the chairlift or play a round at the resort’s 18-hole PGA Championship golf course.

Snowshoe Mountain has over 40,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, including the 15,000-square-foot Expo Center. snowshoemtn.com

TANGIPAHOA PARISH, LOUISIANA

Courtesy Tangi Tourism

T h i s

i s

y o u r

Conveniently located between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Tangipahoa Parish is the self-proclaimed “Strawberry Capital of the World,” with half a million visitors descending each April for the town of Ponchatoula’s Strawberry Festival. The entire parish is a sweet place for families to explore.

i n s p i r a t i o n .

A C R E ,

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Meet the coolest college town in the South. And his hip older sister. aotourism.com

A U B U R N

Emily Matise, director of sales for Tangi Tourism, says that visitors must not miss a trip to the Global Wildlife Center. The 900-acre preserve is home to about a thousand animals.

“It’s nothing like a zoo,” said Matise. “The entire 900 acres is fenced in. You take a wagon or a jeep tour, and then you’re hand-feeding giraffes and zebras and camels and bison. It’s all about conservation and education, and everyone loves it.

The Grand Ballroom at the Student Union at Southeastern Louisiana State University serves as the parish’s convention center and accommodates up to 1,000 people for lectures and 700 for seated banquets.

Holiday Inn is the largest convention hotel, accommodating groups up to 125. tangitourism.com

LET’S MEET IN THE

MI DDLE

LAKE OF THE OZARKS, MISSOURI

Every year, 5 million people visit Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks, which has a surface area of almost 55,000 acres and laps against more than 1,000 miles of shoreline.

Missouri is known for its caves, and Bridal Cave is a family-friendly adventure for all ages. One-hour guided tours showcase the fascinating geologic history of the cave. On the surface, Thunder Mountain Park has an observation tower, nature trails, picnic areas, and a rock and mineral shop.

There are six conference hotels in the region, with 1,439 guest rooms, 82 meeting rooms and more than 200,000 square feet of meeting space.

FAMILY FUN IN PIGEON FORGE

View our meeting planner guide!

Courtesy Pigeon Forge Dept. of Tourism

318.255.2031 1.800.392.9032 experienceruston.com

2024 SOUTHEAST TOURISM SOCIETY

Meetieng Guid

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Meetieng Guid AN INTERIOR VESTIBULE Margaritaville Lake Resort Lake of the Ozarks (formerly Tan-Tar-A) ATspace.

THE KIMPTON has 560 guest rooms and 76,700 square feet of versatile The Lodge of Four Seasons has 352 guest rooms and 22 meeting rooms. funlake.com

GULF SHORES AND ORANGE BEACH, ALABAMA

Famed for their beaches, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama, are attractive destinations for anyone who loves the water.

“We are such a family-friendly destination in general,” said Michelle Russ, vice president of sales, sports and events for Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism. “Meeting attendees can have their meeting, and there’s plenty for families to do — everything from going to the beach or doing dolphin cruises to exploring 6,500 acres of Gulf State Park.”

Entertainment abounds at the Wharf in Orange Beach, a pet-friendly district that has a 10,000-seat amphitheater, tons of shops and restaurants, a Ferris wheel and a nightly laser light show.

“Even our restaurants are family friendly and fun,” said Russ. “In addition to great food, Lulu’s has two rope courses and a beach arcade, and The Hangout has bubble parties. There’s always something to do.”

The Perdido Beach Resort offers 344 guest rooms, as well as 44,000 square feet of flexible indoor/outdoor meeting space and banquet facilities. The Lodge at Gulf State Park has 350 guest rooms and 40,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor event space. The Orange Beach Event Center at The Wharf has 18,000 square feet of flexible meeting space. gulfshores.com

PIGEON FORGE, TENNESSEE

A Smoky Mountain hamlet known as the home of Dollywood — singer/songwriter Dolly Parton’s sprawling resort, spa, amusement and water park — Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, also the gateway to Smoky Mountains National Park. Admission-free, it’s the most-visited national park in the nation, welcoming more than 12 million guests each year.

“I tell people all the time, there’s something in Pigeon Forge to do from the age of 3 to 103,” said Leon Downey, the executive director of the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism. “Our only industry is tourism, so family vacations are what we’re all about and have been for 60 years.”

Among those things are the 160-acre Dollywood Theme Park, Splash Country, snow sports, a 407-foot observation tower and 2.1mile aerial cable car in nearby Gatlinburg, and underground caverns and museums in Sevierville.

Groups from 1,500 to 12,000 can attend events in the LeConte Center, which has a 100,500-square-foot, clear-span exhibit space with up to 17 separate breakout rooms.

Riverstone Resort has 130 guest rooms and four meeting rooms, with 3,600 square feet of exhibit space, 350 capacity for theater and 250 for seated banquets. Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa can accommodate seated banquets of 140 and theater seating of 170.

It has nine meeting rooms and more than 300 guest rooms. pigeonforgemeeting.com

Meetings here are never boring.

HUNDREDS OF ATTRACTIONS MOUNTAIN VIEWS EASY PARKING FLEXIBLE MEETING SPACES

PigeonForgeMeeting.com

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info@LeConteCenter.com

Meet us in paradise

Fill your next meeting or conference with marvelous memories. We’ll

GULF SHORES & ORANGE BEACH TOURISM Alabama’s White-Sand Beaches

elevate your event with Gulf breezes, Southern hospitality, fabulous food, awesome attractions, and—of course—white-sand beaches.

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