Small Market Meetings May 2023

Puzzled Where To Meet?

ACROSS

2. Hike and bike trails pass through here.

3. Has the best facilities between Denver and Omaha.

6. 1,350 of these happen every year.

DOWN

1. Downtown Hub for eats and drinks.

4. Historical monument on 1-80.

5. A campus of conference, events and hotels.

7. Every year 1 million of these migrate through

8. HS FB All-Star game.

(We’ll give you a hint: Kearney.)

Kearney, where the Heartland gathers.

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

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

IN SIGHTS

WITH VICKIE MITCHELL

WAYFINDING 101

In a world of mashed up words, wayfinding is one that means exactly what it says. Wayfinding describes systems that help us find our way from one place to another.

Wayfinding is always part of conferences or conventions, as attendees navigate new-to-them cities and towns, highways, airports, conference hotels, convention centers and tradeshow floors. And, while most destinations and venues have signage and other wayfinding in place, planners often augment it to better address their conference’s needs.

The principles of wayfinding, coupled with a healthy dose of common sense, can go a long way in tamping down confusion and keeping people on the right path. Here are some basics, gleaned from resources including the Society for Experiential Graphic Design and the Airport Cooperative Research Program’s report on wayfinding.

Strategic event signage can smooth the way for attendees

Follow the Three Cs

Signs help direct us, but they can also confuse us. Effective signs tick three boxes. First, they are conspicuous, located where they can be seen, where people expect to find them and at points where decisions about direction must be made. Second, they are highly visible, in colors that contrast and stand out from what’s around them. Speaking of what’s around them, signs work best when they aren’t lost in the confusion of other visuals like advertising or art. The messages signs relay work best when they are concise. Sometimes, a single word or a symbol will suffice. Finally, the best signs are comprehensible, easily understood by all. Testing signage with a few people who aren’t part of the conference planning process is a great way to identify wording that might be confusing or incomplete.

Take the Best Path

Planners often need to route people from Point A to Point B, and most of the time there’s more than one way to get there. When developing a path for attendees to travel, the most important consideration is safety. For example, if attendees will be walking from the downtown hotel to a restaurant for a group dinner, make sure the directions they are given are for a route that is well-lit, free of cracked sidewalks and requires few street crossings. A route should also take into consideration those with disabilities, from hearing and vision loss to mobility issues. Next, consider distance, recognizing that the shortest path isn’t always the safest or best. Finally, choose a pathway, indoors or out, that is simple to follow. A direct path will help keep people from getting lost.

Remember the Big L

A sign that can’t be easily read is like a highway map without roadways. Legibility is basic to signage design and starts with type size. A basic rule of thumb is to use type that is one inch tall for every 10 feet of distance. So, if a sign will be read from 20 feet, the type should be two inches in height. Thirty feet? Three inches. It’s simple math. But of course, it also is math that can be tweaked. Depending on attendee demographics, a conference planner might decide to boost type size a bit. Legibility is also affected by type font. Wayfinding isn’t about getting fancy with Olde English or other swirly, curly typefaces. Simpler is better. Fonts that have large clear openings in letters like Bs and Ds are easier to read. Sharply contrasting colors — black type on a white or yellow background for example — make messages standout. It’s also important to use a signboard with a nonglare finish. And lighting will impact legibility. Study a space at different times of day or evening. A sign in a dark corner will have everyone squinting.

Account for the Human Factor

No matter how well signage and other wayfinding is designed and located, people will still get lost. Maybe their faces were buried in their mobile phones, and they missed the critical sign that aimed them toward the ballroom for the evening banquet. Maybe their sense of direction is so poor that Lewis and Clark would have kicked them off the expedition. No matter the cause, having a human being on hand, with a smile and knowledge, can alleviate the problem. Conference staff or local organizers sometimes take on this role, providing clear directions or even, in some cases, accompanying a lost soul to the conference room they seek. Some convention bureaus have bands of volunteers who will work at conferences and help answer general questions and provide directions. Having an assist from a local ambassador can leave an attendee feeling welcomed, befriended and a whole lot less lost.

Be Symbolic

One sure way to make signage simpler and more concise is to use symbols. The 50 symbols developed through a collaboration between the Institute of Graphic Arts and U.S. Department of Transportation are widely used not only in this country, but in countries around the world. So while your attendees from Ghana might not recognize the word restroom, they definitely will recognize the symbol for it. The symbols effectively create a universal language and are available for all to use, free of charge in EPS and GIF format. (aiga.org/resources/symbol-signs) Additional symbols that can be used, without charge, are available at The Noun Project. It’s a website that aggregates and catalogs symbols that graphic artists worldwide have created and uploaded.

WIN A VISIT TO ‘NIAGARA OF THE SOUTH’

For a destination that offers attendees the chance to enjoy smalltown charm, Southern cuisine and an abundance of outdoor recreation, planners should look no further than Corbin, Kentucky. Conveniently located between Lexington and Knoxville off of Interstate 75, this small town nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains is known for its wealth of outdoor attractions, but its wide range of event venues and attractions may surprise meeting planners.

That’s why Small Market Meetings is collaborating with the Corbin Tourism and Convention Commission to host a giveaway trip for meeting planners. One lucky winner will travel to Corbin to experience all it has to offer for hosting their next meeting.

This Kentucky city has two major event venues, the 100,000-square-foot Corbin Arena and Expo Center and the Corbin Center, which features nearly 20,000 square feet. Both facilities offer a range of spaces and amenities to execute any event.

The heart of an event hosted in Corbin comes from its abundant opportunities for adventure. A visit to the Cumberland Falls State Resort Park is a given to see the roaring, 68-foottall Cumberland Falls that earned the nickname “the Niagara of the South.” Also in the area is the Daniel Boone National Forest’s Laurel Lake; an aerial adventure park; a visit to KFC founder Harland Sanders’ original restaurant and accompanying museum; shopping in downtown Corbin; and much more.

The giveaway winner will receive a two-night stay at the Holiday Inn Express, which offers a continental breakfast and is less than a mile from the Corbin Arena. Executive director of the Corbin Tourism and Convention Commission,

Maggy Monhollen, will accompany the winner on local tours and sightseeing excursions. All meals are included, and flights can be reimbursed up to $400.

For more information and to enter for a chance to win this trip, planners should go to smallmarketmeetings.com/corbin.

All photos courtesy Corbin Tourism and Convention Commission

CUMBERLAND FALLS STATE RESORT PARK THE CORBIN ARENA

A STATUE OF COLONEL HARLAND SANDERS, FOUNDER OF KFC, GREETS VISITORS TO CORBIN AT SANDERS PARK.

HARLAND SANDERS CAFÉ AND MUSEUM

MEETINGS WITH A VIEW

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

corbinkytourism.com

606-528-8860

MEETING LEADERS RAYMOND VALLES

BY REBECCA TREON

Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, Raymond Valles came to his career in tourism and hospitality by way of the “Happiest Place on Earth.”

As a college student at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, Valles participated in Disney University, a unique internship program, as part of his degree in restaurant, hotel and institutional management. The program brings students to work and learn at Disney theme parks, getting hands-on experience in Disney’s special brand of hospitality as they earn college credit.

“I was exposed to pretty much hospitality on steroids by working at Disney for four years as part of the college program in Orlando,” said Valles.

Though Valles worked on the food and beverage side during college, he went the hotel route post grad, expanding his hospitality experience by working at the Four Seasons Hotel in Austin as part of its Manager in Training program. During the program he oversaw housekeeping; later he became assistant manager and oversaw the guest services area.

“I was also selected to participate in various task forces, where people are sent to problem solve during a high volume time,” said Valles. “I went to Vail, Colorado, during the busy winter season, then to open the new Four Seasons at Disney World in Orlando, where I married my Disney and Four Seasons experiences. I worked on task forces at the downtown New York property; Whistler, Canada; Maui, Hawaii — not such bad places to live right out of college!”

Soon after, Valles settled in Austin, the

hometown of his soon-to-be wife. While there, he found an opportunity on LinkedIn for Visit El Paso, offering a remote sales position in Austin.

“I reached out to their HR team and less than 24 hours later, I had the job,” said Valles. “I started with them in July of 2019, only to be furloughed with the rest of the team in early 2020.”

When he started, his market was local to Texas organizations only — but that all changed when he was the only staffer who returned to the job after the furlough period ended. Valles not only began working with national organization sales and got a promotion to senior convention sales manager, he also became extremely proactive in promoting El Paso.

“I told my boss to get me in front of as many people as possible — I became a road warrior and did 18 conferences in 2021 to get our name out there,” said Valles. “I felt that cities like ours had a very small window of opportunity to make a big impact. And now we’re reaping the benefits, including the opportunity to host Small Market Meetings in 2026.”

Valles says part of what makes El Paso so easy to promote is that the city has undergone so many positive changes over the last five years or so.

“We’ve opened up numerous hotels and the convention center had a refresh recently,” said Valles. “We were like the little city that could — but the funny thing is, we’re the sixth-largest city in Texas. My personal motivation in this position is that for more than 30 years of my life growing up, I heard about El Paso’s potential — and I want to reach that potential.”

TIPS FROM RAYMOND VALLES

• For young leaders potentially looking to start a career in hospitality, try as many roles as you can during college or right after. Hospitality is not just hotels and restaurants.

• Network, network, network.

• Cater your services or sales pitch to the individual’s needs instead of having a “one size fits all” approach.

“We have an organic hospitality that’s a blend of Southern hospitality and Hispanic culture where we want to make sure that everyone is having a good time.”

EXECUTIVE PROFILE

NAME

Raymond Valles

TITLE

Senior Convention Sales Manager

ORGANIZATION

Visit El Paso

LOCATION

Austin, Texas

BIRTHPLACE

El Paso, Texas

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree in restaurant, hotel and institutional management from Texas Tech University

CAREER HISTORY

• Assistant Guest Services Manager, Four Seasons Austin Hotel (2012–2014)

• Resort Assistant Manager, Four Seasons Resort Orlando (2014–2017)

• Front Desk Manager, Four Seasons Resort, Whistler (2017–2018)

• Senior Convention Sales Manager, Visit El Paso (2019–present)

RAYMOND VALLES ENJOYS A FALL OUTING WITH HIS WIFE ELYSE AND THEIR SON OLIVER.

Making Ends Meet

EVENT EXPERTS SHARE COST-SAVING TIPS FOR INFLATIONARY TIMES

BY RACHEL CRICK

Between supply chain issues and inflation, the term “affordable meeting” might seem like an oxymoron.

The rising prices every consumer sees at the gas pump and the grocery store inevitably affect everything, and meetings are no exception. Increases in costs of both essential event components and the finer details leave planners feeling like they must choose between being frugal and impressing their attendees. But wallet-weary planners need not despair —these expert tips can help stretch dollars and deliver exceptional events without breaking the bank.

BUDGET BASICS

Like every aspect of event planning, the first step toward designing an affordable event is to understand the client’s goals and expectations. Asking questions about the event’s audience and the desired overall look and feel is an excellent starting point.

“Really understanding those key points and what your client is trying to achieve will help you identify where to spend the money,” said Kayla Cook, owner and lead planner at Kayla Cook Events, an event-planning company in Washington.

For example, if the event is an internal function, like a training session for a company’s employees, education will be a big component, so audiovisual services will be an important part of the budget, while the venue and luxury items may be less so.

For events meant to impress clients and bring in sales, a luxurious venue and elaborate décor might be in order.

“High-impact events need details,” Cook said.

After the event’s overall goals have been considered, planners must determine how much wiggle room is in the client’s budget by assessing contractual fees that will be tacked on, including resort fees, service charges and local tourism taxes.

“Assess all those potential line items and get those built into your budget up front,” said Michelle Flowers, senior director of event management at Maritz Global Events. “Back into what money you have left over from there.”

Albrecht Events

Experience: 18 years

On how to select affordable vendors: “I try to use vendors that are vetted and that I trust and have a relationship with so that I know the cost they’re giving me is fair.”

Ashley Albrecht

OWNER

Kayla

OWNER

Kayla

Experience: 15 years

Finally, planners should consider not only the client’s wishes and necessary charges, but also attendee needs and expectations at every stage of the event.

Flowers recommends planners think about the attendee experience, and ask themselves: “As you follow the attendee through their journey, what do they need at each point?”

WHAT NOT TO CUT

Some of the highest priced line items for events are the least negotiable — and, unfortunately, the most necessary. Planners should expect that a hefty portion of the budget will go toward these necessities and let their clients know to expect the same.

“Right now, it’s the basics — like hotel costs and airfare, and food and beverage — that have all gone up, and there’s not a lot of negotiating with hotels,” said Ashley Albrecht, owner of Albrecht Events.

Several factors, including inflation, supply chain issues and labor shortages, have caused prices to skyrocket. Hotels can be especially costly because of the additional fees from exclusive, in-house vendors. It can be risky to make big cuts to these parts of the budget, because they can make or break an event.

As painful as it may be to spend such a large chunk of the budget on the most basic event necessities, some things can’t be helped.

“What we’re finding now especially is it’s very difficult for the industry to attract and obtain skilled labor,” Flowers said. She added that this is especially true for services like A/V, where lighting packages that once cost $1,500 now run close to $6,000. Still, audiovisual is a meeting necessity.

“Don’t skip out on A/V,” Cook said. “A/V can really elevate your event.”

This is also true for food and beverage costs, which have increased as much as 20 percent.

MAKE STRATEGIC CHOICES

There are, though, strategies for saving money on big line items. Planners can consolidate, streamline and make conscientious cuts in their budgets.

On how to save money when planning an event: “It really depends on the client and the event itself. There’s not one tip across all events, but the more you can really identify the goals of the event and align on where your budget could be most impactful, the better.”

Cook

Cook Events

On designing affordable meetings: “It’s about what’s convenient, but also what’s the most streamlined and costefficient way to map out the agenda, leverage the spend and get a good ROI.”

Michelle Flowers

CENTRE’D AROUND YOU.

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. boisecentre.com

• 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

To bring down the cost of the venue, Albrecht recommends steering clear of hotels when possible because additional contractual fees add up quickly. It also saves money to opt for venues that include necessary elements for the event, such as a stage or audiovisual components.

If the meeting must be held at a hotel, look at when and where the event will be held. Scheduling during the off season might lead to lower hotel rates.

To save on A/V, Flowers recommends reviewing the agenda and combining equipment as much as possible. This cuts down on set-up and tear-down costs and the amount of equipment needed.

“If you have four meeting rooms, instead of doing an A/V package in all four, you can set it in two and flip-flop your agenda so you’re reusing the space, versus moving the group to another room,” Flowers said.

Cook also had some tips for saving on audiovisual, such as booking early to avoid high prices for last-minute orders; sharing equipment with other events at the venue; and foregoing the newest, most expensive equipment offered by a company.

Planners can also use logistical information to determine where to shave off costs.

“What you can do is be very strategic about guarantees,” Flowers said. “Don’t just guarantee 200 for everything. Look at arrivals, departures, expected attrition. Tighten numbers as best you can.”

If the event’s overall expected attendance is 200, remember that most won’t arrive until late into the first day, so it won’t make sense to budget for breakfast for 200 attendees that day.

Hello, Fort Wayne!

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Sales Manager

SWAPS AND SUBSTITUTIONS

Small details can add heightened luxury to a meeting, but if the most basic components of planning take up the biggest part of the budget, planners may feel there’s no money left for little details.

Cost-effective alternatives though can help their event pack a punch even as they save money.

One swap Albrecht recommends is using live plants instead of fresh-cut floral arrangements. Live plants can be reused time after time and add a bit of freshness to liven up a space. Another simple décor swap that can be used again and again? Battery-operated candles.

For a cost-effective swap that’s also sustainable, go digital instead of print. The cost of printing flyers, signage and programs can quickly add up, so explore the many digital alternatives available.

“A lot of companies are moving toward digital signage and information versus printing programs or printing signage on site,” Cook said.

Apps and QR codes are other digital options that can elevate the event and save printing costs.

For meals, planners can make several choices to save money. They can select meals that are less labor-intensive, set up buffet-style spreads instead of plated dinners and choose catering companies that charge based on consumption rather than per-person costs.

The agenda most likely has some wiggle room for a few budget-saving substitutions. Obviously, some items, such keynote speakers and main events, can’t be cut. It might makes sense at some meetings though to give attendees an afternoon off for leisure time instead of packing activities into every hour of the agenda.

Flowers recommended planners design affordable meetings by looking at the budget and “really assessing where the needs are and being strategic about how you approach it. Start from the center of the event and work outwards.”

TAKING THE FIELD

College sports venues offer fascinating meeting possibilities

BY RACHEL CRICK

An electric energy surrounds the arenas and stadiums where beloved college teams play. Tailgating, tasty stadium food and thousands of fans thunderously cheering on their favorite teams make for epic game-day experiences.

In addition to hosting the thrilling world of college sports, many athletic venues have upscale meeting and event facilities. With specially designated event spaces, plentiful catering options and event coordinating staff, they can be amazing venues for everything from the most casual receptions to formal business meetings.

To bring game day to an event, check out these college athletics venues across the country.

ROSE BOWL PASADENA, CALIFORNIA

The University of California Los Angeles’ Bruins have played at the Rose Bowl, in Pasadena, since 1982. Notable sporting events beyond college football are held at the stadium, including Super Bowl and FIFA World Cup games, which make it one of the country’s most famous sporting venues.

It’s also an excellent venue for casual and upscale meetings and events. The Rose Bowl capitalizes on Southern California’s weather with outdoor meeting spaces, such as the Court of Champions and Rose Plaza, which are under the stadium’s famous marquee and seat 750. The stadium’s rose gardens and wine garden can add beauty to a cocktail reception or a smaller gathering, while the stadium’s field can be booked for large-scale events. The stadium’s locker rooms can even be rented for a sports-themed meeting.

The Terry Donahue Pavilion’s indoor spaces accommodate large and small meetings and have gorgeous views of the Arroyo Seco. Suites can host up to 30 guests. The Loge Lounge, a luxuriously decorated

Above: The Rose Bowl is one of the most wellknown sports venues in the country and has hosted Super Bowl and FIFA World Cup games.

Courtesy Visit Pasadena

IDEAS

space for up to 150, and the Club Lounge, for up to 250, are some of the pavilion’s most elegant meeting spaces. The 32,000-square-foot Blue Moon Club and its bars, concessions and lounges can accommodate up to 1,200 for receptions.

rosebowlstadium.com

MICHIGAN STADIUM

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN

Michigan Stadium, home of the University of Michigan Wolverines, is nicknamed “the Big House” for good reason: it is the largest stadium in the country in terms of seating capacity, with room for over 107,000 people. The largest game attendance ever recorded was over 115,000 people in 2013.

“The history and tradition that surround the University of Michigan Athletic Department and the University of Michigan as a whole brings a lot of people there to create very memorable events,” said Katy Hepner, director of special events at the University of Michigan Athletic Department.

It should come as no surprise that a stadium this large also has impressive event facilities. The stadium was built in 1927, and its most recent renovation in 2010 added four towers, where much of the meeting space is located. The Jack Roth Stadium Club, in the East Tower overlooking the field, is the largest of the stadium’s spaces. It can accommodate up to 550 for a seated banquet or 700 for a reception. The Re-

Michigan Stadium scenes, clockwise from left: Jack Roth Stadium Club set for a banquet; the Jack Roth Stadium Club; a bird’s eye view of the stadium

Courtesy University of Michigan Athletic Department

“The history and tradition that surround the University of Michigan Athletic Department and the University of Michigan as a whole brings a lot of people there to create very memorable events.”

— Katy Hepner, University of Michigan Athletic Department

gents Guest Area offers seating for 90. The stadium has many smaller suites as well, such as the Athletic Director’s Suite, for up to 42 guests, or individual suites, each with a capacity of 24.

Michigan Stadium provides a list of six caterers to choose from and rental includes most basic audiovisual equipment. Planners can expect to work closely with the stadium’s onsite planning team. mgoblue.com

NIPPERT STADIUM CINCINNATI, OHIO

Nippert Stadium has been home to the Cincinnati Bearcats for a long time. Originally it was a field surrounded by wooden bleachers but a more permanent stadium was built and opened in 1924. “It is the second-oldest playing site and the third-oldest stadium still in use today among NCAA FBS schools,” said Jamie Miller, director of conference and event services at the University of Cincinnati.

The stadium received some major upgrades beginning in 2013 as part of an $86 million renovation

project. This included the addition of the West Pavilion, a sleek and impressive steel and glass structure that offers year-round event space with views of the field. The angular five-story, 105,000-square-foot building is 130 yards long. It has dedicated spaces for the press, premium seating, suites and several event spaces.

The North Lounge can accommodate 200 for a banquet and 288 for a reception or lecture, while the South Lounge can seat 80 for a banquet and accommodate 100 for a reception. The West Pavilion has an exclusive onsite caterer and basic audiovisual equipment suitable for most events, and 90-inch LCD televisions. gobearcats.com

STUECKLE SKY CENTER BOISE, IDAHO

Albertson Stadium, home of the Boise State Broncos, is famous for its blue field, known simply as “the Blue.” Planners will find distinctive views of the Blue and downtown Boise in the Stueckle Sky Center, the stadium’s four-story attached event venue.

•Conference

“You have the best view of the Treasure Valley, of the mountains, downtown Boise and the blue field,” said Michiel Logan, director of events at the Stueckle Sky Center.

The Double R Ranch Club has arguably the best view and is the center’s premier space, seating up to 300 at banquets or 350 theater-style. It comes equipped with four LCD screens, stage lighting and a bar. The Skyline Room, a 5,000-square-foot space on the top floor, has panoramic views of the city and can accommodate up to 154 for a banquet or 190 theater-style. At 2,500 square feet, the Loft is suitable for smaller meetings, seating up to 80 banquet-style or 96 theater-style.

Planners can use the Stueckle Sky Center’s caterer, Boise Catering, or an outside caterer. Each meeting space has basic audiovisual equipment, but may have additional audiovisual add-ons, such as sound systems and built-in projection, depending on the planner’s needs.

broncosports.com

CAJUNDOME AND CONVENTION CENTER LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA

The Cajundome is a multi-purpose arena and home to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Ragin’ Cajuns. It has an attached convention center and serves as an entertainment hub for the area. In

Stueckle Sky Center scenes, clockwise from left: the Double R Ranch Club; the Double R Ranch Club set for a banquet; views from the Stueckle Sky Center

Courtesy Stueckle Sky Center

MEET.

addition to college sports, the venue regularly hosts conventions, trade shows, banquets and concerts given by some of the greats, such as Elton John.

The arena, built in 1985, was upgraded and expanded during a $22 million renovation in 2016. The convention center, which opened in 2002, features a 37,000-square-foot exhibit hall and an 11,000-square-foot ballroom that can be divided into five spaces. The arena also has meeting spaces, including a 6,000-square-foot ballroom and meeting rooms of 1,000 to 2,700 square feet.

In addition to its expansive and varied facilities, the Cajundome offers a selection of amenities to help events run smoothly. Its onsite catering team can accommodate a range of menus, while planners can also use the venue’s audiovisual equipment and production team. Finally, helpful event staff, from a booking team to an event manager, can assist a planner with the logistics of their event.

“The people here in Louisiana are some of the biggest resources. We have a friendly, hospitable staff that goes above and beyond to make sure your event is a success,” said Casey White, marketing director at the Cajundome and Convention Center.

cajundome.com

Cajundome event spaces, clockwise from left: exhibit hall at Cajundome and Convention Center; the Cajundome arena floor; exterior of the Cajundome

Courtesy Cajundome and Convention Center

Alluring’ ‘Affordable AND

Courtesy Wilmington and Beaches CVB

Groups can soak in the Wilmington area’s scenery during meetings at the Blockade Runner Beach Resort.

CITY

Scenery and history draw groups to Wilmington, North Carolina

BY CYNTHIA BARNES

Three island beaches, one of the nation’s largest historic districts and an award-winning two-mile riverwalk make this laidback city on southeastern North Carolina’s storied Cape Fear Coast a delightful destination for nature lovers, arts and culture aficionados, watersports enthusiasts and foodies of every persuasion. Wilmington is affordable and alluring, with modern amenities, including state-of-the-art meeting facilities, alongside windswept Atlantic shorelines, grand antebellum architecture and graciously manicured gardens. Strands of Spanish moss drip from the branches of majestic live oaks, while in spring countless blossoms find the “Azalea Capital of the World” awash in delicate, candy-colored petals.

WILMINGTON AT A GLANCE

LOCATION: Southeastern North Carolina

ACCESS: Interstate-40; Highways 17, 74/76, 117 and 421. I-95 is 73 miles away

HOTEL ROOMS: 8,000

CONTACT INFO:

Wilmington and Beaches Convention and Visitors Bureau

800-354-2576

nccoastalmeetings.com

WILMINGTON CONVENTION CENTER

BUILT: 2010

EXHIBIT SPACE: 30,000-square-foot exhibit hall

OTHER MEETING SPACES: 12,000 square feet of lawn

MEETING HOTELS

Aloft Wilmington at Coastline Center

GUEST ROOMS: 125

MEETING SPACE: 10,344 square feet

Hotel Ballast Tapestry Collection by Hilton

GUEST ROOMS: 272

MEETING SPACE: 20,000 square feet

WHO’S MEETING IN WILMINGTON

North Carolina Bar Association 2023 Annual Meeting

ATTENDEES: 300

North Carolina Association of Community College Trustees 2023 Leadership Seminar

ATTENDEES: 325

North Carolina Recreation and Park Association N.C. / S.C. Joint Conference

ATTENDEES: 750

Destination Highlights

“As pleasant and delectable to behold, as is possible to imagine.” That was the impression of explorer Giovanni da Verrazano — reportedly the first European visitor — in his 1524 report to France’s King Francis I on the region between the Atlantic Ocean and the Cape Fear River. Incorporated in 1739, Wilmington’s vast forest reserves and strategic location soon established it as a key port and an important center for shipbuilding and commerce. In the waning days of the Civil War, the fall of Fort Fisher, the “Gibraltar of the South,” was a death blow for Confederate forces. Located 18 miles upstream from Wilmington, it was the largest earthen fortification in the world. Wilmington’s robust shipbuilding industry also played a crucial role in World War II, constructing 243 cargo vessels to support the war effort. The city is now home to the decommissioned Battleship North Carolina — “the world’s greatest naval weapon” — which is open to the public for tours.

“We’re a real working city, but with a resort feel” says Connie Nelson, communications/public relations director for Wilmington and Beaches Convention and Visitors Bureau. “There are city amenities, an amazing downtown and three beaches, each with its own unique vibe.” Pleasant in all seasons, Wilmington also boasts eclectic shopping, art museums and galleries, and a full calendar of entertainment options from Broadway performances to high-energy local and national musical acts. Meeting attendees and their guests can choose to kayak at a pristine barrier island, stroll or cycle along a network of nature trails or make a trophy catch on a deep-sea fishing charter.

Major Meeting Spaces

The only convention center on the state’s coast, the Wilmington Convention Center is centrally located and connected to the city’s riverwalk. Up to 2,000 people can gather for meetings and conferences in its 30,000-square-foot exhibition hall and 12,000-square-foot grand ballroom. For outdoor gatherings, the event lawn has a stunning 12,000 square feet of green open space that enjoys balmy breezes along the Cape Fear River. In the Convention District, six hotels near or adjacent to the center offer more than 1,000 rooms, all within walking distance. The Aloft Wilmington at Coastline Center has 125 rooms, a 7,300-square-foot ballroom and a chic rooftop bistro, while Hotel Ballast Tapestry Collection, with 272 rooms and suites, has 20,000 square feet of meeting space and a riverfront pool deck. Golfers may opt for the 32-suite Beau Rivage Golf and Resort, with 4,000 square feet of event space located 10 miles from the city center. At nearby Wrightsville Beach, about 12 miles from downtown, planners can select the 151-room Blockade Runner Beach Resort with 7,000 square feet of indoor facilities and oceanfront event lawns or the all-suites Shell Island Resort, with 155 guest rooms, 6,000 square feet of indoor event spaces and an oceanfront ballroom. All offer food and beverage services and a full array of meeting planning support.

DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS

MAJOR MEETING SPACES

Courtesy Wilmington and Beaches CVB

Courtesy Wilmington and Beaches CVB

Convention District

Wilmington Riverwalk

Distinctive Venues

Those in search of memorable settings have no end of options in Wilmington. For a true taste of the river city, book a cruise aboard the lovely Henrietta with Cape Fear Riverboats. With room for up to 115 passengers and an open-air upper deck, the ship can provide full catering services but will also allow planners to arrange their own food, drink and entertainment. Or have an unforgettable evening at the Arrive Wilmington, where small groups can buy out the spectacular Dram Yard restaurant. Larger events can spill out onto the enviable courtyard that encloses the 36-room boutique hotel’s Gazebo Bar.

Attached to the Crystal Pier at Wrightsville Beach, the Oceanic restaurant presides over an expansive stretch of sand where kiteboarders skim waves while sunbathers splash and surfers aim their boards into the breaks. The restaurant’s second floor overlooks the beach and jetty. It can accommodate up to 120 guests and is ideal for viewing the sunset.

Wilmington’s Airlie Gardens has appeared in hundreds of productions including iconic 90’s teen drama “Dawson’s Creek,” “Iron Man 3” and “One Tree Hill.”

“These 67 acres were part of a parcel originally deeded by King George in 1736,” says Janine Powell, director of donor relations. Under private ownership until 1999, the gardens were purchased by New Hanover County. “We have almost 300 species of birds,” says Powell, “and about 75,000 azaleas.” Numerous locations at the garden may be booked for private events and receptions for up to 300 people, with catering and entertainment available.

After the Meeting

DISTINCTIVE VENUES

Cape Fear Riverboats

Wilmington has seven districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the downtown district comprises 230-plus blocks of well-preserved architecture that rivals that of Charleston and Savannah. “This is the Mitchell Anderson home — the oldest home in Wilmington,” says John Pucci. “And see these plaques on the houses? A gold one is for something older than 150 years. A black one is for 100 to 150 years old.” Pucci is at the reins of a carriage drawn by two enormous Percheron drafthorses, rescued from “processing” by Springbrook Farms, which operates trolley and carriage rides throughout the downtown area. Private tours are available.

After an entertaining and informative half hour, guests return to Market Street — right in the heart of the historic district — to stroll down the riverwalk and dine at one of the area’s many excellent restaurants. Seabird’s seasonal and seafood-driven menu serves up local oysters and “schnitzel-style” swordfish in a sleek setting that still pays homage to the historic building. The Fortunate Glass offers 400 bottles and 70 by-the-glass pours with creative small plates and charcuterie in an intimate setting.

Groups can catch a Broadway-caliber play or comedy show at Historic Thalian Hall or head to Riverfront Park for national and local acts jamming at Live Oak Bank Pavilion. Sports fans will want to jump into the “Shark Tank” to see a college baseball game when the Wilmington Sharks play at Buck Hardee Field. Or they can end the day by ducking into a discreet alley to listen to live piano as they sip moonshine, bourbon or craft cocktails at The Blind Elephant, a 1920s Prohibition-style speakeasy.

AFTER HOURS

Courtesy Cape Fear Riverboats

Courtesy Wilmington and Beaches CVB

A horse-drawn history tour

BOOMING IN THE Bluegrass

BY KATHERINE TANDY BROWN

Named for Isaac Shelby, who served as the state’s first and fifth governor, Shelbyville, Kentucky, is centrally located between Louisville and Lexington. Or, in Bluegrass State equine parlance, between Churchill Downs and Keeneland Race Course.

The town is located in Shelby County, which is branded as ShelbyKY and is known as the American Saddlebred Capital of the World. Lush, rolling hills dotted with exquisite barns and high-stepping show horses surround its two main towns, Shelbyville and Simpsonville.

In the past 15 years, this rural region has experienced phenomenal growth, as witnessed by the recent addition of the Shelbyville Conference Center and, a few years earlier, the state’s only designer outlet mall, Outlet Shoppes of the Bluegrass near Simpsonville. New lodgings are popping up to accommodate the increase in visitors, including a Fairfield Inn that’s being built next to Jeptha Creed, one of two established distilleries in Shelby County. Another, thus far unnamed, is coming soon.

“We are an ever-evolving county on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail,” said Lynsey Dennison, sales and sports director at ShelbyKY Tourism and Visitors Bureau. “We’re super excited at how we’re blossoming in the bourbon industry.”

In the spring, downtown Shelbyville is showy with dogwood blossoms, its streets populated by specialty shops such as Wakefield-Scearce Galleries, internationally known for English antiques and silver. One of several downtown bed and breakfasts, Bottled in Bond Loft, has been featured on HGTV. The boutique Saddlebred Suites occupies the entire upstairs of a beautifully renovated 1890s building and offers four spacious guest suites with exposed brick and hardwood flooring. A property buyout is perfect for a corporate retreat.

“Our conference center has taken us to a whole new level meetings-wise and allows for a lot bigger groups than we’ve been able to host before,” said Dennison. “We do the ‘front-end loading,’ so when attendees walk into the conference center, the meeting is set up and ready to go.”

Yet ShelbyKY still emanates a folksy, small-town feel, a blend of sophistication and countryside. Meeting attendees can breathe in fresh air as they walk or cycle on the local greenway or take a hayride at Gallrein Farms. Locals show up to see talented Saddlebreds at the annual Shelbyville Horse Show each August. And Claudia Sanders Dinner House, built by the Colonel Harland Sanders for his wife, is known for its “favorite Kentucky dishes the way your grandmother made them.”

All photos courtesy ShelbyKY Tourism and Visitors Bureau

SHELBYVILLE CONFERENCE CENTER

SHELBYVILLE, KENTUCKY

LOCATION

Central Kentucky, between Louisville and Lexington

ACCESS

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (33 miles from the Shelbyville Conference Center), Blue Grass Airport in Lexington (41 miles); Interstate 64

MAJOR MEETING SPACES

Shelbyville Conference Center, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Comfort Inn and Suites

HOTEL ROOMS

More than 500

OFF-SITE VENUES

Bulleit Distilling Company, Jeptha Creed Distillery, The Stratton Center, Gatsby Inn, Claudia Sanders

Dinner House

CONTACT INFO

ShelbyKY Tourism and Visitors Bureau

502-633-6388

shelbykyvenues.com

A Brand New Conference Center

Opened in October 2021, the Shelbyville Conference Center hosts corporate and community events. Three historic silos stand as outdoor centerpieces in front of the center’s contemporary façade. With 6,800 square feet of meeting space, the center can handle 600 theater-style and 400 banquet-style, and has a boardroom for 12. Lodgings are 10 minutes away, either downtown or nearby along Interstate 64.

Downtown, groups can grab a sandwich at McKinley’s Deli and a beverage at the Old Louisville Brewery’s Barrel Room, then take in a summer concert in the outdoor, covered Stargazer Plaza.

Offsite Venues

For five generations, the Nethery family has lived on the land where they built Jeptha Creed Distillery. Most of the ingredients in their bourbon, vodka and moonshine are sourced from their farm. Mom Joyce is master distiller. The venue can host events for up to 100 people.

At the county’s other distillery, Bulleit Distilling Company, a customized guest experience can include a distillery tour or classes in cocktail-making, food-and-cocktail pairings and bourbon-tasting.

Teambuilding

Corporate teams can hit the links for a golf scramble, oncourse contest, golf clinic or tee-time event in western Shelby County near Louisville at Persimmon Ridge Golf Club, rated in 2022 as Kentucky’s ninth Best Golf Course by Golf Digest. Or they can compete in a charity fundraiser in Shelbyville at the Weissinger Hills Golf Course.

Groups in town for a few days can try their hand at Gogh Crazy, a pure fun, paint-your-own-pottery studio; learn how to ride Saddlebreds at Kismet Farm; or mount up for a trail ride with experienced guides at Red Fern Riding Center.

Outside the Meeting

ShelbyKY’s “things to do” list can keep attendees’ family members busy. In this equine-centric area, working horse farms abound, some with behind-the-scenes tours, some with hands-on education about a variety of breeds.

Guests can have a genteel brunch and afternoon tea at the circa 1902 Bell House. For wine aficionados, Talon Winery has free live music on weekends and a wide wine selection. Smith-Berry Winery has a 100-year-old tobacco barn event space.

GROUPS CAN HOLD ELEGANT EVENTS AMONG THE AGING BOURBON BARRELS AT SHELBYVILLE’S JEPTHA CREED DISTILLERY.

A Tree Lover’s Lodge

BY ELIZABETH HEY

Tucked into 260 acres of apple orchards, walking trails and abundant nature, Lied Lodge at Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska City, Nebraska, woos meeting attendees as an outdoor oasis. It is owned by the Arbor Day Foundation, which inspires people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees.

The lodge champions the foundation’s mission, operating with sustainability in mind. It has practiced environmental accountability for years, ranging from water-saving housekeeping practices and growing vegetables on property to recycling.

“When you book a meeting here, you’re supporting a foundation that has global environmental impact,” said Connie Van Nostrand, marketing manager for Arbor Day Farm. “In the last 20 years, our foundation has expanded to work with countries all over the world.”

Located less than an hour south of Omaha and east of Lincoln, the community of Nebraska City has numerous museums and a charming main street lined with boutiques and restaurants. On property, Lied Lodge’s timbered construction is a showstopper. Its soaring, beamed lobby is warmed by a stone fireplace and cozy leather sofas. Meeting rooms frame views of picturesque lawns as do its 140 rooms and suites.

Built in the early 1900s, Arbor Day Farm’s restored barns are a nostalgic respite for lunches, evening barbecues, breakout sessions or team building. A 10-minute walk from the lodge, they can also be reached by trolley. Nearby, the Tree Adventure offers numerous activities celebrating nature. In addition, Arbor Lodge State Historical Park is adjacent to Arbor Day Farm and highlights Arbor Day’s history, which began in Nebraska City as the tree planter’s holiday. On the property, the elegant 52-room mansion of J. Sterling Morton, founder of the Arbor Day holiday, includes his carriage house, with examples of vintage transportation.

“For two weekends in September, the Apple Jack Festival takes place on our grounds, with antique apple tastings, apple picking, private wine tastings and of course, good food,” said Van Nostrand. “On that first weekend, there’s also a maker’s market featuring quality local artisans. During weekends in September and October, costumed docents lead mansion tours for groups and self-guided tours are available.”

All photos courtesy Lied Lodge

ARBOR DAY FARM’S TREETOP VILLAGE

LIED LODGE AT ARBOR DAY FARM

LOCATION

Nebraska City, Nebraska

GUEST ROOMS

140 guest rooms and suites

MEETING SPACE

14,000 square feet of flexible meeting and banquet space

ACCESS

Omaha’s Eppley Airfield; Lincoln Airport; Interstate 29

CONTACT INFO

402-873-8758

arbordayfarm.org

MEETING SPACES

Showcasing the surrounding natural beauty, more than 14,000 square feet of meeting space in six flexible meeting rooms accommodates 30 to 380 attendees theater-style, 15 to 165 for classroom seating and 32 to 280 for banquet seating. The 4,672-square-foot Rosenow Room can be divided into four spaces and features a stone fireplace while the Marcotte Room accommodates 50 guests. An executive boardroom provides a kitchenette, breakfast bar and private bathroom. The 1949 Steinhart Lodge is a short walk away, with its rustic chandeliers, exposed timber beams and a fireplace. It accommodates up to 200. Meeting amenities include on-site A/V equipment and support, ergonomic seating and tackable walls.

ENVIRONMENTALLY COMMITTED

Intermingling sustainability and beauty, most meeting and guest rooms at the lodge overlook the nine-acre hazelnut orchard (the nation’s second-largest hazelnut research field) or the front arboretum planted with more than 50 species of trees and shrubs. Adjacent to the lodge, Harris Prairie sustains more than 80 plant species grown from hand-collected seeds. Inside the lodge, the lobby’s Douglas fir timbers were plantation-grown in Oregon on lands utilizing forest stewardship management. Meeting rooms contain non-toxic risers, podiums made from recycled newspapers and table pads made with non-toxic soy flour. Whenever possible, the culinary team uses reusable dishes instead of disposable ones.

AMENITIES

Unwinding around “council ring” fire pits, guests can toast marshmallows or sip an evening cocktail. An expansive indoor pool affords a year-round haven with floor-to-ceiling windows and an adjacent workout room. The property’s apple theme continues at the spa with a “Signature Apple Blossom Massage” using apple-scented aromatherapy. Premium shade-grown Arbor Day Coffee, part of the Arbor Day Foundation’s Rain Forest Rescue program, is available in each guest room. Shuttle service from Omaha’s Eppley Airfield and the Lincoln Airport can be arranged, and the trolley takes guests to downtown’s main street.

FOOD AND WINE

Taking center stage on menus are apples, herbs and vegetables grown on site, while meats and cheeses are sourced regionally. Apples and grapes from the vineyard are sent to neighboring Brownville to create the farm’s 13 wine labels. Timbers restaurant showcases views of the mansion and outdoor seating on its sunset terrace. The Library Lounge makes a cozy after-hours gathering spot, as does the Apple House Market’s wine bar, whose Gala Room boasts a fireplace and accommodates up to 40 people. Inside the market, guests can watch cider pressing, and Porter’s serves in-house smoked meats, apple cider slushies and apple pie.

PUBLIC SPACES AT THE LIED LODGE ENCOURAGE VISITORS TO CELEBRATE NATURE.

ONE-STOP DESTINATION

ON-SITE DIVERSIONS

Five trails wind through the property’s tranquil landscape. Conservation Trail’s 2.4-mile loop bisects Harris Prairie and skirts Arbor Day Farm’s heirloom apple orchard before bordering the historic barns. A two-hour Arbor Day Farm guided walking tour begins at Lied Lodge and features a look inside Lied Greenhouse. Tree Adventure contains orchards, trails, outdoor activities and Treetop Village, which links 11 treehouses by netted bridges, hanging walkways and a 50-foot slide that plunges to the forest floor. During planting season, guests can take home a free tree plug from the greenhouse. ArborLinks, an 18-hole Arnold Palmer-designed course, is adjacent to the property.

TEAM BUILDING

According to Van Nostrand, “Mystery at the Mansion” and “Gnome Hunt” rank as the most popular team building activities. Planners opting for “Mystery at the Mansion” can choose from several whodunits, interactive events held on the mansion’s first floor. Various props and costume pieces are provided, but some groups prefer to bring their own. Dinner for up to 28 people can be served before or after the event. At Tree Adventure, groups can race for prizes or their best time during the “Gnome Hunt.” Using clues, participants compete by spotting gnomes hidden in the foliage.

of meeting space

Experience the one-of-a-kind Lied Lodge — less than an hour south of Omaha.

• 14,000+ square feet of amenity-rich meeting space

• Beautifully appointed guest rooms and chef-inspired dining

• Experienced staff solely focused on serving your needs

• Unique and engaging team-building opportunities

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

ARBOR LODGE MANSION

Experts from around the events industry weigh in with their insights on destination selection and event

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Meeting Guide

California Classics

BY PAULA AVEN GLADYCH

The Golden State’s beautiful weather and varied topography make it a great place to find unique meeting and event spaces. From museums and botanic gardens to a historic zoo, Beaux Arts civic building and a seaside conference center, facilities around the state give attendees something to look forward to.

Here are five distinctive sites to consider for a California event.

CALIFORNIA SURF MUSEUM

Oceanside

Groups can hang ten at the California Surf Museum in Oceanside. Founded in 1986, the museum explains how surfing and wave-riding began, from boogie-boarding to surfing and body surfing, offering a timeline of different surfboard styles, beginning with the Hawaiian years through the evolution of the short board.

One of the most famous exhibits at the museum is Bethany Hamilton’s surfboard, a large chunk gone, where a shark bit it. Hamilton lost her left arm when the tiger shark attacked. The surfer didn’t let the experience stop her from getting back out on the water and surfing again.

The Science of Surfing exhibit begins in May, telling visitors everything they ever wanted to know about surfing, from what creates waves to different surf breaks. Groups wanting to host events at the museum can reserve the little patio, which can accommodate 20 guests, or the exhibit hall, which can comfortably host 100 guests for a stand-up reception. If groups want to bring in tables, chairs and catered meals, the

Courtesy California Surf Museum

MEETING ATTENDEES IN OCEANSIDE CAN CELEBRATE THE STATE’S ICONIC AQUATIC ACTIVITY AT THE CALIFORNIA SURF MUSEUM.

space can host small banquets of up to 75 guests.

The museum has a small prep kitchen. Attendees can peruse the museum exhibits as part of their event. Events are only allowed after 5 p.m. because the museum is open seven days a week.

surfmuseum.org

SANTA BARBARA BOTANIC GARDEN

Santa Barbara

At 97, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is the oldest botanic garden in the country that focuses solely on native plants. Located in Mission Canyon, it is a unique space with beautiful ocean and mountain views. The garden, which covers 78 acres, was first envisioned by the Carnegie Institution, which suggested a cooperative agreement with the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History to administer a botanical garden reaching from the sea to the crest of the mountains. In 1926, a local philanthropist purchased 13 acres in Mission Canyon with the request that it be developed into a botanic garden as a memorial to her father, Henry Blaksley.

Since that time, the gardens have grown to include 11 garden ecosystems, including a section that features plants from the Mojave and Sonoran deserts, a meadow full of wildflowers and groves of redwood trees and manzanitas. The visitor center can host weddings, receptions, picnics and cocktail parties of up to 80 guests. The Island View deck at the Conservation Center overlooks a sprawling lawn with views of the Channel Islands. The area is covered in vegetation native to the Channel Islands. The site also has a large conference room for around 40 people, as well as space in the historic Blaksley Library.

sbbotanicgarden.org

ASILOMAR CONFERENCE GROUNDS

Pacific Grove

Asilomar Conference Grounds sits on 107 acres of protected California state park beachfront between Monterey Peninsula’s seaside, Salinas Valley’s hillside vineyards and Big Sur’s redwood groves. The 100-year-old center has 313 guest rooms in 30 buildings with various layouts and sizes to accommodate groups. It has more than 40,000 square feet of meeting and conference space that can host large groups and banquets up to 650 people. Indoor and outdoor areas can be used to customize group venues, including the beachfront and a large central meadow.

Groups meeting at Asilomar eat their meals together in the Crocker Dining Hall. The facility offers wellness experiences through recreational, culinary and educational programs, including coastal walks along miles of trails, beach scavenger hunts and other team building, guided group hikes, biking, beach volleyball, sunbathing, surfing, swimming and other water activities.

Asilomar has a heated swimming pool, pool tables and several self-guided walks, including the Coast Trail, Dunes Preserve,

By Saxon Holt, courtesy Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

SANTA BARBARA BOTANIC GARDEN

Courtesy Aramark Destinations

ASILOMAR CONFERENCE GROUNDS

S anta Ana is unlike any other destination. Discover a community rich in culture offering attendees authentic Hispanic flavors and an art scene that is a mix of funky and folk. Unique venues from historic to art deco are perfect for off-site event locations. The city’s year-round celebrations further enhance the meeting experience.

Forest Walk and Julia Morgan Architecture Walk. Julia Morgan designed many of the original buildings on the Asilomar property between 1913 and 1928 but is also famous for being Hearst Castle’s architect. Asilomar State Beach is known for restoring its dune ecosystem and is a marine-protected area.

Nearby activities include a butterfly sanctuary, wine tours, Carmel Valley agriculture tours, wine tastings, kayaking tours and the Monterey Bay Marine Research Facility.

visitasilomar.com

FRESNO CHAFFEE ZOO

Fresno

Fresno Chaffee Zoo opened to the public in 1929 as the Roeding Park Zoo, which didn’t begin to grow and expand until the late 1940s. Since then, it has added new enclosures, exhibits and facilities for hosting events of all kinds. Meeting planners who want to get outside the traditional ballroom could host an event in one of the zoo’s out-of-the-ordinary venues, like the Winged Wonders Show amphitheater with tiered bench seating and a decorative backdrop or Event Garden, a spacious lawn area for parties of up to 800 guests with space for a band, or DJ and a dance floor.

The zoo’s newest exhibit, African Adventure, has four ven-

Courtesy Fresno-Clovis CVB

FRESNO CHAFFEE ZOO

ContaCt anaLaura BeCerra, Director of Sales, Travel Santa Ana, analaura@travelsantaana.com

ues. The Simba Room, with its African artifacts and cozy fireplace, overlooks the lion exhibit and works well for smaller groups. Canopy Grove is an outdoor space surrounded by some of the zoo’s most popular African animals, such as giraffes and rhinos; it can accommodate 75 to 800 guests. Kopje Lodge is equipped with lighting and sound. It overlooks the savanna and is perfect for a banquet for up to 300. Sea Lion Cove and the Jungle Bungalow work well for groups of 50 guests. Special add-on activities are available, including small animal encounters, giraffe feeding or a visit to Stingray Bay, where guests can touch stingrays, docile sharks and horseshoe crabs. Evening events can add a personal Sea Lion Cove presentation or a Winged Wonders Bird Show to their zoo adventure.

fresnochaffeezoo.org

PASADENA CIVIC AUDITORIUM

Pasadena

Home to the Daytime Emmy Awards, NAACP Image Awards and “America’s Got Talent”, Pasadena Civic Auditorium wasn’t always a famous spot to film television shows. The auditorium was built in the 1920s in the Italian Renaissance palazzo style with beautiful interior and exterior tile work as part of Pasadena’s Beaux Arts civic center. In the 1940s, the auditorium became a popular place for broadcasters

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• 75,000 square feet of flexible event space and inspiring outdoor scenery

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Plus, you’re just steps away from miles of hiking trails, award-winning beer and wine, and so much more fun.

VisitConcordCA.com/Meetings

Courtesy Pasadena Civic Auditorium

PASADENA CIVIC AUDITORIUM

to do live remotes featuring big band and swing artists, including Les Brown, Jimmy Dorsey and Stan Kenton. After World War II, the facility attracted radio broadcasters and evangelists, while still serving as a concert venue. Over the years, the likes of Louis Armstrong, Michael Jackson, The Doors, Guy Lombardo, Deep Purple and Eric Clapton graced its stage.

Now, meeting groups can take advantage of this storied building. The main floor of the auditorium has 1,880 fixed seats with 98 installable orchestra pit seats. The loge seats 560 and the upper balcony seats 459. The Gold Room, on the second floor, is perfect for smaller meetings, receptions or dinners of up to 300 guests. The room has hosted many a gala and has also been a location for various television shows, including “Scandal.”

The 17,000-square-foot exhibition hall, which is behind the auditorium stage, was recently restored after serving as home to conventions, dances and an ice rink.

visitpasadena.com/civic-auditorium

By Jamie Pham, courtesy Pasadena Civic Auditorium

INSIDE THE THEATER AT PASADENA CIVIC AUDITORIUM

Pictured: Dive with the Coral Restoration Foundation, as they replant and restore coral reefs in the Florida Keys

Meeting Guide

Tennessee’s Historic Venues

By Stokes Dunavan,

BY PAULA AVEN GLADYCH

History runs deep in Tennessee. The Volunteer State is known for its whiskey, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and country music, but traces of its colorful past can be found nearly everywhere you look. Meeting planners who want to immerse their groups in the stories of this nation’s earlier days can consider these five historic venues.

CASTLE EVENTS AND WEDDINGS

Franklin

Franklin’s Castle Events and Weddings wasn’t always just a beautiful building where hit records were recorded. The facility has a sordid past, which makes it even more thrilling when groups plan events there. Chicago mobster and bookie John Welch had the mansion built between 1929 and 1932 and he laid low there when he traveled between

Chicago and Florida. When in residence, Welch would host lavish illegal gambling parties to keep himself entertained. Because of the illicit activities held there, the mansion was built with a hidden passageway that led to an underground cellar where guests could hide if necessary.

After Welch passed away in 1945, his castle was turned into a gourmet restaurant that attracted Hollywood legends such as Bob Hope, Spencer Tracy and Betty Grable. It served as a riding academy for 30 years before being purchased by the Nuyens family in 1979. In 1983, Jozef Nuyens founded Castle Recording Studios. Over the past 30 years, the Castle has attracted many big names in music, including Alan Jackson, Brooks and Dunn, Snoop Dogg and Shawn Mendes. To get a taste of the Castle’s history, groups can have small events in the building and larger events outside on the lawn.

The Castle sits on 32 acres, from grassy fields to a cedar forest. Walking trails lead to a hilltop that has incredible views of the valley below. The venue features several multipurpose rooms, lounges and a full kitchen.

castleeventsnashville.com

courtesy Castle Events and Weddings

CASTLE EVENTS AND WEDDINGS SITS ON 32 ACRES IN FRANKLIN.

CUSTOMS HOUSE MUSEUM AND CULTURAL CENTER

Clarksville

Originally constructed as a federal post office and customs house in 1898, Clarksville’s Customs House Museum and Cultural Center is now home to permanent historical collections and traveling art exhibitions. The Postmaster’s Office exhibit explores the building’s past, how it was designed and how its employees handled a large volume of foreign mail that was delivered up the river from the city’s international trade in tobacco.

Explorer’s Landing was recently renovated and is a hands-on educational exhibit that fosters curiosity in children and tells the story of Clarksville’s past. The Family Art Studio inspires creativity with a 12-foot wall of LEGO bricks, geo-board, magnet magic station and light-up shape table. The Sports Gallery has displays of hometown heroes, including Ben Clark, the second-youngest American to summit Mount Everest, and Jeff Purvis, a famous racecar driver.

Events can be held in the Coca-Cola Café, a 24-seat space decorated with Coca-Cola posters and paraphernalia. The Geraldine Brame Turner Auditorium has a stage and theater seating for 196. It includes a large screen, two dressing rooms and Wi-Fi. Gallery spaces, including the courtyard, lobby and café, can be rented for evening events. There’s also an elegant dining room for small luncheons, receptions or dinners for up to 50 guests, as well as an executive board room that seats 20.

customshousemuseum.org

HISTORIC SAM DAVIS HOME AND PLANTATION

Smyrna

The Historic Sam Davis Home and Plantation in Smyrna was built around 1810 by Moses Ridley. It was renovated in 1850 by the Davis family and contains over 100 original family pieces. The floors, doors and most of the woodwork are also original to the home, which is on a 168-acre working farm.

Sam Davis earned renown as a Confederate Army scout who worked behind enemy lines. He was captured in 1863 with papers that contained critical information about Union troop movements that could only have come from the desk of Union General Grenville Dodge. Dodge put pressure on Davis to reveal his source in the Union Army but he would not give in, saying he would “rather die a thousand deaths than betray a friend.” He was hanged.

The property has several picturesque settings for events, with space for hundreds of guests. The backyard of the historic home is a secluded spot for a reception with large magnolia and maple trees to add shade and serve as a canopy for dancing and socializing. A gravel area is flat enough for large tents. The White Barn adds a rustic element to any event and can host groups of 100. The Creek House, which overlooks Stewart’s Creek, can host small parties or business luncheons. The Veranda, attached to the visitor center, overlooks the backyard and can accommodate 50 to 100 guests, depending on the type of tables used.

samdavishome.org

Courtesy Customs House Museum

CLARKSVILLE’S CUSTOMS HOUSE MUSEUM AND CULTURAL CENTER

Courtesy Sam Davis Home and Plantatiom

SAM DAVIS HOME AND PLANTATION IN SMYRNA

OAKLANDS MANSION

Murfreesboro

Oaklands Mansion in Murfreesboro began its life as a two-story brick building around 1815, with several additions made from the 1820s to 1860s. The first battle of Murfreesboro occurred just outside the gates of what is now Oaklands Park on July 13, 1862, with Union forces surrendering to Confederate cavalry inside the mansion.

Four families lived in the home until it was abandoned between 1954 and 1959. It was slated for demolition, but a group of 10 women formed the Oaklands Association to save the mansion from destruction. Now the mansion appears as it would have in the 1860s, and self-guided tours provide details from its 200-year history. The land surrounding the mansion is now a city park with walking trails, a spring, wetlands and a vegetable garden.

Several trees on the property are between 150 and 300 years old, and tours of the grounds can be arranged. Meeting groups can book events at Maney Hall and Visitors Center, which is named after the family that occupied the mansion during the Civil War. It was built in 2000 and can host groups up to 120. The cottage, the former caretaker’s house, can be used for parties and meetings of up to 20 people. Groups of 36 or fewer can gather on the patio behind the mansion.

When groups host events at Oaklands, they can add on a guided tour of the mansion, and the grounds are available for breakout sessions or meals.

oaklandsmansion.org

FIDDLER’S GROVE HISTORIC VILLAGE

Lebanon

Fiddler’s Grove in Lebanon is a collection of 55 historic buildings from around Wilson County that have been saved from demolition and relocated to the fairgrounds where the Wilson County Fair and Tennessee State Fair are held. It includes one-room log cabins, a small church, one-room schoolhouse, blacksmith shop, doctor’s office, Sam Houston’s law office, jail, gristmill and 1950s-era service station. Many of the buildings house exhibits, showing visitors what life would have been like during the different eras represented. Others can be booked for meetings or events.

Artisans and volunteer groups do demonstrations at the Grove, from fiber arts and weaving to blacksmithing and gardening. The blacksmith shop is one of the largest in the Southeast, and many different blacksmithing organizations meet there, which means someone is always forging something on the property. Master gardeners maintain all the flowerbeds and the demonstration garden and are happy to offer gardening demonstrations.

Groups meeting on property aren’t just getting an event venue, but a small slice of several eras.

The Veterans Building is the most popular venue on site. It can host groups of 150 and is a favorite for wedding receptions, parties and celebrations. Opry Pavilion can seat 250 and has a large stage, restroom and kitchen. Fiddlers Grove Pavilion can host about 200

OAKLANDS MANSION IN MURFREESBORO

Photos courtesy Oaklands Mansion

MANEY HALL EVENT SPACE AT OAKLANDS MANSION

guests for family reunions or picnics. Melrose Church seats 80 and features beautiful stained-glass windows. The entire property can also be booked for private events.

fiddlersgrovetn.com

Oaklands Mansion appears as it would have in the 1860s, and selfguided tours provide details from its 200-year history. The land surrounding the mansion is now a city park with walking trails, a spring, wetlands and a vegetable garden.

OUR MOUNTAINS ARE EXCITED TO MEET YOU.

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

FIDDLER’S GROVE HISTORIC VILLAGE IN LEBANON

Courtesy Fiddler’s Grove

Meeting Guide

Meet Tennessee’s Suburbs

BY PAULA AVEN GLADYCH

Some of Tennessee’s most attractive destinations are just beyond the boundaries of its big cities.

Tennessee’s metropolitan areas have several suburbs that offer meeting planners a perfect mix of attractions, hotels and meeting venues. These five suburbs are close enough to the big cities to take in their top tourist sites but are far enough away to enjoy the state’s natural beauty.

MARYVILLE

Twenty miles from Knoxville and a 20-minute drive to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Maryville and Blount County are perfect for meeting groups that want to get away from the hustle

By Mitchell Bain, courtesy Blount Partnership

and bustle of the city and get out into nature. Meeting attendees can easily get away from their events for a trip to the national park and Cades Cove, a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains that is one of the most popular destinations in the Smokies. The 11-mile one-way road loops through the cove, giving visitors a chance to slow down and enjoy the scenery and abundant wildlife. Historic buildings from the early 1800s, including three churches, a working gristmill, barns and log houses, are preserved in the valley.

The 241-room Hilton Knoxville Airport, adjacent to the McGee Tyson Airport, is the area’s largest meeting facility with 20,873 square feet of event space. Its Grand Ballroom can host 520 for a banquet or 1,000 for a reception, and there are 15 meeting rooms. Blount County also has several smaller venues. The Showroom at Five Points is a Maryville event venue that can handle more than 350 guests. Its 5,000 square feet of space can be divided into multiple rooms and features exposed brick walls and a

MARYVILLE OFFERS A PICTURESQUE SMALL-TOWN SETTING NEAR KNOXVILLE AND GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK.

patio. Dancing Bear Lodge can host groups of up to 125, and the RT Lodge on the Maryville College campus offers space for 35 to 100 guests.

blountchamber.com

BRENTWOOD

Meeting planners will love Brentwood for its full-service amenities and proximity to both Nashville and Franklin. Brentwood is the first city south of downtown Nashville, about a 15-minute drive away from the Music City Center. It has plenty of shopping and restaurants to choose from, but the area is very residential. A top attraction is Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary, a 300-acre nature preserve that offers guided private tours where guests can learn about its history, meet its resident owls and take guided nature hikes. Private tours can include a meet-andgreet with a reptile or owl.

Brentwood has 15 hotels with 1,750 guest rooms. Two are full-service. Hilton Brentwood Suites has 203 guest rooms and 2,884 square feet of meeting space. Its large ballroom can hold 100 guests, and it has seven smaller meeting rooms. The AC Brentwood, which opened in late 2021, has 148 guest rooms and six event spaces that can accommodate groups up to 70 people.

Offsite venues include Mere Bulles Restaurant, for dinners or receptions of up to 150, and Ravenswood Mansion, a historic venue about 20 minutes from Nashville, perfect for weddings, holiday parties and corporate events. Its indoor spaces are limited, but there are plenty of outdoor spaces for groups of any size.

visitfranklin.com

MANCHESTER

Surrounded by state parks with hiking trails and beautiful waterfalls and about 30 minutes from the Jack Daniels and Uncle Nearest distilleries, Manchester is a popular destination for many who want to explore the area.

The area’s largest meeting venue is the Manchester-Coffee County Conference Center, with 13,000 square feet of meeting space that can be divided into as many as seven smaller breakout rooms. The Center can host groups of 500 theater-style or 375 for a banquet. The facility is centrally located between Huntsville, Alabama; Nashville and Chattanooga and has hosted conferences, trade shows, political events and educational seminars. Services include in-house lighting, décor and food and beverage.

Manchester has 1,200 hotel rooms, and another hotel, a La Quinta, will open soon. A nice greenway system runs through the city and there are a number of hometown restaurants to choose from. The Common John Brewing Co. offers live music on Friday and Saturday nights with a food truck outside.

The Church @117 is a former church turned events venue

Courtesy Visit Franklin

OWL’S HILL NATURE SANCTUARY IN BRENTWOOD

Courtesy Manchester-Coffee Co. Conference Center

MANCHESTER-COFFEE COUNTY CONFERENCE CENTER

for banquets of 120. The Atlantic in Tullahoma can host groups up to 288 for corporate retreats, meetings or conferences. The venue dates to the late 1800s, when the town of Tullahoma sprang up around the railroad. In 2021, it underwent major renovations that brought polished concrete floors, exposed brick walls and skylights. The Caverns in Pelham is a live music destination with natural settings above and below ground. Groups can tour the underground cave system, which is three football fields long.

cityofmanchestertn.com

CLEVELAND

Located in southeast Tennessee, Cleveland is a 15-minute drive from the Cherokee National Forest and 30 minutes from Chattanooga and its urban amenities and nightlife. The city’s charming and walkable downtown has unique shops and dining experiences. Whitewater rafting is a big draw. Groups can take a guided trip down the Ocoee River or learn how to paddle on the calmer Hiwassee River. Visitors to Red Clay State Historic Park and the Hiwassee River Heritage Center in Charleston can learn more about the Trail of Tears and the forced removal of the Cherokee from their ancestral lands.

In town, the Museum Center at 5ive Points tells the story of the Ocoee Region with temporary and permanent exhibits. The facility can host up to 400 people theater-style and 260 for a banquet. The Cleveland Country Club does banquets for up to 200 people. Conclave at PIE, a 14,000-square-foot assembly space, can host larger meetings and events.

Unique venues include the Johnston Woods Retreat Center, with overnight accommodations for up to 82 people and meeting spaces for groups up to 225, and the Old Woolen Mill, for groups of 100. The area has several familiar chain hotels with meeting spaces for smaller groups of about 50 people, including the Hampton Inn Cleveland, Fairfield Inn and Suites and La Quinta Inn and Suites. The area has 1,700 hotel rooms in total. visitclevelandtn.com

Photos courtesy Cleveland Bradley COC Tourism Dept.

MUSEUM CENTER AT 5IVE POINTS

DOWNTOWN CLEVELAND

In town, the Museum Center at 5ive Points tells the story of the Ocoee Region with temporary and permanent exhibits. The facility can host up to 400 people theater-style and 260 for a banquet.

Describing Gatlinburg, Tennessee is easy

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

GERMANTOWN

An easy 30-minute drive from Memphis, Germantown is known for its many parks and green spaces. Hikers and bikers will love traveling along the Germantown Greenway, a 13-milelong paved path that follows the Wolf River. When it is completed, the greenway will extend 22 miles, encircling the city. Visitors should take a day to wander the flower gardens at Oaklawn Garden, Germantown’s botanical garden, park and museum, or take in the beauty of the Memphis Botanic Gardens, seven miles from Germantown.

Meeting planners who want to get away from the bustle of Memphis can host events at Great Hall and Conference Center, which offers 8,600 square feet of event space for parties, receptions and banquets. The high-tech Conference Center Theatre is perfect for meetings, presentations, training sessions, conferences and trade shows. The Pickering Center is a smaller event venue for meetings, receptions and reunions of up to 200 guests. Its large banquet hall has a kitchen and allows planners to bring in their own food.

Bobby Lanier Farm Park is a 10-acre education and demonstration center focused on sustainable living through agriculture and stewardship. The new Harvest Moon Pavilion at the park is suitable for meetings, retreats, banquets or parties. The multi-purpose facility has a reclaimed wood interior, full catering kitchen and sliding carriage doors that open to farm views. Events can spill out on adjoining lawns. The Hilton Garden Inn Memphis East Germantown, with 6,704 square feet of meeting space and 129 guest rooms, is only two miles from Oaklawn Garden and the Germantown Performing Arts Center. germantownchamber.com

Bobby Lanier Farm Park is a 10-acre education and demonstration center focused on sustainable living through agriculture and stewardship. The multi-purpose facility has a reclaimed wood interior, full catering kitchen and sliding carriage doors that open to farm views.

MEMPHIS BOTANIC GARDEN IN GERMANTOWN

Photos courtesy Memphis Botanic Garden

A PATHWAY AND PAVILION AT MEMPHIS BOTANIC GARDEN

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