Small Market Meetings May 2018

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Creative Catering Atlantic City, New Jersey Historic Pennsylvania M

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Chester County’s Brandywine Valley is the perfect location for meetings, events, and leisure activities.

From conferences with creative team building sessions like mushroom cook-offs to intimate board retreats and reunions at Longwood Gardens, planners and guests alike will be intrigued by the mix of history, innovation, charm, and hospitality that is Chester County’s Brandywine Valley.

BrandywineValley.com/meetings

Courtney Babcock Director of Sales 484.840.7213 Courtney@BrandywineValley.com

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Volume 19

Issue 5

May 2018

Creative Catering

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These tips will help you take your event’s food to the next level.

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Military Reunion Destinations Veterans love meeting in these cities.

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Bet on Atlantic City This resort destination offers an abundance of meeting space and activities.

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Courtesy Meet AC

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Indy’s Twin Suburbs Hamilton County and Hendricks County, Indiana, both appeal to small meetings.

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Meet Historic Pennsylvania The Keystone State is full of distinctive, historic meeting venues.

Courtesy Kennedy Space Center

On the cover: The Air Force Academy Chapel is an iconic landmark in Colorado Springs, Colorado, a popular destination for military reunions.

Photo by M.T. Curado 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, including hotels, conference centers, convention centers, destinations, transportation companies, restaurants and other meeting industry-related companies 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) 225-1452. 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.

For Sales Call

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Blast Off at Kennedy Space Center Meeting attendees reach for the stars at this famous NASA site.

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Kyle Anderson 866-356-5128

kyle@smallmarketmeetings.com

MAC T. LACY PUBLISHER/PARTNER maclacy@grouptravelleader.com

BRIAN JEWELL EDITOR brian@smallmarketmeetings.com

HERBERT SPARROW EXECUTIVE EDITOR/PARTNER hsparrow@grouptravelleader.com

DAVID BROWN ART DIRECTOR production@smallmarketmeetings.com

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

STACEY BOWMAN SAVANNAH OSBOURN ACCOUNT MANAGER STAFF WRITER sales@smallmarketmeetings.com CHRISTINE CLOUGH COPY EDITOR KYLE ANDERSON ACCOUNT MANAGER RENA BAER kyle@smallmarketmeetings.com PROOFREADER

Download Our ‘Meeting Point’ E-Book

Meeting Point.

A little reading might help you plan a better meeting.

If you’re new to the meetings industry, you’re probably looking for all the help you can get. But even veteran meeting professionals can benefit from a bit of insight, innova-

tion and encouragement. That’s what readers will find in “Meeting Point,” the new e-book available free from Small Market Meetings.

“Meeting Point” gives planners tips and new ideas in focused, easy-to-read sections that delve into a number of topics. Readers will hear from experienced meeting planners and other hospitality experts who have lots of creative ideas to share on a wide range of topics such as negotiating advice, productivity hacks and practical meeting-planning nuts and bolts.

Written by Vickie Mitchell, a 20-year veteran meetings journalist and former editor of Small Market Meetings, “Meeting Point” features information gleaned from interviews conducted with speakers, planners and other experts across the country.

“Vickie has a knack for finding fresh voices in the meetings industry and capturing their best ideas to share with our audience,” said Brian Jewell, managing editor of Small Market Meetings. “That skill makes Vickie’s columns one of my favorite parts of our magazine. In ‘Meeting Point,’ she has distilled many of these conversations into a set of short chap-

Meeting Point.

ters that will benefit anyone who works in the meetings industry, whether they are planning meetings or selling meetings services to groups.”

Each chapter of the e-book focuses on a specific business or meeting-planning topic, often based around a conversation with an expert in that area. The “Building Better RFPs” chapter walks planners through some practical steps they can take to make bid collecting clearer and more precise. “Continuing Education” offers ideas on how planners can continue learning amid their busy event schedules. And a pair of chapters on etiquette cover some valuable information on email correspondence and business dinners.

“I’m a strong believer that educating meeting planners makes events better for everyone involved,” Jewell said. “This e-book has so much helpful information that it should be required reading for anyone planning small meetings in 2018. And as always, it’s absolutely free.”

The e-book is available as a free download for a limited time. Get your copy today at www.smallmarketmeetings.com/ebook.

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PLAN BETTER EVENTS WITH THESE SMALL MEETINGS INSIGHTS!

866.356.5128

May 2018

W W W. S M A L L M A R K E T M E E T I N G S . C O M / E B O O K

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AC Hotel by Marriott Tampa/Airport Westshore Opens

Courtesy PRISA Group

Courtesy PRISA Group

Courtesy PRISA Group

The new AC Hotel by Marriott in the Tampa Westshore area features innovative design, outdoor amenities and 2,300 square feet of meeting space.

TAMPA, Florida — Officials of the PRISA Group have announced the grand opening of the newly constructed, 175-room AC Hotel by Marriott Tampa/Airport – Westshore.

The hotel offers 2,300 square feet of meeting space, and its public space is equipped with a communal table and reading section, signature lounge seating and a multimedia area. Additional amenities include a market, two media salons and a business/social events room that features workspace for

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Industry News

online meetings at other locations.

The hotel also houses a 900-plus-squarefoot, state-of-the-art fitness center, a pool and pool bar, and complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the property. It boasts an outdoor digital art installation that projects colorful abstract imagery on the side of the hotel, creating a unique nighttime light show for passers-by.

“This marks the first of three Marriottbranded hotels we are opening in Florida,

including an under-construction, dualbranded SpringHill Suites/Residence Inn in Orlando at the Mall of Millenia, and we remain bullish on the market,” said Federico Stubbe, PRISA president and CEO. “We now own the newest design-focused lifestyle product on the market, a key driver for both business and leisure travelers who want something beyond the typical hotel stay.”

The hotel is housed within MetWest International, a high-end, 32-acre mixed-use development in Tampa’s Westshore Business District. The hotel is a short distance from Tampa International Airport and is adjacent to International Plaza Mall, Bay Street and Tampa International Airport, which is now undergoing one of the largest airport expansions in the United States. The MetWest International mixed-use complex contains multiple restaurants and bars within steps of the hotel, as well as a variety of large corporate tenants.

Craft beer lovers will enjoy the hotel’s AC Lounge, which serves a wide array of craft beers, specialty wines and unique cocktails.

Guests and locals alike will enjoy the fine cuisine provided by the AC Kitchen, which offers European-inspired breakfast with flaky croissants, savory egg tarts, Iberico prosciutto and Nespresso coffee, all at an affordable price.

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Tan-Tar-A Resort Undergoing Full Renovation, Rebranding as a Margaritaville Hotel

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& Plan on meeting here

MEET, EXPLORE, CONNECT GREATER ONTARIO, CALIFORNIA

Courtesy Tan-Tar-A Resort

Tan-Tar-A Resort in Lake of the Ozarks is undergoing a renovation and will be rebranded as a Margaritaville Resort by next spring.

OSAGE BEACH, Missouri — Tan-Tar-A Resort has begun a multimillion-dollar rebranding as a Margaritaville Resort. The renovations are expected to be completed by spring of 2019.

Renovations will touch all facets of the property, incorporating Margaritaville’s signature “casual-luxe” design and nautical elements.

The property will be upgraded with elements of Margaritaville, both aesthetically and in terms of culture, while keeping the family atmosphere that guests have come to expect and love. Guests can anticipate updated food-and-beverage concepts and Margaritaville’s iconic design elements incorporated throughout the property.

With all the changes Tan-Tar-A has in store, much will stay the same. Management and staff at the resort will remain the same. TanTar-A’s staff will continue to provide excellent customer service, ensuring that all guests are well cared for during their stays.

Continued commitment to group business will remain vital with TanTar-A’s professional team, all working together to create a successful meeting experience.

Margaritaville is a global brand inspired by the lyrics and lifestyle of singer, songwriter and author Jimmy Buffett, whose songs evoke a passion for tropical escape and relaxation. Margaritaville delivers a tropical experience where anyone can enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of their favorite destination regardless of their current latitude.

Tan-Tar-A Resort is nestled in the foothills of the Ozarks along the banks of the Lake of the Ozarks. Only two and a half hours from St. Louis and three hours from Kansas City, this wilderness resort, which spans 420 wooded acres, is in the center of Missouri, easily reached from all four corners of the state and most Midwestern cities. www.tan-tar-a.com

May 2018

A breathtaking contemporary state of the art venue with more than 225,000 square feet of flexible column-free exhibit, meeting and function space, the Ontario Convention Center is ideal for conventions, trade shows, exhibits and meetings. Located just 2 miles from Ontario International Airport with access to a variety of hotel and dining options within walking distance, the center is frequently used by filmmakers as an on-site location for movies and commercials.

• 225,000 total square feet with a 70,000 square foot column free exhibition hall • Full range of technology services • Award winning Executive Chef and service excellence • Over 6,000 hotel rooms available in Greater Ontario • Complimentary hotel parking and shuttle service For meeting needs of all sizes – from a conference room to a citywide convention utilizing the Ontario Convention Center – or for a special exposition or sporting event, the Greater Ontario Convention & Visitors Bureau will provide the necessary destination support tools to execute a successful experience.

For more information on planning your next adventure, visit GOcvb.org 800.455.5755

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Signing, Specifics and Surveying Meeting planners shouldn’t overlook these basic practices.

By Vickie Mitchell

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ast month, Ryan Lewis, executive administrator for the National Association of Free Will Baptists and a certified meeting professional (CMP), shared tips from a session he led for novice meeting planners at January’s Religious Conference Management Association (RCMA) Emerge conference. The course is among those required in a new certification program that RCMA is offering planners of religious meetings.

Lewis broke his session into five areas of focus; we covered the first two, selling and selecting, last month. Here are the final three:

Signing

Lewis reads every word of a contract — which amazes the venues he works with — and often he catches serious issues. A careful read is required, he said, “not because hotels are trying to get you, but because contracts are not one-size-fits-all.”

A recent hotel contract, for example, stipulated that staff guest rooms would not count toward attrition but would count toward cancellation. Lewis pointed out this inconsistency, and the contract was revised.

A key to equitable contracts, Lewis believes, is building good relationships. He keeps in mind two business principles: “We are in the hospitality, not hostility, industry” and “a relationship in which only one side benefits is not a relationship.”

Lewis also keeps his priorities in mind as he negotiates contracts.

“In a contract, you need to prioritize your needs and wants, and know the difference between the two,” he said. “For our meeting, we look out for attendees more than anything else. I want to make sure I get the lowest rate for them.”

Verbal agreements that are not part of the original contract should always be put in writing as an addendum. For example, a sales manager told Lewis she wanted to include breakfast for his attendees, but by the time the conference rolled around, she had taken a new job. Luckily, Lewis had written documentation of her offer, and her replacement honored it.

Specifics

At his first pre-con meeting with a venue, Lewis provides convention services with “paperwork out their ears.”

“I say, ‘You won’t need this today, but you will in the future,’” he said. “If the property drops the ball, I can say I provided you all of that. You can’t give them too many details.”

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MeetingPoint

He also makes it clear that he is the point of contact for every aspect of his conference. Having a single contact helps prevent confusion, he’s found.

Before his conference, Lewis creates function sheets for each session and event. “It is one sheet of paper with the start time, end time, room set, AV, required catering, decor,” Lewis said. “There is one for every room and every day.” He got numerous requests for that form during his RCMA session.

An event guide, a binder packed with those forms and other vital information, is kept in the conference office where interns and volunteers can quickly reference it. “They open that book and the information is right there for everything,” he said. “It is the convention bible.”

During the final pre-con meeting, Lewis gives the hotel insight into his attendees’ patterns.

“For example, we have a lot of little kids, so we may use more towels than some groups,” he said. One hotel didn’t pay attention when Lewis explained that his attendees all arrive at once. The result was long lines at the registration desk. When Lewis reminded hotel management that he had supplied this vital information so they could staff up, the manager made amends by treating attendees staying at the hotel to a sundae bar.

Surveying

Lewis spends a day in post-con meetings with the venue. He talks about issues his staff experienced but also seeks feedback from the venue. “I want to hear from them about constructive changes to improve next year,” he said. He also gets feedback from his core staff. For example, his registration coordinator pointed out that she needed more counter space. “It is simple stuff but relevant to future meetings,” Lewis said. Conference attendees are asked for their feedback through a formal feedback form, which Lewis has found “controls the conversation but also gets constructive tips.”

For more information, contact Lewis at ryan@nafwb.org.

Vickie Mitchell is the former editor of Small Market Meetings. If you have ideas for future columns, contact her at vickie@smallmarketmeetings.com.

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Creative Catering

Liven up your events by integrating these foodservice ideas All photos courtesy Owensboro Convention Center

By Savannah Osbourn

The Owensboro Convention Center helped a client put together a “spooky” wine tasting event for Halloween.

f there’s one thing guaranteed to leave a lasting impression on meeting attendees, it’s the quality and creativity of the food.

Today, many caterers are taking their service to the next level by turning meal functions into an experience, from arranging food in colorful displays to showcasing unique local products. Others are expanding their menus to accommodate a wider range of dietary and health concerns.

For more ideas on creative catering approaches, we spoke with culinary experts from the Owensboro Convention Center in Owensboro, Kentucky, who pride themselves on delivering innovative recipes and presentations. Here is what they had to say.

team partners with some of the most distinguished businesses in the state to create locally inspired cuisine with top-grade ingredients.

“It’s actually a lot of fun to take those regular items and turn them into something different,” said McCarter. “You just have to give yourself the leeway to be creative.”

Instead of featuring the typical cheese and cracker arrangement, the convention center often brings in artisan cheeses like Smoked Kentucky Bleu or Fromage Blanc from Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheeses, one of Kentucky’s most well-known dairy farms. McCarter and his team have also worked extensively with Misty Meadow Winery, an award-winning local winery that specializes in wines fermented from blackberries, peaches, apples and other fruits.

“Trying fruit wines opens up peoples’ palettes, since they often don’t expect them to taste as good as grape wines,” said McCarter.

In addition to showcasing unique local products, the chefs make a point of putting their own creative spin on each dish, such as using double-smoked ham and other specialty meats from Kentucky Legend to produce mouthwatering fare like bourbon-candied bacon or griddle cakes with smoked ham and peach chutney.

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Exhibit Local Products

Every destination has its own unique culinary scene. When groups travel to different parts of the country for corporate events, they usually appreciate the opportunity to sample regional cuisine and support local businesses. The executive chef at the Owensboro Convention Center, Jared “Buddy” McCarter, said that his out-of-state guests almost always request original Kentucky foods at their conferences or events.

However, instead of simply replicating traditional recipes, the culinary

May 2018

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Catering experts suggest dressing up simple crudité presentations with inventive plating.

Get Creative with Food Displays

As many planners probably know, food service is all about the presentation, and creating a visually engaging food display can transform a simple luncheon or reception into an upscale dining experience.

“In the past, you had strict guidelines on what you could present and how you could present it,” said McCarter. “Now those things have largely disappeared and you have more creative license to have fun with it.”

Sometimes being creative is just matter of combining two concepts into one. The Owensboro Convention Center catering team often creates portable or bite-sized versions of larger dishes, such as miniature Kentucky Hot Browns as an appetizer or Reuben Lollypops, which is a Reuben sandwich ground up and placed on a stick. For a fun twist on the traditional vegetable tray, the chefs once arranged chopped vegetables in shot glasses so that guests could walk around the event with them. They also sometimes fill ice-cream cones with berries and other fruits as a colorful and healthy dessert option.

Cheese and fruit present many possibilities when it comes to creating colorful arrangements. Planners can impress guests with a diverse selection of interesting cheeses like smoked gouda, Munster, port wine cheese and more, while encouraging people to try something new.

“It’s easy to go over the top with cheese displays when you have 500 people’s worth of cheese product,” said McCarter. “Sometimes we spread out the cheese slices with fruit in between them. It’s sounds simple, but you can really do something just by playing off the colors and shapes and sizes.”

Planners can also incorporate themes into the displays, which could entail anything from the seasons to holidays and regional culture.

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Managing Meetings

McCarter described how they once set up a cheese and fruit display around an open coffin and skeleton during a corporate event that took place close to Halloween.

Incorporate Healthy Options

Meeting attendees have become more health conscious than ever, so it is crucial for caterers to keep up with the latest dietary trends, whether it is gluten-free, vegetarian or vegan. Even menu choices such as lentil-based versus pasta-based dishes can make an impact on the success of a meal function.

“The clients themselves are usually very informed with food these days,” said McCarter. “We might come up with a few ideas, but clients will come in with a list of 10 things they saw on Pinterest or the Food Network.”

Although it has become standard to accommodate different dietary preferences, many event programs fail to offer much variety beyond the typical salad bar or vegetable tray. Even attendees without dietary restrictions often appreciate having more nutritious options, because everyone wants to feel good about what they eat. Moreover, providing healthy alternatives gives people the chance to try something new while boosting energy levels and mental focus.

One easy solution for satisfying a range of preferences would be offering build-your-own meals. For example, a luncheon could feature a build-your-own sandwich table with an array of ingredients, such as different breads, meats, vegetables, cheeses and sauces, so that attendees with certain dietary needs can find what they want without having to request a special dish or choose from limited options. Likewise, planners could set out a base pasta or rice dish with optional toppings.

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Using local ingredients and recipes can help create unique culinary events, even for the most formal affairs.

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May 2018 visitcolumbiamo.com

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Rally the Troops

These destinations are ideal for military reunions Courtesy VisitCOS.com

By Savannah Osbourn

The National Museum of World War II Aviation is one of many sites of interest to military reunion groups in Colorado Springs.

hen it comes to choosing an ideal destination for military reunions, meeting planners typically look for characteristics like affordability, easy access to major airports and local military ties. It can also be important to find a region with a diverse range of attractions so that accompanying spouses or children have the option of exploring the surrounding sights while veterans reconnect.

Fortunately, there are some cities that offer the whole package. For those in search of some of the country’s top military hubs, here are five destinations worth considering.

County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We have an excellent track record of hosting many successful military reunions from all branches of the service, and we feel privileged to host those reunions here.”

Larger groups can take advantage of the Dayton Convention Center, which features 150,000 square feet of space and connects to the Crown Plaza Dayton. Likewise, the Carillon Historical Park presents a beautiful space where visitors can organize events while learning about Dayton’s notable contributions to history. The 65-acre park houses the 1905 Wright Flyer III, the world’s first practical airplane, as well as Carillon Brewing Co., which operates as both a restaurant and a living-history exhibit. The brewery can seat up to 80 guests for private events. Inside, guests can sample beers made with brewing techniques from the 1850s in a vintage-style space with brick walls and charcoal fire pits.

Groups can visit the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park to see the birthplace of aviation itself, where Orville and Wilbur Wright designed and flew some of the earliest aircraft prototypes. The

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Dayton, Ohio

Dayton, Ohio, is home to an extensive number of military attractions and landmarks, including the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, the largest and oldest aviation museum in the world.

“We like to say that every day is Veterans Day in Dayton,” said Jacquelyn Powell, president and CEO of the Dayton/Montgomery

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Meeting Ideas

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Courtesy Dayton CVB

In addition to visiting the Air Force museum, military groups in Dayton also often spend time at the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. park contains significant sites like the Wright brothers’ bicycle shop and the Huffman Prairie Flying Field, the world’s first airport. www.daytoncvb.com

Newport, Rhode Island

Known as the City by the Sea, Newport, Rhode Island, offers groups a picturesque seaside getaway near the Naval Station Newport and the U.S. Naval War College. Many veterans who were stationed at the naval base enjoy returning to their old stomping grounds and visiting sites like the Naval War College Museum, which commemorates the rich history of the college.

Another popular stop is the Newport Officer’s Club, a classy dining venue overlooking the shoreline of Narragansett Bay. Just inside Gate 1 on the naval base, the restaurant features a grand ballroom as well as several smaller spaces for private luncheons, receptions and other events.

May 2018

Groups can discover many of Newport’s most colorful attractions by exploring on foot, from boutiques and restaurants along the wharf to Gilded Age mansions on Bellevue Avenue. One of the most famous landmarks is the Breakers, an 1895 mansion modeled after a Renaissance palace.

“There’s something that appeals to every part of the group,” said Anne Roberts, destination expert at Discover Newport. “Some might want to go sailing, and others might want to just sit on chairs, look over the harbor and just enjoy the view.”

Some of Newport’s most spectacular scenery can be viewed along a 3.5-mile Cliff Walk, which passes several mansions and towering rock bluffs by the ocean. At some points, the cliffs rise over 70 feet above the water.

Many military groups request a hospitality suite in their hotel so that they have a designated place to reconvene throughout the day.

“That is a huge hot-button issue for them, to have an area where

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Courtesy Discover Newport

The Cliff Walk gives visitors to Newport spectacular views of the Atlantic shoreline. they can go at any time, grab a drink, have a few snacks and just really be able to go down memory lane. They just love it,” said Roberts. www.discovernewport.org

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Frequently listed as one of the top 10 destinations for military reunions, Colorado Springs, Colorado, has everything groups need for a relaxing, fun-filled trip. The region boasts 300 days of sunshine each year, and many military groups enjoy visiting from August to October, when the pleasant climate coincides with breathtaking fall colors.

There are several military organizations based in the area, including Fort Carson, Peterson Air Force Base and the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Groups can stop by the U.S. Air Force Academy to see the exquisite 150-foot Cadet Chapel on campus or schedule a tour of the National Museum of World War II Aviation.

“We have a lot of military headquartered here, which makes it very attractive for military groups,” said Pam Sherfesee, vice president of sales at the Colorado Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau. “All branches of the military love to bring their reunions here because they feel so comfortable.”

Colorado Springs is also home to the U.S. Olympic Training Center, one of three official Olympic facilities in the nation. Planners can organize a reception or a meal function on-site, and occasionally coordinate a meeting with one of the Olympic athletes. Just minutes from downtown, the Garden of the Gods is a National Natural Landmark that features spacious, paved walking trails amid towering red-sandstone rock formations. Jeep and Segway tours are available.

For an immersive dining experience, visitors can grab a bite to eat at

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Meeting Ideas

the Airplane Restaurant, an aviation-themed restaurant built around an authentic World War II aircraft.

In many cases, military groups prefer to stay near their headquarters hotel, and there are many affordable hotel properties in the area that provide flexible meeting space and hospitality suites.

“Some groups want to do tour after tour,” said Sherfesee. “The rest of the time, people just want to be together and reconnect.” www.visitcos.com

Clarksville, Tennessee

Near Fort Campbell, home of the 101st Airborne Division, Clarksville, Tennessee, caters to local and visiting veterans alike with a host of military-focused experiences. Though the fort allows only restricted access, groups can visit the Don F. Pratt Memorial Military Museum to learn more about the history of the 101st division. The fort also contains an outdoor park that showcases historic aircraft such as a fully restored C-47 Brass Hat, the same model of aircraft that flew Maj. Gen. Maxwell Taylor into Normandy during World War II. “We have a lot of veterans that choose to stay in the area after serving here,” said Michelle Dickerson, media and marketing director at Visit Clarksville. “So many of our locally owned restaurants are veteran-owned businesses, which gives visitors a great way to support their military service.”

The Customs House Museum and Cultural Center is one of Clarksville’s most iconic attractions and offers a great location for receptions, luncheons or seminars within an ornate Gothic-style building. At the Fort Defiance Civil War Park and Interpretive Center, groups can explore the fort’s outer earthworks and gun platforms and learn

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Courtesy Visit Clarksville

A military reunion group tours Old Glory Distillery in Clarksville.

May 2018

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ESCAPE THE ORDINARY Grand Wayne Center is more than an event facility — it’s an experience, crafted to simplify every event planner’s To-Do list!

The Midwest’s Favorite Drive-To Destination!

Easy by Air via Fort Wayne International (FWA).

120 West Jefferson Boulevard | Fort Wayne, IN 46802 grandwayne.com | 260.426.4100

GWCC-SMM_thirdV.indd 1

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Meeting Ideas

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Deeds Carillon is a landmark in Dayton and the largest carillon in Ohio.

Courtesy Dayton CVB

about its remarkable history inside the Interpretive Center. There are also many creative ways for groups to explore some of the city’s beautiful antebellum homes.

“We’ve done things like Civil War balls or cotillions inside Smith-Trahern Mansion,” said Dickerson, referring to a Greek Revival mansion overlooking the Cumberland River. “We try to give groups the real Southern experience, like a biscuit-making competition at the Tanglewood House or cocktail-making competition at Old Glory Distillery.”

Each September, the city hosts the Welcome Home Veterans Celebration, a five-day event that honors veterans throughout the community with a Field of Honor tribute flag display as well as the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall, a 300-foot replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. Many of the festivities are held at Beachhaven Vineyards and Winery. www.visitclarksvilletn.com

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Courtesy Virginia Beach CVB

In addition to numerous military bases, the Virginia Beach area has plentiful activity options for military reunion groups and their families.

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Nestled on the southeastern tip of Virginia where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, Virginia Beach is part of a region known as Hampton Roads, an area with a storied history of military presence.

Langley Air Force Base, Fort Eustis, Fort Monroe, Naval Station Norfolk and Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek are just a few of the military outfits in the area.

Travelers will discover many activities in this vibrant community, from live music, cafes and shops along the oceanfront to hands-on art experiences in the Vibe Creative District. In the Town Center, planners can arrange brewery tours, chocolate tours, progressive dinners and much more.

One of the city’s most noteworthy military attractions is the Military Aviation Museum, which houses one of the largest private collections of military aircraft in the world. Many of the historic aircraft in the fleet are still airworthy and participate in air shows across the country.

Visitors can even take a ride on a 1941 biplane. The museum’s two 15,000-square-foot hangars can be rented for private receptions and events, giving groups the chance to dine among giant World War II or Navy aircraft.

Although the Naval Air Station Oceana is not open to the public, groups can stop by the POW/MIA Flame of Hope Memorial Park to watch aircraft take off and land on the naval runway. At the end of September each year, the naval base hosts the Annual Oceana Air Show, a free event with food vendors, static displays and a choreographed flight performance from the Blue Angels. www.visitvirginiabeach.com

May 2018

17

BUSINESS ON THE BOARDWALK

Work and play t hrive t oge t her in A t lant ic City

By Zach Chouteau

Atlantic City features numerous large casino hotels and miles of sandy beaches.

By Colin Morton

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Destination Showcase

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

“We have ample space in our museum area for a catered lunch setup and off-campus meeting for businesses.”

W

hen it comes to a seaside setting that beautifully blends business with pleasure, it’s hard to top Atlantic City, New Jersey. Continuing its compelling comeback from the impact of Hurricane Sandy in 2012, the resort town is seeing numerous top properties revamped and reimagined all along the boardwalk and beyond.

“I like to remind people we’re a resort destination at heart,” said Jim Wood, chief executive officer for Meet AC, which oversees the city’s convention and group sales. “We’ve got a beautiful beach, the boardwalk, casinos, resorts, a great nightlife — and we’re on 24/7.”

Vital Venues

For groups of any substantial size, the first place to consider is the modern Atlantic City Convention Center. Boasting award-winning architecture as well as interior design that embraces the seaside locale, the sprawling structure provides 500,000 square feet of exhibit space and more than 100,000 square feet of meeting areas. Dramatic artwork abounds as well, from flying fish sculptures to large paintings of William Wegman’s iconic Weimaraners enjoying numerous New Jersey experiences.

“The convention center can accommodate about 85 to 90 percent of today’s conventions,” said Wood, adding that the size of groups coming to town has grown over the past three years.

“Larger conventions have been finding their way back to Atlantic City,” he said. “It’s been very exciting for us.”

For a different type of setting, Wood recommends Boardwalk Hall, a historic gem built in 1929 that is home to the Miss America Competition, frequent concerts and other events. A member of the National Registry of Historic Places since 1987, the cavernous venue has received numerous industry accolades since undergoing a $90 million makeover in 2001. To give an idea of its voluminous setting, its past includes the nation’s first indoor college football game and first indoor helicopter flight.

Hotel Haven

Like Las Vegas, Atlantic City has evolved into a meetings destination where you practically need a scorecard to keep up with hotel

May 2018

openings and improvements.

Among the upcoming launches causing lots of buzz are the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, a marvelous makeover of the former Taj Mahal.

Upon its unveiling this summer, the remarkable resort will cover 17 acres and will offer more than 150,000 square feet of event space and a rollicking casino with 2,200 slots and 125 table games. Its location right on the Atlantic City boardwalk will be yet another lure.

Also on tap for an imminent opening is the Ocean Resort Casino, reportedly part of Hyatt Hotels’ exclusive Unbound collection and a reimagining of the former Revel resort. Wood said the new lodging will include a food-andbeverage concept that includes a trio of local food trucks as well as a spacious nightclub.

What might impress planners the most, though, is a wealth of meeting areas that comprise 160,000 square feet of indoor event space plus 90,000 square feet of outdoor function room.

Other noteworthy recent news tied to meetings hotels includes Resorts Casino’s addition of a 12,000-square-foot conference center, the nongaming Claridge Hotel’s unveiling of 15,000 square feet of new meeting space and the Borgata’s launching of an 18,000-square-foot Central Conference Center last year. Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City, which debuted its massive Dock’s Oyster House Waterfront Conference Center several years ago, also made news in 2017 with a $30 million All photos courtesy Meet AC makeover of its guest rooms and suites.

Atlantic City, New Jersey LOCATION

Central New Jersey coast ACCESS

Philadelphia International Airport, a one-hour drive MAJOR MEETING SPACES

Atlantic City Convention Center, Boardwalk Hall HOTEL ROOMS

17,000-plus OFFSITE VENUES

Absecon Lighthouse, Atlantic City Aquarium CONTACT INFO

Meet AC 609-449-2093 www.meetac.com

Off-Site Escapes

If you’re seeking to get your group away from the hotel or meeting rooms for something different, one bright idea is to host an event at the Absecon Lighthouse, the state’s tallest lighthouse. The historic beacon was first lit in 1857 and today can host about 40 or fewer people for meetings and other affairs.

“We have ample space in our museum area for a catered lunch setup and off-campus meeting for businesses,” said Jean Muchanic, the venue’s executive director. “And then what’s really fun is there are six landings as people climb the lighthouse with a window and ledge at each, so businesses can lay out a different strategy or company goal at each.

Then, the company’s lead mission or vision statement and goal can be featured at the top

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The Atlantic City Boardwalk is packed with hotels, casinos and visitor attractions.

“At Escape AC, we have four adult-only, Atlantic City-themed because ‘reaching the top’ is a metaphor for success. Folks have really enjoyed using this historic site this way.”

Another off-site option with a seaside feel is the Atlantic City Aquarium, a bastion of undersea life and host of many events. Planners can ponder the 1,000-square-foot Harborview Room or even buy out the entire venue for an after-hours affair. There are also outdoor spaces available. The aquarium staff can also attend your event with its Traveling Touch Tank, which features stingrays, sharks, starfish and other sea creatures.

Meanwhile, at the Tropicana Atlantic City, guests can make a great escape without even leaving the boardwalk. The resort is home to Escape AC, with four Atlantic City-themed escape rooms, where groups must work together to find clues, solve puzzles and do whatever it takes to unlock the obstacles to freedom.

“At Escape AC, we have four adult-only, Atlantic City-themed escape rooms, all of which offer an extreme challenge,” said venue co-owner Lisa Benninger. “Our facility can handle just over 40 people in one round — a little less than 90 minutes — making our venue very attractive for large company outings. Escape AC has a great advantage over most escape rooms, as teams can meet up in one of Tropicana’s many

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Destination Showcase

restaurants, bars or other meeting areas before their event to form a pep rally, or after their experience, to rehash the fun.”

Wood said many groups just head straight for the beach for their offsite events. There, numerous opportunities can easily be arranged by the nearby gamut of resorts.

“Any one of them can provide a memorable off-site beach event,” he said.

Groups can also have tours and events on the water with party boats such as those operated by Atlantic City Cruises, which hosts oceanbound affairs for up to 150 attendees.

Free-Time Fun

As a resort destination, AC offers endless chances for dynamic diversions. One of the newest is the Wheel at Steel Pier, a fantastic Ferris wheel with 40 temperature-controlled, enclosed gondolas.

“It just opened recently and is spectacular,” Wood said, adding that it’s hard to top the views of the city and seascape from the 227-foot apex of the wheel. Groups can even host a function aboard the wheel, and its location right by the boardwalk is another plus.

The Steel Pier amusement park is, in general, a fun free-time foray

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Steel Pier is a popular destination for after-hours meeting events in Atlantic City.

escape rooms, all of which offer an extreme challenge.” where attendees can partake in thrilling rides and carnival games that tap into their inner child. More adult fun is also on tap at the Steel Pier Pub, which showcases cold brews and ocean views just steps from the beach — or attendees can clamber aboard a helicopter for an unforgettable flight.

Another compelling down-time detour is Tanger Outlets, a short stroll from the boardwalk on Baltic Avenue and a hub of affordable shopping. Well over 100 shops are on hand there, with an emphasis on clothing and gift items — plus several dining options that include a Ruth’s Chris Steak House.

When the sun sets, few resort destinations can top Atlantic City’s nightclubs. Among the best are Dusk Nightclub, at Caesars; Providence, at the Tropicana; and Haven, at the Golden Nugget. For an unusual setting, the Pool at Harrah’s is set inside a 90-foot-tall glass dome that showcases towering palm trees and classy cabanas.

Sizzling Celebs

Atlantic City has seen a Vegas-like influx of top celebrity chefs bringing their expertise and flair to the city with some unforgettable dining choices.

May 2018

“People are definitely drawn by the name recognition,” Wood said about culinary masters like Gordon Ramsay, Bobby Flay and Wolfgang Puck opening local restaurants. “It’s definitely one of our biggest trends.”

The Gordon Ramsay Pub and Grill is at Caesars, and Bobby Flay’s Steakhouse and the Wolfgang Puck American Grill are both at the Borgata, which is also home to Fornelletto, the brainchild of Iron Chef Stephen Kalt. Other options along these lines include two Guy Fieriowned establishments in Bally’s and Iazakaya, yet another Borgata option, this one operated by famed chef/restaurateur Michael Schulson.

Wood said while the boardwalk resorts are bursting with dynamic dine-out destinations, there are also countless spots away from the casinos with an authentic seaside feel to them. Among his suggestions in that realm are Café 2825, with fresh, regional Italian fare; Angelo’s Fairmount Tavern, dating back to 1935; Knife and Fork, launched as a gentlemen’s club in 1912; and Dock’s Oyster House, a local favorite since its opening in 1897.

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Suburban Indy’s Dynamic Duo

By Savannah Osbourn

Courtesy Visit Hendricks County

Above: Guests relax with a drink at Chateau Thomas Winery in Plainfield.

Left: Indy cars thrill crowds at the Lucas Oil Raceway in Hendricks County near Indianapolis.

HENDRICKS C O U N T Y, I N D I A N A LOCATION Central Indiana, just west of Indianapolis MAJOR MEETING SPACES Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center, Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds and Conference HOTEL ROOMS 1,900 CONTACT INFO Visit Hendricks County 800-321-9666 www.visithendrickscounty.com

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Destination Showcase

I

n the northern and western suburbs of Indianapolis, meeting planners will discover everything they need to make their next conference a success, from spacious, affordable venues to engaging local attractions.

Hendricks County offers a glimpse into classic small-town culture with charming downtown shops and one-of-a-kind restaurants. The Bread Basket Café and Bakery in Danville is widely acclaimed as one of the top eateries in the state, and the Mayberry Café pays tribute to the beloved family sitcom “The Andy Griffith Show” with quaint decor and home-style cooking.

There are also several unusual event spaces available, such as the CRG Event Center, which is catered by the prestigious Cunningham Restaurant Group. Other county highlights include Beasley’s Orchard, Splash Island Family Water Park and Lucas Oil Raceway, a nationally recognized drag race strip that draws thousands of people each year to the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals.

Nearby, Hamilton County features a wide selection of wineries, craft breweries and premier golf courses, with new businesses opening every year. This summer, the Indianapolis-based company Sun King Brewery will open a new 15,000-square-foot facility in the county with a scenic rooftop patio and a designated event space for up to 300 guests. A new Topgolf facility and Ikea recently opened as well.

After hours, many meeting groups enjoy team-building activities at Koteewi Park, a 750-acre park with a natural history center, an archery range, horse-back riding trails and a treetop adventure course.

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Photos courtesy Visit Hamilton County

Hamilton County scenes, clockwise from left: The Art of Wine event in Hamilton County; relaxing at Topgolf; Grand Park Sports Campus.

Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center Just off I-70, the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center is slated to open by early 2019 as Hendricks County’s first and only full-service hotel property. The hotel will feature 175 suites, free on-site parking and complimentary shuttle services to the Indianapolis International Airport. Meeting groups can access the 21,000-squarefoot conference facility through a climate-controlled walkway attached to the hotel. For those in need of overflow space for conferences, there are over 900 hotel rooms within walking distance of the new conference center.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Noblesville In April, a new Embassy Suites by Hilton Noblesville opened in Hamilton County, providing the county with an additional 198 suites and 29,000 square feet of flexible meeting space. As Hamilton County’s largest meeting venue, this significant development is expected to attract new conferences and events to the area. The seven-story hotel is conveniently located just off Interstate 69 near many of the county’s most prominent attractions, such as the Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center, the Hamilton Town Center, the Conner Prairie Living History Museum and the Center for the Performing Arts.

May 2018

H A M I LT O N C O U N T Y, I N D I A N A LOCATION Central Indiana, just north of Indianapolis MAJOR MEETING SPACES Embassy Suites by Hilton Noblesville, Renaissance Indianapolis North Hotel, Grand Park Event Center HOTEL ROOMS 3,500 CONTACT INFO Hamilton County Tourism 800-776-8687 www.visithamiltoncounty.com

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Courtesy Visit Hendricks County

Courtesy Visit Hendricks County

Courtesy Visit Hamilton County

Clockwise from top: Splash Island Water Park in Plainfield; a gala event at the Center for the Performing Arts in Noblesville; Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds and Conference Complex

Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds and Conference Center Center for the Performing Arts The Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds and Conference Center is a state-of-the-art venue that accommodates events of all sizes with flexible indoor and outdoor space. The conference center contains a total of 33,000 square feet of space, with a 1,000-seat auditorium, a commercial kitchen and several breakout rooms. Over the years, the facility has hosted several notable events, including the 17th triennial National Pow Wow and the 50th anniversary celebration of the Society for Creative Anachronism, which drew visitors from 40 states and eight countries.

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Destination Showcase

The Center for the Performing Arts is one of the crown jewels of Hamilton County, frequently hosting internationally acclaimed artists and family entertainment. The exquisite facility features three performance venues: the 1,600-seat Palladium concert hall, the 500seat Tarkington Theater and the 200-seat Studio Theater. For additional rental space, the center also offers two 1,700-square-foot multipurpose rooms that each accommodate up to 170 guests. Inside the Palladium, visitors can stop by the Michael Feinstein Great American Songbook Gallery and Archive, which exhibits artifacts such as Fred Astaire’s dancing shoes, the original lyrics to “Unchained Melody” and sheet music signed by George Gershwin.

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Courtesy Visit Hamilton County

A visitor traverses the treetop course at Koteewi Aerial Park in Noblesville.

THE

Minutes from the best airport in North America, Hamilton County has more than 3,500 hotel rooms and 500,000 square feet of meeting spaces.

You’ll also find world-class restaurants, unparalleled performance venues, outdoor adventure and more.

Book your event today at VisitHamiltonCounty.com/Meetings

S C E N E TO C O N V E N E May 2018

JUST NORTH OF INDY

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‘Meeting Space’ in Cape

By Kristy Alpert

L

ike most of NASA’s greatest achievements, the history of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex can be traced back to a combined urgency to meet a growing curiosity and to stretch the limits of possibility. The first inklings of a visitors center came about in the early 1960s, not long after Alan Shepard’s historic suborbital launch of May 5, 1961. The success of the launch attracted news media and attention on all corners of the world, and soon the doors of Cape Canaveral were rotating with a seemingly endless stream of visitors hoping to get a closer look at this burgeoning space program.

A combination of generous private investments and visitor-generated funds made it possible for the visitors center at the Kennedy Space Center to receive some much-needed upgrades in the late 1990s. The first order of business was to create public restrooms and bring the sun-bleached and rain-corroded Apollo/Saturn V rocket, one of only three in the world, indoors and restore it to its former glory.

The complex has grown substantially over the years, where it now features an Imax Theatre for screenings of the 3-D “Journey to Space” film, a U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, an on-site cafe, the Astronaut Training Experience and nearly 100 interactive experiences for guests who wish to delve deeper into the world of NASA and space exploration. Visitors enter the complex at the base of a 13-foot 3-D representation of the NASA globe adjacent to a 75-foot-long fountain that flows beneath a laser-etched inscription of President John F. Kennedy’s

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Venue Showcase

Photos courtesy KSCVC

Above: Events at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex can include catered banquets beneath the Saturn V rocket.

Left: The Heroes and Legends Hall can accommodate events for up to 60 people. famous 1962 “Moon Speech.”

The complex has attracted meeting groups from around the world as “the only place you can sip cocktails below Space Shuttle Atlantis,” a designation mentioned first by Therrin Protze, chief operating officer of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. The visitors complex is like no place else on earth and includes numerous spaces that can accommodate groups of 30 to 3,000; each of the spaces brings to life the epic story of the U.S. space program’s past, present and future.

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Canaveral

Meeting Spaces The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is home to a number of grand ballrooms and small meeting venues that accommodate groups of 30 to 3,000 guests. Spaces include the Dr. Kurt H. Debus Conference Facility, which holds up to 220 guests seated banquet style; the Space Shuttle Atlantis event space on the first floor of the 90,000-square-foot attraction, which holds up to 280 guests seated banquet style or 1,200

guests reception style; and the 1,000,000-square-foot Apollo/ Saturn V Center based around the largest rocket ever flown, which holds up to 600 guests seated banquet style or 3,000 guests reception style. The complex also rents the Heroes and Legends Hall, which accommodates up to 60 guests seated banquet style, and the Journey to Mars: Explorers Wanted space, which is available only after hours.

Catering The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is operated by Delaware North, a company known as a leader in hospitality and food service. Executive chef Gidget Wickham, whose quintessential Floridian cuisine has earned the chef a name in fine-dining circles around the state, oversees the onsite culinary team to ensure that

every event lives up to NASA’s reputation for excellence. Menus range from continental breakfasts to multicourse plated dinners. The catering team can also create custom menus to accommodate a wide range of dietary needs, including regional cuisine, vegetarian dishes and a variety of gluten-free options.

Alcohol is available.

Exclusively for Groups

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex LOCATION

Cape Canaveral, Florida

TYPE OF VENUE Off-site, visitors center

CAPACITY 3,000

NEARBY ACCOMMODATIONS Four Points by Sheraton Cocoa Beach

CONTACT INFO

321-449-4261 www.kennedyspacecenter.com

May 2018

The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex houses the largest collection of space-flown vehicles in the world. Groups can tour the facility on their own or with a private guide before or after events and meetings. A favorite experience for many groups is taking part in the dramatic, multisensory presentation of the Apollo 8 launch

in the Apollo/Saturn V Center. The events team can arrange special character appearances for themed events or create a memorable experience through training missions and lectures to aid in team building and motivational talks. Groups can now buy out the entire complex to experience the park’s attractions after hours.

After Parties Meeting groups have exclusive access to the Kennedy Space Center’s lineup of unique experiences, which include private behind-the-scenes tours of NASA’s restricted areas like launch pads and the iconic Vehicle Assembly building. Other experiences include Lunch With an Astronaut, where a veteran NASA astronaut will regale the group with personal

stories over a custom buffet, or Fly With an Astronaut, where guests can tour the Space Shuttle Atlantis and other iconic sites alongside an astronaut guide. For team-building adventures, groups can book the Cosmic Quest experience, where colleagues work together to build Martian habitats, launch rockets or redirect asteroids in a live-action environment.

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A Santa Fe Landmark

By Kristy Alpert

T

he story of the Inn and Spa at Loretto in Santa Fe, New Mexico, begins centuries before the foundation for this iconic hotel was poured and even longer before the artists, writers and musicians that helped shape Santa Fe’s vibrant culture were born. Santa Fe was founded in 1610 and rotated through an occupation by Native American, Mexican and Spanish settlers; each helped create the groundwork for what Santa Fe would eventually become.

In the early 1850s, the new bishop of Santa Fe sent out a letter asking for help establishing an educational system in the new territory. A group of nuns known as the Sisters of Loretto answered the call and made the long trek through St. Louis and up the river to Independence, Missouri; they finally arrived in Santa Fe in 1852, where they established a thriving academy and chapel in less than a year after their arrival.

Years later, the Kirkpatrick family found the Loretto Academy and Chapel, which had been sitting abandoned for

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Hospitality Showcase

All photos courtesy Inn and Spa at Loretto

decades. The family fell in love with the heritage and breathed new life into both buildings, opening the Inn and Spa at Loretto and renovating the Loretto Chapel into a historic landmark and museum in 1975. The Inn and Spa at Loretto has been applauded as the first commercial building in Santa Fe to adopt a Pueblo Revival style of architecture, a style now known as Santa Fe. “The history of our property is second to none,” said Lesley Escobar, special-events sales manager for the Inn and Spa at Loretto. “The fact that we share the same property as the famous Loretto Chapel is a conversation piece of its own.

People love the history and the architecture of our property.

They not only get to experience a certain level of luxury here, but they also feel that sense of belonging as they’re treated like family here, and that’s what keeps them coming back.”

The inn features 136 guest rooms, including five suites and Santa Fe’s only penthouse, and more than 12,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting and event space with room for 300 guests.

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Meeting Space The inn’s expansive meeting facilities encompass more than 12,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor space. The spaces include the 2,730-squarefoot Zuni Ballroom for up to 240 guests, the 2,835-squarefoot Chaco Ballroom for up to 200 guests, the Tesuque Ballroom for up to 150 guests, the Acoma Room for up to 100 guests, the Hopi Boardroom for up to 20 guests and an outdoor sculpture garden for up to 250 guests.

Small groups can also rent the resort’s Penthouse Suite to host an intimate gathering of 10 to 75 guests among a series of five terraces, multiple gathering spaces, a formal dining area with seating for eight, a dramatic spiral staircase and wall-to-wall windows that offer 360-degree views of Santa Fe.

Inn and Spa at Loretto Location Santa Fe, New Mexico Size 136 rooms Meeting Space More than 12,000 square feet Access Nine miles from Santa Fe Municipal Airport and 68 miles from Albuquerque International Sunport Airport City Contact Info 505-988-5531 www.hotelloretto.com

The Spa A trip to the Inn and Spa at Loretto wouldn’t be complete without visiting the award-winning spa.

Since its opening, the spa has consistently ranked on top-10 lists of almost every major magazine, and it’s easy to see why. The Spa at Loretto’s menu highlights a number of local treatments, with holistic experiences and signature aromatherapy blends that aid in portraying the true “Spirit of Loretto.” Beaded crystal sconces beckon guests into each of the seven spacious treatment rooms for sessions that include wide-ranging choices such as gentlemen’s facials, nourishing body wraps and sacred stone massages.

May 2018

Catering The on-site catering team at the Inn and Spa at Loretto has created a series of creative and allencompassing menus for options throughout the day.

Their breakfast menus alone take guests on a journey around the world, but the most popular is the Santa Fe breakfast buffet, which features green-chili-and-cheese frittatas. Break menus are offered grab-and-go style or can be made interactive with options that allow guests to design their own trail mix. Carving stations, lavish themed displays and passed hors d’oeuvres are a great pairing for any reception, and plated three-course dinners and themed buffets make for fine formal options.

Save room for their tres leches cake with warm cinnamon churros for dessert. Custom menus and alcohol are available.

Extras Left: Meeting rooms at the Inn and Spa at Loretto feature Santa Fe-inspired decor.

Right: Spa treatments feature Southwestern touches.

Opposite page: The Inn and Spa at Loretto features historic adobe architecture.

The meetings and events team at the Inn and Spa at Loretto offer white-glove service for their meeting groups, with a dedicated member of the convention services team there to assist with every detail of the event, including audio and visual tasks. Guests don’t even have to leave the property to experience Santa Fe’s signature art scene with the resort’s artist-in-residence program that allows guests the chance to interact with a local artist on the property. The living room lounge at the resort offers live music every Thursday through Saturday evening to help groups and guests wind down for the weekend.

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Meet Historic Pennsylvania

By Rachel Carter

P

Philadelphia was where the Second Continental ennsylvania Congress was held in 1775, a gathering that produced certainly the Declaration of Independence, which in turn sparked isn’t lacking the American Revolution. And after the war, in history. It was Pennsylvania was the second state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. one of the origiThough Philadelphia gets much of history buffs’ nal 13 Colonies, attention, planners have their choice of historic venues founded in 1682 in smaller cities throughout Pennsylvania.

by William Penn John Harris-Simon Cameron Mansion as a refuge for Harrisburg fellow Quakers.

The John Harris-Simon Cameron Mansion has had

many owners — and many expansions — since construction began in 1766. But the home overlooking the Susquehanna River in Harrisburg still has many of its original architectural details.

The mansion even served as the Pennsylvania Female College for a time before being forced to close in 1861, which opened the door for one of the home’s more famous owners: Simon Cameron, a longtime U.S. senator who briefly served as Abraham Lincoln’s secretary of war before being appointed ambassador to Russia.

While serving in the post, Cameron traveled all over

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Pennsylvania Meeting Guide

Europe shopping for furnishings for his new home.

Today, visitors will find giant mirrors from France, hand-carved Italian marble fireplaces and a stainedglass alcove window from Bavaria, all chosen by Cameron himself.

“It’s a very unique space; they don’t make buildings like that anymore,” said Chris Turner, executive director of the Historical Society of Dauphin County, which manages the mansion. And with all the elegant details, “you don’t have to do much decorating.”

The mansion’s entire first floor can accommodate about 150 guests for seated meals, and the parlor, the largest room, can seat about 60 at rounds. The library and office across the hall can be used for additional seating, and the dining room can seat more guests or be used for food service.

The solarium is where planners typically set up the bar, and “that room is beautiful; it’s all windows and Italian marble floors and original wallpaper,” Turner said. The adjoining butler’s walkway also works well for food service, she said. Guests will also have access to upstairs rooms where they can explore the society’s exhibits. www.dauphincountyhistory.org/museum

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Courtesy Historical Society of Dauphin Co.

Chester County Historical Society West Chester

The Chester County Historical Society (CCHS) is housed in two adjoining historic buildings that, together, create a 56,000-square-foot complex in the middle of downtown West Chester.

CCHS first moved into the historic Horticultural Hall in 1942. The hall was built in 1848 and designed by architect Thomas Ustick Walter, best known for adding the U.S. Capitol’s central dome.

CCHS expanded by renovating the neighboring historic 1908 YMCA building to house its new cultural center, which includes offices and event space. The cultural center opened in 1995 and connects via skywalk to CCHS’s museum in the Horticultural Hall building.

Today, the YMCA’s former gymnasium is a 2,600-square-foot auditorium with a stage and audiovisual equipment including a projector and a large screen. The auditorium is the largest event space in downtown West Chester and is within walking distance of shops, restaurants and the historic Hotel Warner, said Cyndi Meadows, venue sales and event manager for CCHS. Meeting groups will also find classrooms and a con-

May 2018

ference room that can be used for breakout space. Two galleries in the Cultural Center can also be reserved for receptions, depending on availability.

The center’s recently renovated outdoor terrace “is beautiful,” Meadows said. Three glass doors lead to the terrace, which can accommodate up to 80 guests, depending on setup.

Meeting attendees can also explore museum exhibits.

CCHS will completely renovate its permanent exhibits this summer, moving away from the current emphasis on decorative arts to more of a timeline-based history of Chester County. The museum’s current rotating exhibit, “Many Nations: Chester County,” will stay up through December and tells of the county’s varied populations over the past 300 years. www.chestercohistorical.org/cultural-center

Groups can hold small events at the John Harris-Simon Cameron Mansion in Harrisburg.

Historic Bethlehem Hotel Bethlehem

In 1921, Charles M. Schwab, president of Bethlehem Steel, made the decision to build a new, modern, 200room hotel in Bethlehem. Schwab’s Bethlehem Hotel opened in 1922 and was a hopping place during the Roaring ’20s, welcoming a range of business magnates,

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Courtesy Historic Bethlehem Hotel

Historic Bethlehem Hotel retains many of its 1920s architectural features.

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dignitaries and politicians, including Winston Churchill.

The hotel reopened in 1999 following a complete restoration that stripped away the 1970s shag and shabbiness and returned it to its original glory.

“One our proudest moments is our original marble grand staircase,” said Jenny Frei, the hotel’s catering director.

Guests will also find original two-story Palladian windows in the lobby and the 1741 on the Terrace restaurant, in the hotel’s former solarium, where the massive windows overlook the city’s historic district.

Those windows were removed from the Grand Ballroom at some point, but their arching outlines today frame enormous mirrors that reflect the ballroom, which can seat up to 250 for banquets. In the Mural Ballroom, which can seat 140 people for meals, seven large historic murals line the top of the two-story ceiling. The murals, painted in the 1930s and originally located in the Tap Room, depict the history of Bethlehem,

Pennsylvania Meeting Guide

including its founding by Moravian settlers who met in 1741 in a crude cabin on the hotel’s current site.

On the mezzanine level, the Lehigh and Lafayette meeting rooms can each seat up to 30 guests, who enjoy views from the top arch of the Palladian windows.

Those rooms, along with 1741 on the Terrace, are the hotel’s most requested event spaces, Frei said.

The hotel also works hand in hand with Historic Bethlehem Museums and Sites to use nearby historic venues for events, such as receptions at the functioning 1750 Smithy, where guests can sip cocktails while a blacksmith works. www.hotelbethlehem.com

Everhart Museum of Natural History, Science and Art Scranton

The Everhart Museum of Natural History, Science and Art in Scranton has been welcoming visitors for over a

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OVER 12,000 SQ FT OF STATE-OF-THE-ART MEETING SPACE

282 LAVISH HOTEL ROOMS

14,000 SQ FT OF TRADESHOW SPACE

AWARD-WINNING CUISINE

Courtesy Chester Co. Historical Society

The Chester County Historical Society is housed in a pair of historic buildings.

century. The museum opened in 1908 and will mark its 110th anniversary May 30.

Dr. Isaiah Fawkes Everhart, a Scranton physician and Civil War veteran, provided money and items from his personal collection, including much of the animal taxidermy in the bird room, said Dawn McGurl, museum marketing coordinator.

But the Everhart’s “eclectic” collection also includes fine art and history pieces from around the globe such as African, American, Asian, European and local artwork, as well as local fossils, a reproduction Stegosaurus named Spike and a rock room with a case of glowing, phosphorescent minerals.

“We have a little bit of everything,” she said.

The museum is available for daytime and after-hours events and is closed to the public on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so “those are great days for meetings,” McGurl said.

The Everhart is tackling renovations that will refresh existing galleries and add new spaces. In the main gallery, which can be used for events, the carpet is being ripped up and the original Italian terrazzo tile floors are being restored.

May 2018

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The folk art gallery will be converted into a 950-square-foot multipurpose room, and a new adjacent classroom will have about 1,700 square feet for events, although that could change with the addition of a conference room or offices in the future.

On the lower level, the basement gallery is a large, open area that can accommodate 80 to 100 people for receptions or presentations.

Staffers are also re-examining the Everhart’s permanent collection and will display some pieces “that have never been hung, so you’ll see new and different things,” McGurl said. www.everhart-museum.org

Stirling Guest Hotel Reading

Courtesy Stirling Guest Hotel

Reading’s Stirling Guest Hotel was built with pink granite in the 1890s.

The striking Stirling Guest Hotel in Reading was built between 1890 and 1892 for James Hervey Sternbergh, a local iron and steel magnate. The mother of the family was Scottish, and the view from the house, sweeping landscapes of the surrounding mountains and the Schuylkill River, reminded her of the views from Stirling Castle in Scotland.

The Chateauesque-style, pink-granite mansion with its large, Tudor-style carriage house remained in the family as a private residence for more than 100 years.

“The building is a living piece of history,” said TJ Sophy, who co-owns the guest hotel with Peter Sutliff.

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Pennsylvania Meeting Guide

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Courtesy Stirling Guest Hotel

The Stirling Guest Hotel was a private residence for more than 100 years.

“The house was in the same family for 106 years, so that table in the library and the bedroom furniture is all still here, a lot of the family portraits are still here.”

Today, the mansion has 15 guest suites and five large rooms on the first floor that can be used for meetings, meals and receptions. The entire first floor can accommodate seated meals for 120 guests or cocktail parties for 140 people. Every event that books the mansion is a private party, Sophy said, so planners have flexibility in how to set up the space.

The main room is about 700 square feet, and the library can seat 16 people around the family’s large 1850s table, making it ideal for board meetings, he said. The dining room and drawing room can be used as breakout space, and guests will find a piano in the music room, which makes it an excellent lounge area.

A large covered porch works well for cocktail hours or coffee stations, and Sophy has even used it for breakfast meetings.

The mansion also delivers a parklike setting because it sits on five acres in a residential historic district across the street from a 140-acre cemetery, so “our neighbors don’t make much noise,” Sophy said. www.stirlingguesthotel.net

May 2018

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