Small Market Meetings November 2017 by The Group Travel Leader, Inc.

R e t rea t oa t RANCH

Corporate Volunteering Hampton, Virginia Kentucky Meeting Guide N O V E M B E R

2 0 1 7

By Dan Dickson

Volume 18

Issue 11

November 2017

.Small Market Meetings Conference Coverage

South Bend, Indiana, rolled out the red carpet for meeting planners.

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Volunteering at Meetings Learn how CVBs can facilitate service activities at meetings and events.

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Meetings at the Ranch Get your group out in these wide-open spaces.

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Courtesy Monterey Bay Aquarium

Discover Hampton This Virginia coastal city is ideally situated for Mid-Atlantic meetings.

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Explore upgraded convention centers and unique venues in the Bluegrass State.

On the cover: Riders enjoy the autumn scenery at a ranch in Wyoming.

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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Mac T. Lacy Publisher/Partner maclacy@grouptravelleader.com

Brian Jewell Editor brianj@grouptravelleader.com

Herbert Sparrow Executive Editor/Partner hsparrow@grouptravelleader.com

David Brown Art Director production@smallmarketmeetings.com

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Kentucky Meeting Guide Courtesy Carmel Valley Ranch

Spotlight on Stillwater This Oklahoma college town offers distinctive venues and entertainment.

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866-356-5128

kelly@grouptravelleader.com

Stacey Bowman Savannah Osbourn Account Manager Staff writer sales@smallmarketmeetings.com Christine Clough Copy editor Kelly Tyner Account Manager Rena Baer sales@smallmarketmeetings.com Proofreader

Building Better RFPs

These tips will help you get better responses from suppliers By Vickie Mitchell

o be more strategic, it sometimes helps to slip your feet into someone else’s Birkenstocks. Trying to imagine another’s path can get us out of our habits and onto two-way streets, where we must pay attention to others on the road. This sort of thinking can have definite payoffs when it comes to creating and distributing requests for proposals (RFPs). Tons of templates and dozens of distribution options have made creating an RFP more mechanized, yet there is no substitute for a meeting planner’s ability to think strategically about an RFP and include information that will make it more appealing to a supplier. Cheryl Payne, senior director of accounts and global meeting management services at Meeting Sites Resource, spoke about strategic RFPs at this summer’s MPI World Education Congress. Here are some tips she shared recently for meeting planners that want their RFPs to be more favorably received by hotels and other meeting venues.

If you want to track all these numbers, Payne said, “advise your hotel in advance.” Then, with a complete history of your meeting revenues in hand, “you can be armed for the next time you do that meeting; your RFP can include all that information,” she said.

Give a complete picture of the revenue your meeting brings.

Make sure your RFP goes to the people who can help you most.

The bottom line rules in business, so it is essential that you know how much revenue your meeting would potentially bring to a venue. Think far beyond the hotel rooms your group will book, said Payne. “The more details, the better. That is part of being strategic.” Sleeping rooms are the No. 1 profit center; food and beverage is second. But several other expenditures are often overlooked, she said. They include the hotel restaurant and bar — personal meals, not a catered function — group activities, spa visits and treatments, rounds at the golf course and room service. Even minibar purchases can have an impact. Consider some of Payne’s clients that ask the hotel to stock minibars with specific items their attendees like. That is a substantial revenue source for the hotel.

November 2017

If sleeping rooms are out of kilter with meeting space, show that you can be flexible.

Are your needs for meeting space in line with the number of hotel rooms your group will book? Hotel sales teams aren’t happy when they see requests for large amounts of meeting space and a small number of guest rooms. These out-of-proportion RFPs “raise red flags,” said Payne. If you are faced with this issue, Payne said, “show how you can be a better partner by reusing meeting rooms for meals. I might note on the RFP that our general session space can be used for our meals by using crescent rounds during the general session,” Payne said. “Just being flexible will help sell your case.”

Putting your RFP in the right hands can make a big difference in its success. If you send a lot of business to one hotel chain, don’t send your RFP to a specific property’s sales manager, Payne said. Instead, send it to your global salesperson. “They will know the value of your overall business, not just for that particular meeting.” Sending RFPs to convention and visitors bureaus can also pay off. Payne pointed out that CVBs can offer cash incentives like money back on the master account, discounted convention facility use and complimentary familiarization visits, for example. Vickie Mitchell is the former editor of Small Market Meetings. If you have ideas for future columns, contact her at vickie@smallmarketmeetings.com.

South Bend Scores with . Small Market Meetings Conference September 26-28, 2017 South Bend, Indiana By Dan Dickson

“

heer, cheer for Old Notre Dame. Wake up the echoes cheering her name.” The 300 meeting planners and travel industry delegates to the 2017 Small Market Meetings Conference in South Bend, Indiana, might have left town humming those lyrics to the University of Notre Dame fight song. The city and the university expertly hosted the delegates over three days in late September. “It was our time to showcase what we have in our city, like the Century Center convention facility and downtown hotels,” said Lindsay Ference of Visit South Bend Mishawaka. “Most people have heard of the University of Notre Dame. The event we staged at the football stadium we think was a one-of-kind experience for everyone.” To open the conference, Small Market Meetings magazine publisher Mac Lacy revealed emerging trends in the meetings and travel industries. “Reservation lead times for your conferences or meetings are shrinking. Everybody is busy and waits longer,” said Lacy. “Hotels are having a strong run, and room rates reflect that. So negotiate hard with the hotels. And remember, today’s meetings must be experiences for the delegates. They’re coming for experiences that are unique to that particular city.”

Planners Search for Sites

In two busy marketplace sessions, meeting planners and travel industry representatives held thousands of appointments. These quick get-to-know-you encounters form the foundation for future business. One planner’s scheduled event recently took on a sense of urgency. “We’re in damage control,” said Rodney Young of Young Hearts Event Planners in Union City, Georgia. “We had a 25-couple marriage retreat scheduled for Puerto Rico for 2018. Now we must relocate. I came here specifically to find another destination.”

Conference Report

Courtesy Visit South Bend Mishawaka

The giant scoreboard at Notre Dame Stadium welcomed attendees for an evening function. All the meeting planners had specific agendas. “We want to hold qualified softball tournaments on good playing fields,” said Sara VanHook of the International Senior Softball Association in Manassas, Virginia. “We need 28 sites each year and meeting space for our managers. We just want to have fun. It’s about new cities and partnerships.” The American Bar Association in Chicago sent planner Adrienne Tucker to the conference. “We have 400,000 members,” she said. “We hold many meetings, and I’m responsible for 30 a year. I want to connect with smaller cities and markets and, hopefully, have meetings in them.” Brokers like Maria Giuriato of Giuriato and Associates in Salinas, California, were busy. “I work primarily with government and state organizations, Hispanic chambers of commerce, women’s business groups and the health care

industry,” said Giuriato. “I set up conferences and events all over the country and world. I just returned from an event in India.” Chris Morse of the Travel Center in Merritt Island, Florida, had clear intentions. “I want new corporate vendors,” he said. “My clients are small to mid-size companies like in the medical field, convention bureau or Rotary Club meetings, even destination weddings. I’ll do anything to help them.”

Destinations Seek Meetings

More than 200 destinations across the country were represented at the Small Market Meetings Conference. Planners, numbering about 100, had their choice of places to hold gatherings. The marketplace was where seeds were planted for potential bookings. Many cities sent representatives to lock in new conference and meeting dates for 2018

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

All photos by Dan Dickson unless noted

Meeting planners and industry representatives met during thousands of appointments at marketplace. and beyond. One was Bob Foncannon of Visit Wichita. “My goal is to meet as many people as I can and to tell them about Wichita [Kansas],” he said. “It’s a great destination. If they don’t come, they’re missing out on a lot of things.” The Fredericksburg [Virginia] Regional Tourism Partnership sent Victoria Matthews to the conference. “We are looking for meeting planners who want a smaller market, which is indeed what we are,” said Matthews. “We looked at profiles of the planners coming here and got appointments with those who seemed most appropriate for meetings in Fredericksburg.” Other destinations tried to promote their uniqueness. Toby Reed of Hotel Elegante Conference and Event Center in Colorado Springs wanted exposure. “Elegante is a newer brand,” he said. “We want to expand

November 2017

knowledge of it. We have four-star elegance. It all starts with the guest rooms. Also, Colorado Springs is just an awesome place to visit for meetings.” Catalina Express, a luxury destination in San Pedro, California, had Kristen McCauley at the marketplace. “I’m highlighting our unique meeting space on Catalina Island as a second- or third-tier destination. We’re enticing planners to our paradise so they can enjoy an afternoon or evening on the beach after a day of meetings.” The Q Center in St. Charles, Illinois, highlighted its collection of professional services for meetings and events. “We’re unique in that we’re not open to the public for transient business or leisure travel,” said the Q’s Karen Vavra. “It is a retreatlike, corporate environment. We work with groups and focus on their meetings and training.”

Sponsors Offer Many Ideas

Several travel organizations sponsored meals during the conference and offered many ideas for planners to consider. Two Western sites made presentations. Jim Walter of Visit Cheyenne [Wyoming], host city for the 2021 Small Market Meetings Conference, addressed the group. “I’ve heard many people say they’d love to visit Cheyenne, and now this conference will be a great opportunity to come see us,” he said. Visit Billings was on stage, too. “Montana hospitality is the No. 1 reason to bring groups to our state,” said the CVB’s Stefen Cattarin. “It’s also our regional position between three national parks. Billings is the largest city in Montana and gives you many amenities and resources for venues and off-site activities.” Eric Barstow of Visit Fort Collins promoted his area. “We’re Colorado’s top craft beer

Courtesy University of Notre Dame

Courtesy Visit South Bend Mishawaka Days of meetings at the Century Center were followed by evening networking opportunities, cheered on by Notre Dame cheerleaders, (bottom), and an opening night meal function (opposite page), with a band and fireworks at Island Park Pavilion on the St. Joseph River.

provider,” he said. “For a city of 150,000, we have 21 craft breweries. You can’t go 500 yards without running into one. Many groups take tours. We’re a biking community, too, with a live musical-venue area.” Bree Brostko of Kindred Resorts and Hotels in Richmond, Virginia, has many sites for meeting planners. “Our collection has 63 properties in 24 states,” she said. “They’re the perfect locations, with boutique meeting venues, amenities and services to make everyone’s experiences unforgettable.” MSC Cruises is trying to gain market share in North America. “Quite frankly, you have many cruise choices,” said MSC’s Wayne Peyreau. “We believe there’s a slot in North America for another cruise line. But we’re not just any cruise line. We offer truly authentic, immersive cultural experiences.”

Conference Report

Courtesy Visit South Bend Mishawaka

Speakers Teach and Inspire

Conference delegates are not likely to forget the talk given by John Howell. The Charlotte, North Carolina, financial expert is often in New York City serving business clients. That’s where he was on January15, 2009, the day his U.S. Airways jetliner, piloted by Captain Chesley Sullenberger, made a forced water landing on the Hudson River after encountering severe engine trouble. All 155 people on board survived in what has been described as the “Miracle on the Hudson.” Howell, tearful at times, recounted in exact detail how he and fellow passengers and crew members survived. The harrowing experience caused Howell to closely examine his life and whether he was living it in the best possible way. He shared his insights. “Was I happy with how I

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Courtesy Visit South Bend Mishawaka

Below: The Greater Ontario California CVB, host of 2018 Small Market Meetings Conference, gave away an Amazon echo to John Gailer of the National Dropout Prevention Center.

Courtesy Visit South Bend Mishawaka

November 2017

Courtesy Visit South Bend Mishawaka

Top: An unforgettable evening function at Notre Dame, which included time on the football field and a welcoming bagpiper, was capped by a brilliant sunset over the campus. Bottom: Planners accumulated sponsor bucks during the opening Know Your Sponsor Auction. spent my time? You’ve got to be focused,” said Howell. “Did I give all I could give? As you get older, you realize that your best days weren’t when you were getting something, but when you were giving something. Finally, was I all in, or was I multitasking through my life and accomplishing nothing?” Tech expert James Spellos returned to the conference, this time presenting 30 apps that he thinks meeting planners and travel professionals could use. “Time savings is the best reason to consider these apps,” said Spellos. “They allow us to do things on a device we’re always carrying with us. You don’t need to go back to the office and a laptop computer. They’re shortcuts and better facilitate communication.”

Conference Report

After-Hours Fun

The University of Notre Dame let delegates sample the spirit of the Fighting Irish, offering tours of the football field. “It was a dream come true,” said a gushing Albert Herrera of Visit Las Cruces. “I’ve loved Notre Dame since I was a kid. To walk on campus and have that feeling of such a prestigious university, and then to walk into the football stadium and to the 50-yard line and to throw footballs around so we can say we ‘played’ in that stadium was cool.” Then delegates went high above the stadium to a massive ballroom for a fabulous buffet dinner and a visit from the Notre Dame cheerleaders. The night before, attendees enjoyed a dinner outside on Island Park Pavilion, near the St. Joseph River, with its waterfall, manmade rapids and colorful light show. “The entertainment was absolutely enjoyable,” said

Dawn Rickenbach of the Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. “It was well rounded. I liked the throwback band that nailed the hits from Chicago and other groups. The food was wonderful, with a fabulous round of fireworks after.”

Next Time

The Small Market Meetings Conference heads west in 2018 to Ontario, California, 35 miles east of Los Angeles. “Professional meeting planners who attend will see we’re an explosive and dynamic market,” said Larry Kaufman of the Greater Ontario California Convention and Visitors Bureau. “They’ll help bring more business to Southern California. They’ll find that in one hour, anyone can travel from Ontario to the Pacific Ocean, the mountains or the desert.”

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Courtesy University of Notre Dame

Abov: Sightseeing opportunities included Oliver Mansion and the Studebaker National Museum. Below, Speakers James Spellos (left,) and John Howell (right) were informative and inspiring.

Courtesy Visit South Bend Mishawaka

Small Market Meetings Gets Results

fter the Small Market Meetings conference, one meeting planner got in touch with conference CEO Joe Capuzzello to share how the event had helped him with a major booking. His email is reprinted with permission below. Hi Joe, I wanted to share this information with you in case anyone thinks attending your show is not a great idea, as a supplier. I just placed about 8000 room nights into Jacksonville through Samantha, because we spoke at your event last month. The bookings will start this weekend, and run through February. Thanks for inviting me to your program. Because of you and your team, this placement was a breeze. Have a great day. Mike Mike Nesbihal, CMMMÂ |Â Manager Meetings, Incentive, Conference, Events JTB USA, Inc.

November 2017

The Adelphi Hotel Opens in Saratoga Springs, New York

Courtesy Adelphi Hotel

The Adelphi Hotel first opened in 1877.

SARATOGA, New York — After a five-year renovation, the Adelphi Hotel in downtown Saratoga Springs reopened in October. The revitalized hotel exemplifies the style and simple elegance of Saratoga Springs while delivering a modern reimagining of classic Victorian luxury. Originally opened in 1877 and the last surviving hotel of Saratoga’s Golden Age, the Adelphi Hotel has served as a cultural icon in Saratoga Springs, an upstate New York city known for its historic charm, Victorian architecture, arts community and many attractions, which include naturally carbonated mineral spas, world-class horse racing and polo.

“This is more than just a place to stay; it’s a gathering spot for all people who live in or are visiting Saratoga Springs,” said Simon Milde, managing partner of Adelphi Hospitality Group. “The Adelphi Hotel dates back to Saratoga Springs’ Victorian age, when the town was known as America’s playground for the rich and famous, and we are grateful to be part of such a culturally vibrant community.” Guests are welcomed into the structure by 11-foot ceilings and a grand staircase that climbs all four stories and is the heart of the Adelphi’s communal space. Thirty-two artfully appointed rooms, suites and common spaces are perched along historic Broadway, reinstating the Adelphi Hotel at the top of Saratoga’s tradition of grand hospitality and making it the crown jewel of the Broadway Historic District. On the main floor is the revival of the Adelphi’s legendary hotel bar and social hub, Morrisey’s, named after John Morrissey, one of Saratoga’s most famous residents. Morrissey was a heavyweight boxer, a

congressman and co-founder of Saratoga’s racetrack. Local beer, craft cocktails and fine wines are offered, along with an array of small plates, shareable dishes and a wide selection from the raw bar. The Blue Hen, a restaurant housed in a 1,200-square-foot glass-walled conservatory, offers creative twists on classic dishes. The new 2,300-square-foot Grand Ballroom can accommodate up to 250 guests when combined with the Blue Hen for private meetings, conventions and weddings. The venue opens to the tranquil Adelphi Gardens, a beloved gathering spot for locals and visitors to gather for a drink surrounded by the greenery of the serene landscaped gardens. The 32 guest rooms have all been reconfigured. The original hotel featured approximately 74 rooms when it was built in the late 1800s. The previous owners modified the hotel to just over 40 rooms. Now, at the newly reimagined Adelphi Hotel, guests will be able to retreat to one of 32 large guest rooms and suites. www.theadelphihotel.com

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Volunteering in Peru led to the creation of Turismo Cuida, an affiliate that has granted over $200,000 to tourism projects across the region.

12 Industry News

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Mansion at Natirar Reopens After Extensive Renovation OVER 12,000 SQ FT OF STATE-OF-THE-ART MEETING SPACE

Courtesy Natirar

The Mansion at Natirar sits on a 90-acre estate. PEAPACK-GLADSTONE, New Jersey — Nine months of restoration and expansion have culminated in the debut of a new New Jersey event venue: The Mansion at Natirar. The 35,000-square-foot Tudorera mansion, which at one point served as a residence for the sons of Morocco’s King Hassad II, has been transformed into a venue with indoor and outdoor spaces appropriate for high-powered business meetings and events. The centerpiece of a 90-acre estate in the rolling hills of Somerset County, the Mansion at Natirar is surrounded by another 400 acres of protected land along the Raritan River. Originally built as a private home in 1912, it now boasts an eclectic new design by Los Angelesbased SFA Design. The new look preserves the architectural and historic integrity of the original building while introducing fresh, modern elements that bring it into the 21st century. The most significant change is the addition of a 5,000-square-foot grand ballroom that can accommodate groups of up to 225. The ballroom’s design connects guests to the surrounding countryside through expansive windows and a 26-foot living wall of local flora. The 10 species of plants were thoughtfully chosen by Natirar’s Master Gardener, Kim Wojtowicz, to be both inspirational and functional, as they clean the air and reduce noise levels. Also brand new is the conservatory, which connects the ballroom to the mansion. The conservatory serves as a stand-alone space and as a gathering and reception area for ballroom events. A new conservatory patio is available as an al fresco gathering spot for small groups in warmer months. Set apart from the mansion in the estate’s original carriage house, Natirar’s award-winning restaurant, Ninety Acres, offers a choice of several private dining environments, among them a glass-enclosed private dining room that seats 18 with a view of the kitchen garden and a wine cellar with a private bar and a garden patio for up to 40. Also available is Natirar’s Cooking School, a state-of-the-art venue with a demonstration kitchen and cooking stations for up to 40 participants. The school specializes in corporate team building and other culinary-themed group events. Food and beverage services at the mansion afford event attendees the same distinctive “Table at the Farm” culinary experience as guests of Ninety Acres. Menus showcase the bounty of the estate’s own 12-acre Farm at Natirar and Kitchen Garden and are complemented by inspired seasonal cocktails and an extensive wine cellar. Natirar’s oneevent-at-a-time policy ensures that each group benefits from the full attention of the catering and events team. www.natirar.com

November 2017

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Do Good

CVBs help meeting planners arrange charitable activities By Savannah Osbourn

olunteer work has become an integral aspect of the meetings industry, especially as more individuals look to use business travel as an opportunity to give back to the communities they visit. In addition, many corporations and associations have adopted a corporate social responsibility (CSR) program as part of their core mission. Volunteer projects foster team building, provide a refreshing alternative to traditional meeting activities and allow attendees to engage with the local community on a more intimate level. These endeavors can entail anything from hosting a charity dinner to beautifying the surrounding area with gardens or murals. “It humbles you and gives you such a great feeling to take back with you,” said Tara Letort, director of group public relations at the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau. “A lot of people come in and say, ‘We’ve never done a community project before,’ and when they

Managing Meetings

Courtesy Grow Dat Youth Farm

Meeting groups can have fundraising dinners at Grow Dat Youth Farm in New Orleans.

leave, they say, ‘It’s going to be part of our standard programming now.’” To learn more about some of the ways planners can incorporate volunteer efforts into their meetings, we spoke with tourist organizations from New Orleans; Galveston, Texas; and Monterey, California. Here is what they had to say.

Find the Right Project for Your Group

Many cities have started listing volunteer projects and programs on their tourism website, making a priority of connecting visitors with local charities. To learn more about the best organizations to partner with, planners can get in touch with a professional from the convention and visitors bureau. “We can actually make a connection between nonprofits and planners, recommending volunteer opportunities to groups based on

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Courtesy Monterey Bay Aquarium

Charity dinners at the Monterey Bay Aquarium highlight the Seafood Watch sustainability program. number, day and time, as well as their specific mission and interests,” said Letort. There are also many online resources that help event planners locate community service projects, such as GivingGood. On the GivingGood website, planners can click on their destination of choice, browse a list of local nonprofits and then get in touch with the business to coordinate a visit or a volunteer event.

Tie in the Local Scenery or Culture

According to Leah Cast, director of communications at the Galveston Island Convention and Visitors Bureau, many meeting attendees enjoy volunteer work that corresponds to the local environment or culture. Beachfront destinations like Galveston Island often host Adopt-aBeach programs, which involve clearing ocean debris that could be harmful to wildlife from beaches. “Galveston is home to a third of the world’s migratory birds, so debris can be a serious hazard,” said Cast. Due to the tide patterns in the Gulf of Mexico, a significant amount of trash washes up along the coast. Since the founding of Adopt-aBeach in 1986, volunteers have removed more than 17,000 pounds of trash from the Texas coastline, making it one of the most successful

November 2017

volunteer programs in the country. Groups could also combine volunteer efforts with enjoying the local sites, such as an Adopt-a-Beach event followed by a beach bonfire. More artistic groups may gravitate toward a beautification project, like painting murals, planting gardens or revitalizing playgrounds. “I think that attendees take away a deeper connection to the local community,” said Cast. “When they leave, they feel good knowing that they didn’t just come and stay at their hotel; they left a valuable footprint on the destination.”

Take the Project to the Attendees

Volunteer work is often used as a team-building activity, so in some cases, planners may want to bring the project to the meeting location. An organization called Little Free Pantry focuses on building small cabinets supplied with nonperishable food and drink, and distributing them across different cities, similar to the Little Free Library concept. After coordinating the project with the local Little Free Pantry chapter or the convention and visitors bureau, planners can have the lumber and supplies brought to their event, where groups can work together to build, paint and stock the pantries. The Empty Bowl Project is another option for an in-house project.

Promoted by the nonprofit group Imagine Render, the Empty Bowls Project is an international movement aimed at raising awareness and funds for world hunger. Though events vary, participants typically paint or create a bowl in recognition of empty bowls across the world and then enjoy a meal together in exchange for a small donation to local food banks or soup kitchens.

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Managing Meetings

Host a Charity Dinner

Not all goodwill endeavors have to include a hands-on project. One easy way to give attendees the opportunity to give back to the community is by hosting a charity dinner. Grow Dat Youth Farm is a local nonprofit in New Orleans dedicated to educating youth and young adults about sustainable food. The organization regularly hosts farm-to-table private charity dinners in parks and other beautiful locations so that corporate groups can enjoy the local scenery and cuisine while supporting a good cause. “It’s a great way for people to get out into the community and eat a delicious meal along the bayou from a local chef,” said Letort.

Give Attendees Something to Take Home @fairreld4fun

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It does little good to raise awareness about a cause without supplying the tools and resources

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Courtesy Galveston Island CVB

Meeting attendees can participate in Galveston’s “adopt a beach” clean-up program.

people need to implement socially responsible practices back at home. Organizations such as the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey address that concern by providing attendees with practical steps on how to support ocean conservation. After the aquarium closes to the public at the end of the day, groups can attend a private charity dinner with a focus on marine conservation. As attendees dine on a delicious gourmet meal prepared from local organic products, they learn about Seafood Watch, a program that shows everyday consumers how to shop responsibly for seafood. Guests can take home a pocket guide and download the Seafood Watch app for future reference. “You affect change through changing demand,” said John Abrahamson, event and sales director at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. “Attendees can walk out of the event and implement what they learned the very next day when they go to the grocery.” Attendees can also browse exhibits on the harmful effects of human waste products such as straws and single-use plastics. One part of the aquarium features artwork made from plastic waste pulled from the ocean. “People are often shocked by the impact of plastics on the ocean,” said Abrahamson.

November 2017

Saddle Up!

Ranches make great locations for relaxing meetings By Savannah Osbourn

here is a kind of timeless appeal about the imagery of horseback riding under clear blue skies and gathering around a bonfire for a cowboy cookout. Though it may come as a surprise to some planners, many ranches across the country cater to groups with meeting facilities, team-building opportunities and other accommodations. These ranches often function as part of a larger resort, so other modern amenities and dining options are readily available. Next time you are looking for an unforgettable, scenic getaway, consider taking your group to one of the following locations.

Flying L Ranch Bandera, Texas

Surrounded by sweeping green landscape, Flying L Ranch offers an excellent getaway for executive retreats, training seminars and customer appreciation outings. The “L” in Flying L Ranch derives from the original owner, Col. John Lapham, a retired air corps pilot who purchased the 542-acre ranch in 1947. Lapham managed a flight school

Meeting Ideas

Courtesy Flying L Ranch

Guides lead a group trail ride alongside a creek at Flying L Ranch in Texas. on the property for a number of years, later adding a series of villas designed to resemble grounded aircraft. Over the years, his ranch attracted celebrities such as John Wayne, Willie Nelson and Ray Price. In 2013, Flying L was purchased by longtime employees, who have worked hard to restore the historic pilots lounge and T-Hangars on-site. Three main meeting rooms are available for groups: The Roy Rogers features 1,800 square feet of space, a 14-foot LCD drop screen and a private wrap-around porch; The Legends provides 910 square feet of space, a stone fireplace and an eight-foot LCD drop screen; and The Dale Evans offers 820 square feet of space and an eight-foot LCD drop screen. “Once a corporate group finds us, they usually come back,” said Susan Jenkins, one of the ranch owners. “They know we’ll take care of all their needs.” Between meeting sessions, attendees can grab a bite to eat at the Hangar 47 Bar and Grill, which features savory menu items like smoked brisket, po’boy sandwiches and burgers, along with wine and beer offerings.

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Courtesy Marriott Ranch

Guests can participate in cattle drives at Marriott Ranch in Virginia. After hours, there are plenty of activities to choose from. The ranch’s award-winning, 18-hole championship golf course winds through the surrounding hills and oak trees. During a guided horseback riding excursion, guests can spot wildlife such as armadillos, wild turkeys and roadrunners as they pass through wooded areas and creeks. Other popular team-building activities include archery; tepee building; karaoke; and cowboy-hat bending and branding, which can involve branding the company logo onto hats for a one-of-a-kind souvenir. During Cowboy Olympics, attendees compete in ranch activities such as wrangler relays, sheep herding, Texas skiing and tug of war. The ranch hosts live entertainment and music every night, along with campfires and s’mores. www.flyingl.com

Marriott Ranch Bed and Breakfast Hume, Virginia

Based in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Marriott Ranch Bed and Breakfast offers an intimate and picturesque retreat for

November 2017

smaller meeting groups. The centerpiece of the 4,200-acre property is a beautiful 19th-century red-brick manor house that features seven country-style rooms with fireplaces, four-poster beds and free highspeed Wi-Fi. In the morning, attendees can sip their coffee on the outside patio as they soak in the surrounding scenery and then gather in the lounge area or dining room for a complimentary three-course breakfast. As the daily schedule transitions into business meetings and other social events, planners can make use of the manor’s three meeting rooms and several outdoor picnic areas. After their meeting, group members can stretch their legs and enjoy the fresh air with activities like horseback riding, fly-fishing, clay target shooting, jeep adventure tours, scavenger hunts, cattle drives and cowboy cookouts. Near the ranch are four golf courses and over a dozen wineries. Adventure seekers may want to pay a visit to Luray Caverns, one of the most visited caverns in the Southeast, with its expansive subterranean rooms with 10-story-high ceilings. The ranch is just nine miles from

newest venue at the ranch and features retractable walls of windows that open onto a beautiful patio. In addition to offering unparalleled seaside views, Carmel Valley Ranch sets itself apart by presenting a diverse selection of teambuilding activities and programs. Groups can delve into the region’s rich culinary scene through live cooking demonstrations, mixology classes, wine-tasting events and even wine-creation challenges. For a nature-themed activity, attendees can sign up for the photography workshop; an organic garden tour; or a bee experience, during which participants don beekeeper suits and meet some of the ranch’s 60,000 Italian honeybees up close in the apiary. Though there are plenty of premier golf courses along the coast for avid golfers to choose from, Carmel Valley Ranch caters to newer players with a fun, four-hole Kamikaze Golf course that incorporates Frisbees, hockey sticks, tennis rackets and more into the game. Guests can also take advantage of a night golf course with glow-in-the-dark balls, flagsticks and greens. On-site catering is available for all meetings and events, with seasonal menu options such as wild mushroom bouchée, line-caught white Pacific sea bass and sweet summer corn bisque. www.carmelvalleyranch.com

Prairie Sky Guest and Game Ranch Veblen, South Dakota

Courtesy Carmel Valley Guest Ranch

California’s Carmel Valley Ranch offers beekeeper experiences for visiting groups.

the famous Appalachian National Scenic Trail, a 2,180-mile hiking trail that spans 14 states from Georgia to Maine. www.marriott.com

Carmel Valley Ranch Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

When visitors arrive in the sleepy seaside town of Carmel-by-theSea, they will discover a lush region of world-class wineries, championship golf courses and scenic coastal drives. All this and more can be found within the luxurious property of Carmel Valley Ranch in the Santa Lucia Mountains. Meeting planners can choose from several exquisite venues on the property for their event or corporate retreat. Overlooking the Vineyard Lawn outside the lodge, the elegant Redwood Room is the ranch’s largest meeting room, with 3,278 square feet of flexible meeting space as well as a 1,200-square-foot covered outdoor terrace. The 2,580-squarefoot Oak Room contains the Adventure Kitchen, where attendees can participate in ranch chef competitions or watch live cooking demonstrations. The Oak Room connects to a 1,500-square-foot open courtyard with a fountain. The 1,260-square-foot Vintner Room is the

Meeting Ideas

Located near the Coteau des Prairies in the Glacial Lake region of South Dakota, the Prairie Sky Guest and Game Ranch provides a rich backdrop of untamed landscape characterized by rolling hills, grassland and glacial lakes. Thanks to the biodiversity of the environment, the ranch is a popular destination for hunting waterfowl, turkey and pheasants, with a rare opportunity for bison hunting at the end of December. Fishing, boating, hiking and cross-country skiing are also popular recreational activities in the area. The Prairie Sky Guest and Game Ranch can lodge up to 30 guests. In addition to the main lodge, the four adjacent cottage properties each have two bedrooms, a loft and a fireplace. As attendees lounge on the front porches of the lodge or cottages, they may catch a glimpse of bison grazing in the nearby prairies, offering a classic picture of the American Midwest. Though lodging options are more limited at the indoor facility, it can host up to 150 guests for special, one-day events. The outdoor area accommodates more than 300 guests for receptions and other social gatherings. Mouthwatering meals are prepared in the lodge by on-site chefs. From June to August, the ranch hosts the Legendary Pitchfork Steak Fry in the lodge each week. Ranch staff members use pitchforks to roast 10-ounce ball-tipped sirloin steaks, which are served with loaded baked potatoes, seven-layer salads and beans. www.prairieskyranch.com

Broadmoor Wilderness Experience Colorado Springs, Colorado

Nestled at the base of Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado Springs, the award-winning Broadmoor Resort offers the perfect balance of luxury and rustic charm. This quality extends to the nearby Broadmoor Wilderness Experience, which comprises several beautiful mountain properties. Each facility is self-contained, with on-site, all-inclusive dining and customized service, making it a great getaway for meeting groups.

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One of the most popular locations for corporate groups is Cloud Camp with its location at the summit of Cheyenne Mountain, which lends the setting to incredible surrounding views. The site can host up to 60 guests in 13 richly furnished cabins as well as a spacious central lodge. The breathtaking Overlook at Cloud Camp has a 1,500-squarefoot enclosed event space with floor-to-ceiling windows. Within a five-mile hike of Cloud Camp, the Ranch at Emerald Valley offers a medium-size facility with 10 cabins. Bordering the 120,000-acre Lost Creek Wilderness Area, the seven-cabin Fishing Camp gives groups the chance to enjoy five miles of private fishing on one of the most pristine rivers in the country. At each location, meeting groups can enjoy gourmet meals prepared by Broadmoor’s expert chefs in addition to cocktail parties or evening bonfires on private outdoor patios. Among the offered activities are fly-fishing, paintball, falconry, horseback riding, guided hikes, kayaking, archery and mountain biking. Groups can also take advantage of daily shuttle service down the mountain to the Broadmoor Resort, which features a championship golf course, a Forbes five-star spa, tennis, shopping, swimming and dining. An additional 185,000 square feet of event and meeting space is available at the resort. There are numerous attractions nearby as well. Less than a mile from the Broadmoor, Seven Falls is a series of magnificent waterfalls nestled along a lush strip of land sometimes called Colorado’s Grandest Mile. The Pikes Peak Cog Railway, the world’s highest cog train, carries passengers to the 14,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak. www.broadmoor.com

Courtesy The Broadmoor

The Broadmoor’s Ranch at Emerald Valley features meeting space with abundant natural light.

From traditional hotel properties with conference centers and meeting rooms, to college campuses, historic buildings and museums with lake views, the Kenosha Area is prepared to welcome your next conference or special event with a touch of unexpected charm. Go to visitkenosha.com/meetings to ﬁnd out more.

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VISITKENOSHA.COM 21

VIRGINIA BY THE BAY By Dan Dickson

The C hesapeake wa t erfront is par t of Hamp t onâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s appeal 22

Destination Showcase

The Hampton Roads Convention Center offers more than 344,000 square feet of event and exhibit space.

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

“We have the beautiful Chesapeake Bay here, so the city is gifted with lots of water.”

ot many communities can boast that they have been around its own for rent. It also has a ballroom, a breakout space and a about as long as America itself, but the coastal Virginia city boardroom for more intimate meetings, plus 295 guest suites. of Hampton is proud to make that claim. This city of 135,000 Hampton Coliseum, with its 11,000 seats, is part of Coliseum Central. dates to 1610 and has its origins in a band of brave European settlers. “It’s an iconic arena that has been here since 1970,” said Fugere. Locals say that makes Hampton the oldest continuously occupied “Essentially, it was the old convention center. There is a nice partnership English-speaking settlement in North between the two venues.” The coliseum has America, even a bit ahead of the more famous 84,000 square feet of space for large events Jamestown settlement. and can handle 2,000 attendees for a banquet. “We have been here for 400 years, so our Its Stars Theater can seat 6,000 in an intimate history aligns nicely with that of the country,” environment. said Mary Fugere, the executive director of the The Boo Williams Sportsplex, named for the Hampton Convention and Visitor Bureau. prominent local basketball player, coach and This portion of southeast Virginia is often youth advocate, is just 10 minutes from the called Hampton Roads and includes such hotel district. The 135,000-square-foot indoor cities as Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Newport event and sports center opened in 2008. News and Williamsburg. Hampton is Although sports are the prominent activity, considered the geographic center of the region. the space can be rented for other purposes, “We have the beautiful Chesapeake Bay here, too. “It’s a fun space, very versatile,” said so the city is gifted with lots of water,” said Fugere. Fugere. “We also have a wonderful downtown The Virginia Air and Space Center can waterfront.” accommodate an intimate group in a library Air service is provided by two commercial that overlooks Downtown Hampton’s seafront. airports: Newport News/Williamsburg “They have a lovely view of the waterfront International Airport in Newport News from the observation deck, which can be and Norfolk International Airport, across the arranged for a reception,” said Fugere. The Hampton University clock tower harbor in Norfolk. Hampton is served by center can provide areas to serve as many as several Amtrak points along the Northeast 2,000 guests. While there for a meeting or an All photos courtesy Hampton CVB Corridor from Washington, D.C., and through event, the attendees can also tour the fascinatBaltimore, Philadelphia, New York City and ing museum or enjoy a screening in its 3-D Boston. Interstate 64 provides automobile Imax theater, which seats 300. “They do a lot access to the region. of receptions and dinners utilizing all of that LOCATION space in the museum,” said Fugere. Southeast Coast of Virginia Meeting Venue Variety Another meeting spot to consider is the Meeting planners and attendees will find newly opened venue The Hampton in the ACCESS prime meeting space in Hampton at the statecity’s Hampton Phoebus District. It is in a hisInterstate 64, Newport News/Williamsburg of-the-art Hampton Roads Convention Center, toric space that dates to 1927. “They’ve taken a International Airport, Norfolk International located in a business district called Coliseum historic building and turned it into a modern Airport, Amtrak Central. With 344,000 square feet of convention venue for special events, receptions, parties, MAJOR MEETING SPACES and exhibit space, it’s no wonder promoters corporate dinners,” said Fugere. Planners can Hampton Roads Convention Center, say they can handle anything from a large use it for seminars, corporate events, social Hampton Coliseum, Boo Williams convention needing multiple breakout rooms gatherings and receptions. Sportsplex to recreational vehicle or boat shows, Although not used frequently, the Hampton prestigious social events and sports events. University’s Convocation Center is another HOTEL ROOMS The center has 35 flexible areas, including a location in Hampton with space for rent, said 2,200 in Hampton 103,000-square-foot exhibit hall and a grand Fugere. It has 14,000 square feet of floor space, OFFSITE VENUES ballroom with banquet seating for as many as some breakout rooms, boardrooms and hosVirginia Air and Space Center, Fort Monroe 18,000 people. pitality rooms. There is additional meeting space nearby. CONTACT INFO The Embassy Suites Hotel at Hampton Roads Choose to Snooze Hampton Convention and Visitor Bureau Convention Center is adjacent to the center Visitors to Hampton can find whatever type 800-487-8778 and has 4,600 square feet of meeting space of of lodging they prefer, whether it is a cozy www.visithampton.com

Hampton, Virginia

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The Hampton Roads Coliseum is adjacent to the convention center on Coliseum Lake. bed-and-breakfast, an extended-stay hotel, a large full-service conference hotel or a familiar hotel chain that is a little smaller but just right for the budget conscious. All together, Fugere said, Hampton provides 2,200 guests rooms within the city. The Crowne Plaza Hampton Marina is in downtown Hampton and is seven minutes from the convention center. It has 173 guest rooms, 11,000 square feet of event space, 10 meeting rooms and two restaurants. There are several smaller hotels that are convenient to the convention center. They include Hilton Garden Inn with 149 rooms, Courtyard by Marriott with 146 rooms and Springhill Suite by Marriott with 124 rooms.

Opportunities for Fun

Meeting attendees often bring their families to enjoy the beaches near Hampton.

Destination Showcase

The CVB likes to ask visitors this question: “How much fun do you want to have?” There is plenty to do in and around Hampton. A good place to start might be the Hampton History Museum, whose galleries are filled with four centuries of the area’s past. It takes visitors from the lives of the early inhabitants, the Kecoughtan tribe, to the important contributions of African-Americans who came to the area as slaves, and continues through to the present and Hampton’s role as the founding site for America’s space program.

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Downtown Hampton sits on the Chesapeake Bay on Virginia’s coastline. Local history continues at Fort Monroe, the largest stone fort in the United States and now a national park. In the early 1600s, it was the entry point into America for many Africans. Toward the end of the Civil War, the fort became a sanctuary for hundreds of thousands of escaped slaves and became a symbolic site for their early freedom. “It was the beginning of slavery and the end of slavery, all in this one location: Hampton,” said Fugere. Today, there is outstanding outdoor recreation around the fort with a swimming beach, fishing, sailing, camping, bikes and Segways for rent and waterfront dining. The park’s picturesque Commanding General’s House offers a distinctive site for small off-site meetings. Also an option is the fort’s Paradise Ocean Club, which has a ballroom for rent. The Hampton area serves as the East Coast epicenter for the military, with Air Force, Marine Corps, Army and Coast Guard facilities nearby. Langley Air Force Base celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2016. It is the original training site for the Mercury astronauts of “The Right Stuff” book and movie fame. The Virginia Air and Space Center “is NASA’s official welcome site, with 100 hands-on exhibits,” said Fugere. Visitors will enjoy the “Adventures in Flight” and “Space Quest” galleries that include such things as the Apollo 12 command module, moon rocks and a piece of a Mars meteorite. Racing fans will enjoy Langley Speedway, voted one of the top five

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NASCAR Weekly Racing Series tracks in the country. Now in its 66th season, Langley Speedway has hosted some of stock car racing’s biggest names. There are all kinds of speed cars from Late Model, Grand Stocks and Modifieds to Legends, Enduros and Super Trucks. People who want to get out on some of the numerous waterways of Hampton Roads can try Miss Hampton II Harbor Cruises. Tourists can board a double-deck tour boat that has daily narrated cruises of the Hampton Roads harbor and Chesapeake Bay. They’ll learn about the seafaring culture, including the busy fishing industry and the huge commercial ships that ply the waters. The CVB welcomes every opportunity to serve meeting planners and their professional charges. “Whether its transportation, entertainment or a dessert reception, we look for ways we can contribute to an event and make it memorable for every attendee,” Fugere said. Fugere is proud of the work her staff does promoting Hampton. “The CVB is eager to work with meeting planners who are looking for a unique venue and setting that extends beyond the meeting world,” she said. “Hampton can provide an exceptional, quality event that shares our extensive history. We avoid a cookie-cutter approach and consider the needs of every group.”

Cowboys and Conferences By Savannah Osbourn

Above: The Payne County Expo Center is one of Stillwater’s primary meeting venues.

S T I L L W A T E R, O K L A H O M A LOCATION Northeast Oklahoma ACCESS Tulsa International Airport, Will Rogers World Airport, Stillwater Regional Airport, Interstate 35, Cimarron Turnpike MAJOR MEETING SPACES Oklahoma State University Student Union, ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center, Wes Watkins Center, Wyndham Garden Hotel, Payne County Expo Center HOTEL ROOMS 1,545 OFF-SITE VENUES Backstage Stillwater, Boone Pickens Stadium, the Botanic Garden at Oklahoma State University CONTACT INFO Visit Stillwater 405-743-3697 www.visitstillwater.org

Destination Showcase

Left: Groups can hold offsite events among the exhibits at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

laiming the title of America’s Friendliest College Town, Stillwater, Oklahoma, offers a vibrant and laid-back setting for meetings and events. The town provides great accessibility to nearby major metropolitan areas such as Tulsa and Oklahoma City, serving as a convenient midway location between the two cities. Thanks to the influx of students from local schools like Oklahoma State University and Northern Oklahoma College, the residents are used to welcoming new faces. “We’re a small-town community with a big-town feel,” said Kylie Vincent, vice president of Visit Stillwater. Stillwater is known as the birthplace of Red Dirt music, a unique musical style that combines elements of bluegrass, country and rock with an emphasis on lyrical storytelling. This musical heritage continues to thrive in the city, where visitors can find live music almost every night of the week. “The nightlife here is huge,” said Vincent. “Many groups call and plan their meeting around live music events.” Many of these concerts take place at popular locales like Eskimo Joe’s; Gatsby: A Modern-Day Speakeasy; and the new Iron Monk Brewing Company. For a casual bite, visitors enjoy stopping by restaurants such as Granny’s Kitchen or Mojo’s Rock ’n’ Bowl, which includes a full-scale bowling alley. “You can have your dinner at a table with your bowling shoes on and bowl in between bites,” said Vincent. Sports fans can visit one of the area’s five world-class golf courses, catch a college football game at Boone Pickens Stadium or take a tour of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Other unusual attractions are the new Modella Art Gallery and the Botanic Garden at Oklahoma State University.

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Photos courtesy Visit Stillwater

ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center

Backstage Stillwater

Considered one of Stillwater’s premier event facilities, the ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center contains the 5,762-square-foot Family Alumni Hall, a 2,496-square-foot seminar room and a 4,200-square-foot formal terrace and garden, along with 10 smaller meeting rooms. The alumni center features day-of-event assistance, with provided table decor, event setup and event management. Planners can order catering from local restaurants such as Eskimo Joe’s, Cherokee Strip Barbecue and Freddie Paul’s Steakhouse. Parking is available in the Student Union Parking Garage.

Backstage Stillwater is one of the most distinctive and colorful event venues in town. During the 1990s, owner Russ Teubner bought the building to house his computer software company; he later transformed the property into an artistic event space, merging historic architecture with modern art and technology. Inside, guests will find large Andy Warhol prints that depict famous historical figures from Stillwater’s past, including Annie Oakley, General Custer, Geronimo and Teddy Roosevelt. Other notable features are wooden columns from the Hard Rock Café in Dallas and colorful overhead lighting.

Eskimo Joe’s

National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum

Eskimo Joe’s, known as Stillwater’s Jumpin’ Little Juke Joint, is one of the city’s most iconic venues. The sports bar opened during the mid1970s and added a restaurant for college students when the legal drinking age changed from 18 to 21. Every month, Eskimo Joe’s serves nearly 7,000 plates of its world-famous cheese fries, a tasty snack once endorsed by former President George H.W. Bush. Other popular menu items include Joe’s Classic Burgers and a variety of chicken sandwich options called Fowl Things. Meeting attendees would be remiss not to stop by this cozy hub after hours for a drink and a bite to eat.

In the spring of 2016, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum reopened following a $3.8 million renovation. There, visitors can explore the rich history of wrestling through interactive exhibits and historic video clips of NCAA championship matches. The Hall of Honors pays tribute to some of the biggest names in wrestling, and the Paul K. Scott Museum of History showcases the largest collection of wrestling memorabilia in the world with prized items such as Olympic wrestling uniforms and portraits of every U.S. wrestling gold medalist.

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‘Stay a Spell’ at Basin Park By Kristy Alpert

efore Ripley’s “Believe It or Not” immortalized the hotel’s unique ground-level structure in its pages, before the Arkansas Art Trail wound its way around this property’s stunning landscape and before the spooky Spirits of the Basin Tour even had any tales to tell, the 1905 Basin Park Hotel stood alone on its perch adjacent to Basin Spring Park welcoming weary travelers to “stay a spell” after soaking in Arkansas’ healing spring waters. Built in 1905, the hotel was an instant success for couples and families, and it grew alongside the rest of Eureka Springs as the destination became more known for its artistic community and wellness pursuits. It was in 1997 that the hotel underwent a renaissance and the property became a mecca for small or large meeting groups. Under the direction of general manager Jack Moyer, the hotel was updated to infuse 21st-century amenities and comforts into its 61 guest rooms and communal spaces while maintaining

Hospitality Showcase

Photos courtesy 1905 Basin Park Hotel

the historical integrity of the building. The hotel now features five meeting venues, among them the Barefoot Ballroom, as well as two on-site restaurants and bars — the Balcony Bar and Restaurant and the Lucky 7 Rooftop Billiards and Bar — and a spa that draws inspiration in its menu of treatments from the healing waters that started the town of Eureka Springs so many years ago. The hotel’s prime location in the center of town makes it easy for meeting guests to find entertainment before and after events; they need only step out the front door of the hotel to become surrounded by dozens of unique shops, art galleries, restaurant, bistros and clubs. Whether you are planning a weekend retreat, a corporate gathering or a glamorous fundraising event, the 1905 Basin Park Hotel is distinctly suited to meet and exceed all expectations for a successful meeting or event.

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Basin Park Hotel Meeting Spaces The 1905 Basin Park Hotel features more than 5,000 square feet of meeting space spread throughout five meeting venues. The outdoor Spa Deck at Spa 1905 is available for intimate al fresco gatherings of about 10 guests, and other outdoor events can be held at the hotel’s sister property, the 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa, in the property’s indoor and outdoor garden venues. The Barefoot Ballroom is the largest space and can accommodate up to 250 guests. Other venues include the Ozark Room and the Atrium Room, which each hold up to 125 guests.

Location Eureka Springs, Arkansas Size 61 rooms Meeting Space More than 5,000 square feet of flexible space Access U.S. Highway 62; Buck Mountain Airport and Carroll County Airport Contact Info 877-456-9679 www.basinpark.com

Spirits of the Basin Many guests have a hard time leaving the 1905 Basin Park Hotel, and some are believed to have never left. The hotel’s 90-minute Spirits of the Basin Tour has become a favorite for groups. Led by a guide dressed in period costume, it begins with an introduction on the rooftop of the hotel; guests are then led through the hotel’s chilling past with tales of the characters who stayed, worked, died and perhaps never left the hotel. The tour ends in an underground cave where guests are served a sample of bootleg liquor while listening to the final ghost story by candlelight.

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Left: Meeting attendees at the 1905 Basin Park Hotel enjoy its downtown location. Right: Guests can unwind in a rooftop billiards bar. Opposite page: The 1905 Basin Park hotel sits in charming downtown Eureka Springs.

Catering The in-house culinary team, which will also customize menus for groups’ specific needs, creates seasonal catering menus for a variety of occasions. The reception menu includes a number of platters and carving stations and even features some favorites in their hors d’oeuvres selection, like mini crab cakes, spanakopita, mini chicken cordon bleu and black bean quesadillas. Plated dinner menu options are wideranging, with such offerings as traditional surf-andturf and decadent vegan options of quinoa cooked until tender with black beans, corn, and a touch of cayenne pepper. Don’t miss the team’s signature Arkansas buffet, which features Basin baked chicken, Buford’s baked beans and Krystal’s coleslaw. Alcohol is allowed.

Before and After Events The hotel is in the center of Eureka Springs’ Historic Downtown area and is within easy walking distance of the town’s biggest and most popular sites. Eureka Springs is known for its art, architecture and history, and guests have access to all of that while surrounded by mountains, lakes and rivers. The setup is ideal for team-building retreats, board retreats, planning sessions and more; the events team at the hotel will gladly arrange off-site activities for groups or offer suggestions for dining, playing and shopping around the area.

Kentucky Convention Centers By Rachel Carter Courtesy Louisville CVB

A new 612-room Omni hotel will be connected to the renovated Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville.

Whether it’s a massive expansion or a full renovation, everal a partial refresh or new convention hotels, these Kentucky Kentucky convention centers are remaking themselves cities are to reinvent their markets. enjoying a convention center Kentucky International Convention Center Louisville renaissance. In The Kentucky International Convention Center (KICC) Louisville, the in downtown Louisville closed in August 2016 and will reopen in August 2018. downtown “We’ve passed the one-year mark, and it’s one year to convention center opening — now it’s counting the days,” said Karen will reopen next Williams, president and CEO of the Louisville summer with one Convention and Visitors Bureau. “It’s so exciting to have a new, renovated, expanded center in downtown, but it third more was also closed for two years. That’s a little different. exhibition space, The anticipation is huge.” and conversations The $180 million renovation “is on target, on time and on budget,” she said. When it reopens next year, it will offer are just starting 200,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space, up from about a long150,000 square feet before the renovation, and “that increase awaited will help us accommodate the shows that were outgrowing our space, so we won’t lose them,” Williams said. expansion in The center will also have 52 meeting rooms and will Lexington. feature a 40,000-square-foot ballroom that can be divided into five smaller spaces.

Kentucky Meeting Guide

The CVB has already booked quite a bit of business at the new center, which will reopen with a big bang by hosting the Trade Show News Network Awards, an event that’s “almost like a grand-opening party” for the center, she said. The KICC will also welcome the Teams Conference and Expo next fall, Connect Marketplace in summer 2019 and the International Association of Exhibitions and Events Expo! Expo! in 2020. “In a short time, our team has put almost 300,000 additional new room nights on the books that will fall between August 2018 and the first quarter of 2023 — all new business,” Williams said. Downtown hotel development is booming. The 612room Omni Louisville Hotel is slated to open in March and will connect by skywalk to the KICC. The AAA four-diamond property will have 70,000 square feet of meeting space, a spa, a fitness center, two full-service restaurants, a rooftop poolside cafe, a lobby lounge and a speakeasy with a bowling alley. “We have the perfect storm going on in Louisville with the renovated and expanded convention center and 2,000 new hotel rooms, but also new bourbon attractions and new restaurants downtown,” Williams said. “It’s going to be a new day.” www.kyconvention.org

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Courtesy Owensboro Convention Center

Owensboro Convention Center Owensboro

The glittering glass and modern angles of the Owensboro Convention Center wouldn’t be out of place in the most metropolitan of cities. The striking building sits on the banks of the Ohio River, which separates the city of Owensboro, Kentucky, from the state of Indiana across the water. The convention center opened in January 2014, and in the nearly four years since, “it’s really helped spur the downtown development,” said Laura Alexander, director of sales and marketing and assistant general manager for Spectra Venue Management. The 16,500-square-foot lobby’s soaring glass wall fronts the Ohio River, giving both the lobby and the mezzanine level views of the river as well as of the 8,900-square-foot Kentucky Legend Pier that sits over the water. Each of the center’s three exhibition halls is nearly 15,000 square feet, and combined, they create a 45,000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall. “We can do a lot of different things with that space; we call it our blank canvas,” Alexander said. The center often hosts concerts in the hall, such as a recent concert by Josh Turner, something “a lot of convention centers don’t dive into too much, but it’s

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something we do often,” she said. The third floor is the meeting level, which has two ballrooms. Each ballroom has more than 13,000 square feet, and each can be configured as up to five smaller rooms. The 3,500-square-foot Riverview Room also overlooks the river. The center’s partner hotel, a Hampton Inn and Suites, opened at the same time as the convention center, and a second new hotel, the 123-room Holiday Inn Riverfront, opened on the other side of the center in 2015. A third hotel is planned with about 100 rooms and will be breaking ground soon, Alexander said. www.owensborocenter.com

The Owensboro Convention Center can stage outdoor events in a space on the riverfront.

Paducah McCracken County Convention and Expo Center Paducah

The newest part of the Paducah McCracken County Convention and Expo Center in Paducah, Kentucky, is outside it. The 123-guest-room Holiday Inn Paducah Riverfront opened in late July, an addition that “allows us to get back into that market in a big way,” said Laura Oswald, director of marketing at the Paducah Convention and Visitors Bureau. The hotel and the convention complex both sit on the banks of the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee rivers

Courtesy Paducah McCracken Co. CEC

A new Holiday Inn opened this year adjacent to the Paducah McCracken County Convention and Expo Center. in historic downtown, near the Lower Town Arts District. The hotel has two meeting rooms; the largest, at 1,400 square feet, can accommodate up to 80 people and has as a full-service restaurant on-site. The hotel opened in time to host the Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police, which “was a great debut for the hotel and how it can complement the meeting space,” she said. Just steps from the hotel, the Paducah McCracken County Convention and Expo Center has over 90,000 square feet of function space under one roof. Its Julian Carroll Convention Center has 52,000 square feet of event space, including 13 breakout rooms and a flexible ballroom that can seat 800 at rounds or 1,900 in theater style. The expo area, called the Bill and Meredith Schroeder Expo Center, has nearly 40,000 square feet of exhibit space that can accommodate over 200 exhibit booths or that can be split into two halls. The convention center also has a new team on board that is doing some in-depth planning about how to be competitive, Oswald said. The CVB is working with the convention center staff to be a “concierge” for everything Paducah has to offer to events and their attendees. The American Quilter’s Society also debuted the first fall QuiltWeek in Paducah in September to complement the annual spring QuiltWeek held in the city, which is “really the Super Bowl of quilting,” Oswald said. www.paducahconventioncenter.com

Lexington Convention Center Lexington

455 CLIFFVIEW RD CAMPTON, KY 41301

Kentucky Meeting Guide

In July, architectural firms NBBJ and EOP Architects released designs for the expansion of the Lexington Convention Center and changes to Rupp Arena. Plans call for new exhibit, ballroom and meeting spaces to the north of the current complex that would anchor the proposed Town Branch Park. The proposed $265 million project would create a convention center with more than 100,000 square feet of exhibition space, 25,000 square feet of ballroom space and 14 meeting rooms, up from the center’s current 66,000 square feet of exhibition space and 17,600 square feet of ballroom space. Part of the current convention center wraps around the 23,500-capacity Rupp Arena, but the project would remove that area and replace it with a transparent front entrance. Plans call for two smaller buildings to front the convention center and Rupp Arena. One of those, tentatively called the Pavilion, would include meeting space, ballrooms and restaurants. Lexington Center Corp. manages the convention center, Rupp Arena and the Lexington Opera House and is spearheading the project. Construction is set to begin in January, and the entire project is slated to be completed by December 2020, according to a press release issued by EOP Architects. www.lexingtoncenter.com

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Only in Kentucky By Rachel Carter Courtesy Historic State Theater

Elizabethtown’s Historic State Theater can seat up to 650 guests.

n Bowling Green, event attendees can walk through a sinkhole simulator. In Newport, meeting groups can tour a bourbon distillery or watch a cooking demonstration.

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And in Berea, attendees can meet in a century-old historic hotel that was built by students at Berea College. These Kentucky venues offer planners and their attendees a wide range of interesting spaces and group activities.

Historic State Theater Complex Elizabethtown

The State Theater in downtown Elizabethtown opened in 1942 with an Art Deco facade lit by a tall, glowing, neon marquee. Forty years later, the theater closed its doors — with “E.T.” as its last showing. Efforts to save and restore the theater began in the 1990s, and the city eventually bought it, working with the Elizabethtown Tourism Commission to return it to its former glory and expand it for future use. It reopened in 2009. Work included new seating for 650 and audiovisual components, and “the core of the theater was brought back to life as it looked in 1942,” said executive director Zach Humphrey. “Artists came from New York to restore the two [painted] art goddesses on either side of the stage.” “A lot of effort went in to make it look like it did originally,” he said. The neon sign was also restored, and now it once again glows over downtown. “It’s an awesome sign,” Humphrey said. “It really stands out and makes the downtown what it is.”

In the early 2000s, an addition was built next to the theater. At roughly 3,500 square feet, the WesBanco gallery can seat up to 200 for meals and has an adjoining foyer and kitchen. A local troupe uses the State’s small black-box theater, but that space could also be available for events depending on the theater group’s production schedule. www.historicstatetheater.org

Historic Boone Tavern Hotel and Restaurant of Berea College Berea

The city of Berea has a backstory unlike any other community. It was founded in the mid-1800s by abolitionists looking to create an interracial community. Berea College was a key piece of that vision. The school was founded in 1866 and admitted black and white students, male and female students, all free of charge. The wife of the college president built Boone Tavern in 1909 as a guesthouse and restaurant to receive and host college visitors, guests and dignitaries, and it later became a hotel. All the bricks and mortar — everything for the building — “was made here, on-site, by Berea students,” said hotel sales manager Patrick Huston. “Most of the furniture and also some artwork in the guest rooms were made by students.” Berea College is still tuition free today and targets low-income students with high academic potential.

Courtesy National Corvette Museum

The National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green details the history of the famed American sports car.

And “because they have free tuition, they all have labor assignments, so they work at the hotel and around town,” he said. The 63-guest-room hotel underwent a massive, multimillion-dollar restoration for its centennial and reopened in 2009 as the state’s first Gold LEED-certified hotel. Last fall, the hotel also opened its new Boone Tavern Event Center on College Square. The 2,800-square-foot center seats up to 150 for banquets. The hotel has several other function spaces, including the often-used 48-person Skylight Room and the 80-guest Coyle Gathering Room. The hotel can also provide guided tours of the hotel, if requested. www.boonetavernhotel.com

New Riff Distilling Co. Newport

New Riff Distilling Co. sits on the banks of the Ohio River, just across the water from Cincinnati, Ohio. But the whiskey distillery is still in the state of Kentucky — Newport, to be exact — making it the northernmost stop of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour. The Tower Room is so named for two reasons: First, it’s on the distillery’s top floor, and second, it has a view of the distillery’s tower still, “a beautiful copper-column still that’s 60 feet tall that’s enclosed in glass,” said Amy Tobin, director of New Riff’s event center. The Tower Room can seat up to 150 guests for dinner or accommodate 225 for receptions. The room has

Kentucky Meeting Guide

audiovisual equipment and a full bar. Glass garagestyle doors open to the connecting terrace, where guests will find a fire pit, city views and the top of the glass-encased copper tower still. The Doubler Room is named for New Riff’s second still, where its bourbon goes through its second distillation. The room can seat up to 50 people for a meal or accommodate 100 for a cocktail party and “provides a view directly into the distillery,” Tobin said. The room also doubles as a space for presentations and cooking demonstrations. It has digital screens for presentations and videos, as well as a demonstration kitchen with cameras so people can watch all the action on the countertop and stovetop. In addition to arranging cooking demonstrations, groups can also tour the distillery. www.newriffdistilling.com

Berry Hill Mansion Frankfort

George Franklin Berry built the Berry Hill Mansion in 1900, and “I always say this house was built on bourbon money,” said Dalaina Bean, director of events for the estate. Berry came from a prominent bourbon family, and his mansion in the Kentucky capital of Frankfort is impressive for many reasons. It was built of stone from the property and sits on a foundation that was blasted from solid stone.

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The Music Room was added in 1912 and houses a full cathedral organ. The Gothic Revival-style room is one of the mansion’s most popular function spaces and can seat up to 120 people for meals, Bean said. The Dining Room acts as a boardroom for up to 15 people. The back porch is available seasonally and seats up to 60 at tables or can be used as a breakout spot for meetings. Groups can also put up tents on the grounds for larger events, and the facility offers tables and chairs for indoor and outdoor gatherings. Groups can also arrange for property tours or presentations about its history. The family accountant kept all the family’s bills, voided stamps, guest books and old newspaper articles, which Bean brings out during talks and tours. “There’s an old marketplace receipt that’s handwritten for the groceries they would pick up for the week,” she said. “There are a lot of cool interesting artifacts that we have here that we can show.” www.historicproperties.ky.gov

National Corvette Museum Bowling Green

The city of Bowling Green made national headlines in 2014 when a massive sinkhole opened beneath a showroom at the National Corvette Museum, swallowing eight valuable Corvettes.

However, the showroom was restored, some of the cars were salvaged, and the museum even opened a new sinkhole exhibit. Guests can learn about what happened and how the museum recovered and walk through a sinkhole simulator. In one of the galleries, some of the Corvettes that couldn’t be saved are on display in all their mangled glory. The museum has several options for events. Its 8,300-square-foot conference center can seat up to 500 people for banquets and includes a prep kitchen, a stage, a bar, an outdoor covered display space and two overhead doors. The 800-square-foot Club Room can seat up to 67 for meals. After-hours events have even more options. Adjacent to the conference center, Corvette Boulevard seats up to 200 people at rounds or can be used for receptions, registration or vendor booths. The soaring Skydome, the location of the sinkhole, can accommodate 100 for meals or 250 for receptions, and the Chevrolet Theater seats up to 165. Dinner events with up to 48 people can also use the Nostalgia Area. The museum’s outdoor amphitheater, with a grass lawn and a covered stage, can host events for as many as 10,000 guests. Tours of the Bowling Green Assembly Plant closed this summer but are expected to be available again beginning in January 2019. www.corvettemuseum.org

Work. Play.MOREHEAD, Relax. KY Find it all in Morehead, KY – where all your senses come alive, where adventures abound and where you’ll instantly feel at home. State-of-the art facilities, and experienced staff make planning easy. The beautiful hills of eastern Kentucky make an ideal backdrop. Morehead is the perfect place to plan your next corporate retreat, conference or meeting.

November 2017

Visit www.moreheadconferencecenter.com or call 855-270-8733 for more information

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