Small Market Meetings May 2022 by The Group Travel Leader, Inc.

BRIDGING THE AGE GAP | OWENSBORO, KENTUCKY | INDIANA MEETING GUIDE MAY 2022

g n i n e v Con ON CAMPUS

ROOM TO

INSPIRE Welcome to Colorado Springs, Olympic City USA, where stunning, wide-open scenery is the backdrop to your next meeting or event. From unique venues and properties to outdoor adventure and delicious dining, COS has what you need to create a memorable attendee experience. Here, you’ll find room to inspire, innovate and reconnect.Pre-approved applicants can earn a 10% rebate between $3,500 and $10,000 against eligible hard costs for meetings and events held by 6/30/24. Learn more at VisitCOS.com/meet

KATHY REAK, CFMP Vice President of Sales Kathy@VisitCOS.com | 719.685.7632

ON THE COVER: The Purdue Mall Water Sculpture, often called Engineering Fountain, is a focal point of the Purdue University campus in West Lafayette, Indiana. Courtesy Visit Lafayette-West Lafayette.

INSIDE VOLUME 23 | ISSUE 5

MANAGING Bridging the Generation Gap

IDEAS Campus Conference Centers

CITY Owensboro, Kentucky

D E PA R T M E N T S

6 INSIGHTS Creative Convention Centers

PROFILE 8 CONFERENCE 10Sarah Sponsors Focke Add Value

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.

TOWN Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

MEETING GUIDES The Carolinas and Indiana

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

Courtesy Montage Palmetto Bluff

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

308 -2 37-3 178

INSIGHTS WITH VICKIE MITCHELL

BIG PERSONALITIES

f you’ve ever thought all convention and expo centers feel the same, these five facilities will change your mind. Each has found an inventive way to distinguish its spaces. One has added a bar that serves a local spirit, another will soon open a museum that salutes a beloved legend and a third has created a space to escape sensory overload. Each demonstrates that with just a little imagination big gathering places can feel a lot more personal.

Inventive twists give big boxes plenty of individuality

Owensboro gives bourbon a shot.

Find calm amid cacophony in Overland Park.

Conventions are typically chaotic. There’s chatter, blaring announcements, flashing lights and scurrying attendees. Staff at the Overland Park Convention Center in Overland Park, Kansas, spoke up about how, especially during stressful times like a pandemic, people with autism, anxiety, PTSD and other sensory issues might need a break from the cacophony. Management listened. The center consulted with KultureCity, a nonprofit that helps those with sensory sensitivities, to create a quiet, calming space to decompress. The convention center says it is the first in the world to offer such a space. The room has low lighting, bean bag chairs, a white-noise bubble wall and tactile art by an autistic artist. By adding the room and training at least half of its staff to be advocates for those with sensory needs, the center has earned Sensory Inclusive Certification. Attendees can also borrow the center’s KultureCity Sensory Inclusion Bags, which have noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, verbal cue cards and weighted lap pads. opconventioncenter.com

In Kentucky, the Owensboro Convention Center has assured a shot of bourbon is close at hand with its bourbon bar. A local craftsman used three oak bourbon barrels as a base for the wooden bar. Shelves of rough-hewn timber behind it are lined with bourbon bottles and drink glasses. Most of the 50 or so bourbons cost $8 a shot, with a few of rarer ones like Wild Turkey Diamond or Forged Oak Orphan Barrel costing as much as $50 a shot. In 2019, the center’s staff selected a barrel of bourbon from Bulleit Distilling, its partner in developing the bar, and that barrel has been tapped and served exclusively at the center. The bar is open to the public for Friday happy hour; meeting planners can book it for bourbon-themed receptions and happy hours. owensborocenter.com

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

In Terre Haute, Larry Bird can’t be beat.

Forty-four years after he left Indiana State University, former NBA star and coach Larry Bird remains the toast of Terre Haute, Indiana. His 15-foot statue leaps on his old school’s campus, intentionally taller than the 12-foot statue of his old rival Magic Johnson that’s on the campus of Michigan State. Soon, Terre Haute will salute Bird with a museum in its new convention center, located downtown near campus. The Larry Bird Museum is expected to open next year, about a year after the convention center opened this spring. Many of the artifacts and memorabilia to be displayed belong to a local collector. About $1.5 million has been set aside for the project, which city leaders say is a way to personalize the convention center. “We always thought that would help set our convention center apart from others,” Steve Witt, president of the Terre Haute Economic Development Corp., told local media. terrehautecc.com

Glass City Center reflects Toledo’s past.

Glass City Center, the new name for Toledo, Ohio’s remade convention center, reflects the city’s long history of glass making. It’s also a nod to the city’s glass artists. So it seems fitting that $1.5 million in public art is one of the finishing touches. Among the pieces, some made by local artists, are 30-foot-tall abstract sculptures of blue lupine, a native flower, and a 100-foot long, dangling installation of 800 mirrored discs representing a flowing stream. Toledo has spent $67 million to upgrade an existing 1980s-era, 75,000-square-foot hall and 25 meeting rooms. It also added a 16,000-square-foot carpeted ballroom with a light-filled prefunction area and balcony that overlook the Toledo Mud Hens ballpark. A pocket park is a pop of green between the center and its connected hotels, a Hilton Garden Inn and a Homewood Suites that were fashioned from an existing hotel and have a combined 300 hotel rooms. glasscitycenter.com

May 2022

Green Bay’s Lambeau gets a warm glow.

In Green Bay, a new $93 million expo center is being cheered for its clever design and winning location. Resch Expo was built within sight of the Green Bay Packers’ Lambeau Field, with views of the stadium from second-floor prefunction spaces and balconies and from a gigantic plaza between the expo center and stadium. The Resch’s roofline soars up to a point that’s aimed at Lambeau with glass walls sheltered beneath. The glass contains less iron than average, which improves transparency and makes the glass clearer. In the winter, when it is cold in Green Bay, the massive expo center’s warm glow will shine through those walls. Its plaza can be used for concerts, extended exhibit space and outdoor dinners and events. Inside, tradeshows will appreciate a 125,000-square-foot, column-free exhibit hall that can be divided into thirds. reschcomplex.com

CONFERENCE

SPONSORS POWER SMALL MARKET MEETINGS CONFERENCE THE GREATER ZION CVB WILL USE ITS SPONSORSHIP AT SMALL MARKET MEETINGS CONFERENCE TO EDUCATE MEETING PLANNERS ABOUT THE ACTIVITY OPTIONS AT ZION NATIONAL PARK (TOP AND MIDDLE) AND SNOW CANYON STATE PARK (BOTTOM).

eeting planners look forward to the annual Small Market Meetings Conference each year. It’s an opportunity for planners to network, sit down with dozens of destination providers in a marketplace setting and also book future meetings in particular locations. The next Small Market Meetings Conference is scheduled for October 2-4 in Wichita, Kansas. Some destinations represented at the conference also buy sponsorships, providing added exposure. Charlie Presley, a conference partner, says meeting planners need to pay particular attention to who is sponsoring the gathering. “Those sponsors are really the main hosts for the meeting planners,” Presley said. “The sponsor, whether a destination or a venue, is interested in planners and wants to work with them. The planners should recognize that as a good thing for them.” Sponsorships come in many forms. Some destinations will pay to sponsor the registration desk, name badges, signage, a breakfast, lunch or dinner, an educational component, or take advantage of website, social media and magazine advertising opportunities.

GREATER ZION MAKES A SPLASH

Photos courtesy Greater Zion CVB Photos courtesy Visit PCB

But one of the prize sponsorships is a podium appearance where a destination spokesperson delivers a carefully crafted message and shows a beautiful video that could entice planners to take a closer look. Greater Zion Convention and Tourism Office, based in St. George, Utah, for example, is sponsoring a luncheon at this fall’s conference. “It gives us the opportunity to share a little more about our lesser-known destination to a

BY DAN DICKSON

captive audience of planners,” said Jacqueline Grena, meeting and convention sales manager for Greater Zion. “With Zion National Park in our backyard, our area is a bucket list destination for groups and leisure travel, but people don’t realize all we have to offer and that we’re greater than just one park.” Grena says when she shares a video planners get a glimpse of the activities and facilities they offer, hopefully inspiring them to connect with her. Greater Zion is investing even more dollars to reach these meeting planners. This southern Utah destination will host the 2024 Small Market Meetings Conference. By getting the word out early and often, Grena hopes to see an even bigger audience in 2024. “We want to stay in the forefront of planners minds by building awareness and excitement during these sponsorship opportunities,” she said. “We hope to see even greater attendance at the ’24 conference so that planners can experience the area for themselves and bring their groups back.”

SPONSORS STEPPING UP

Presley likes to see sponsors use their influence whenever they can. “Sponsors step up and say they want to host these planners and to get to know them and to try to get them to come to their places,” he said. Among the other major sponsors for this year’s Small Market Meetings Conference are Explore Branson (Missouri), which will host the 2023 Small Market Meetings Conference; Visit Williamsburg and Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board, both in Pennsylvania; Visit Henderson (Nevada); Kearney (Nebraska) Visitors Bureau; and Explore Utah Valley.

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

CUSTOM CONTENT

In Laredo, two cultures mean twice the spice BY VICKIE MITCHELL

he streets of Laredo, Texas, were a little livelier late one afternoon earlier this year. The unmistakable music of a mariachi band – that lively mix of guitars, violins and trumpets –brought shopkeepers to the sidewalk. “What’s going on?” asked one, watching the band in snappy black costumes lead a crowd from the La Posada Hotel to the Laredo Center for the Arts two blocks away.

A HAPPY START

The happy procession – a riff on la callejoneada, a wedding parade that’s a tradition in some parts of Mexico – was a farewell to a conference at La Posada. “We wanted to send them off with a memorable experience,” said Selina Villarreal, marketing manager for Visit Laredo. It’s just one example of how this Texas border town of a quarter million adds its special spice – a blend of Texan and Mexican cultures – to the meetings of up to 200 attendees that best fit its two conference hotels: La Posada, a AAA Four Diamond property fashioned from several historic buildings, and the Embassy Suites, on the edge of town, near I-35.

LAREDO’S WATERFRONT WOWS

There’s no better reminder of how closely connected the two countries are than the Rio Grande, which courses through downtown, one bank American soil, the other Mexican. It is a visual reminder of where the border lies.

L a r edo / / Fi n a l Log o

VISIT LAREDO Selina Villarreal 956-794-1717 svillarrea@ci.laredo.tx.us visitlaredo.com

The river and Mexico beyond are the scenery at the Max, Laredo’s municipal golf course. Far from your average city golf course, the Max is a Robert Trent Jones Signature, which typically signals a high price to play. Not in Laredo though, where a round runs $40 to $50. Popular for golf outings, the course’s clubhouse is also designed for meetings, with a ballroom that has large windows with river views and a large, adjoining deck for cocktails, yoga classes or barbecue and Tex-Mex meals. The river is also a focus at Laredo Water Museum. The Rio Grande is the area’s water source and the museum educates people about the importance of water conservation in such an arid climate. Engaging exhibits detail the amount of water needed to run a dishwasher or make a pair of jeans. “It will make you never want to use a plastic water bottle again,” Villarreal says. Its meeting spaces are popular with small groups, especially an auditorium that seats 50.

ADD IN SOME LOCAL FLAIR

Like the water museum, exhibits at the Laredo Center for the Arts convey local culture through rotating art works. in four galleries. Located in a historic building that once was a marketplace, its large, open meeting space can be used in varied ways. In fact, when the mariachi parade arrived there, conference attendees were greeted by Mexican dancers, music and booths set up by local import shops. The mini-marketplace was a hit, especially with attendees who’d had little time to shop during their stay. “It adds to the experience and reminds you that it doesn’t have to be all business,” said Villarreal.

“People say ‘you need to be a people person’ about almost every job, but in this job, you need to be a people person because you are your community’s expert. You’re the point person — the face of that property you’re working for.”

MEETING LEADERS SARAH FOCKE

“P

BY REBECCA TREON

eople say ‘you need to be a people person’ about almost every job,” said Sarah Focke, tourism and convention manager at the Kearney Visitors Bureau. “But in this job, you need to be a people person because you are your community’s expert. You’re the point person — the face of that property you’re working for.” Focke’s enthusiastic personality makes her a natural fit for repping Kearney, Nebraska. The town, located in the central part of the state, is best known as home of the annual Great Sandhill Crane migration, which draws 40,000 visitors from 64 countries over a six-week time frame. “We see people from all over the United States and around the world, and you have to be able to connect with those people,” said Focke. “It’s really rewarding to know people want to come to your destination, and you’re there to tell them all about it.” Focke grew up in Freeport, Illinois (population under 30,000) and said she always knew she was destined to work in travel — preferably in a big city. As a child, she had seen her parents take vacations with company clients to destinations like Puerto Rico and Mexico. And with her own penchant for planning, she said she thought it would be fun to be in charge of organizing those trips. She pursued the idea in college, graduating from the University of Nebraska at Kearney with a bachelor’s degree in travel and tourism with internships in Lake Geneva and in Rockford, Illinois. Those internships gave her a taste of hotel sales, and she began to cast her net looking for bigger opportunities. “In my last semester of college, I was ap-

plying at airlines, hotels, resorts — all kinds of random places,” said Focke. “I figured out that you need to be in the town where you’re looking for a job to be hired. I ended up in Colorado, staying with my former babysitter, looking for jobs in Denver.” She settled in Denver (with a population approaching 3 million), first working at the Adam’s Mark Hotel downtown as a sales assistant and meeting manager. Later, while working as a meeting manager for Great Western Association Management (now part of Civica Association Conferences and Exhibitions), she reconnected with a college acquaintance who was relocating to Denver for an internship. He became more than an acquaintance: Sparks flew and the two got married, staying in the area before returning to Kearney roughly a year after they tied the knot. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be back in Kearney,” said Focke, who had imagined staying in Denver forever. “But there are a lot of things that change your perspective as an adult compared with being a college student.” At first, she wasn’t sure how she’d stay in her career since towns with small tourism offices can be notoriously tough to crack. “Somebody ended up moving, and my position became available,” said Focke. “My job has evolved tremendously over the years. Every day is different in our field: and in a small community, especially, we wear many different hats.” Focke counts herself lucky in that she loves coming to work every day — something she advises people who are considering a job in hospitality and tourism to think about seriously. “You’ll be happier if you do what you love,” she said. “I absolutely love my job.”

EXECUTIVE PROFILE NAME Sarah Focke TITLE Convention and Tourism Manager ORGANIZATION Kearney Visitors Bureau LOCATION Kearney, Nebraska BIRTHPLACE Freeport, Illinois EDUCATION Bachelor of Science, Travel and Tourism, University of Nebraska Kearney CAREER HISTORY • Sales for Adam’s Mark Denver Hotel, Denver Colorado: 1997-2001 • Meeting Planner for Great Western Association Management, Denver, Colorado: 2001-2002 • Kearney Visitors Bureau, Kearney Nebraska: 2002-present

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

TIPS FROM SARAH FOCKE

• Make connections. Relationships are so important to help you succeed. • Take advantage of the local CVB or tourism office. They are the destination experts, and their services are complimentary! A lot of people just don’t utilize what they have.

SARAH FOCKE (RIGHT) ENJOYS A TRACK MEET WITH HER HUSBAND, CHARLES, AND DAUGHTER ABIGAIL.

• If you love to travel, be aware that not all tourism jobs require travel. But if you enjoy travel and are open to experiencing a new culture, tourism is a great industry to get into.

Where

Meets

BUSINESS

ADVENTURE

Trek along hundreds of miles of trails. Cruise or cast a line on the waters of Lake Mead. Paddleboard, jet pack, or kayak at Lake Las Vegas. Play at one of our nine championship golf courses. All of this, May just 2022 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip.

VISITHENDERSONNV.COM 7 0 2 - 2 6 7 - 2 6 7 0 11

MANAGING

Bridging the Generation Gap EXPERTS SHARE TIPS ON PLANNING MULTIGENERATIONAL MEETINGS

BY RACHEL CRICK

n today’s ever-changing world, the generational gap looms large. This is also true in the workplace — and at professional events — where generational stereotypes, as well as changes in industries and technology can further widen the gulf. The introduction of millennials and Generation Z into the workforce has begun to influence the world of event planning, and for good reason: Planners who aren’t prepared to cater to an audience that’s diverse in age risk creating meetings and events that fall short. But this means planners must find a way to appeal to these younger generations without leaving Generation X and the baby boomers behind. Crafting meetings that appeal to multiple generations takes some extra thought, but it’s well worth the effort. Here are some tips from meeting experts who have found effective ways to bridge the generation gap.

On the importance of multigenerational appeal: “If we continue to only focus on a certain demographic, we’re limiting our ability to really innovate, to really educate.”

IT BEGINS WITH LEADERSHIP Meetings and events begin with ideas and objectives. It’s a planner’s job to develop these ideas and meet these objectives with their event design, and this is usually done with the help of a team. One way to ensure a meeting appeals to multiple generations is to include people who belong to those generations on that planning team. “If your leadership team is diverse, it’s going to be easier to attract a diverse audience,” said Alexa Carlin, CEO and founder of Women Empower X, a business training company for women entrepreneurs. As a millennial leader in business herself, Carlin recommends incorporating people of diverse ages because they know how to attract others from their generation. Having a representative from each generation is also a good way to generate new ideas and strategies and keep a fresh perspective throughout the planning process. Each generation brings something to the table when it comes to the event design in the initial stages. Millennials and Generation Z may have excellent ideas about how to reach a younger audience through social media marketing, while baby boomers and Generation X may be able to use their experience in the industry to make calls about content. This distribution of diverse ages and ideas within an event’s leadership is critical to generating an audience that’s equally diverse.

Alexa Carlin FOUNDER/CEO

Women Empower X Experience: 6 years

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

CONSIDER THEIR DIFFERENCES

On tailoring content for multiple generations: “If you're not giving them content that's palatable for them or that they're accustomed to, you're not going to have happy attendees.”

Kevin Iwamoto CCO/HEAD OF ENTERPRISE Bizly Experience: 35-plus years

May 2022

Every generation is used to doing things slightly differently; each has its own preferences and strengths. While there are members of each generation who may defy the norm, some generalizations allow planners to guess at appropriate aspects of meeting design. “You need to be mindful, because each generation has a different learning style,” said Chris Ballman, director of professional development at the American Society of Safety Professionals. Baby boomers tend to expect lecture-style formats, he said, while Generation X is used to group work. To satisfy more than one learning style, planners should vary the format of their meeting sessions, such as incorporating breakout sessions that give the opportunity for group work in between speakers. It’s no secret millennials and Generation Z are associated with a level of tech savvy that older generations may lack. Many event planners use mobile apps, websites or social media to streamline their events, but this could alienate some attendees who aren’t up to speed with their tech. To appeal to an audience that’s diverse in age, avoid relying entirely on technology. Attention span also tends to differ from one generation to the next. Shorter, more engaging sessions with breaks in between may be more likely to appeal to millennials and Generation Z, and the older generations may not mind them either. Another issue that often divides generations is in-person vs. virtual events. Now that many planners and attendees have experience with events in virtual or hybrid formats, it can be an attractive option to consider. “Generation X and baby boomers are really invested in live, human to human event configurations,” said Kevin Iwamoto, CCO and head of enterprise at Bizly, a software platform designed to streamline meeting planning. He added that the younger generations are more willing to attend events virtually. In fact, some may even prefer it, especially if they’re only interested in attending a portion of a conference or meeting. A compromise might be adding a hybrid component to your event so that millennials and Generation Z can attend select sessions if they choose, while ensuring others are still satisfied by their in-person experience.

GET TO KNOW YOUR ATTENDEES To design a meeting that best meets the needs of its attendees, a planner must be familiar with the audience. Knowing what to expect in terms of demographic makeup can help planners gauge what expectations the attendees have for the event and determine how to deliver the best event possible to them. “Content should always be skewed to the majority of the attendees,” said Iwamoto.

MANAGING

Iwamoto recommends analyzing the generational makeup of an event’s attendees to select the best strategy for appealing to the majority of people. For example, if a large percentage of an event’s prospective attendees are baby boomers, it might not be wise to book virtual keynote speakers, whereas a majority-millennial crowd might not mind that. However, just because one generation makes up the majority of attendees doesn’t mean you should entirely neglect the others; make sure to still appeal to them when designing your meeting. “If you're not hitting the generational needs, you're missing out on all that's important and why they came,” said Ballman. Ballman recommends distributing surveys before the event, such as during registration, and using the data to design the meeting. Likewise, using post-event evaluations to determine the success the event had with members of different generations gives planners an idea of how to tweak their strategy in the future.

On designing multigenerational meetings: “The key thing to all learning is just making sure you understand what your audience’s needs are.”

ALL ABOUT CONNECTIONS Connecting with others is one of the primary functions of events, whether it’s business networking or forming personal friendships. It’s also something that increases engagement among attendees from every generation, which means offering opportunities to connect should be at the forefront of all successful multigenerational meetings. One way to do this is formatting the meeting sessions to encourage conversation between attendees. This can be something as simple as asking prompts that require them to talk to the person they’re sitting next to or as involved as completing whole sessions in small groups. Another way to encourage those peer connections is through collaborative efforts and problem-solving. This may look like providing case studies or real-world examples for attendees to examine and discuss in small groups. “When you engage everybody and get people working together, it kills two birds with one stone,” said Ballman. “You're networking and you're learning.” Each generation has something to teach the others, but this can only happen if they’re communicating. “There’s a big need for events to really capture diverse ages because the younger generation can learn so much from the older generations and vice versa,” said Carlin. Connections also stem from common ground. To appeal to multiple generations, Iwamoto recommends finding that common ground. Carlin agrees, saying a mission that resonates across the board can draw in and appeal to people from multiple generations. It may seem difficult to find common ground among a group of people who are DIRECTOR OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT so diverse, but causes or issues that appeal to many people American Society of Safety Professionals — such as sustainability — are often a great place to start. Experience: 20 years “If you take the time, you can find common ground and build the sessions according to that,” said Iwamoto.

Chris Ballman

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

#MeetInChandll Located 20 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Award-winning hotels at a variety of price points to ﬁt your budget Near-perfect weather with 300+ sunny days for outdoor activities and exploration An innovative community that meets the needs of today’s business traveler The team at Visit Chandler is ready to assist you through the entire process and help you plan your best meeting in Chandler, AZ.

May 2022

chandlermeetings.com (480) 782-3037

IDEAS

Courtesy Miami University

CONVENING ON CAMPUS These universities offer full-service meeting venues

BY RACHEL CRICK

or a venue with class, planners should head back to campus. Plenty of colleges and universities around the country have upscale conference centers on their campuses. These institutions of higher learning make great settings for meetings. In addition to providing an atmosphere conducive to learning, they also often function as

one-stop shops for planners, offering a selection of high-tech audiovisual equipment, professional catering and plenty of elegant venues to choose from. These five conference centers on university campuses provide the perfect place for attendees to collaborate and learn.

MARCUM HOTEL AND CONFERENCE CENTER

OXFORD, OHIO Known for its gorgeous campus and impressive liberal arts curriculum, Miami University was nicknamed the Yale of the West. It’s located in the quaint college town of Oxford, Ohio, where it was established in 1809. Surrounded by lush gardens and historic campus buildings, the Marcum Hotel and Conference Center was built on Miami University’s campus in 1981 and renovated in 2012. Its scenic surroundings, its proximity to Oxford and its hotel make the Marcum a premier meeting destination in the Midwest.

Above: Groups will find on-campus accommodations and 10,000 square feet of meeting space at the Marcum Hotel and Conference Center at Miami University in Ohio.

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Known for its gorgeous campus and impressive liberal arts curriculum, Miami University was nicknamed the Yale of the West.

“It's a beautiful campus in a quiet spot,” said Amy Poppel, director of the Marcum. The Marcum offers just under 10,000 square feet of meeting space and 10 meeting rooms to choose from, the largest of which seats 275 theater-style and 150 for banquets. Several conference rooms and classrooms are available for smaller meetings. The meeting spaces come equipped with ceiling-mounted projectors and a sound system, as well as access to trained IT staff to assist with all of a planner’s technology needs. In addition to its meeting rooms, the Marcum has 55 polished guest rooms for attendees to stay overnight, making it a one-stop shop for meetings or conferences requiring attendees to travel. The Marcum’s exclusive inhouse catering provides set menus to choose from but can also work with planners to create custom menus for any event. miamioh.edu/campus-services/ event-services/marcum/

Courtesy Miami University

May 2022

The Marcum Hotel at Miami University features meeting rooms, work spaces and comfortable public areas.

IDEAS

HUNTER ALUMNI CENTER

CEDAR CITY, UTAH Originally founded in 1897 as a teaching school, Southern Utah University is in Cedar City, Utah. It became a college in 1913 and attained university status in 1991. Today, it’s known for its nursing and visual and performing arts programs. The university emphasizes its small class sizes and access to outdoor recreation as major perks of attending. It’s also home to the Hunter Alumni Center, which was built in 1927 as a student center and gymnasium. The center’s historic architecture and selection of event spaces make it a sought-after venue for events of all kinds. “It's the ambience of the space that draws people here,” said Bayli Alexander, event coordinator at Southern Utah University. “It’s not your typical event space.” The Hunter Alumni Center has nine unique spaces for planners to choose from. The Gilbert

HUNTER ALUMNI CENTER AT SOUTHERN UTAH UNIVERSITY

Courtesy Southern Utah University

INDOOR MEETINGS. OUTDOOR OASIS.

With 221 guest rooms and more than 15,000 square feet of interior event space, including a modern conference center and Grand Ballroom, the Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort & Spa is ready to host your next great meeting or event. The zero-entry resort pool complex oﬀers private cabanas and a pool bar, while a full-service spa awaits to relax and rejuvenate both body and mind. The resort also boasts 54 holes of world-class golf on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Grand National, as well as tennis and pickleball, all in one resort location. To learn more call 800.593.6456 or visit MarriottGrandNational.com. AUBURN MARRIOTT OPELIKA RESORT & SPA AT GRAND NATIONAL 3700 ROBERT TRENT JONES TRAIL OPELIKA, AL 36801 MARRIOTTGRANDNATIONAL.COM

PCH3462AUBURN_SmallMarketMtgs_HLFbld.indd 1

1/11/22 1:58 PM

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Great Hall, affectionately nicknamed the Harry Potter Room, is perhaps the most popular, known for its stately architecture and moody feel. It has a capacity of 600 theater-style. Other large spaces include the Charles Hunter Room and the Whiting Room, which can accommodate up to 150 and 100 people, respectively. Six smaller meeting rooms range from conference rooms seating 16 to classrooms seating 40. The center offers a range of audiovisual equipment depending on the space, from sound systems to spotlights. Planners have the choice of using the in-house catering company or an outside caterer. suu.edu/guestservices/hcc

A DISTINCTIVE MEETING SPACE INSIDE HUNTER ALUMNI CENTER

NIGH UNIVERSITY CENTER

EDMOND, OKLAHOMA The University of Central Oklahoma was founded in 1890, making it one of the oldest universities in the southwestern United States. Located in Edmond, just north of Oklahoma City, this public university is

Courtesy Southern Utah University

SmallMarketMeetings December.qxp_Layout 1 11/17/20 3:01 PM Page 1

Manhattan MEET IN

Our conference center expansion

continues to make Manhattan the

walkable meeting destination in Kansas

Oh Manhattan !

VISITMANHATTANKS.ORG

May 2022

IDEAS

recognized for its education, nursing and music degrees, particularly its jazz studies program. The Nigh University Center, its event space, was built in 1967, and an addition to the center was completed in 1997. The center offers planners a range of indoor and outdoor event spaces to accommodate any event. The 9,000-square-foot ballroom is the perfect setting for large events, seating up to 600 theater- style or up to 525 with banquet rounds; it can also be divided into three smaller rooms. The center’s auditorium, Constitution Hall, can seat up to 510. A selection of smaller classrooms and conference rooms of varying sizes are available to choose from, and each of the center’s premium spaces comes equipped with standard audiovisual equipment. The center also offers several spaces for outdoor events, including a picturesque terrace overlooking Broncho Lake. The Nigh University Center’s exclusive in-house caterer can provide everything from plated dinners to hors d’oeuvres and also serves alcohol. uco.edu/offices/events/spaces

UNIQUELY

AUTHENTIC

Courtesy University of Central Oklahoma

UNIQUELY

YOURS

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.

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Located in Edmond, just north of Oklahoma City, University of Central Oklahoma is recognized for its education, nursing and music degrees, particularly its jazz studies program.

Courtesy University of Central Oklahoma

Above: A waterfront terrace at Nigh University Center Opposite page: Nigh University Center at the University of Central Oklahoma

May 2022

MEET WITH PURPOSE

IN LINCOLN, NEBRASKA LIN C O LN .O R G/SMM

It’s worth meeting about. Plan stress-free events to share ideas and shape the future.

IDEAS

TIFTON CAMPUS CONFERENCE CENTER

MEET.

TIFTON, GEORGIA Located in Tifton, Georgia, the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Science has been contributing to agriculture and sustainability research for over 100 years. The Tifton Campus Conference Center began hosting events in 2005 and has since become a popular destination for large groups, such as faith-based conferences. Tifton’s convenient location and small-town feel make it ideal for attendees to enjoy Georgia’s warm weather and Southern hospitality during their downtime, but the biggest draw of the Tifton Campus Conference Center is its range of options when it comes to event space. “All our space is very, very flexible,” said Kim Rutland, director of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. The center offers an impressive 95,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 14,000-square-foot ballroom that can accommodate up to 1,000 people. It can also be split into four smaller rooms seating

Below: Tifton Campus Conference Center at the University of Georgia features a variety of indoor and outdoor meeting spaces.

Come for the meeting... Stay for the woods, wine, and the adventures in between.

618-529-4451 carbondaletourism.org

Courtesy University of Georgia

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Surrounded by lush gardens and historic campus buildings, the Marcum Hotel and Conference Center was built on Miami University’s campus in 1981 and renovated in 2012. Its scenic surroundings, proximity to Oxford and its hotel make the Marcum a premier meeting destination in the Midwest.

up to 240. For receptions or formal banquets, the John Hunt Lobby/Atrium provides 2,200 square feet of elegantly decorated space. The center also features several auditoriums, with the John Hunt Auditorium seating over 2,000. A board room and multiple conference rooms can be configured to accommodate groups ranging in size from 12 to 250. Planners have access to a wide range of the latest audiovisual equipment and tech for their events. While the Tifton Campus Conference Center doesn’t have an on-site caterer, they work closely with local caterers and campus restaurants to provide an approved catering list for any event. ugatiftonconference.caes.uga.edu

CONFERENCE CENTER AT THE UNIVERSITIES AT SHADY GROVE

ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND Universities at Shady Grove is a regional center for the University System of Maryland, meaning it isn’t a distinct university of its own but rather a collection of universities on one campus. Founded in 1992 and located in Rockville, Maryland, it offers degrees from nine non-competing Maryland

May 2022

Lubbock's iconic amusement park, Joyland, entertains with the nostalgia of a beloved theme park. Break out of the boardroom for an afternoon on the bumper cars and carousel, or chase the thrill with the Dare Devil Drop and the Galaxi Coaster. End the day gliding across the park on the Skyride and celebrate with a funnel cake! or g Scan rfil lin h t more ntures in e adv e 806! th

VISITLUBBOCK.ORG

#LIVELOVELUBBOCK

IDEAS

Where innovation, education, and community collide.

universities. Because it’s part of Maryland’s Technology Corridor, it should come as no surprise the Conference Center at Shady Grove is renowned for its technological prowess. “It’s a unique place to have meetings because it’s cutting edge,” said Steven Thompson, director of conference and event services at Shady Grove. Event spaces span four buildings and total 300,000 square feet, so planners have no shortage of meeting spaces to choose from. The 9,000 square foot ballroom can seat up to 1,000 theater-style and up to 350 banquet-style. The university also offers multiple auditoriums and over 100 classrooms, each of which is a smart classroom, meaning the room’s technology is controlled at the lecture podium. It also features a full range of audiovisual equipment for planners to use in any room of their choosing and also boasts high quality streaming capabilities for virtual or hybrid events. On-site technical support is available to help planners utilize the full array of technology at their disposal. Shady Grove has exclusive on-site catering for any event, from receptions to banquets. shadygrove.umd.edu/conference-center

Below: Maryland’s Universities at Shady Grove

In Champaign County, we lead through innovation. We’re safely bringing back meetings & events together with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and our Outside of Ordinary community. Learn more about expanded and new meeting space for your return to events. Schedule a site visit today to receive an Outside of Ordinary gift! 800.369.6151 caitlynf@visitchampaigncounty.org

champaignmeets.com

Courtesy Universities at Shady Grove

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

meetings.visitknoxville.com

May 2022

‘BOURBON,

s s a r g e u l B

AND BARBECUE’

Downtown Owensboro offers numerous opportunities for waterfront activities along the banks of the Ohio River. By AP Imagery, All photos courtesy Visit Owensboro

CITY

Culture and cuisine make Owensboro a Kentucky treasure

BY KATHERINE TANDY BROWN

wensboro, Kentucky, has come a long way since its 1797 beginnings as a cabin on the Ohio River. This contemporary city has undergone a remarkable downtown makeover and is known for its bourbon, bluegrass and barbecue, all of which make it an attractive destination for meeting planners and attendees. While Owensboro pitmasters have been racking up fans for their barbecued mutton and burgoo since 1834, bourbon and bluegrass in the city continue to carve out their own niches. The iconic Green River Distilling Company, the 10th-oldest in the state, has released a new bourbon that’s making waves, and the city last year was named Bluegrass Music Capital of the World after building a new Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum that’s drawing crowds from all over the globe. All the while, Owensboro’s kudos keep rolling in like the river keeps rolling by.

OWENSBORO AT A GLANCE LOCATION: Western Kentucky on the Ohio River ACCESS: New Interstate 165 spur off interstates 65 and 64; Owensboro/Daviess Country Regional Airport HOTEL ROOMS: 1,000 CONTACT INFO: Visit Owensboro 270-926-1100 visitowensboro.com OWENSBORO CONVENTION CENTER BUILT: 2014, café area complete renovation several years ago EXHIBIT SPACE: 102,000 square feet total meeting space, 44,096 square feet of exhibit hall space OTHER MEETING SPACES: 14 total meeting and breakout rooms MEETING HOTELS Hampton Inn and Suites Downtown Owensboro Waterfront GUEST ROOMS: 150 MEETING SPACE: 2,425 square feet Holiday Inn Owensboro Riverfront GUEST ROOMS: 123, including 10 single king suites MEETING SPACE: 1,400 square feet, plus a boardroom for 10 WHO’S MEETING IN OWENSBORO Kentucky United Methodists ATTENDEES: 3,000 OMG!con ATTENDEES: 2,500 Kentucky Bar Association ATTENDEES: 2,000

May 2022

Destination Highlights

he $47 million Owensboro Convention Center has earned a host of awards and media accolades, including being named one of Exhibitor magazine’s 2022 Centers of Excellence, honoring North America’s top 30 convention centers for trade shows and events. The center was part of a 2001 proposal that transformed Owensboro’s Riverfront District at lightning speed. Goals of the urban-mix approach were to build a world-class, user-friendly riverfront; encourage downtown development and business; and promote the city as a riverboat destination. Sculpting a new personality along the way, the project accomplished its goals. One is the expansive $67 million Smothers Park and Promenade along the riverfront. Not part of the riverfront remake, RiverPark Center opened in 1992 on the Ohio. The nearly 100,000-square foot venue hosts Broadway shows and concerts, has myriad event spaces and meeting rooms, and is home to the Owensboro Symphony. Voted an All-American City the year the billion-dollar revamp came to fruition, Owensboro has been named a “Top 10 Music City Destination” by Brand USA, and Rolling Stone called it one of seven “Must-Visit Places Country Music Fans Should Flock to Now.” The city is an easy place to visit and to meet. “Once you park your car, you can walk to the Convention Center, meet, then walk to the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum, downtown restaurants, boutiques and breweries,” said Dave Kirk, director of destination management for Visit Owensboro. “Everything you might want to do here is within about a two-mile radius.”

Owensoro’s River District

DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS By AP Imagery

DISTINCTIVE VENUES

Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame

Distinctive Venues

ocated across the street from the Owensboro Convention Center, the new Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum honors the musical genre’s history, regularly features live Bluegrass performances and even encourages visitors to play display instruments. Its multiple meeting spaces include a 2,230-square-foot lobby; a 477-seat theater; an outdoor stage and grassy area for 1,500; and a third-floor, 4,000-plus-square-foot ballroom and 990-square-foot balcony, all with unobstructed river and downtown views. “Guests can take a guided tour of the museum during breakout sessions or cocktail hours,” said Lindsey Hart, event sales manager. At Green River Distilling Company, one of the most historic landmarks on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, groups can incorporate bourbon tastings into their event. Established in 1885, the distillery survived a devastating fire, Prohibition, multiple owners and dormancy before reopening in 2014 under the talented eye of eighth-generation master distiller Jacob Call. Green River Distilling Company has two major gathering spaces. The first is the 9,000-square-foot Bottling House, a rustic piece of distillery history that holds 350 people for seated dinners and balls. The second is an expansive, several-acre grassy area, with room for tents and stages, and the company’s clay-tile rickhouses and distillery as backdrop. An Owensboro city treasure, the Western Kentucky Botanical Gardens features event spaces that provide a breath of fresh air for meeting attendees. Nestled among 13 specialty gardens are a cottage with varying-capacity suites, an education building with 36 capacity, and a gorgeous 1840s home. Groups can attend plant-centric programs and classes.

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Major Meeting Spaces

AFTER HOURS

Moonlight Bar-B-Q Inn

uilt less than a decade ago, the award-winning Owensboro Convention Center shines with 102,000 square feet of meeting, event and reception space that can host groups of five to 3,000. In the heart of the downtown River District, the contemporary building features soaring ceilings, state-of-the-art technology and acoustics, stunning art, expansive windows and plentiful natural light. A 16,453-square-foot lobby seats 890 for a banquet, while two 13,000-plus-square-foot ballrooms can accommodate 910 guests each. Constructed on the footprint of the Executive Inn Rivermont, the convention center has an outdoor terrace and the remarkable outdoor Kentucky Legend Pier. Overlooking the Ohio River, this 8,925-square-foot venue is the old hotel’s reimagined lounge stage that once hosted such greats as Ray Charles and the Beach Boys. The structure accommodates 1,000 theater-style. “Our in-house food and beverage team can customize any menu a planner might be looking for, including dietary needs or restrictions of a guest,” said director of marketing Jeannette Goins. Owensboro Convention Center recently added an ice rink and a multi-purpose sports floor. Next to the center on one side is the 150-room, LEED-certified Hampton Inn and Suites Downtown Owensboro Waterfront — known as “the nicest Hampton Inn in America,” thanks to local developers. On the other side is the 123-room Holiday Inn Owensboro Riverfront. Across the street from all three, a Home2 Suites by Hilton with about 400 rooms will open in 2023. With numerous restaurants nearby, attendees can walk, hop aboard a free downtown trolley or stay and eat at the center.

MAJOR MEETING SPACES

May 2022

Owensboro Convention Center

After the Meeting

ummer nights on the Ohio Riverfront rock with free concerts on eight outdoor stages at Friday Night Live, named one of Kentucky’s “Top Ten Festivals.” Thanks to its three stops on the Western Kentucky BBQ Trail, Owensboro is known as the Barbecue Capital of the World by area aficionados. Included are Old Hickory Pit Bar-B-Que, begun in 1918 by Charles “Pappy” Foreman, whose sixth generation still runs it, and Pappy Bosley’s Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn, started in 1963. Ditto for his descendants. Both legendary joints specialize in low and slow, hickory-smoked barbecue — mutton in particular — as well as burgoo. For folks new to the cuisine, Moonlite’s lunch buffet is a great way to try everything. After a grandiose facelift, a former elementary school has morphed into Preservation Station Market and Event Center. The building houses 39,000 square feet of antique, boutique and vintage shopping in 60-plus former classrooms. A 100-seat Southern restaurant serves bourbon burgers and a superb Sunday breakfast. The perfect place for attendees and their spouses to chill, SIP Wine Room offers the opportunity to experience its extensive wine list by the bottle, glass, half-glass or ounce in a bright, contemporary riverside setting. Craft beer is on tap, and the bourbon list is impressive. Guests can sip indoors on comfy couches or on an outdoor patio. “We call Owensboro the most picturesque bend on the Ohio River,” Kirk said. “Once you’ve been here, you’ll want to bring your family back.”

TOWN

HISTORIC

g r u b s y t Get F

BY LINDSEY HYDE

ew places have as much history per square mile as Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Home to the grounds where more than 160,000 soldiers fought in the Civil War, Gettysburg prides itself in commemorating its history. Whether people are exploring the battlefield and Gettysburg National Cemetery or grabbing a bite to eat at a downtown pub, traces of the past come into view. “Our history is the backdrop to a lot of what we do here,” said Carl Whitehill, vice president of Destination Gettysburg. But while walking the battlefield and learning more about the war and those involved are a top draw, Gettysburg’s history isn’t its only asset. “We’re one of the largest apple-growing regions in the United States, so we have people who are making hard cider and different apple products. We’re really proud of all that,” Whitehill said. Gettysburg also boasts a charming downtown where people can find farmto-table dinning, brewing companies and wine shops, historic taverns, local boutiques, museums, art galleries and more. Plus, thanks to its location in rural Pennsylvania, the city provides beautiful views of rolling hills, a relaxing atmosphere, fresh air and numerous ways to have fun. Horseback riding and biking are popular outdoor activities in Gettysburg, and along with the trails that wind through Gettysburg National Military Park, the city’s proximity to state parks, such Caledonia and Codorus, provides people with excellent hiking options. “All these things kind of really whet people’s appetites for getting outside and getting active,” Whitehill said. Collectively, these facets make this city of just over 7,000 people the perfect location for company meetings and retreats. Largely attracted to the area are groups located in nearby Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Washington, D.C., according to Whitehill. Two local hotels serve as the city’s main meeting venues. The Gettysburg Hotel is located in town on Lincoln Square, and the Wyndham Gettysburg is a less than 10-minute drive from downtown. Several smaller venues are also available for those looking for a space to meet, from modern hotels and bed-and-breakfasts to historic inns and even a revitalized school building.

GETTYSBURG NATIONAL MILITARY PARK Photos courtesy Destination Gettysburg

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

DATING TO 1797, THE GETTYSBURG HOTEL IS THE CENTERPIECE OF DOWNTOWN GETTYSBURG.

Wyndham Gettysburg

Located at the intersection of U.S. routes 15 and 30, the Wyndham Gettysburg is the largest meeting venue in the city. The hotel offers 18 meeting rooms, totaling more than 62,500 square feet of meeting and event space. While the facility’s Presidential Ballroom is nearly 9,000 square feet and can accommodate 500 people, smaller rooms of varying sizes are also available to host groups with fewer attendees. Each room features on-site audio and visual services, and catering from the hotel’s award-winning executive chef, Andrew Ernst, is also available. Groups can choose from a selection of food-and-beverage packages to keep attendees satisfied throughout the day.

Gettysburg Hotel

GETTYSBURG PENNSYLVANIA LOCATION

Southern Pennsylvania

ACCESS

U.S. routes 15 and 30, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Harrisburg International Airport

MAJOR MEETING SPACES

Wyndham Gettysburg, Gettysburg Hotel

HOTEL ROOMS

What began as a tavern in 1797, Gettysburg Hotel is awash with historic charm. As the city’s second-largest meeting venue, this facility provides 10 meeting rooms of differing sizes, totaling approximately 9,000 square feet of space. Its Grand Ballroom, adorned with 19th century chandeliers, is 3,350 square feet and can accommodate 204 people. It is equipped with Wi-Fi as well as blackout shades for video presentations. Housed in the heart of downtown, the hotel is in walking distance of the battlefield, restaurants, museums, shops and galleries, providing groups with plenty of places to explore when not in meetings. For guests with vehicles, plentiful parking can be found downtown as well.

Federal Pointe Inn One of Gettysburg’s most unique hotels is Federal Pointe Inn. Formerly, the Meade School built in 1897, this beautiful brick building was renovated into an 18-room boutique hotel in 2012. The inn offers two meeting rooms equipped to accommodate groups of 10 to 35 people. Wi-Fi, LCD projectors and copy, print and fax machines are available, and groups using the space can arrange for full-service catering. Located on Springs Avenue, Federal Pointe Inn provides easy access to everything the city’s downtown has to offer, from restaurants and shops to galleries and museums.

Approximately 2,500

OFF-SITE VENUES

Middle Creek Retreat and Event Center, The Swope Manor Bed and Breakfast, Newhart’s Iron Horse Inn, Battlefield Bed and Breakfast Inn, Georges on York Bed and Breakfast, Middle Creek Manor, The Altland House, The Gettysburg Academy Bed and Breakfast

CONTACT INFO

Destination Gettysburg 717-338-3062 destinationgettysburg.com

May 2022

Creating Leaders Leadership development programs run the gamut in Gettysburg. With four popular options — Gettysburg Leadership Experience, Tigrett Leadership Academy, The Lincoln Leadership Institute at Gettysburg and the Gettysburg Foundation’s Professional Leadership Development — companies can choose the program that best aligns with their needs and goals. While each program has its own methods and curriculums, many turn to the battlefield, referencing great leaders like Abraham Lincoln and Dwight Eisenhower.

TOWN

g r u b s y t t Ge SHOPPING IN GETTYSBURG

Coming Together

Meeting Adjourned

Opportunities for groups to engage in team-building exercises can be found all over Gettysburg. One popular choice is Gettysburg Goofballs and Ghost Stories, where entertainers tell ghost stories and provide scavengers hunts and circus lessons. Other examples include Fields of Adventure, a family farm with a corn maze, a pumpkin patch and other seasonal offerings; Carlisle Sports Emporium, an entertainment complex with batting cages, go-karts, mini golf and more; and the 1863 Escape Room, which incorporates Civil War history into its themed experiences. Each of these options allows group members to spend time connecting and having fun with one another in a laid-back setting.

Outside of meetings, Gettysburg offers a slew of attractions to keep groups entertained. Many are well-known, like the battlefield, Gettysburg National Cemetery and the Eisenhower National Historic Site, the preserved home and farm of the 34th president, while other little gems are found downtown. Mela Kitchen is a great place to cap off an evening of meetings. Guests can sample the establishment’s delicious ciders made from locally grown apples and pair their drinks with delicious pizza, burgers, subs, pastas and more. One must-visit space is the 1776 historic Dobbin House. While guests can tour the home, it is also known for its tavern and dining rooms. The historic atmosphere and cuisine work hand-in-hand to take guests back in time.

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

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

May 2022

Carolina Resorts

Meetdieng Gui

Courtesy Omni Grove Park Inn

BY PAULA AVEN GLADYCH

rom pristine beaches and low country rivers and marshes to gorgeous mountains and forests, the Carolinas offer wonderful meeting and conference facilities, as well as opportunities to get away from it all and out into nature. Here are five Carolina resorts that make perfect gathering places and getaways for meeting groups. THE OMNI GROVE PARK INN

Asheville, North Carolina In Asheville, North Carolina, Omni Grove Park Inn is a historic hotel that was first built in 1913 by E.W. Grove, a Tennessee pharmacist who invented a better-tasting liquid quinine treatment for malaria. With amazing views of the Pisgah Mountains, the resort has hosted every U.S. presi-

CONSTRUCTED IN 1913, ASHEVILLE’S OMNI GROVE PARK INN HAS 513 GUEST ROOMS AND 86,000 SQUARE FEET OF MEETING SPACE.

dent, as well as inventors Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. The inn has expanded over the years and now boasts 513 guest rooms and 86,000 square feet of meeting space. The Sunset Terrace is perfect for enjoying lunch or watching a sunset dinner. And even though the resort has such a large amount of meeting spaces available, its average group books 60 rooms or less. There are seven restaurants on property, as well as an 18-hole Donald Ross golf course and a 43,000-square-foot subterranean spa with 20 water features. Only guests of the resort can take advantage of the spa, which includes an indoor grotto with a waterfall. It was built facing the mountains from the back of the hotel. A 50,000-square-foot sports complex with an indoor pool, racquetball courts, health club and tennis courts is adjacent to the inn. There are three outdoor venues, including the Seely Pavilion, which is right off the golf course overlooking the mountains and can host welcome or closing receptions of up to 500 people, as well as the Mountain View Terrace and the Vanderbilt Terrace. The resort has its own hiking trails, and groups can organize dine-arounds in downtown Asheville. omnihotels.com

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

LANDMARK RESORT

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Landmark Resort is an oceanfront property in popular Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, with more than 400 rooms ranging from rooms to suites. The resort not only has quick access to the beach but also will open an on-site waterpark this summer featuring three 40-foot-tall waterslides and a splash zone. It also has a large indoor pool complex, open year-round, with a huge pool, lazy river and five whirlpools. The oceanfront pool deck features a large outdoor pool, whirlpool and lazy river ride with direct access to the beach. On-site dining options include a café that serves Starbucks coffee, a full-service restaurant and seasonal poolside dining. The resort is one of the largest meeting hotels on the beach, with more than 20,000 square feet of meeting space that can host up to 500 attendees. The facility can accommodate meetings, conferences, trade shows, weddings, banquets and more and has on-site catering. Landmark’s sister resort, Captain’s Quarters Resort, has a 20-lane AMF bowling alley and is located near many of Myrtle Beach’s top attractions, such as the Market Common, Topgolf, Funplex, Broadway at the Beach, Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and SkyWheel. The resort has a climate-controlled crosswalk over Ocean Boulevard, connecting the hotel to its parking garage, eliminating the need for guests to cross the busy street. If groups hosting events there want to include team-building activities, conference staff are available to assist. landmarkresort.com

A BANQUET SETUP AT LANDMARK RESORT IN MYRTLE BEACH

Courtesy Landmark Resort

SANDERLING RESORT

Duck, North Carolina The AAA Four-Diamond Sanderling Resort in Duck, North Carolina, takes up 13 acres on a narrow spit of land between the Atlantic Ocean and Currituck Sound, giving guests a front-row seat to beautiful sunrises over the ocean and sunsets over the sound. The only major resort in the Outer Banks, Sanderling has world-class amenities, including plenty of pristine beach, three pools, an award-winning spa, a fitness center and an adventure concierge with partner Kitty Hawk Kites to help plan air, land and sea activities on the island. The resort has three dining options, including the Lifesaving Station, Kimball’s Kitchen and the Sandbar. It has 123 rooms and suites, plus five vacation homes. Its 15,000 square feet of meeting space can host groups of up to 125 people for a conference or 225 for a reception. Kimball’s Kitchen can host groups of up to 60 people, while the Soundside Pavilion can accommodate groups of up to 225. The event lawn and observation deck also can host groups of up to 225, while the Keeper’s Loft, Executive Boardroom and Event House are available for smaller meeting groups. The resort staff can help plan excursions and team-building activities, such as sunrise yoga, bike rentals, kayaking, standup paddleboarding and a chefs-in-the-kitchen cooking challenge.

DINNER ON THE OBSERVATION DECK AT SANDERLING RESORT Courtesy Sanderling Resort

May 2022

Meetieng Guid Wild horses adventure tours load guests onto off-road vehicles for a 20-mile ride through the Wild Horse Conservation Easement, and Sanderling groups have playing privileges at the Currituck Club, a Rees Jones-designed golf course. sanderling-resort.com

MONTAGE PALMETTO BLUFF

Bluffton, South Carolina Located on 20,000 acres along the May River in Bluffton, part of South Carolina’s low country, Montage Palmetto Bluff is home to century-old oak trees and 32 miles of waterfront that is perfect for water sports. The property encompasses an extensive nature preserve, two villages with eight dining options, a riverfront marina and a Jack Nicklaus signature golf course. Groups can rent rooms, suites, cottages, residences and homes in Moreland Village or Wilson Village. There is more than 16,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, including the 6,700-square-foot Wilson Ballroom, which can be divided into four distinct rooms, and the 1,800-square-foot Oak Ballroom with an outdoor veranda overlooking the river. The resort has two executive boardrooms, three additional meeting rooms, an authentic low country riverfront event pavilion, plenty of outdoor areas to host receptions or events, and two waterfront chapels. DOWNTOWN BLUFFTON Courtesy Montage Palmetto Bluff

Wonderfully eclectic meeting spaces served with a side of fun

Cathy Carpenter, Director of Sales 980-447-0666 | cathy@visitmooresville.com

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Montage also has a spa and offers many outdoor activities such as biking, sporting clays, fishing, paddleboarding, boating, tennis, bocce and pickleball at the Wilson Lawn and Racquet Club. montagehotels.com/palmettobluff

GRANDOVER RESORT AND SPA

Greensboro, North Carolina Grandover Resort and Spa in Greensboro, North Carolina, underwent a major renovation and rebranding beginning in 2017. Pre-COVID, the bulk of its business was meetings and conferences. During COVID, leisure travelers kept the facility going. Now, the resort caters to both.

Located on 20,000 acres along the May River in Bluffton, part of South Carolina’s low country, Montage Palmetto Bluff is home to century-old oak trees and 32 miles of waterfront. MONTAGE PALMETTO BLUFF’S LIBRARY Courtesy Montage Palmetto Bluff

Come for networking time. Stay for tiki time.

Only one meetings destination offers the quintessential Carolina Coastal Experience. Our charming historic riverfront town and walkable Convention District offer easy access to the only convention center on NC’s coast, shops, restaurants and entertainment, with three island beaches just minutes away. Authentic, refreshing, energizing and rewarding — everything you need to host a memorable event all in one place. Discover fresh possibilities on the best of the Carolina Coast NCCoastalMeetingsGroups.com | 800.650.9064

May 2022

Meetieng Guid Sitting on 1,500 acres just outside Greensboro, the property includes two 18-hole championship golf courses, a conference center, a spa and an art gallery. The conference center features a 13,000-square-foot ballroom that can host groups of 1,000 people for a banquet, as well as the Carlisle Ballroom, which can seat 300 people. Along with many smaller meeting rooms and pre-function spaces, groups can host events on the resort’s outdoor lawn. In their free time, attendees can take advantage of the resort’s many amenities, including the indoor pool and hot tub, outdoor pool with cabanas, dining and water aerobics classes, a fitness center and yoga studio, tennis courts, sand volleyball pits, bike riding and walking trails. Grandover also has outdoor games like cornhole, bocce and croquet for a nice way to decompress after a long day of meetings. The resort’s resident tennis pro is available for tennis lessons, tournament coordination or round-robin play for groups and families. The Gallery at Grandover showcases work by North Carolina artists, from paintings and photography to woodworking, sculpture and handcrafted jewelry. grandoverresort.com

GREENSBORO’S GRANDOVER RESORT AND SPA

Courtesy Grandover Resort and Spa

The waterfront views are complimentary 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, save at and savor authentic Lowcountry culture and cuisine.

BeaufortSC.org

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

BIG MEETING? BRING IT TO .

Your meeting belongs in Myrtle Beach, the perfect spot for conferences, retreats and more. Here, you’ll find top-flight accommodations along with serious Southern hospitality. Take care of business – then escape to endless fun on the Grand Strand.

myrtlebeachmeetings.com

Best-in-class facilities

More than 80 golf courses

Scan to learn more and see our facilities guide.

New in Indiana

Meetdieng Gui

BY PAULA AVEN GLADYCH

here’s always something new going up or on in Indiana, from new boutique hotels and meeting venues to historic landmark restorations. Here are a just a handful of new meeting venues across the state that give visitors a glimpse of the area’s history as well as a contemporary vision of its future. HOTEL CARMICHAEL, AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION

Carmel Hotel Carmichael opened in October 2020 in Carmel’s City Center neighborhood, right on the Monon Greenway, a 20-mile bicycle and walking path that extends all the way to downtown Indianapolis, wending its way through nature

CARMEL’S NEW HOTEL CARMICHAEL HAS 122 GUEST ROOMS AND 4,891SQUARE FEET OF MEETING SPACE. Courtesy Hotel Carmichael

and past various dining establishments. The hotel’s design has a deep connection to performance and music. It is tied to the Great American Songbook Foundation, which was founded by Michael Feinstein. The Carmichael has 122 guest rooms and five event spaces totaling 4,891 square feet, with a capacity of 240 people theater-style. The Cole Porter Grand Ballroom is appointed with European-style crystal chandeliers and can host up to 160 for a banquet. It has a large pre-function space and a terrace that can host 100 people for a reception. Noble Sissle meeting room can accommodate groups up to 60 for a banquet. There are two small boardrooms, and every meeting space in the facility has natural light. All the spaces, except the smallest boardroom, have direct access to the outdoors. Vivante, the hotel’s elegant French restaurant, has a private dining room for up to 16 people. Most weekends Feinstein’s Cabaret features live music and entertainment, as well as food and spirits. The Cabaret can hold groups of 120 people and has a private dining space for 20 people. The Adagio Lounge in the hotel lobby is centered around a grand piano and a wood-burning fireplace and features selections from the Great American Songbook. marriott.com

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

THE BRADLEY HOTEL

Fort Wayne The 124-room Bradley Hotel, within blocks of Fort Wayne’s burgeoning riverfront district, opened its doors in July 2021. The boutique hotel is a collaboration between the co-founder of lifestyle brand Vera Bradley, Barbara Bradley Baekgaard and Provenance Hotels. All the rooms are warm, contemporary and feature custom letterpress prints of detailed botanicals found in and around Fort Wayne. They were designed by Julie Wall of Hedge Studios and were hand-carved from linoleum blocks. The Bradley is in the Landing, a historic neighborhood that dates back to the early 1800s and is home to the city’s first post office, hotel, newspaper, theater and railway station. Today, the district is full of restaurants and entertainment and is only a block away from the downtown riverfront and Promenade Park. Meeting planners will love the intimate setting, with 2,000 square feet of meeting space that can accommodate up to 122 people theater-style or 92 for a banquet. The hotel has two restaurants, Arbor and Birdie’s. Arbor serves Italian-American food for breakfast, lunch and dinner, while Birdie’s has an outdoor terrace overlooking downtown and serves classic cocktails, trendy bites and a full brunch. Guests who stay at The Bradley can take one of the hotel’s bicycles for a spin to explore the city or take advantage of Provenance’s Well and Fit program, which utilizes mindfulness, movement and wellness. provenancehotels.com/the-bradley

WALDRON ARTS CENTER

Bloomington The Waldron was built in 1915 as Bloomington’s city hall. Through the years, it has served as a municipal building, courthouse, police station and fire station. The Bloomington Arts Council took over the building in the 1990s and retrofitted it to become an arts space. The old courthouse was turned into a large auditorium that can hold 150 people, and the area where the fire wagons were stored has been turned into a small theater, which seats 75 people. The Arts Council ran the facility until 2010, when Ivy Tech took over its operation. Ivy Tech continues to run it as a space to serve artists in the community and uses Cardinal Stage to show their work. When the pandemic hit, the college determined it wasn’t financially viable to run the facility. The city evaluated the building to decide if it was worth saving. They found it needed $500,000 in internal repairs but still opted to keep it an arts space. A group of theater companies has agreed to take over the space and overhaul the interior of the building. They plan to take one of the main classrooms and turn it into a glitzy concession stand/ café area with a liquor license. In the meantime, the space is still being used, and groups can rent the spaces for meetings or events. bloomington.in.gov/waldron

THE BRADLEY HOTEL ROOFTOP IN FORT WAYNE

Courtesy The Bradley Hotel

BLOOMINGTON’S WALDRON ARTS CENTER

Courtesy Waldron Arts Center

May 2022

Hello, Fort Wayne!

Meetieng Guid

I N D I A N A

FAIRFIELD INN AND SUITES MADISON HISTORIC EAGLE COTTON MILL

“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!

Madison Madison’s newest full-service hotel is in a renovated historic cotton mill that was built in 1884, overlooking the Ohio River. The building sat vacant for decades but was renovated in 2017 as part of the Indiana Stellar Designation project. The space was taken over by the Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott and opened its doors July 29, 2021, as an 85-room boutique hotel.

Madison’s newest full-service hotel is in a renovated historic cotton mill that was built in 1884, overlooking the Ohio River.

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

MEETING SPACE AT THE NEW FAIRFIELD INN AND SUITES MADISON

DOWNTOWN FORT WAYNE, INDIANA | grandwayne.com | 260.426.4100

@GrandWayneCC #yourGrandWaynestory

Courtesy Fairfield Inn & Suites Madison

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

HOST YOUR SMALL TO MID-SIZE MEETING COMFORTABLY IN HAMILTON COUNTY Whether you’re hosting a conference or a meeting, whether you’re organizing a trade show or putting on any other type of special event, we can comfortably accommodate all of your meeting needs. We have a diverse array of event spaces, from barns to boardrooms to ballrooms—not to mention more than 5,000 hotel rooms and 30,000 sq. ft. of contiguous event space for your larger events.

Bring your next gathering to Hamilton County! RestEasyHamCo.com

May 2022

JUST NORTH OF INDY

Meetieng Guid The building has 249 custom windows, and each guest room has very high ceilings. The first three floors have 17-foot ceilings, while the fourth floor has ceilings that are 23.5 feet tall. The hotel has three event rooms with more than 4,800 square feet of meeting space. All the meeting spaces are on the first floor and have amazing views of Madison’s riverfront. The largest space can hold groups of up to 285 people. The property offers free Wi-Fi and a fully stocked fitness center. Meeting planners can treat their attendees to a networking brunch in the hotel’s airy dining area or host a meeting in the historic Welch Conference Center. Catering services include custom meals, post-meeting coffee breaks and more. The project fits in well with Madison’s historic downtown, which has the largest contiguous National Historic Landmark District in the country, with 133 blocks of beautiful architecture. The area is full of restaurants, shopping and entertainment. marriott.com

LOEB STADIUM

LAFAYETTE’S LOEB STADIUM Courtesy Loeb Stadium

Lafayette Lafayette’s Loeb Stadium was built in 2020 to replace a stadium that had stood in that location from 1940 to 2019. Located in the middle of the 43-acre Columbian Park in the heart of the city, the new stadium will be used for both soccer and baseball. Loeb was inaugurated in March 2021 and is home to the Lafayette Aviators baseball team and Lafayette Jefferson High School Bronchos. The facility seats 2,600 people, and new suites and group seating areas were added as part of the rebuild. Synthetic turf replaced the grass to allow multiple sports to utilize the space. Meeting planners wanting to host events there can rent out the three indoor suites, which can each hold 20 people, or the three outdoor suites that feature 28 seats, 32 seats and 18 seats, respectively. Groups can rent out the entire facility for corporate events, movie nights or charity baseball games, or buy blocks of tickets to attend a Lafayette Aviators baseball game. Groups of 20 or more can purchase tickets for only $8 each. A private group area on the suite level offers great views of the stadium and Columbian Park. Each flight deck party area includes game tickets and an all-you-can-eat menu of hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, popcorn, chips, cookies, soft drinks and water. Two of the hangars can host 40 people each and one can host 30. A private group area located on the field level of the stadium, along the third baseline, can accommodate groups of up to 60 people. lafayettebaseball.com

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Big-City Facilities, Small-Town Charm

Yes, you really can have it all with your next meeting. With 169,000 square feet of versatile indoor/outdoor meeting and event space, plus countless ways to relax and unwind once business is wrapped up for the day, work and play come together seamlessly. Get away to French Lick and West Baden and embrace our change of pace.

May 2022

frenchlick.com • 877-647-1362

Management reserves the right to cancel or modify any event without notice. Must be 21 years or older to enter the casino. Gambling Problem? Call 1.800.9.WITH.IT or text INGAMB to 53342!

Hoosier Hospitality

Meetdieng Gui

Evansville, located along the Ohio River, is known for its three universities. It also has a thriving entertainment and craft beer scene, with five local breweries, craft cocktail houses and live gaming at Bally’s Casino. One of its most famous attractions is Angel Mounds State Historic Site, one of the best-preserved prehistoric Native American mound sites in the country.

By Alex Morgan, courtesy Visit Evansville

BY PAULA AVEN GLADYCH

ndiana’s small towns offer big opportunities for meetings. More than just flyover country, the Hoosier State is rich in towns with distinctive flavor and plenty of appeal for visitors and meeting planners. Here are five smaller towns in Indiana that offer many of the amenities that larger cities have but with a dollop of Midwest charm and hospitality thrown in for free. EVANSVILLE

A RIVERFRONT PAGODA IS ONE OF NUMEROUS UNIQUE VENUES IN EVANSVILLE.

Meeting planners have their pick of event spaces. Old National Events Plaza is the city’s main convention center, with 95,000 square feet of event space. It is close to more than 800 hotel rooms, as well as plenty of restaurants and shops. The DoubleTree by Hilton is connected to the Events Plaza and Ford Center via a skybridge and is a 241room full-service hotel with 12,000 square feet of banquet and meeting space. Nearby Indiana University School of Medicine has many state-of-the-art meeting spaces. Ford Center, a multi-purpose, 290,000-square-foot arena, can host exhibitions, sporting events and conferences, and nearby Bally’s Evansville has 338 hotel rooms, more than 10,800 square feet of interior event space and more than 30,500 square feet of outdoor event space. The University of Evansville has meeting spaces that can accommodate groups up to 482, including Shanklin Theatre, Wheeler Concert Hall and the Schroeder School of Business Atrium. visitevansville.com

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

LAFAYETTE

The home of Purdue University, Lafayette is just one hour’s drive north of Indianapolis and two hours’ south of Chicago. Downtown has delectable restaurants, art galleries, museums, coffee shops, nightlife and entertainment, and plenty of public art to explore. There are four hotels, including Courtyard by Marriott Lafayette, which can host 310 people for a banquet in the Lafayette Grand Ballroom or up to 450 people on one of its three outdoor patios. It also has several smaller meeting spaces. Purdue University has several meeting venues worth considering. The Stewart Center can host groups up to 1,000, and the Purdue Memorial Union has several rooms that can accommodate up to 700 people theater-style. The Loeb Playhouse and Elliott Hall of Music are two among several theater venues, inside and outside, on campus. New meeting venues include Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds and Event Center, Loeb Stadium, Convergence Center and a Drury Inn and Suites. The Event Center at the fairgrounds has 82,500 square feet of space. Its 20,000-square-foot coliseum can seat 1,700 in retractable bleacher seats, and the facility is large enough to host 387 exhibitors for a trade show. Loeb Stadium, a new baseball stadium, can be used for corporate picnics or receptions, while Carr Workplaces Convergence at Purdue has event space that can accommodate groups of 30 to 200 people. The Drury Inn has 138 guest rooms and four meeting rooms that can host groups of more than 100 people. homeofpurdue.com

PURDUE UNIVERSITY IN WEST LAFAYETTE Courtesy Visit Lafayette-West Lafayette

BLOOMINGTON

Bloomington is located within a four-hour drive of Chicago; Nashville, Tennessee; St. Louis; and Columbus, Ohio; and is only an eighthour drive from 50% of the U.S. population, making it a strategic destination for meeting planners. The city, although small, has a variety of impressive amenities, including Indiana University Bloomington. Monroe Lake and two other recreational lakes surround the city, offering the opportunity to enjoy nature by kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing or renting a pontoon boat for the day. Bloomington has 350 restaurants and locally owned shops and many live music venues. The Monroe Convention Center downtown is the largest meeting venue in town, with 24,000 square feet of flexible meeting space. There are several hotels within walking distance of the center, including Hyatt Place, Springhill Suites, Hilton Garden Inn and Courtyard by Marriott. The downtown area has about 800 hotel rooms in total. The Indiana Memorial Union on campus has more than 50,000 square feet of flexible meeting space and 187 hotel rooms. Four Winds Lakeside Inn and Marina is an offsite venue on the shores of Monroe Lake, which is Indiana’s largest inland lake. It can host groups of 200 people and is about 20 minutes from downtown Bloomington. Groups that host meetings at that facility can rent a double-decker pontoon boat for a happy hour or sunset cruise. visitbloomington.com

INDIANA UNIVERSITY CAMPUS IN BLOOMINGTON By James Brosher, courtesy Visit Bloomington

May 2022

Meetieng Guid

SOUTH BEND

South Bend is best known as the home the University of Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish, but the city is much more than just a college town. It has some first-class attractions, including the Potawatomi Zoo and the Studebaker National Museum. Howard Park recently was revamped with a 16,000-square-foot ice trail and pond for ice skating and a large outdoor lawn and natural amphitheater for large outdoor events. The East Race Waterway downtown is one of the city’s top attractions. Groups wanting to add a bit of excitement to their meetings or events can try their hand at whitewater rafting down Class II rapids. Century Center is South Bend’s main convention venue, with 100,000 square feet of flexible meeting space. It is connected via skywalk to the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel South Bend and is close to Aloft South Bend and Courtyard by Marriott. Combined, the hotels have more than 600 guest rooms, and both the DoubleTree and Aloft have meeting space. The Gillespie Conference Center on the west side of town has 16,000 square feet of meeting space and is connected to a Hilton Garden Inn and the Inn at St. Mary’s, with a combined 250 guest rooms. Groups may want to tour Notre Dame’s campus in their free time, including the football stadium and Basilica of the Sacred Heart. The campus has several meeting venues, including a ballroom overlooking the football field, McKenna Hall and the Morris Inn. visitsouthbend.com

THE ALOFT HOTEL IN DOWNTOWN SOUTH BEND

FORT WAYNE

Courtesy Visit South Bend Mishawaka

FRESH AIR IN FORT WAYNE

Fort Wayne has invested a lot of money improving its riverfront district over the past few years. Promenade Park on the Riverfront encapsulates the city’s three rivers, the St. Marys, St. Joseph and Maumee. Trails along the water, a tree-top canopy trail, riverboat cruises and kayaking are just some of the adventures that await visitors to the area. The city boasts several popular attractions. Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory is across the street from the Grand Wayne Convention Center and features lush gardens, tropical palms and a Sonoran Desert environment. The historic Embassy Theatre nearby presents national Broadway theater productions, concerts and cinema. Science Central is a science museum with more than 200 permanent exhibits and national touring exhibitions in a restored 1929 electric utility plant. Sports fans will enjoy a visit to Parkview Field, home of the Fort Wayne TinCaps, a single-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres. It has 8,000 seats, 16 luxury suites and 11,000 square feet of event space. The Grand Wayne Convention Center has 225,000 square feet of meeting space and is connected to three full-service hotels: Hilton Fort Wayne, Courtyard by Marriott, and Hampton Inn and Suites. Allen County War Memorial Coliseum has three venues under one roof, with 108,000 square feet of customizable exhibition space, plus 40,000 square feet in additional space, a 27,000-square-foot conference center and a 13,000-seat arena. The Bradley Hotel, which just opened in 2021, is a 124-room boutique hotel just blocks away from the convention center. It has three event spaces and two on-site restaurants. visitfortwayne.com

Courtesy Visit Fort Wayne

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Indiana

VISIT

MEET

MINGLE

Discover Lafayette-West Lafayette, Indiana, just an hour north of Indianapolis, two hours south of Chicago and Home of Purdue University. Here, you will find everything you need to make your next event a guaranteed success! Whether you are interested in the fullservice conference center at Purdue University, the brand-new state-of-the-art event center at the Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds, one of our historic venues, a fun contemporary space or one of our other great conference venues and hotels in the area, Visit Lafayette-West Lafayette is here to help you with every step of planning your meeting!

Janet Martinez, Sales Manager, jmartinez@homeofpurdue.com Visit Lafayette-West Lafayette • homeofpurdue.com • 800-872-6648

Small Market Meetings May 2022

Articles inside

INSIGHTS

CONFERENCE