Small Market Meetings June 2022

DELIVERING EXHIBITOR VALUE | DES MOINES, IOWA | DAYTONA’S OCEAN CENTER JUNE 2022

CONVENTION CENTER

s e d a r g Up

MOUNT MAGAZINE STATE PARK

G N I T E E M R M A K E YO U

C I T S E J MA

MO UNT MAGAZI NE STATE PAR K

TE PAR K QUE EN WIL HEL MIN A STA

P E T IT J

Pick up your FREE PASSPORT at the nearest state park today.

Take your meeting to new heights at one of our six Arkansas State Park lodges. Offering first-class accommodations in the most scenic parts of our state, your private event or corporate retreat will truly feel like vacation.

Discover the possibilities at LodgesofArkansas.com

E A N STA T E PA R K

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

Are you ready to get connected?

ON THE COVER: The Oklahoma City Convention Center unveiled a spectacular renovation in December 2020. Photo courtesy OKC Convention Center.

INSIDE VOLUME 23 | ISSUE 6

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MANAGING Delivering Exhibitor Value

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IDEAS Updated Convention Centers

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Courtesy Central Bank Center

CITY Des Moines, Iowa

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TOWN Casper, Wyoming

D E PA R T M E N T S

6 INSIGHTS Music at Meetings

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8 CONFERENCE 12 PROFILE Small Market Kathryn Meetings Summit Coverage

MEETING GUIDE Ohio

West

SMALL MARKET MEETINGS is published monthly by Pioneer Publishing, Inc., 301 E. High St., Lexington, KY 40507, and is distributed free of charge to qualified meeting planners who plan meetings in small and medium size towns and cities. All other meeting industry suppliers may subscribe by sending a check for $39 for one year to: Small Market Meetings, Circulation Department, 301 East High St., Lexington, KY 40507. Phone (866) 356-5128 (toll-free) or (859) 253-0503. Fax: (859) 253-0499. Copyright SMALL MARKET MEETINGS, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of editorial or graphic content in any manner without the written consent of the publisher is prohibited.

TO ADVERTISE CALL KYLE ANDERSON 866-356-5128

kyle@smallmarketmeetings.com

Mac T. Lacy Publisher/Partner

Brian Jewell VP & Managing Editor

Kelly Tyner VP, Sales & Marketing

Donia Simmons Creative Director

Herbert Sparrow Executive Editor/Partner

Ashley Ricks Graphic Designer

Kyle Anderson Director, Advertising Sales

Rena Baer Proofreader

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Sarah Sechrist Controller/Office Manager

Puzzled Where To Meet?

(We’ll give you a hint: Kearney.)

Kearney, where the Heartland gathers.

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

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

WheretheHear tlandGathers.com

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INSIGHTS WITH VICKIE MITCHELL

STRIKE THE RIGHT CHORD

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t a meeting, music can be much more than background noise. It can energize tired travelers, inspire fresh thoughts and ideas, cement friendships among previous strangers, create memories and soothe tired travelers.

Local music can give people a greater appreciation for a place and its people. By tapping into local talent, meeting destinations help meeting planners find the right music for the occasion. Here are a few examples of how convention and visitors bureaus have helped make music part of meetings and events.

Add music to your meetings

School bands roll in Little Rock Fifes and Drums add a Colonial kick

During the Revolutionary War, the shrill trill of a fife and steady beat of a drum were more than music. Fife and drum corps’ tunes telegraphed essential battle information to troops as far as a mile away. Colonial Williamsburg’s Fifes and Drums, which was created almost 65 years ago, can be booked to add a Colonial kick to any meeting or event. As they play authentic 18th century melodies, teenage boys and girls march in red waistcoats, tan knickers, white knee socks, buckled black shoes and navy tricorn hats. Many who have played with the Fifes and Drums returned several years ago for a 50-year reunion. “When we marched down Duke of Gloucester Street, every window rattled and we shook the whole town,” said one of the alums. visitwilliamsburg.com

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Remember the days when arriving at the airport was a big deal?

Friends and family, waiting and waving, thrilled to see you? The Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau brought back the excitement of arrival a few years ago during National Travel and Tourism Week. It recruited the Mabelvale Elementary 2 Cold Drum Line to play as tourism industry reps welcomed arriving passengers at the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport. It’s an idea that could be duplicated for arriving convention goers. The CVB and state tourism department also put another school band in the spotlight a few years back during a Travel South conference event at the Clinton Presidential Library. The energetic Little Rock Central High School marching band greeted arrivals. It was a reminder of the continued vitality of the historic high school, where the nine Black students who became known as the Little Rock Nine integrated the school in 1957, propelling the civil rights movement forward. littlerock.com

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Soothing sounds bathe spirits in Asheville

In Asheville, where it’s always easy to find yoga and granola, a 45-minute session of sound healing is a New Age way to start or end a day of meetings. Billy Zansky, owner of Skinny Beats Drum Shop, is the maestro who weaves together the soothing sounds of crystal bowls, gongs, harps and other instruments to create a soundscape that calms the mind and boosts the spirit. He can do sessions for up to 30 people at his shop or on site. Practitioners say the meditative melodies ease anxiety, depression, stress and even pain. Or, for a more rousing rhythmic experience, the Asheville CVB can help plan a gathering at one of the city’s many live music venues, including its best known, the Orange Peel. Legends including the Black Keys and Bob Dylan have played there. Although it can handle more than 1,000 people, the venue still manages to feel like an intimate performance space. exploreasheville.com

In Macon and Branson, music tops the charts

Music is front and center in Macon, Georgia, and Branson, Missouri. Macon birthed Capricorn Records, the Allman Brothers Band, Little Richard and Otis Redding, and its musical prowess hasn’t dimmed. The city has a wealth of bands and cool stages for performances. For example, when the Southeast Tourism Society’s Marketing College came to town, the Macon CVB brought in bands to play for the group outdoors at iconic sites, including the Allman Brothers Band Museum at the Big House and Society Garden, a chill beer garden. Meanwhile, Branson's more than three dozen musical theaters give planners a plethora of stars and future stars to pick from for event entertainment. The CVB there has helped groups book former American Idol contestants to sing the National Anthem for convention openings. Among the possibilities: Luke Menard (Season 7) and Ellen Peterson of Petersen's Family Bluegrass Band (Season 17). Or, from America’s Got Talent, the Texas Tenors and the Duttons. maconga.org explorebranson.com

June 2022

Local connections strike the right chord

Having connections to the community constantly pays off for the Hampton, Virginia, CVB. In 2019, it worked with the city, the National Park Service and a special commission to plan music performances for a four-day event that celebrated the 400th anniversary of the first landing of Africans in English North America. The CVB booked university, high school and church choirs, including the 60-person choir from the city's oldest church. The bureau keeps handy a list of 20 or so DJs and local musical talents. But it can easily go beyond the list, reaching out to local contacts for other options when a meeting planner needs specialized music. For instance, the Association of African American Museums, which held its annual conference in Hampton in 2018, wanted a blues band to play at one of its evening events. The CVB suggested local band Bobby Blackhat, which the crowd loved. hamptoncvb.com 7

SMALL MARKET

MEETINGS SUMMIT

MEETING PLANNERS BOOK BUSINESS IN

h t r o W Fort

T

BY MAC LACY

he 2022 Small Market Meetings Summit drew more than 60 buyers and sellers to Fort Worth, Texas, May 2–3, for a full day of sales appointments, a stellar evening event at the Marriott Champion’s Circle’s Paddock venue and motivational wizardry from mentalist Daniel Jaspersen. The summit is a brief, pod-based sales conference that allows participants to arrive one day and leave the next with qualified sales leads.

“Visit Fort Worth understands the meetings business,” said summit partner Charlie Presley of the Group Travel Family.

“Meetings are about hospitality, service and great venues, and Fort Worth has all those bases covered. They made our delegates happy during the summit.”

The entire meeting took place at the Marriott, which also features an 18-hole golf course and an adjacent Big Shot driving range venue.

Two dozen planners from across the country attended, and their clients ranged from national education associations to health care companies and technology corporations.

“We speak with every planner personally before they are allowed to come,” Presley said. “Our first questions are, ‘Do you want to come see Fort Worth and do you have delegations that would come to Fort Worth?’ We only have 25 meeting planner slots, and each one is important to a host city.”

Primary sponsors at the event in addition to Visit Fort Worth, Marriott Champion’s Circle, and the Paddock at Champion’s Circle included Experience Minnesota’s Rochester; the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration; Visit Cheyenne; Visit Henderson, Nevada; and Visit Panama City Beach.

The evening event at The Paddock was a western affair highlighted by the venue’s rustic indoor/outdoor ambience, live music, and authentic food and beverage selections. Two local cocktails, the Texas Twister and the Jameson Orange Mule, were offered. Visit Fort Worth CEO Bob Jameson attended to personally welcome the summit delegates to his destination.

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Photos by Mac Lacy

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

“Meetings are about hospitality, service and great venues, and Fort Worth has all those bases covered.”

June 2022

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SMALL MARKET

MEETINGS SUMMIT

HERE'S WHAT DELEGATES HAD TO SAY: “We’ll have 500–600 attendees on our peak night in June at the Diplomat Hotel in Hollywood, Florida.

A highlight of this group is that our attendees bring high-school-aged guests and mentor them.”

“Panama City Beach might work for us. Our events are held over weekends and draw 16–20 teams that each bring 60 or so people including players’ families. One event can bring in 1,000 people for the weekend.”

— Kevin Patterson, 100 Black Men of America Charlotte, North Carolina

— Luis Figueroa, International Slow Pitch Association Miami

“Some of my largest clients are in the biotech industry.

I plan meetings for their advisory boards, which are 25– 30 attendees, their clinical meetings that have 150–175 attendees, their two- or three-day training programs for maybe 250 and their national meeting for up to 800.

I use second- and third-tier cities quite often.”

— Rosa McArthur, Meeting Planners Plus Costa Mesa, California

“I plan for the National Alternative Education Association. Our annual conference moves around the country. We also have nine regions that have their own meetings, and I plan workshops, summits and other events for them.”

— Jacquelyn Whitt, Inteletravel Smyrna, Georgia

“We hosted the Small Market Meetings Conference last September, and I wanted to be here to follow up.

We are what everyone expects when they want an Old West experience, and I want these planners to come to Cheyenne.”

— Jim Walter, Visit Cheyenne

“We’re a great alternative to staying in Las Vegas for meetings. We’re half an hour or so away. We have resorts for every budget, and we have 350,000 feet of meeting space. We’re perfect for a lot of these planners.”

— Ed Kirby, Visit Henderson, Nevada

“We were the site for last year’s first Small Market Meetings Summit, and I recognize some faces here.

That meeting was held at the Sheraton Panama City Beach Golf and Spa Resort, and we also have great facilities at the Edgewater Resort and our new Springhill Suites on the beach.”

— Ashley Bradshaw, Visit Panama City Beach

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www.smallmarketmeetings.com

June 2022

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“It’s a lot of fun to plan meetings for small groups at high-end resorts — I have always enjoyed doing that. Over the years I’ve met so many people who have become lifelong friends.”

MEETING LEADERS KATHRYN WEST

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BY REBECCA TREON

rowing up outside of Atlanta, Kathryn West saw how her father entertained frequently for work, hosting lavish dinners and parties for clients while unknowingly preparing Kathryn for a career in hospitality. By the time she got to college, cooking and arranging the details of celebrations for a crowd became second nature — so she started a catering company.

“People who had been to my family’s parties started asking me if I would cater their events,” said West. “I had always loved to cook, so I started my own catering business while I was in school to earn some extra money.”

After college, West joined her brother and father in the family business for 12 years, selling items like caps, gowns and other graduation essentials. When she married and had children, she noticed that local businesses in the Johns Creek, Georgia, area were hosting meetings but were having trouble finding a catering company. She created Cold Calls Catering, stepping once again into her own catering business.

When her kids were in middle school, she also went to work as an administrative assistant to the vice president of the country’s largest home health and hospice care company, Gentiva Health Services. Yet again, West’s natural knack for hospitality made her stand out.

“I saw how meetings were being booked, and I knew there was a better, more efficient way to do business, but I needed to take my ideas to the top,” said West. “As luck would have it, the board met every month, but the CEO hated catered lunches, and I convinced my friend to let me cook for him. Soon after that, I was called to the boardroom, and from there we developed a friendship.”

West eventually proposed her plan on

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how to take the company’s scattered meeting planning process — which involved planners, hotels, caterers and others who weren’t company employees — and move it in-house, creating a new role for herself in the process. As director of meetings and events, she planned more than 400 annual events nationwide for the company’s 86,000 employees.

She also used brand loyalty rewards to pay it forward, for example, in the instance where a nurse’s home was destroyed in a fire, or if they needed to stay closer to a hospital where a loved one was receiving care, they were able to put the nurses up in a hotel using points. She didn’t save the goodies only for those in need, though.

“It’s important to reward someone in a way that they feel valued, and one of my favorite things was being able to upgrade someone who had shown a lot of commitment or who was the most productive,” said West. “Sometimes we were able to send people to a resort for a vacation.”

When the company was acquired in 2013 and many of the departments were restructured, West and the majority of the C-Suite staff were laid off. Not to be discouraged, West formed her own company, Bravura.

Now, she organizes smaller meetings for C-suite clients at luxury resorts.

One of the things West takes the most pride in is keeping track of the details that matter most to meeting attendees. Her attention to detail has made her successful, and she traces that instinct back to her childhood, where hosting perfect parties was something that happened often.

“It’s a lot of fun to plan meetings for small groups at high-end resorts — I have always enjoyed doing that,” said West. “Over the years I’ve met so many people who have become lifelong friends.”

EXECUTIVE PROFILE NAME Kathryn West TITLE President ORGANIZATION Bravura LOCATION Indianapolis BIRTHPLACE Johns Creek, Georgia EDUCATION Certified Destination Management Executive CAREER HISTORY • Kathryn’s Catering: 1975-1978 • Herff Jones/Jim Wampler & Associates: 1976-1990 • Cold Calls Catering: 1989-2013 • Gentiva Home Health & Hospice: 2005-2013 • Bravura: 2013 to present

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

TIPS FROM

KATHRYN WEST • CVBs are your best contacts — use them!

• Negotiate respectfully. Your hotel sales manager needs to look good to his or her boss, and you need to look good to your boss or client. Play fair.

If you negotiate with this in mind, you will both be winners.

WITH A BACKGROUND IN CATERING, KATHRYN WEST ENJOYS SEEING HISTORIC KITCHENS WHEN SHE VISITS HOME MUSEUMS.

• Show you care. Keep a database on both clients and vendors that includes birthdays, spouse and children's names (even pets) and favorite beverages, snacks and movies. Make those personal connections, because friends prefer to do business with friends.

APPLY TODAY

TO ATTEND THE MYRTLE BEACH FAM!

MYRTLE BEACH NOVEMBER 8-11 Known for its resorts, golf courses, dynamic attractions and 60 miles of coastline, the Myrtle Beach area is an ideal destination that increases meeting attendance. You can discover the city’s charm and event venues when you join the staff of Small Market Meetings in Myrtle Beach in November.

Registration closes September 1. Register online at smallmarketmeetings.com/myrtle-beach-fam

June 2022

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MANAGING

Delivering Exhibitor Value EXPERTS SHARE INSIGHTS ON KEEPING EVENT EXHIBITORS ENGAGED

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BY RACHEL CRICK

hether there’s a handful at a conference or hundreds in a trade show, exhibit booths add value to any event. They provide revenue for the host organization, as well as networking and learning opportunities for attendees.

These booths are an investment for everyone, and exhibitors frequently spare no expense to make their booths competitive and memorable. That’s why it’s important for exhibitors to feel like they got their money’s worth.

Here are some strategies from experts to ensure they’re delivering the most value to their exhibitors at any conference, expo or trade show.

“The best thing as an organizer we can do is make sure we get the best possible attendees at the event.”

COORDINATE WITH THE EXHIBITORS Upfront, clear communication is critical to every part of an event’s planning and execution.

When dealing with exhibitors, it’s often overlooked but no less important.

Organizers should begin by having a conversation with their exhibitors to establish expectations for the event on both sides.

“One of the biggest ways planners can maximize the value they offer to their exhibitors is by listening,” said Robyn Davis, trade show trainer/ consultant and owner of Exhibitors WINH, which specializes in providing training to exhibitors for trade shows. “Knowing why exhibitors participate in their show can help planners identify the right opportunities and resources for them.”

Strong communication between exhibitors and organizers can also help organizers decide what to include in exhibition deals to best meet the needs and goals of both parties rather than just tacking on items offered by other shows.

Standard packages may include the space itself, registration and opportunities for increasing visibility or marketing exposure, but the exhibitor may have other needs the organizer can meet if the conversation is started. These can include logistical items, such as necessary equipment, as well as strategic contributions, such as providing training to the exhibitors.

Whether it's facilitated by a trainer/consultant like Davis or by the event organizer, Davis said, “It's really in the organizer's best interest to help exhibitors be more successful, and training is just one of the easiest ways for them to do that.”

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David Audrain CEO

SISO and ExpoDevCo Experience: 28+ years

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

“You really need to ask the exhibitors ‘what were your expectations; why are you participating; how can we support your business better?’”

Robyn Davis

Effective training is a byproduct of communication and collaboration between organizers and exhibitors. It can help exhibitors maximize their time, deliver their messages effectively, manage their expectations and meet their goals, and that’s one of the best ways to make sure they feel their investment in an event was worthwhile.

INVITE THE APPROPRIATE ATTENDEES Exhibitors often have different goals at different events. At trade shows and expos, the main focus of the booths may be related to commerce and promoting one’s products and services. At a conference, the goal of the exhibitors may be to educate, network or gain exposure for their business.

Regardless of the goal, the best way for organizers to ensure it’s met is to provide exhibitors with the right audience.

“If you want to make sure an exhibitor is going to get the best possible return on investment from your event, you need to make sure they are at the right event, that the buyers you’re going to bring are the ones they’re going to want to meet,” said David Audrain, CEO of ExpoDevCo and the Society of Independent Show Organizers. “It’s basic matchmaking at the end of the day.”

In other words, organizers should invite the appropriate people to attend. For example, a trade show featuring construction equipment will be relevant to those in that industry, so it would be helpful to invite developers, contractors, architects and engineers to the show.

“You have to attract people who are going to be interested in your exhibitor’s products and services,” said Warwick Davies, principal at the Event Mechanic, a company specializing in event assistance, management and production.

The presence of exhibitors should be one of the main factors organizers consider when designing a marketing strategy for their event. They should target attendees that will be a good fit for the exhibitors to ensure exhibitor satisfaction.

TRADE SHOW TRAINER/CONSULTANT Exhibitors WINH Experience: 13 years

June 2022

STRUCTURE AN EVENT AROUND EXHIBITORS When it comes to event design, there are some strategies organizers can use to make sure exhibitors are getting a good return on investment; often, this means encouraging attendee traffic to

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MANAGING

the exhibit hall. This is especially important in conferences or other events where the exhibit booths may not be the event’s main attraction, as opposed to a trade show or an expo, where people attend specifically to interact with exhibitors.

“Increasing traffic to the exhibit hall should be a team effort,” said Davis.

The first way is to work the exhibits into your event’s schedule, rather than just allowing attendees to interact with exhibitors on their own time.

“If you have sessions going on, you should have what I call dedicated hours,” said Davies. This means time slots where attendees have nothing to do except check out the exhibit hall. This ensures they have adequate time to view the booths and that exhibitors aren’t competing with other programing to make an impression.

Another factor is the exhibit hall itself. Organizers should make sure it’s in a convenient, attractive location that attendees will encounter and want to spend time in. Other ways to draw in attendees include food, alcohol and compelling activities, such as demos or videos, according to Davies.

It’s also a good idea for organizers to consider where an exhibit hall is located compared with their other programing; if it’s too far removed from the main sessions, it may be overlooked by attendees.

PUT MEANING

“One of the biggest ways planners can maximize the value they offer to their exhibitors is by listening. Knowing why exhibitors participate in their show can help planners identify the right opportunities and resources for them.”

— Robyn Davis, Exhibitors WINH

Travel with Purpose Across North America.

As travelers, we all want rich, authentic, and meaningful travel experiences. As travel professionals, we want to ensure we use travel as a force for good. Through the

ON THE MAP.

Meaningful Travel Map of North America, visitors can connect to locally owned social and environmental impact experiences and opportunities, unique and hands-on cultural experiences, products, and services.

www.meaningfultravelplatform.org/main/map Pictured: Dive with the Coral Restoration Foundation, as they replant and restore coral reefs in the Florida Keys.

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www.smallmarketmeetings.com

DiscoverAvondale.com

VISITOR & CONFERENCE CENTER

CONNECTIONS

11490 W. Civic Center Drive Avondale, AZ 85323

Modern and sleek, Avondale’s new Conference Center has plenty of natural light, AV equipment, and a warming kitchen. Plan your perfect event just the way you want it. Conveniently located close to more than 500 hotel rooms, several delicious dining options, and a variety of sports and entertainment venues.

BUILDING AMENITIES ` 2,331 Square Feet ` 1181 Square Feet (North Room) ` 1150 Square Feet (South Room) ` Warming Kitchen ` 40 Rectangle Tables ` 180 Chairs (for inside use only) ` Outdoor Rental Space

June 2022

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For more information, contact us at: 623-333-1417 or DiscoverAvondale@avondaleaz.gov

“You should make sure the exhibits are part of the program and not just something that happens somewhere else,” said Davies.

If there’s a prominent session that’s expected to attract a lot of attendees, such as a keynote speaker, having the exhibit hall located nearby increases the chances of attendees interacting with exhibitors. Another option is to place the exhibit hall near a space where attendees spend downtime.

“They've got to eat; they've got to drink; they've got to take a break; and we structure all those around the exhibit floor so they get quality time with our sponsors,” said Audrain.

PROVIDE RELIABLE DATA Planners and suppliers record plenty of data before, during and after an event for research and marketing purposes. This may include everything from attendee demographics to the number of leads scanned during the event.

Some of the most important data to provide exhibitors with up front is the information they need to familiarize themselves with their audience, such as the attendee ages or their professions. This allows each exhibitor to best tailor their message to the audience and, therefore, increases their chances of success.

Warwick Davies PRINCIPAL

The Event Mechanic Experience: 25+ years

“It's useful for the organizer and the exhibitor to have a full discussion about what the goals of the exhibitor are.”

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www.smallmarketmeetings.com

The Brookfield Conference Center: Ready for Your Next Event!

Signature Food and Beverage

Fast Facts: • 40,000+ total sq ft of flexible meeting and event space • 18,000 sq ft. Connect Ballroom • 6,000 sq ft Collaborate Ballroom • 8,000 sq ft Celebration Atrium • 9,000 sq ft Celebration Plaza • On-site catering & beverage service Ideal Location • In-house chef • Complimentary surface parking • Attached Hilton Garden Inn • Convenient access from I-94

Flexible Function Space

Marquette Iron River

Minneapolis Wausau

Green Bay

Rochester

From small meetings to galas, the Brookfield Conference Center provides the perfect backdrop for any corporate or social function. Featuring modular ballrooms, elegant pre and post function space, and an experienced staff to make sure every event is a success.

Appleton

Dubuque

Madison

Milwaukee

General Mitchell Field

BROOKFIELD

Kenosha

Des Moines

Rockford

Chicago

Ideal Location

(262) 789-0220 • www.brookfieldconferencecenter.com

Grand

MANAGING

“If organizers would share their attendee statistics with exhibitors like they do for sponsors and media, exhibitors could set better expectations and prepare better too,” said Davis.

In addition to providing attendee specifics before the show, organizers have plenty of opportunities to share their data with exhibitors in helpful ways throughout the process.

“Organizers can support their exhibitors and show them the opportunities and then help them maximize them,” said Davis.

To do this, Davis recommends organizers work with supplier partners to share data such as web traffic or leads available to the exhibitors sooner. This allows for them to make corrections to their strategy in real time during the event.

Receiving feedback following an event is also important to exhibitors, who can use it for improving their presence at future events. Facts and statistics about the event’s overall performance and attendance are helpful for benchmarking purposes.

Giving quality feedback is equally important to organizers because it helps exhibitors determine if their efforts were worthwhile, and whether they will return to contribute to the event in the future.

“If organizers would share their attendee statistics with exhibitors like they do for sponsors and media, exhibitors could set better expectations and prepare better too.”

— Warwick Davies, The Event Mechanic

YOUR TEAM Hold your next event in a location built on leadership.

From historic sites to modern cuisine—Gettysburg’s unique venues will make your event one for the history books. All with easy access from Harrisburg, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. Let Lindsay Methlie, Director of Sales, help plan your next event, meeting, conference or retreat in Gettysburg, PA.

Plan Your Next Meeting!

800-337-5015 MeetInGettysburg.com

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www.smallmarketmeetings.com

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

Start2022 planning your next major event today at MeetCentralFlorida.com June

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IDEAS

Courtesy Central Bank Center

UPGRADE UPSIDE These convention centers have made big improvements

I

BY RACHEL CRICK

n the fiercely competitive bid for events, facilities with sleek designs, upgraded tech and plenty of square footage have an undeniable edge. That’s why every city makes a top-notch convention center a priority.

New convention centers breathe life into their communities and pave the way for exciting events and trade shows to take place, while an upgrade to an existing facility can add features to accommodate larger and more prestigious events. In cities across the country, new and improved facilities are generating both interest and revenue for their cities.

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For a space that’s sure to elevate their next event, planners should consider these new and upgraded convention centers.

CENTRAL BANK CENTER

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY Originally opened in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1976, the Central Bank Center and adjoining Rupp Arena, home of the Kentucky Wildcats, underwent a recent renovation and expansion. Construction began in 2020, when the old convention center was demolished.

The $310 million project wrapped up construction in spring of 2022, and finishing touches are expected to be complete in the fall. The city decided an expansion was needed to bring the square footage of the center’s exhibit space up to 100,000 square feet and to bolster Lexington’s role in the tourism and events industry.

The renovation added 34,000 square feet of exhibit space and nearly 7,000 square feet of ballroom space.

According to Joe Fields, director of convention management at the Central Bank Center, the project is already attracting a number of events the previous convention center would have been too small to host.

Above: A recently completed expansion project added 34,000 square feet of exhibit space and 7,000 square feet of ballroom space to Lexington’s Central Bank Center.

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

“We're already reaping the rewards of the investment,” Fields said.

Central Bank Center now contains 29,000 square feet of flexible meeting space and over 24,000 square feet of ballroom space. Its design features a glass exterior to let in natural light, high ceilings and modern finishes, but notes of the Bluegrass State can be found throughout the remodeled center. Its central staircase is made of reclaimed wood from Claiborne Farm, the horse breeding farm that was once home to Triple Crown winners Secretariat and Gallant Fox. Other wood features are designed to be reminiscent of Kentucky bourbon barrels.

“Everywhere you look is just featuring Kentucky heritage,” said Fields. centralbankcenter.com

“Everywhere you look is just featuring Kentucky heritage.”

— Joe Fields, Central Bank Center

OKLAHOMA CITY CONVENTION CENTER

OKLAHOMA CITY In the year it’s been operational, Oklahoma City’s new convention center’s size and aesthetic appeal have already made it a popular events destination.

The $288 million project wrapped up construction in December 2020 and began hosting events shortly after. It was funded as part of a citywide project known as the Metropolitan Area Project, or MAPS, a sales-tax funded initiative to upgrade the city. The new convention center was part of the MAPS 3 project, with the goal of further elevating the tourism industry in the budding city.

“From the very beginning there was a lot of interest in the building,” said Al Rojas, general manager of the Oklahoma City Convention Center.

The convention center offers an impressive 500,000 square feet of exhibit, event and meeting space divided among four levels. The main 200,000 square foot exhibit space is located on the first floor and can be divided into a maximum of four exhibit halls. The second level has smaller rooms ideal for

Photos courtesy OKC Convention Center

June 2022

Left: Situated on a waterfront park, the Oklahoma City Convention Center finished a $288 million renovation at the end of 2020.

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IDEAS

meetings, events or breakout sessions, with the largest accommodating nearly 300 theater-style or 160 for a banquet. These spaces are flexible and come with audiovisual equipment. A third level offers additional meeting rooms, a junior ballroom and a full-service kitchen, while the fourth floor has nearly 30,000 square feet of ballroom space, seating up to 1,200 for a banquet. The upper levels also feature a balcony, which gives views of downtown and the nearby Scissortail Park. okcconventioncenter.com

SAVANNAH CONVENTION CENTER

SAVANNAH, GEORGIA When the Savannah Convention Center originally opened in 2000, there was already talk of an expansion in its future. In March 2021, these plans were finally put into action and construction began to double the center’s event space. The center has remained open throughout its construction, and the $271 million renovation is expected to be complet-

Slated for completion in early 2024, an expansion project will double the meeting space of the Savannah Convention Center.

24

ed by no later than January 2024. It will retain its stately architecture and its waterfront views of the Savannah River while incorporating modern design elements to the building’s interior. The expected increase in size has already generated enormous interest for the center.

“With the expansion we will be able to host larger and more events; we already have contracts signed utilizing the expansion out to 2029,” said Sherrie Spinks, general manager of the Savannah Convention Center.

The renovation plans to seamlessly blend the original convention center with the additional space while doubling the amount of exhibit space for a total of 200,000 square feet. The expansion will feature an additional 40,000 square foot ballroom, double the number of meeting rooms, and add a covered parking garage and outdoor meeting spaces. The renovation also plans to include a 58-foot hangar door to accommodate events showcasing large machinery and equipment. savconventioncenter.com

Photos courtesy Savannah Convention Center

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

MeeTiNg spAces aNd so mUch

moRe.

Sure, Boise has inspired meeting spaces for all kinds of events, large and small. But unlike other cities, you’ll also find award-winning restaurants, a scenic river, mountain trails and vibrant culture just steps from your venue.

Start planning today at boise.org/plan-your-meeting

Hello, Fort Wayne!

I N D I A N A

IDEAS

RESCH EXPO

“Grand Wayne Center is a stunning work of architecture with easy access to hotels, restaurants and entertainment. Our members were impressed with how clean, modern, walkable, and friendly downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana, proved to be.”

— Dallas. W. Johnson, North American SCRABBLE® Championship

NOW BOOKING 2022 and beyond!

Meagan Drabik | Sales Manager

WHAT YOU’LL LOVE ABOUT US:

• Full in-house services for In-person, Hybrid, or Remote meetings • 225,000 sf. of beautifully appointed space • 18 carpeted, fully equipped event rooms • 4500 theatre; 3100 banquet; 2900 classroom • 3 adjacent hotels with garage parking • In-house Sales, AV, Catering, Event management, and Guest experiences • 60+ walkable restaurants and pubs, boutiques, and riverfront parks • Easier event planning & guest navigation >> SAVE UP TO 15% versus comparable cities!

Easy Drive-To Destination!

Easy by Air via FWA

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN The new Resch Expo in Green Bay, Wisconsin, opened in January 2021 and has been attracting large events with its 125,000 square feet of column-free exhibit space ever since. The $93 million building replaced the 40,000 square foot Shopko Hall and Brown County Arena. An expansion of this size has allowed the expo hall, which is part of the Resch Complex, to host events and trade shows of a greater magnitude than ever before.

Its sleek glass exterior and updated technology make it both an attractive and functional space for many events, from sports tournaments to dinosaur shows. The main exhibit space can be divided into smaller segments to accommodate multiple events at the same time.

“We wanted to do the latest and greatest thing,” said Terry Charles, senior manager of corporate communications at the PMI Entertainment Group.

In addition to the vast, column-free exhibition hall, the Resch Expo has a second floor with six additional meeting suites, each equipped with the latest audiovisual technology. Large windows offer visitors a view of the iconic Lambeau Stadium, home of the Green Bay Packers. Washing bays make the exposition center an ideal spot for automobile or boat shows any time of year, as they allow display models to be cleaned during Wisconsin winters.

GREEN BAY’S RESCH EXPO

DOWNTOWN FORT WAYNE, INDIANA | grandwayne.com | 260.426.4100

@GrandWayneCC #yourGrandWaynestory

Courtesy Resch Expo

26

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

IDEAS

RESCH EXPO OPENED IN GREEN BAY IN 2021 WITH 125,000 SQUARE FEET OF EXHIBIT SPACE.

The Resch Expo also features state of the art kitchen facilities and opening doors that allow the halls to transform into indoor-outdoor spaces during the warmer months. reschcomplex.com/resch-expo-home

TERRE HAUTE CONVENTION CENTER

TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA Located on the western edge of Indiana, spaced evenly between several major cities like Indianapolis and Louisville, Kentucky, Terre Haute, Indiana, is an up-and-coming meetings destination.

“We wanted to do the latest and greatest thing.”

Courtesy Resch Expo

— Terry Charles, PMI Entertainment Group

CENTRE’D AROUND YOU. 28

Make an impact with your next event at Boise Centre. Our versatile meeting and event spaces, modern amenities, and expert event planning team is at your service to ensure an unforgettable event experience. Located in the middle of the city’s energetic, walkable downtown Boise Centre is surrounded by local breweries, restaurants, shops, hotels and is minutes from outdoor adventures.

• Convenient downtown location • Numerous direct flights and seven minutes from the airport • Surrounded by restaurants, breweries, and nightlife • Over 1,300 hotel rooms within walking distance • Outdoor activities close by hiking, rafting, biking, and more

boisecentre.com

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

F OX C I T I E S E X H I B I T I O N C E N T E R Built into the hillside of a park in downtown Appleton, our Exhibition Center sets a new standard for modern, beautiful, and flexible event spaces. Thoughtfully designed to highlight our region’s storied history, the Center’s 38,000-square foot interior is complemented by a 17,000-square foot outdoor plaza. The possibilities are endless! It’s the perfect place to stage your next event.

For information on the Get Meetings Going incentive program, contact Alison Hutchinson at ahutchinson@foxcities.org FoxCities.org/get-meetings-going

IDEAS

THE TERRE HAUTE CONVENTION CENTER OPENED TO THE PUBLIC THIS SPRING.

Courtesy Terre Haute Convention Center

To accommodate the large groups that come to the area for sporting and cross-country events and provide western Indiana with adequate meeting space, the Terre Haute Convention Center was built in 2020. The $35 million project was funded in part by a local food and beverage tax.

The center, which is across the street from Indiana State University in downtown Terre Haute, opened to the public in April 2022.

“Terre Haute is really a growing area,” said Tennille Wanner, the convention center’s general manager. “They realized they needed to bring that meeting space back.”

The Terre Haute Convention Center has nearly 22,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 12,000-square-foot ballroom that can be divided into six sections and seats up to 800 for a banquet.

Eight additional breakout rooms can accommodate groups ranging in size from four to 36 people. The center also features an attached hotel, a parking garage with 450 spaces and its own in-house culinary team that handles all of an event’s catering needs, making it a one-stop shop for planners.

The convenient downtown location makes it ideal for attendees looking to explore the city in their downtime due to its close proximity to Terre Haute’s restaurants, museums and shopping. The center is also the future home of the Larry Bird Museum, which is anticipated to open in 2023 to honor the Indiana native and Indiana State University alumnus. terrehautecc.com

“Terre Haute is really a growing area. They realized they needed to bring that meeting space back.”

— Tennille Wanner, Terre Haute Convention Center

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www.smallmarketmeetings.com

g n i m o o B h t wi FUN A culture of entrepreneurship has made Des Moines the fastest-growing metropolitan area in the Midwest.

All photos courtesy Catch Des Moines

CITY

DES MOINES AT A GLANCE

Entrepreneurship is driving cultural renewal in Des Moines

I

BY KEVIN OSBOURN

n the middle of Iowa’s rolling prairie, a flood of new residents, artists, sports and attractions have transformed Des Moines into a city booming with fun.

With a thriving culture of entrepreneurship, Des Moines has become the fastest-growing metropolitan area in the Midwest. In May of last year, the city opened the largest skatepark in the nation — Lauridsen Skatepark — to entertain boarders and BMX bikers alike. There are hundreds of miles of trails and kayaking at the Iowa Confluence Water Trails, or ICON for short. The addition of many such attractions have made Des Moines a cosmopolitan and cool place for meetings.

LOCATION: South Central Iowa ACCESS: Des Moines International Airport HOTEL ROOMS: 2,833 downtown, 13,000+ in Greater Des Moines CONTACT INFO: Catch Des Moines 800-451-2625 catchdesmoines.com MEETING SPACES Iowa Events Center EXHIBIT SPACE: 150,000 square feet OTHER MEETING SPACES: 37 meeting rooms Iowa State Fairgrounds EXHIBIT SPACE: 110,400 square feet OTHER MEETING SPACES: 14 meeting rooms MEETING HOTELS Des Moines Marriott Downtown GUEST ROOMS: 413 MEETING SPACE: 14,000 square feet Hilton Des Moines Downtown GUEST ROOMS: 330 MEETING SPACE: 9,940 square feet Sheraton West Des Moines GUEST ROOMS: 285 MEETING SPACE: 12,000 square feet WHO’S MEETING IN DES MOINES World Pork Expo ATTENDEES: 180 American Cheese Society ATTENDEES: 1,000 National Speech and Debate Tournament ATTENDEES: 10,000

June 2022

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Destination Highlights

DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS

Lauridsen Skatepark

B

efore it began to grow so rapidly, Des Moines was known primarily as the state capital and the national campaign epicenter during presidential election years. It was an insurance town that also hosted the nation’s top state fair at the Iowa Fairgrounds, drawing more than 1 million people every August. The Iowa State Fair and the beautiful state capitol remain visitor favorites, along with thrill rides at Adventureland Park, live horse racing at Prairie Meadows Casino Racetrack and the Des Moines Farmers’ Market.

But Des Moines has changed into something much bigger.

Because of its growth, Des Moines today can accommodate groups of all sizes, according to Trina Flack, vice president of sales for Catch Des Moines.

“We have the capacity,” Flack said. “We are a city and not just cornfields. Everything is fresh and new. We are front and center for all the national media every four years. Our hotels and facilities put their best foot forward every four years.”

In July, the beautiful downtown will host the return of the 80/35Music Festival, named after the two prominent interstates that intersect the city.

In west Des Moines, the new MidAmerican Energy Company, RecPlex, has been built on 66 acres to attract adult and youth tournaments for soccer, hockey, volleyball, lacrosse, pickleball, football, rugby and basketball.

In a renovated art deco firehouse downtown, the Des Moines Social Club draws thousands every month to theater and live music performances. The club also hosts culinary classes, dance parties and trivia nights. Its Viaduct Gallery supports local artists and has a music studio and a bakery.

Because of all it has to offer, a half dozen national magazines have dubbed Des Moines the nation’s best location for millennials, young professionals, families, businesses and careers.

DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS

34

Des Moines Social Club

By Brian Abeling

Distinctive Venues

T

he Iowa State Fairgrounds offers an interesting meeting place with lots of flexibility close to the heart of downtown. There are 14 venues ranging from 1,800 to 110,400 square feet. The fairgrounds are used for a wide variety of events, including rodeos, car shows, home and garden shows, pork expos and more.

Another venue worth consideration is the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex. The complex includes a 90,000-square-foot indoor turf soccer field, two indoor ice arenas, four basketball courts, eight volleyball courts and three outdoor synthetic turf fields. Located near the city entertainment districts, the complex has space for trade shows, conventions, galas and concerts.

One of the local lodging treasures is the Hotel Fort Des Moines, where celebrities and a dozen sitting presidents have stayed. The hotel has more than 13,000 square feet of meeting space and completed a total renovation a few years ago. It’s close to downtown’s cultural attractions, dining, shops and entertainment.

There are many other hotels with meeting space, including the Des Moines Marriott Downtown (14,000 square feet), the Hilton Des Moines Downtown (9,940 square feet) and the Sheraton West Des Moines (12,000 square feet).

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Major Meeting Spaces

AFTER HOURS

Jordan Creek Town Center

T

he Iowa Events Center includes the Wells Fargo Arena, Hy-Vee Hall and the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center. This flexible space with 37 meeting rooms, a 150,000-squarefoot exposition hall, a 28,800-square-foot ballroom and a 17,000-seat arena can accommodate all kinds of events.

Hy-Vee Hall’s first level meeting space includes 14,400 square feet and up to eight meeting rooms, while its second-floor features 150,000 square feet of exhibit space and up to three exhibit halls. The third-floor convention center has 21 meeting rooms and 50,000 square feet, and the mezzanine level includes four executive board rooms.

Wells Fargo Area is home to the Iowa Barnstormers football team, whose season runs through July. Major concerts have returned to Wells Fargo Arena, including renowned performers such as Elton John, New Kids on the Block and Justin Bieber.

The events center is attached to the 330-room Hilton Des Moines Downtown and includes 1,400 parking spaces on site. More than 1,300 hotel rooms and many restaurants are connected to the center by a climate-controlled skywalk, and the center has its own culinary team.

Des Moines has many other cool event spaces like Salisbury House and Gardens. The historic mansion is filled with ornate needlepoint tapestries and a 19-foot-long oak table.

MAJOR MEETING SPACES

HyVee Hall at the Iowa Events Center

After the Meeting

A

MAJOR MEETING SPACES

June 2022

An Iowa Events Center ballroom

nyone interested in craft beer will enjoy visiting the breweries located downtown. And that’s only the beginning of after-meeting fun in Des Moines.

For family fun, the Adventureland Resort has roller coasters, a water park and shows, while the Blank Park Zoo is also a big hit, exhibiting 1,500 animals. It also includes a train, a carousel and camel rides.

For shopping, the Jordan Creek Town Center is the largest shopping and entertainment complex in Iowa, while Smash Park offers courts for pickleball, shuffleboard and arcade games, making it an excellent location for a night out.

Fans of Westerns may enjoy the John Wayne Birthplace and Museum located just southwest of the city. The museum this year is celebrating an expansion and contains a collection of John Wayne memorabilia, including hundreds of rare photographs and other exhibits.

History lovers enjoy the State Historical Museum of Iowa, featuring exhibits celebrating movies connected to Iowa, along with other stories about the state.

“Des Moines is a little above our weight class because we have so much corporate support,” Flack said. “We have to have the attractions and investments to attract workers, and we get shows like ‘Hamilton’ ahead of a lot of cities our size.”

35

TOWN

r e p s Ca

THE FRIENDLY HOST

BY RACHEL CRICK

B

eautiful mountain scenery, a rich history and a sense of adventure straight out of a Western film — that’s what planners can offer their attendees in Casper, Wyoming. While it’s a known hub for nature enthusiasts, Casper is also home to a charming downtown, thriving local eateries and multiple museums celebrating the arts and the town’s role in American history.

“Casper is always more than people think it is,” said Luke Gilliam, business development manager at Visit Casper.

Located in the heart of the cowboy state off of Interstate 25, Casper is an easily accessible destination for meetings. Attendees can also fly into the Casper-Natrona County International Airport, Wyoming’s only international airport.

The town boasts gorgeous views of Casper Mountain, which offers plenty of options for outdoor recreation year-round. In the warmer months, visitors can explore the mountain’s 50 miles of hiking trails or head to the North Platte River for fly-fishing, kayaking and canoeing. In the winter, the mountain is an excellent place for winter sports like skiing and snowshoeing.

“We find ways for groups to be a part of that, whether that’s up on the mountain or getting into the river or creating a morning walk that attendees can take part in,” said Gilliam.

In addition to its natural beauty, Casper hosts an array of lively festivals and events for locals and visitors alike to enjoy. These include annual events like the Central Wyoming Fair and Rodeo, River Fest and the 5150’ Festival, which are held in July and August.

The city’s largest and perhaps most notable event space is the Ford Wyoming Center, which is highly adaptable to accommodate many different events from rodeos to concerts. It features the state’s largest arena, seating up to 8,000, as well as breakout rooms for smaller meetings and events.

Downtown Casper is the perfect place for attendees to explore in their downtime, or as part of coordinated group activities. Concerts, local shops, museums, street art and a burgeoning restaurant and brewery scene give meeting attendees an abundance of opportunities to enjoy Casper like a local.

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FORD WYOMING CENTER Photos courtesy Visit Casper

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

A CASPER VISITOR ENJOYS FLY FISHING IN NEARBY FREMONT CANYON.

Nicolaysen Art Museum and Discovery Center

One of Casper’s premiere meeting and events destinations, the Nicolaysen Art Museum and Discovery Center is the only contemporary art museum in Wyoming. Its extensive collections serve as a unique and visually appealing backdrop to meetings and an elegant option for receptions and banquets. The museum has a total of 20,000 square feet. Its main lobby can host up to 130 reception-style, and several galleries can accommodate up to 300. The museum’s Discovery Center is a colorful, casual space available for educational outings, art classes or hands-on activities for up to 85 people. A small kitchen is also available for catering purposes.

Pioneer Experiences

Museums such as the Fort Caspar Museum and Historic Site, the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center and the Tate Geological Museum all provide visitors with a glimpse into the past, whether they’re interested in seeing relics from the Oregon Trail or dinosaur bones. The Casper area has a rich history, especially in America’s westward expansion. For a fun and educational group outing, attendees can follow in the footsteps of the pioneers at Historic Trails West, which allows visitors to ride across the plains near Casper in historic wagon trains or on horseback, along the trails Americans used while heading West.

CASPER WYOMING LOCATION

Central Eastern Wyoming

ACCESS

Interstate 25; Casper-Natrona County International Airport

MAJOR MEETING SPACES

Ford Wyoming Center, Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center

HOTEL ROOMS 2,400

OFF-SITE VENUES

Nicolaysen Art Museum and Discovery Center, Hogadon Basin Ski Lodge, Tate Pumphouse

CONTACT INFO Visit Casper 307-234-5362 visitcasper.com

June 2022

Lodging There is no shortage of lodging in Casper, which is home to five full-service hotels offering a total of 2,400 rooms for visitors. The Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center is a well-known hotel with 14,000 square feet of meeting space, 230 rooms and a reception capacity of 1,300. It can accommodate up to 500 for a banquet and has amenities attendees are sure to love, such as a restaurant and a complimentary hot breakfast buffet. Also available in Casper are a variety of lodges, inns and bed and breakfasts.

CVB Services Visit Casper takes pride in being a hands-on convention and visitors bureau, working closely with planners at every stage to craft the perfect event for attendees. From coordinating site tours to recommending local partners and guided activities for groups to enjoy, the team at Visit Casper tries to be as involved as possible in the planning and execution of every event. In addition to the typical CVB services such as registration and providing welcome materials for attendees, they offer travel reimbursement for planners up to $500 if they book in Casper, as well as room rebates for larger groups.

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O N E - S T O P D E S T I N AT I O N

Ocean Central

L

BY KATI HYER

ooking for an event space with infinite customization, walking proximity to the ocean and no-where-else-on-Earth entertainment? Pull up a beach lounger and learn about Daytona Beach’s Ocean Center Convention Center.

Lined with palm trees and reflecting the blue Floridian sky in its floor-to-ceiling glass walls, the Ocean Center is a convention center, entertainment destination and sports complex multi-use space. Plan your gathering just 400 feet from the Atlantic with 205,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor event space. For more intimate events, planners can make use of their 32 breakout rooms. Blockbuster summits can take place in the 9,300-person arena.

“Our focus is going beyond,” Ocean Center executive director Tim Riddle said. “We want every event to feel like the most important event, no matter the size. We’re with you every step of the way and want to exceed expectations for planners and attendees alike.”

An array of restaurants stand within walking distance to tempt meeting attendees. From the flavors of Hard Rock Hotel Daytona to the top-rated Chart House Restaurant, there’s something for everyone.

After dinner, guests can head to the sand for beach fun or turn to Daytona’s many interesting sojourns, starting with the Daytona International Speedway. In Florida’s sleepy early days, Daytona Beach’s hard-packed sand made it the perfect location for oceanside races. As the popularity of racing increased, the draw to Daytona Beach grew. Ultimately, this led to the development of the world-renowned Daytona International Speedway — a great draw for guests, whether or not they are track fans. Once the need for speed is satisfied, guests can explore the Ponce de Leon Lighthouse, the LGPA International Golf Course or charter a deep-sea fishing tour.

The Ocean Center is surrounded by a vast array of accommodations, from family-style hotels to business-class boutiques. From the 12,000 guest rooms in the immediate area to the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort just across the road, there are accommodations for every style.

38

AN OCEAN CENTER EXHIBIT HALL SET FOR DINNER

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

M E E T I N G S PAC E S

DAYTONA BEACH’S OCEAN CENTER AND NEARBY HILTON DAYTONA BEACH OCEANFRONT RESORT OFFER MEETING SPACE JUST STEPS FROM THE BEACH.

The fifth-largest convention center in Florida offers planners meeting rooms, an exhibit hall, a ballroom and a sports arena to boot. The three dozen breakout rooms span 32,000 feet. The 14,000-square-foot ballroom offers banquet seating for 840 and theater seating for 1,332. Additionally, the exhibit hall — a dream space for outsize trade shows — boasts 30-foot ceilings and a footprint of 92,000 square feet. The space can accommodate up to 500 10-by-10-foot booths. Moreover, with portable staging, two loading docks, 45-foot ceilings and seating for 9,300 people, the arena can accommodate larger events with significant production needs.

All areas offer easy audio-visual customization, and the center employs a fully equipped event management department.

H I LT O N DAY T O N A OCEANFRONT RESORT With a location so close to the Ocean Center guests will feel as if they are onsite, the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort is located directly on the beach in the heart of Daytona. Like an across-the-street extension of the Ocean Center, the resort features 744 oceanfront and sunset view rooms, suites and cabanas.

Guests can get pampered at the Hilton’s full-service spa or enjoy a fine dining experience at any of the Hilton’s half dozen restaurants and lounges, including Doc Bales' Grill and McCoys Rum Room.

OCEAN CENTER CONVENTION CENTER

AN ARENA CONCERT AT OCEAN CENTER

LOCATION

Daytona Beach, Florida

TYPE OF VENUE Convention Center

CAPACITY

Theater seating in the ballroom for 1,300; The arena seats 9,300

NEARBY ACCOMMODATIONS 12,000 rooms in multiple hotels

CONTACT INFO 386-254-4500 oceancenter.com

All photos courtesy Ocean Center

June 2022

39

O N E - S T O P D E S T I N AT I O N

ART IN THE OCEAN CENTER CONCOURSE

HEADLINING ART

How many convention centers also double as art galleries? At the Ocean Center, guests can enjoy numerous art exhibits. On permanent display is an evocative collection from artists around the country. The nearly half-million-dollar collection comprises oil paintings, sculptures and hanging glass art installations. The art on display is part of Volusia County’s Art in Public Places program. On the Peabody Auditorium side of the convention center is the ECHO Gallery (an acronym for ecological, cultural, historic and outdoor) features rotating exhibits celebrating the works of Volusia County artists.

WALK TO IT

SUNRISE CYCLING ON DAYTONA BEACH

Guests may run full throttle to the beach for bronzing, surfing, biking or parasailing as soon as networking hour is over, but there are dozens of other extracurricular options within walking distance. Perhaps they’d prefer a swim in the Lazy River at the Daytona Lagoon Waterpark. Other options include catching an off-Broadway show across the street at the Peabody or a musical interlude at the Historic Bandshell, an auditorium with musical concerts year-round, right on the beach.

“Our focus is going beyond.We want every event to feel like the most important event, no matter the size.

We’re with you every step of the way and want to exceed expectations for planners and attendees alike.”

— Tim Riddle, Ocean Center Convention Center

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www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Unforgettable Events.

Located on the Intracoastal Waterway. In historic downtown New Smyrna Beach.

Stunning views from each meeting room and terrace. State-of-the-art equipment for live streaming and hybrid meetings. Space to social distance with cleaning and care protocols.

Professional staff that will work to make your event safe and memorable.

Meet at the River

NEW SMYRNA BEACH

Sleep Unmatchable Comfort.

at the Beach

Stay at the only Ocean Front Property on the famous Flagler Avenue. This all suite hotel offers an oceanfront pool, a lobby bar and hot breakfast daily. Surrounded by great shopping and dining. With convenient on-site garage parking.

386.410.2880 | Brannoncenter.com

386.427.0512 | marriott.com/dabsh

On Campus in Ohio

BUILT IN 1849 AS A WOMEN’S COLLEGE, THE OXFORD COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER OFFERS A DISTINCTIVE SETTING FOR SMALL MEETINGS AND EVENTS.

Meetdieng Gui

O

BY PAULA AVEN GLADYCH

hio is full of world-class universities, and the towns that host them have everything a meeting planner could want, from full-service hotels and unique meeting venues to historic and walkable downtowns, beautiful natural surroundings and interesting attractions. Here are five Ohio college towns that feature sports, meeting venues with university spirit or campus tours to spice things up for meeting groups.

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Courtesy Enjoy Oxford

OXFORD

Oxford is in the southwest corner of Ohio, about a 40-minute drive to Cincinnati and is the epitome of a college town. Founded in 1809, Miami University is a central focal point of the community, adding some historic flair. Meeting planners will love the town’s friendly and relaxed atmosphere, away from the bustle of the larger cities nearby but with the amenities a college town can bring out for its guests.

Oxford is an outdoorsy town with walking, hiking and biking trails. Its main shopping district, Uptown, has several boutique shops, restaurants, bars and entertainment options. A pavilion in the city’s main park offers a summer concert series, and the town has a designated outdoor refreshment area, allowing adults to walk around with alcoholic beverages.

The Oxford Community Arts Center is a unique venue in town.

Built in 1849 as Oxford Female Institute, the first of three women’s colleges in Oxford, it now serves as a unique space for receptions, smaller meetings and performances. It has a theater, ballroom, gathering parlors and a catering kitchen. It also has beautiful gardens outside.

For larger events, Oxford and Miami can collaborate. The university can host groups of 500 to 2,000, using the majority of university

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

spaces, including the Armstrong Student Center, with 203,000 square feet of space; the Philip R. Shriver Center; and the Marcum Hotel and Conference Center, with 55 guest rooms and meeting space for groups up to 160. The historic Slant Walk connects the university with the heart of Oxford, and there are 360 hotel rooms in Oxford from local hotels to popular chains. enjoyoxford.org

UNIVERSITY OF AKRON’S COLEMAN COMMONS

AKRON

Akron boasts metropolitan amenities alongside gorgeous outdoor vistas. It is a short drive to Cuyahoga Valley National Park, which was the seventh most visited national park in the U.S. in 2020, with 33,000 acres to explore. Brandywine Falls is a top stop for visitors in the park. Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad makes for a great group activity, taking guests on scenic excursions through the park.

The Akron/Summit Convention and Visitors Bureau works closely with the University of Akron to host sporting events, meetings and special events. Many groups use InfoCision Stadium for more traditional meeting functions with a birds-eye view of the 29,000-seat stadium in the heart of campus. The university has also repurposed several iconic buildings in downtown Akron that allow the campus to spread right down onto Main Street.

The largest meeting venue in the city is John S. Knight Center.

The Goodyear ballrooms have 11,678 square feet of space and can host 630 for a banquet. The center also has 28,640 square feet of exhibit space that can seat 1,440 for a banquet and 2,800 theater-style. There are several breakout rooms, a patio, and the Maindenburg Concourse can seat 200 people for a banquet.

There are several full-service hotels in the area, including Sheraton Suites Akron/Cuyahoga Falls, which has 15 event rooms and 16,347 square feet of space that can accommodate up to 500. Other full-service properties include Marriott, Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Holiday Inn and Radisson.

In their free time, attendees can visit the Akron Zoo, Hale Farm and Village or Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens. visitakron-summit.org

Courtesy University of Akron

DOWNTOWN BOWLING GREEN

BOWLING GREEN

Bowling Green is a small town off Interstate 75 in northwest Ohio. It is best known as the home of Bowling Green State University. The town and university have a symbiotic relationship, with meeting groups tapping into the school’s meeting venues and fun campus activities as part of their events.

Bowling Green has several fun attractions that also make great meeting venues, including Snook’s Dream Cars automobile museum, which features vintage cars from the 1930s to the 1960s. The Wood County Museum is located within the historic Wood County Infirmary building and features rotating exhibits.

It also has event space.

Courtesy Visit BG Ohio

June 2022

43

Plan a memorable event in picturesque

Shores & Islands Ohio!

Enjoy exhilarating roller coasters, ferry rides to lovely islands, and revitalized downtowns with welcoming atmospheres. Whether you’re a first timer or a seasoned regular, experiences here stay in your heart for a lifetime. Find your Lake Erie Love at meetings.SHORESandISLANDS.com.

• Conference Support Grant up to $4000 • 8000+ Rooms • 615,000 sq. ft. Meeting Space

Meetieng Guid BGSU Bowen-Thompson Student Union can host groups of 600 for a banquet or 1,000 people theater-style. To get a taste of BGSU school spirit, smaller groups can rent out the university’s Ice Arena Lounge, which overlooks the ice and can accommodate 100 people for a banquet. The Stroh Center on campus has several meeting venues, including the Hall of Fame Lounge, Main Court, Practice Court and Upper Concourse.

There are five full-service hotels in the city, and all but one of them are within walking distance of the university. In total, Bowling Green has 425 lodge rooms.

The Clazel Theater, a beautiful 1920s-era theater, has been transformed into an event space. It still has the old marquis and glassed-in ticket booth outside, but the theater seats were removed. Groups of up to 300 people can host events on the main floor or in the balconies. For fun, groups can learn to curl at the Black Swamp Curling Center, grab a coffee or a bite to eat, or browse the shops downtown. visitbgohio.org

KENT

Kent State University seamlessly integrates with the town of Kent through fun events that bring the community together, like

PADDLING ON KENT’S WINGFOOT LAKE

Courtesy Central Portage VCB

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Oktoberfest, Wizardly World of Kent or three popular music festivals, to the eclectic restaurants, unique shops, galleries and breweries.

Visitors to Kent and Portage County have easy access to two of the area’s three state parks, Wingfoot Lake State Park and Wet Branch State Park, for hiking and outdoor recreation, or they can kayak the Cuyahoga River. To add some team spirit into a meeting or event, meeting planners can book tickets to a college game or take attendees on tours of the university.

Akron German Family Society offers a spacious banquet hall with a large dance floor and stage near downtown Kent that is a perfect banquet spot for up to 320 people. Groups can order traditional or European cuisine, such as schnitzel and German potato salad at their events. The New Event Center at Northeast Ohio Medical University in nearby Rootstown offers 177,000 square feet of space for corporate events, community activities and weddings, and The Event on Sunny Brook, at Sunny Hill Golf Course and Recreation Inc., can host events up to 315 guests, with additional guest seating on the patio.

The Kent State University Hotel and Conference Center is a short walk from campus and has 94 guest rooms, four meeting rooms and 5,000 square feet of event space. The nearby Hampton Inn has 75 rooms, and Holiday Inn Kent/Brimfield has 76 rooms. centralportagevcb.org A JOE WALSH MURAL IN KENT Courtesy Central Portage VCB

THE STAGE IS SET....

ENGAGE, EXPERIENCE, AND ENJOY. Experience the uniqueness of Miami University’s Marcum Conference Center where care and customization allows you to create focused engagement. Our planners will design an experience just for you.

Call 513-529-3591 to plan your next event.

June 2022

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Meetieng Guid VETERANS MEMORIAL CIVIC AND CONVENTION CENTER IN LIMA

Courtesy Visit Greater Lima

GET LOST IN

LIMA

Lima is the consummate college town, with Ohio State University-Lima (OSU Lima) campus, University of Northwest Ohio (UNOH) and Rhodes State College. Tours are available for groups wanting to incorporate the different campuses into their meetings or events. UNOH has a 25,000-square-foot all-purpose events center that is divided into four spaces and has full-service catering available. The Fairfield Inn and Suites Lima is located next to the events center. OSU Lima has many meeting venues, including Farmer Family Gallery and Martha W. Farmer Theatre.

Lima is well placed in the northwestern part of the state, right off Interstate 75 and U.S. Highway 30. Outdoor lovers will enjoy the Rotary River Walk, which winds along the Ottawa River from one end of Lima to the other, or visit Lauer Historical Farm, which is a working historical farm that dates back to the 1930s and 1940s. Groups can host retreats and events on the property if they want to get out of the city. Ottawa Metro Park Amphitheater hosts free family entertainment every Saturday night during the summer months.

The Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center is the largest meeting venue in downtown Lima, with a 13,950-squarefoot exhibit hall, 10 meeting rooms, a 1,774-seat performing arts center and a banquet facility. It also has an outdoor reception patio and the third-floor City Club for smaller events. The convention center is connected to the 100-room Wingate by Wyndham Downtown Lima, which has smaller meeting spaces for up to 40 people. visitgreaterlima.com

TEAMWORK. Bring your next event to Greater Lima.

Lima is the consummate college town, with Ohio State University-Lima campus, University of Northwest Ohio and Rhodes State College.

Tours are available for groups wanting to incorporate the different campuses into their meetings or events.

visitgreaterlima.com

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DAYTON, OHIO

The Birthplace of Aviation Hosts Top-Flight Events

The Dayton Convention Center an ASM Global Managed Facility / $31M Renovation Starting in Q4 2022 150,000 total sq. ft. • 68,000 Exhibit Hall • 672 Seat Full Theatrical Theatre • 21 Meeting Rooms • 6,700 Hotel Rooms Contact: Kristin Moore, Sales Manager / 937-535-5307 / kmoore@daytonconvention.com DaytonConventionCenter.com

In Dayton, your group regardless of size, gets the attention it deserves. Dayton offers top-flight amenities!

• Located at the “Crossroads of America”—the intersection of I-75N/S & I-70 E/W—60% of the U.S. population is within a one-day drive • Dayton International Airport serviced by major carriers • Numerous FREE CVB Services • Unique, diverse meeting facility options • World-class attractions like the free National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

The Birthplace of Aviation & So Much More!

800.221.8235

daytoncvb.com

Waterfront Ohio

W

Meetdieng Gui

The home of the famous Cedar Point amusement park, Sandusky is one of the most famous Ohio destinations that sit on Lake Erie. Several major resorts around Cedar Point make excellent spots to host a meeting or event. The newly renovated golf resort, Sawmill Creek by Cedar Point Resorts, opens in June of this year. It sits on 200 acres of lush woodlands and has a dock at Lake Erie marina. Guests can birdwatch in Sheldon

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Courtesy Shores and Islands Ohio

BY PAULA AVEN GLADYCH

ith its many miles of Lake Erie shoreline, beautiful islands, rivers and smaller lakes, Ohio makes a great destination for meeting planners who want to incorporate water into their conferences and events. These five Ohio destinations offer plenty of waterfront activities, unique attractions, local restaurants and boutique shops, alongside a healthy dose of history, to keep meeting groups entertained.

SANDUSKY

SANDUSKY’S MYLANDER PAVILION OFFERS INDOOR/ OUTDOOR SPACE NEAR THE SHORE OF LAKE ERIE.

Marsh Nature Preserve or play the resort’s Tom Fazio-designed golf course. The resort has more than 35,000 square feet of flexible meeting space in the Sawmill Creek Convention Center and has 239 newly renovated guest rooms.

Kalahari Resorts and Conventions features a 220,000-squarefoot indoor waterpark and an outdoor waterpark that includes a Flowrider, a 5-foot wave simulator for boogie boarding or surfing, as well as indoor and outdoor spas, giant waterslides and a lazy river. There’s also a 40,000-square-foot interactive arcade that features black-light miniature golf, an XD Dark Ride, bowling and more. The resort has 890 guest rooms and 215,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, including three ballrooms. There are 21 smaller meeting rooms and two luxury boardrooms. There’s also enough exhibit space for 400 booths.

For outdoor events, Mylander Pavilion at the Jackson Street Pier can host groups of 96 inside and 148 when exterior spaces are included. For fun, groups can book a sunset cruise or daytime island-hopping cruise on the Goodtime 1 out of Sandusky or drive the Cheers Trail, which includes wineries, breweries and distilleries. shoresandislands.com

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DAYTON

Five waterways, including the Great Miami River, traverse Dayton. Visitors can explore these creeks and rivers via stand-up paddleboards, canoes and kayaks. There also are four riverfront parks to enjoy.

Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center at Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park tells the story of Orville and Wilbur Wright, who conducted most of their study of flight in Dayton before relocating to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, because of the wind. The National Museum of the United States Air Force is an aerospace museum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. It has four hangars full of aircraft, including presidential planes and a stealth bomber.

One of the city’s top meeting venues is a beautiful ballroom in Carillon Historical Park that seats up to 500. Outdoor spaces can host up to 1,000 people. The Dayton Convention Center has over 100,000 square feet of meeting space and is connected to the Radisson Hotel Downtown Dayton, which has 200 guest rooms and 12,000 square feet of meeting space. A new Fairfield Inn is being built downtown and the Marriot at the University of Dayton has 399 guest rooms and 15,415 square feet of meeting space.

In total, Dayton has 7,000 hotel rooms.

Some of the city’s top attractions also make unique offsite meeting venues. Dayton Art Institute has several elegant event spaces that can host gatherings up to 600, and America’s Packard Museum, which is housed in a former Packard dealership, can host events among the cars as attendees walk around viewing the exhibits. daytoncvb.com

GENEVA-ON-THE-LAKE

On the shores of Lake Erie, Geneva-on-the-Lake is a popular summer resort town that also happens to be in the middle of Ohio’s wine country. The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake is the only full-service meeting facility in town with 8,500 square feet of flexible meeting space that can comfortably seat 300 people for a banquet. The resort, which has 109 rooms and suites and 25 lakeside cottages, also has several smaller meeting rooms and pre-function spaces.

Groups wanting to do some team building can stay on property and challenge each other at Lake Erie Canopy Tours, which offers ziplines and a self-guided ropes course that features more than 30 obstacles from easy to extreme. Guests also can rent swan pedal boats or kayaks to play around on Cowles Creek, a tributary of Lake Erie that flows through nearby Geneva State Park.

The park encompasses 698 acres of forests and beaches and is a prime spot for hiking, biking and playing in the water. Breakwater Beach is perfect for lounging in the sun and playing in the lake. Fishing charters, golf and the Adventure Zone are all available in the area. The Adventure Zone has an arcade, batting cages, miniature golf, bumper boats, go karts, climbing and rappelling. There are two spas in the area, Pure Joy Spa and The Spa at Lakehouse Inn. visitgenevaonthelake.com

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE IN DAYTON Courtesy Dayton CVB

GENEVA-ON-THE-LAKE RESORT

Courtesy Delaware North Companies

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Meetieng Guid

PORT CLINTON AND ISLANDS

Port Clinton is the gateway to the Lake Erie Shores and Islands area. The ferry to Put-in-Bay launches from downtown. Top meeting venues include Lakeside Chautauqua, which has welcomed people to the Lake Erie shore for more than 145 years. The resort has 125 guest rooms and 29 meeting rooms, including a large outdoor pavilion on the lake, lawn and beach space and a gazebo.

Put-in-Bay Resort Hotel and Conference Center is on South Bass Island and is the only full-service hotel on the island. The resort has five meeting rooms that can host up to 450 people. The resort is only a block away from the town’s main street, harbor and Lake Erie with its many dining and entertainment options. Bayshore Resort is another hotel option on the island facing Lake Erie. It sits on three acres of waterfront property. The Niagara Event Center is a full-service conference center on the island that can accommodate up to 500 people. The center can be split into four sections.

In their free time, meeting attendees can take the Island Tour Train, visit Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial or Perry’s Cave Family Fun Center and Butterfly House. Nearby attractions include African Safari Wildlife Park, Liberty Aviation Museum, Watering Hole Safari and Water Park and Marblehead Lighthouse State Park. shoresandislands.com

LAKESIDE CHAUTAUQUA IN PORT CLINTON

MARIETTA

Courtesy Shores and Islands Ohio

A TROLLEY TOUR ON FRONT STREET IN MARIETTA

Marietta began in 1788 as the first permanent settlement of the new United States in the territory northwest of the Ohio River. The city’s premium convention hotel, The Lafayette, was named after the French hero of the American Revolution, Marquis de Lafayette, who visited in 1825. The hotel, which opened in 1918, sits at the confluence of the Ohio and Muskingum rivers. It has 77 guest rooms and 11,016 square feet of meeting space, including a 5,040-square-foot ballroom that can host nearly 500 people for a banquet.

The Quality Inn Event and Conference Center has 120 guest rooms and 6,516 square feet of event space. The largest room has 5,000 square feet. In total, Marietta has 1,000 hotel rooms. Marietta College has meeting capacity for 1,000 people, and the Peoples Bank Theatre can be rented out for private events.

Key offsite venues include The Adelphia Music Hall, which can host groups of 80, and The Barn at White Pine Acres, which has 6,000 square feet of space and can accommodate 320 guests. The Valley Gem Sternwheeler can take groups of 165 people on a narrated cruise down the Ohio and Muskingum rivers. The double-decker riverboat offers onboard catering. For fun, groups can take a historic trolley tour of Marietta, learning about the pioneers who founded it and the many museums, historic homes and churches in the area.

Groups can set up themed itineraries through the Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau in Marietta, including a Southeast Ohio Black Heritage Tour. Marietta Adventure Co. rents kayaks and bicycles and gives tips on the best places to utilize them. mariettaohio.org

By Bruce Wonderlich, courtesy Washington Co. CVB

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WE’RE READY WHEN YOU’RE READY

Let’S StArt PLAnning {AgAin}!

JOHN S. KNIGHT CENTER | AKRON, OH

15 Minutes Away From CAK

Staff Is 92% Friendlier Than The Other Guys

8 Out Of 10 Visitors Rate Food “Excellent”

35 Minutes Away From CLE

(the other 2 think it’s “Really Good”)

ENSURING THE HIGHEST STANDARDS:

Building Sanitation Food Preparation/Handling Air Filtration Systems

John S. Knight Center

123,000 Square Feet For Convening, Collaborating, Dining & Even Dancing.

Whether it’s a one-night event or week-long conference, our professional staff is here to ensure a top-notch experience both inside and out.

Akron, oH

Call 800.245.4254 or visit johnsknightcenter.org for 360o tours!

You and Green Bay. A real crowd pleaser.

With more than 4,600 rooms, Green Bay’s hotels combine the perfect mix of affordability while providing unique amenities and excellent customer service. Outside of your event, attendees will find plenty to do whether it is shopping in unique boutiques, visiting Lambeau Field or experiencing the outdoors. The possibilities are endless. visitorinfo@greenbay.com | 920.494.9507 or 888.867.3342

greenbay.com