Centrally located between Louisville and Lexington, the Shelbyville Conference Center combines versatility, beauty, and modern amenities to provide a welcoming and accommodating venue for events of all types.
Flexible floorplans and state-of-the-art technology allow for groups ranging in size to intimate executive meetings to company-wide conferences to gather together in the premier event and meeting venue in Kentucky. Charming and historic Shelbyville is just steps away, offering dining, shopping, acommodations, and more for attendees to enjoy. Visit shelbykyvenues.com to learn more.
SO MUCH. SO CLOSE. SO NEVADA.
Book your next meeting experience close to all the action – Henderson. With many options for groups and excursions of all sizes. Just minutes from all the action of the Las Vegas Strip.
• Minutes from the Las Vegas Strip
• Over 25 Hotels to Choose From
• Over 350,000 Square Feet of Meeting Space
• Easy access to Harry Reid International Airport and the I-15
Nine Championship Golf Courses
M Resort: Official Hotel of the Las Vegas Raiders
A Variety of Shopping
Water Street: Dining, Events, Live Entertainment
Lake Las Vegas
Puzzled Where To Meet?
Puzzled Where To Meet?
ACROSS
2. Hike and bike trails pass through here.
3. Has the best facilities between Denver and Omaha.
6. 1,350 of these happen every year.
DOWN
1. Downtown Hub for eats and drinks.
4. Historical monument on 1-80.
5. A campus of conference, events and hotels.
7. Every year 1 million of these migrate through 8. HS FB All-Star game.
(We’ll give you a hint: Kearney.)
(Planning your next event in Kearney is no gamble.)
The solution is simple, Kearney is a fantastic place for your next meeting. Where superior facilities, top-notch event staff, affordably, & ease for attendees come together to make your event a success!
Why? Because Kearney has the best facilities between Denver and Omaha, and experienced staff that make sure every event is a win!
If you’re looking for a host city for your next event, make sure you look at Kearney, Nebraska.
If you’re looking for a host city for your next event, make sure you look at Kearney, Nebraska.
Every year, Kearney hosts more than 1,350 events. From the Nebraska Shrine Bowl to conferences large and small, top-notch entertainment – heck, even a million Sandhill Cranes make sure to meet in Kearney every year. Why? Because Kearney has the best facilities between Denver and Omaha, experienced staff, and wonderful volunteers that make sure every event that comes to town is taken care of.
If you’re looking for a host city for your next event, make sure you look at Kearney, Nebraska.
A NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM
For a break from the hotel ballroom, having an event at a museum is a great move. Almost every town, large or small, has at least one — there are, after all, 35,000 museums in the U.S., according to the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences. And many museums happily open their doors to after-hours events. By offering their spaces for private functions, they bring in funds to support their efforts — essential since most operate as nonprofits — and they expose more people to their missions and their collections. Museums are a colorful bunch, no two ever the same, celebrating everything from masterpieces to mustards.
Here are a few ways museums can provide inspiration for your events.
For fun, go quirky
Americans’ passion for collecting has brought us museums packed with quirky collections of dolls, condiments, barbed wire, Spam and other oddities.
Some of these museums are small and don’t always accommodate afterhours events, but they can be fun free-time forays. For instance, at the Dr Pepper Museum in Waco, Texas, tours with a company historian can be topped off with a trip to the lab to concoct sodas. And, for sweet treats at off-site events, groups can book the museum’s float cart.
Some quirky museums do welcome event business, like the American Banjo Museum in Oklahoma City, home to the world’s largest public display of banjos, where a reception can kick off with a banjo picker in the museum’s 1960s style “club.” In Rochester, New York, the Strong National Museum of Play is America’s most comprehensive toy box, a fun place for all ages, where spaces like the Toy Hall of Fame add a playful dimension to events.
These institutions add flair to your functions
Be bedazzled by art
You don’t have to travel to New York, Chicago or Washington to drink and dine amid fine art. At the Toledo Museum of Art in Ohio, for example, ornately framed oil paintings by European masters in the Great Gallery are a sophisticated backdrop for presentations, while dinners and receptions take on a medieval mood in a stone courtyard fringed by colonnades. The bonus at this museum is its ultra-modern Glass Pavilion, a glass box where event spaces sparkle, and a glass-blowing demo is an after-dinner entertainment option. Other possibilities? In Richmond, Virginia, the Virginia Museum of Fine Art’s Marble Hall, with its pink marble, angled modern architecture, and easy access to artworks, and, in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, near Latrobe, the Westmoreland Museum of American Art, a LEED certified museum with a modern cantilevered wing and sculpture dotted gardens of native plants.
Seek something new
Everyone likes to be the first to experience something, so be on the lookout for new museums. In March, the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas, will open, honoring the 3,519 recipients of this country’s highest military honor. Its event spaces will work for everything from board meetings to black-tie balls. Buffalo’s AKG Art Museum has reopened after the largest expansion project in its 160 years, and meeting areas and green spaces are among the additions.
In Charleston, South Carolina, the new International African American Museum, built on the site where almost half of enslaved Africans first set foot in America, has indoor and outdoor event venues. And in September, Omaha’s art museum, now called The Joslyn, showed what a $100 million can do when it unveiled its renovation and expansion. Among the changes are a new building designed by Norwegian architects and gardens planted with Nebraska native plants. Diners can drink in the museum’s elegance around the splashing fountain in the museum’s art deco Fountain Court.
Be transported
Americans are enamored of the machines that move us, as a wealth of transportation-related museums proves. Cars top the list, with many museums, like the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky, devoted to a single automaker.
The museum is a knockout, from its eye-catching Skydome and shiny lineup of sleek ‘Vettes to popular event spaces like Corvette Boulevard. There’s a lot of history too, including the famous 2014 sinkhole that opened in the museum’s main exhibit space and swallowed several Corvettes, which have since been restored.
At the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in Birmingham, Alabama, more than 1,000 motorcycles are displayed on multiple levels and in two multistory glass towers. Beyond the main museum, the Barber offers smaller conference spaces with walls of glass that overlook its Barber Road Course and landscaped grounds.
And although few of us travel by rail, trains continue to fascinate people. At the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento, California, locomotives surround diners in the Roundhouse, and costumed interpreters add historical perspective. Smaller groups might opt for dinner aboard the museum’s restored dining cars.
Salute those who’ve served
Military service isn’t required to appreciate stories of sacrifice and heroism that military museums share. Four walls don’t always enclose these collections; instead, dinners might stretch out on ship’s deck or in a hangar, beneath a plane’s wings. Imagine a sunset reception in Corpus Christi, Texas, on the hangar deck of the USS Lexington, the last World War II Essex Class aircraft carrier to be retired from service.
During events at the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach, Virginia, arrange for an airshow involving its vintage aircraft before a reception in an historic building. The museum houses one of the largest collections of flyable World War I and World War II planes. Aviation innovation is on display at the Evergreen Space and Aviation Museum in McMinnville, Oregon. Among the interesting planes housed in its striking and ultra-modern buildings is the Spruce Goose — a massive, all-wood plane built as a prototype for transport during World War II with Howard Hughes’s backing. It didn’t fly well, and the war ended, so the Spruce Goose is the only plane of its kind.
ATTENDEES MARVEL AT Greater Zion MAJESTY
DELEGATES
TRADE SHOW RELATIONSHIPS
LEARNING ABOUT BERKELEY
ON DIXIE ROCK
HENDERSON, NEVADA, BREAKFAST
MEETINGS
Attendees soak in the beauty of Greater Zion at the Small Market Meetings Conference
BY MAC LACY
St. George, Utah, and the spectacular outdoors around it captivated and energized attendees of the 2024 Small Market Meetings Conference held September 25–27 in the Greater Zion region. In addition to nearby Zion, one of the country’s most popular national parks, other natural preserves like Sand Hollow State Park and Snow Canyon State Park became new outdoor favorites for many of the conference’s 230 delegates.
“I’m hearing so many comments from attendees about how much they love this area,” said Joy Schroeder, meeting, convention and event manager for the Greater Zion Convention and Tourism Office. “It’s true that you do feel something different here. You can turn a meeting here into anything you want. I tell potential clients all the time that this area is inspirational. It inspires you personally and professionally. Greater Zion works to a meeting planner’s advantage.”
“The Zion region was new and different for many of our delegates, and they were enthusiastic as a result,” said Small Market Meetings Conference general manager Jennifer Ferguson. “I want to give a shout out to Joy Schroeder for all the work she did for our group. Her attention to detail was amazing. Our meeting planners brought RFPs with them for our destinations and were ready for business. And our sponsors like Visit Berkeley, for instance, delivered a ‘wow’ factor time and time again.”
MARKET
MEETINGS
CO NFERENCE
Delegates stayed at the Best Western Plus Abbey Inn and the Hampton Inn and Suites. Both hotels were a five-minute shuttle ride from the Dixie Convention Center, where seminars, sponsor presentations, marketplace sessions and most meals were held. The Best Western Plus Abbey Inn hosted after-hours drinks in a private ballroom on two evenings.
Five different sightseeing trips were well attended, including a hike up to local landmark Dixie Rock in Pioneer Park and another hike in nearby Snow Canyon State Park. Downtown landmark trips included stops at local art museums, Town Square Park and a walkby of the winter home of Mormon church leader Brigham Young.
Meal sponsors in St. George included Greater Zion, which hosted delegates for drinks and Southwestern dishes at Big Shots Golf & Craft Kitchen on the first evening and for dinner and dancing the second evening at the Dixie Convention Center. Visit Henderson, Nevada, and Visit Berkeley, California, hosted breakfasts, and ASM Global and Visit Buffalo Niagara hosted luncheons. Local civic leaders Lance Brown of Utah Tech University and county commissioner Gil Almquist welcomed the group to St. George.
Visit Buffalo Niagara will welcome the group to Buffalo, New York, next September 16–18 for the 2025 Small Market Meetings Conference. smmconf.com
Scan the QR code to register for the 2025 Small Market Meetings Conference in Buffalo, New York.
FUN AT BIG SHOTS GOLF AND CRAFT KITCHEN
WHAT MEETING PLANNERS ARE SAYING
“We book hotels and venues for our clients. We plan for 520 faith-based groups like Young Life or Campus Crusade (CRU). We go along on site visits and help our clients make final site decisions. We also do smaller meetings like a recent Four Square board meeting in Cancun for 40 people over three days. We do about 35 CRU staff meetings a year and contract their hotels and assist with their menu planning.”
Tommy Keown Arrowhead Conferences and Events Cumming, Georgia
“We’re heavily involved with association management companies, primarily in the fields of education, agriculture and medical industries. I currently do six face-to-face conferences and four virtual conferences each year. We’ve met in places like Calgary, Alberta; the Netherlands; and Malaysia. A large meeting for us would be 700 delegates, and our average is around 350. My clients are well educated, and they want authentic local experiences in these places. They don’t want to be sheltered from local cultures.”
Julie Hewett Jul/Net Solutions Huntington, West Virginia
“We do incentives and regional meetings in the insurance industry. Incentive trips are usually to exotic destinations like Barcelona, Prague, London or Bangkok, for example. A typical incentive trip would be around 200, including spouses. These are high-end insurance products like employee benefits, property and casualty, or retirement planning. We’ve done some large annual meetings as well, like 2,000 delegates or so in Las Vegas.”
Rob Cohen Alliance Benefits Amelia Island, Florida
“I was a high school band director. I went to work with a student tour company and that changed everything. I spent about four years with Kaleidoscope Adventures as a senior tour consultant and then was asked to take the job my dad had with ABA for years. So, I am now with the American Baptist Association as their director of meeting arrangements. I plan for all types of meetings — board meetings, retreats, church conferences, etc.”
Neal Sutton American Baptist Association Texarkana, Texas
MEETINGS
WHAT MEETING PLANNERS ARE SAYING
“Our meetings average 100, 150, sometimes 200 delegates. This year, we had 120 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and 220 in Wyoming. We do four seasonal conferences a year for state legislators who are asked to attend Energy Council conferences. Our meetings are nonpartisan for legislators who are interested in energy issues. A few of the sites we’ve held meetings in recently include Grand Forks, North Dakota; Billings, Montana; Little Rock, Arkansas; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Anchorage, Alaska.”
Evya Richards The Energy Council Dallas, Texas
“We do a lot of volume and a lot of government work. We book very closely in, 60 days out or less, so we’re filling room blocks at hotels that need that business. We offer the per-diem rate, and they say ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ A large meeting for us is 4,000 room nights, and we’ll use up to four hotels. These are government agencies or organizations like the USDA, the Food Safety Inspection Service or the Department of Defense. Recently, we’ve been to Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Long Beach, California; Cincinnati; and Corpus Christi, Texas.”
Brett Sterenson Hotel Lobbyists Washington, D.C.
I’M HEADED TO THE PODIUM
TWO OREGON COWBOYS
WHAT DESTINATIONS ARE SAYING
“Our Water Street District has become a real draw for meeting delegates. It’s three walkable blocks of restaurants, bars and retail. We have a new M Resort coming online that will add 800 rooms and 90,000 square feet of meeting space. People don’t realize what a sports town we are — we’re the headquarters for the Las Vegas Raiders. Their practice facility is here. We’re home to the Las Vegas Aces WNBA team and the Silver Knights hockey team. We’re popular with corporate, association and medical groups.”
Ed Kirby
Visit Henderson Henderson, Nevada
“Walkability is a huge plus for us in Buffalo. We have 50+ bars, restaurants and theaters, and our metro rail is free to the waterfront. Our historic Admiral Room is a spectacular venue for events, and delegates can enjoy historic Buffalo Bisons stadium. We have a top five airport, and we are a foodie city. It’s all local foods here, like Buffalo wings, beef on weck, local breweries and distilleries. Buffalo is proud of its diversity — many ethnic groups and neighborhoods are here to enjoy after a meeting.”
Meaghan Zimmer
Visit Buffalo Niagara Buffalo, New York
“Berkeley has an iconic 1960s counter-culture image for many people, but on the East Coast a lot of people don’t know that anymore. So, I’ve encouraged us to embrace our roots and use lava lamps and other fun things to market our city, and it’s working. It’s fun. We still have a lot of those values today. Did you know that fruit cocktail and the waterbed were both invented in Berkeley? This is my favorite conference. We cannot miss Small Market Meetings.”
Shelbi Walker
Visit Berkeley Berkeley, California
“Sports is our biggest market. We’re home to Texas Tech University and we host a lot of NCAA sports events. We also host regional tournaments for cornhole, bowling, basketball and other team sports. We have a lot of corporate, association and government meeting business. We have a civic center and three full-service meeting hotels within two blocks. We recently hosted the Texas Association of College Admission Counselors.”
Lisa Grinstead
Visit Lubbock Lubbock, Texas
MEETINGS
WHAT DESTINATIONS ARE SAYING
“Williamsburg is an iconic place to have a meeting that cannot be duplicated in a major city. We make sure you are the star when your meeting is here. We have Colonial Williamsburg, our African American heritage trail, a new boutique hotel, and wonderful sports and events facilities. Because we have 11 Fortune 500 companies headquartered nearby, we host many corporate meetings, and we’re also big with SMERF groups, military reunions and regional associations, not to mention our outstanding golf courses.”
Julia Smyth-Young Visit Williamsburg Williamsburg, Virginia
“In addition to Zion National Park, we have 14 golf courses, four state parks and a historic downtown to enjoy. May through October is peak season at Zion, so we love to host meetings and retreats in the off season when we can, but we’re here to work with meeting planners anytime, anywhere. Delegates can do a day in Las Vegas before or after a meeting here. Our airport in St. George is expanding and direct service from Los Angeles is returning soon. Our area has become a bucket list destination.”
Joy Schroeder Greater Zion St. George, Utah
STYLING ON THE FINAL NIGHT
FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES
It’s not big, but Springfield, Massachusetts, is mighty for meetings
BY VICKIE MITCHELL
Looking for a mid-size city for your mid-size convention? Consider Springfield, Massachusetts, on the Connecticut River in Western Massachusetts, 90 minutes from Boston and 20 minutes from Hartford.
The destination’s regional association and SMERF business is robust, and now it would like to build a following of conventions from the Mid-Atlantic region and small national conventions. Groups of 400 to 1,000 best fit its 100,000-square-foot MassMutual Convention Center
To attract such groups, Explore Western Mass is offering incentives for new bookings it receives for conventions and conferences held before December 31, 2026, that meet these requirements: 400 or more attendees, use of the MassMutual Convention Center, minimum 150 rooms on peak, Sunday-Tuesday arrival and a minimum two-night stay. Qualified bookings can choose three of six offered incentives: reception or break enhancements (value up to $2,500), two comped breakout rooms, 50 parking vouchers for the new MassMutual Center CarPark, a $100 gift card for the meeting planner, two VIP amenities valued at up to $50, or up to 1,000 visitor guides and logoed items for gift bags.
The incentives are a way to welcome new conventions to a city that’s known for its easy access, safe and walkable downtown and ample hotel rooms.
Interstates 90 and 91 intersect in Springfield, and each connects to other major interstates. New England’s second-largest airport, Bradley International, is 17 miles south. In addition to all major airline carriers, its daily Aer Lingus flight to Ireland links Bradley and Western MA to 26 international destinations. Amtrak makes daily stops at Springfield Union Station.
PLENTY OF FULL-SERVICE HOTELS
Downtown Springfield differs from com-
parable, nearby destinations in several ways. With seven downtown hotels, it has plenty of rooms to support the convention center. The two largest full-service hotels, the 325-key Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place, and the newly renovated 266-room Marriott Springfield Downtown are just 120 steps from the main entrance of the MassMutual Center.
MGM Springfield supplies energy, entertainment and activities to the downtown convention center district. In addition to a 240-room boutique-style hotel, the complex includes a casino, a 7-screen movie theater with luxury recliner seating, a bowling alley, Top Golf, a comedy club, bars, a variety of casual and full-service restaurants, and live entertainment. It is conveniently located across the street from the MassMutual Convention Center, which is also managed by MGM.
DIVERSE DINING
Springfield is a place where visitors feel at ease. Attendees are comfortable walking to favorites like Student Prince and The Fort, where German beers wash down giant pretzels and goulash, and Nadim’s Downtown Mediterranean Grill, recently voted “Best Restaurant in Springfield.”
Downtown dining is diverse with Indian, Italian, BBQ and Mexican among
the international cuisines. Two breweries are favorite gathering spots.
Downtown is also rich in museums. A block from the convention center, the Springfield Museums campus includes five museums that cover art, fine arts, local history, science, and at the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum, the whimsical art and wellloved tales of Theodor Geisel, a Springfield native. Sports can also be part of the itinerary, from a night out at the resident Thunderbirds AHL hockey team game at the MassMutual Convention Center, to evening receptions at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, since Springfield is the birthplace of basketball. Restaurants, attractions, stores and public safety officials always know who’s in town, thanks to Alicia Szenda, vice president of sales for Explore Western Mass. Each month, she sends them an email with important information about arriving conventions, including their schedules and attendees’ free times.
MORE PARKING, OUTDOOR SPACE
Overlooking the newly renovated Court Square plaza and historic district, the MassMutual Convention Center doesn’t feel confining. Boasting floor-to-ceiling windows along Main Street, the convention center is inviting and welcoming. New digital monitors for each meeting room makes attendees wayfinding easier; outside, a new multi-million dollar digital marquee and street kiosk informs passersby about upcoming events. Directly adjacent, a new 900 space parking garage is set to open late spring of 2025, and soon after, an outdoor plaza. Like Springfield, the convention center is mid-size and manageable. That’s something meeting planners often appreciate, says James Boucher, director of sales at the MassMutual Convention Center. “This is not a convention center where you are one of several ongoing conventions. Being the big fish in the smaller city is a big selling point.”
taceyann Doria has long known what it means to be an entrepreneur.
Doria is the Reno, Nevada-based founder and CEO of The Event Narrative, an event-planning company that focuses on corporate events. She was introduced to small business as a child, one of five siblings whose Jamaican parents owned a neighborhood electronics repair shop in the Bronx where everyone was expected to lend a hand.
“After school or on weekends, we would all go to the shop,” she said. “People would come in looking for a specific record needle or a cable antenna, and we’d have to find what they needed. Part of my history and my path was to be a business owner like my parents. They came here to make a better life for their family, so it’s really nice to follow in their path.”
Doria earned her bachelor’s degree in public relations from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo and her master’s in tourism administration in events, meeting and sports management from The George Washington University in Washington D.C. Her first job was working with 4-H, planning events as part of the entertainment tent at Muscoot Farm in New York.
“I didn’t even know that what I was doing was planning an event,” she said. “But event planning is all I’ve ever done, and I haven’t looked back since.”
Doria met her husband at a tradeshow and soon found herself leaving city life for Nevada’s high desert.
“I really do like Reno,” she said. “As a New
Yorker, nature was not a part of who I was. Now I go for hikes all the time. It’s a different connection to the land, and I really appreciate the pace of life. Reno is up and coming, though — companies like Tesla and Amazon are coming here.”
Shortly after her move, Doria launched a full-service event planning company, The Event Narrative. She had a specific reason in mind.
“It was out of a need — I was doing corporate events and realized I wasn’t really able to focus on what I wanted to bring to the event, which is ROI,” she said. “A lot of the time when events are executed, especially in the corporate realm, there’s no focus on the ‘why.’ They’re looking at the event manager for logistics, and later they see only where they spent money and didn’t bring it in. We strategically align the event so that you can see where the money went and the ROI down the line.”
Doria’s mission at The Events Narrative is to show companies why partnering with a strategic planner will help bring in revenue and justify spending on the event. Even if a company hosts an event every year, Doria digs into key performance indicators (KPIs) and how the event aligns with those and what type of ROI a client wants to see.
“This is something I always talk about with my clients because it’s very individual and specific,” she said. “If you’re a brand that’s just starting out, it might be to create buzz around your brand and to create customer advocates to get your name out there. It could be someone who expects a financial outcome, maybe a product that moves. It’s understanding what you expect out of the event and strategically aligning the event to those goals and objectives.”
“Part of my history and my path was to be a business owner like my parents. They came here to make a better life for their family, so it’s really nice to follow in their path.”
EXECUTIVE PROFILE
NAME Staceyann Doria
TITLE
Founder/CEO
ORGANIZATION
The Event Narrative
LOCATION
Reno, Nevada
BIRTHPLACE
Bronx, New York
EDUCATION
• Bachelor’s degree in PR from SUNY College at Buffalo
• Master’s of tourism administration in events, meeting and sports management from The George Washington University
CAREER HISTORY
• Laerdal Medical, national tradeshow and events manager (2012–2017)
• WS Audiology, events and tradeshow director (2017–2021)
• Showpad, Inc., director of global events (2021–2023)
• The Event Narrative, owner and head narrator (2018–present)
TIPS FROM STACEYANN DORIA
• Partner with local businesses and planners. We’re all part of the same community, and the goal should be to uplift one another. When you collaborate with local businesses and planners, you’re not just creating a more connected event but also building relationships that benefit everyone.
• You didn’t get here alone. We all have a responsibility to mentor and share the knowledge we’ve gained. Be the person who helps others rise.
• Your education never ends. You’re never too old or experienced for a new certification, learning how to use AI to level up, or staying active in the events community. The moment you stop learning is the moment you fall behind.
Flexible space for up to 1500, EV charging, free parking, 300+ rooms, attentive service from exceptional people.
Clean, green, tech-savvy. Downtown Salem, Oregon, all-in-one block with hotel, fine dining at Bentley’s. Stroll to shopping and sights.
STACEYANN DORIA WORKS WITH THE PRODUCTION STAFF DURING A RECENT EVENT.
FINDING YOUR FIT AS A MEETING PLANNER
Maddie Pettus
EVENT MANAGER
National Tour Association
Maddie Pettus is an event manager at the National Tour Association (NTA). She graduated from Western Kentucky University in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in sports management and a minor in facility management. Before she joined NTA, Pettus was an event coordinator at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, where she also interned. While in college, she also planned events for her college sorority.
Can you tell us about the first event you attended?
A:I originally wanted to go to school to be a physical therapist, but during my first semester of college I realized that I hated science and had to rethink what I wanted to do. When I finished my finals in 2019, my mom invited me to the NTA Travel Exchange in Fort Worth, Texas. Seeing what went on at events, I knew I wanted to be a part of them, so I changed my major. I was amazed by the whole process, from what I was hearing about beginning planning and site visits, seeing different convention spaces, seeing booths being set up and interactive things in each booth. The overall atmosphere drew me in. Everyone looked like they were so excited to be there and form relationships and network. My family has always said I’m outgoing, and whether you have that personality or not, the events industry pulls it out of you.
A:
What were the first steps you took to pursue a career in events?
Throughout college, I was in a sorority. Our officer elections were a few months after I got back from Fort Worth from my first Travel Exchange show. I wanted to run for director of event planning, and that kickstarted me into hosting different events for my sorority and other events on campus. My senior year, I was required to take a 12-credit-hour course, an internship, which was at the Kentucky Horse Park. I started in January, then got hired full time in March before graduating that May. That was my first hands-on experience with my own events.
It’s time to gather up the team, break out of the boardroom, and depart to Newport for a change of scenery. We promise you’ll find what you need here – sometimes you just need a new perspective to see it.
Contact our Sales Team about our complimentary planning services.
What was your first job in events like?
A:It was a learning experience and something I had to adjust to. I was going to school in Bowling Green, but I was doing a lot of remote work, so I didn’t have to be on campus. Being in Lexington was very different. I was excited, because when you graduate and you’re looking for a job, that’s stressful, but I loved the Horse Park. I learned so much throughout my time there. I learned that I’m a big people pleaser. I don’t like to upset anyone and I don’t like when anyone’s having a tough time with their events. But I also learned that nothing goes perfectly in the event world. There’s always something you’re working with behind the scenes, and it’s okay if it’s not perfect — it will still turn out to be a good event. If flaws happen, it’s not going to be the end of the world.
Tell us about your first career transition. What was it like to change jobs as someone so new to the industry?
A:I always thought NTA specifically sounded rewarding and like it would be a good experience. You’re able to gather people from around the world in one location. I didn’t know if there would be an opportunity for me to work there. Then this past June, one opened up. There are always uncertainties when it comes to starting something new, when you don’t know how it’s going to turn out. I went from the Horse Park, where I was working in-person every single day, to NTA, which is remote. In the beginning, I thought, ‘Am I going to like this? Am I going to be equipped for it?’ But I actually love working from home.
What advice would you give other planners just starting out in the field?
A:Starting out and not having a lot of experience under your belt might be something that scares you at first. Looking at people who have been in the industry 30+ years may be difficult, [because] they have a lot more experience than you do. But the good thing with our generation, with the lack of experience, is you’re able to come up with new ideas and generate new things to do for your events. My advice is to be yourself. The more you’re yourself, the more you lean into your personality, the more you’ll shine wherever you are. Don’t worry whether you have experience or not. Be confident in what you do.
Eugene shares its stories with pride
BY VICKIE MITCHELL
If you’ve been welcomed to your conference hotel by a 12-foot toy duck or an 84-inch saw blade, you’ve been to Eugene, Oregon, home to the University of Oregon Ducks and a history of logging.
While storytelling starts at Eugene’s two main conference hotels, it doesn’t end there. By creating experiences that take meeting attendees into the community to meet locals, the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region share how they achieve sustainability, accessibility, inclusivity and diversity.
HOTELS CELEBRATE LOCAL TRADITIONS
The local vibe enlivens Eugene’s two largest conference hotels, the Graduate by Hilton Eugene and the Valley River Inn.
“Through their décor and design, these hotels tell the story of who we are and provide an experience attendees won’t get anywhere else,” says J.B. Carney of Eugene, Cascades & Coast.
Like other hotels in the Graduate by Hilton chain, the Graduate by Hilton Eugene’s décor riffs on the local school’s traditions, starting with that jaunty toy duck but not stopping there. School colors of green and yellow dominate, tons of university photos and memorabilia decorate. There’s also a wall of vintage Nikes, a salute to the athletic shoemaker, which got its start in Eugene. With 275 rooms and 30,000 square feet of meeting space, the Graduate by Hilton Eugene is the city’s largest conference hotel. The Graduate chain was just recently acquired by Hilton, a plus for Hilton Honors members. Hilton is also the official hotel
chain of the Big 10 Conference, which now includes the University of Oregon
At longtime local favorite the Valley River Inn, a complete multi-million-dollar renovation will soon wrap up. Next to the Willamette River, the hotel’s restaurant, covered deck and many of its 259 guest rooms afford water views. And even as its décor was beautifully updated, historic aspects like the massive sawblade, wood beams and handsome brickwork have been preserved. The hotel has 15,000 square feet of meeting space.
EXPERIENCES TO ENLIGHTEN
When it comes to sharing stories, the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region go beyond accommodations, as those who attended recent Tourism Cares Meaningful Travel Summit and One West Education Summit conferences can attest. For those conferences, Eugene, Cascades & Coast staff arranged varied experiences for attendees to choose from like a walking tour of downtown murals, guided by a local leader who talked about how the community collaborated to add 20 murals to downtown Eugene or a tour of a small grain mill that focused on sustainable farming and community support of small business. Other experiences included explorations of indigenous influences at local cultural and art museums and of Black culture with a presentation by Oregon Black Pioneers and a walking tour of sites tied to Black resilience and activism. Another tour delved into biodynamic wine making at one of the region’s largest wineries, a nod to Oregon’s worldwide reputation for wines.
“Our goal at Eugene, Cascades & Coast is to share how much we work toward being a sustainable, accessible and inclusive region, and strive to create unique and impactful experiences for event attendees,” says Carney. “We put the distinctive qualities of our region front and center.”
BEACHSIDE HOTEL REOPENS IN NANTUCKET
NANTUCKET, Massachusetts — Blue Flag Capital recently reopened the reimagined Beachside Hotel in as a seaside family-friendly resort.
The renovated hotel features upscale, oversized suites, single-family hotel rooms, open-air balconies, a newly constructed pool and kid’s pool, meeting space, a courtyard, a restaurant and bar, and a game room. The hotel also offers daily programming for guests, who can enjoy lounging poolside, movie nights on the lawn, communal fire pits, bike rides on complimentary beach cruisers and more.
The hotel’s event spaces include The Shed, a spacious, window-lit social hub, as well as an event lawn with yard games and the lobby bar and lounge.
“The Beachside Hotel was designed around the idea of an endless summer,” said Brad Guidi, co-founder and CDO of Blue Flag. “We invite guests to leave itineraries behind and dive into a world of opportunities right here on the property. With that in mind, we designed the hotel to cultivate this connection
through recreation for guests to collect spontaneous moments to slow down and savor with friends and family alike.”
Built in 1960 on the island’s North Beach Street, The Beachside Hotel celebrates an artistic era in Nantucket’s history – the 1960s and ’70s, when artists and craftspeople viewed it as a creative haven. Parts and Labor Design aimed to celebrate this artistic spirit while delivering the common goal of creating a family-friendly destination.
“The design is definitely unique to Nantucket – it is fun, retro, coastal, and upscale,” said Jason Brown, co-founder and CEO of Blue Flag. “We didn’t use the typical Nantucket color palette. Instead, we utilized terracottas, gentle creams, dark greens and natural woods. The centerpiece of the property is the new pool courtyard which features a mahogany deck, and plenty of loungers. We chose furniture, fabrics and materials that are reminiscent of our childhood, even pulling from movies like the ‘Sandlot’ for inspiration.”
thebeachside.com
NEW MARRIOTT OPENS IN LONG BEACH
LONG BEACH, California —
Sunstone Hotel Investors and Marriott Hotels recently celebrated the opening of the new Marriott Long Beach Downtown — an urban waterfront destination situated on the city’s promenade.
The 12-story hotel has 376 contemporary guest rooms and suites, a rooftop pool and deck with expansive city and ocean views, a central Greatroom lobby, a lobby market, an exercise facility, ample meeting space and an all-day restaurant.
“With locally inspired design and sophisticated yet functional spaces, this newest hotel reflects Marriott Hotels’ commitment to elevating our guests’ experience by anticipating their every need,” said Marriott Long Beach Downtown’s general manager Rahul Vir. “We are thrilled to introduce this new, forward-thinking hotel.”
Designed to foster collaboration, the hotel offers more than 21,000 square feet of meeting space, including 14 flexible event rooms and 18 breakout rooms. Event areas are decorated in muted whites, greys and bright blues, with bold geometric accents, bright white wood millwork, oversized crystal light fixtures and plush patterned carpeting in abstract designs. All meeting areas have wireless connectivity, videoconferencing, docking stations and smart whiteboards. An onsite audiovisual technician is al-
ways available, and a variety of custom catering menu options are provided.
The hotel’s design blends the nautical and natural influences of Long Beach with a decidedly contemporary aesthetic, including geometric accents, decorative millwork, curved lines, layered textures and streamlined forms. An intricate backlit metal art piece at the entry drive greets guests, and the curb check-in desk recalls the forms of marina ship hulls.
The Greatroom lobby is a stylish social hub with a nod to the glamourous Art Deco era, featuring warm wood and gold details, punctuated by curvilinear furnishings, bold color and geometric patterns. Clusters of lounge furniture and a central bar provide guests with ample space to relax and unwind with friends and family or collaborate with colleagues.
Hotel guests can dine onsite at Local Current, where Executive Chef Leo De Leon prepares fresh, locally curated seasonal fare with a California twist. Highlights include a breakfast buffet, all-day brunch, a raw bar with fresh seafood and oysters, vegetarian options and entrees, such as pan seared salmon and pressed wagyu burger. A full bar features craft beer, California wines, seasonal margaritas and mocktails. marriotthotels.com
THE MARRIOTT LONG BEACH DOWNTOWN LOBBY
Courtesy Marriott Long Beach Downtown
TO HIT YOUR AUDIENCE TARGET, THINK SMALL
WMichelle Crosby
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Brightspot Incentives and Events
Michelle Crosby has held a multitude of sales management positions during her 30year career, including roles at hotel chains, an NFL stadium and numerous destination management companies. She organizes meetings for Fortune 1,000 companies in the finance and technology sectors at Brightspot Incentives and Events.
ould your meetings be more successful if they were smaller?
In-person events are invaluable. They create opportunity for stakeholders to share company vision and encourage collaboration and thought-provoking discussion. But tightening budgets and the recent inflation of costs are making things more difficult. Meeting planners have always had to work hard to produce successful annual meetings or sale kick-offs with insightful content. Now, they also have to figure out how to pay for such an experience.
If you find yourself in this position, your first instinct may be to try to increase revenue or trim costs. But before you get into the dollars and cents, stop and think about the most crucial element of your event: the audience. If too many people — or the wrong people — are attending, precious time and money could be wasted.
A successful event is only as good as the people in the room. Event organizers want attendees who pay attention, absorb the information and take part in thoughtful conversations that lead to action. By identifying a target audience and tailoring the meeting-planning approach to that group’s needs and preferences, a company can reduce its attendee list as it fosters engagement, enhances participation and achieves its goals.
Here are some strategies for identifying your most important target audience and tips for creating laser-focused events based on their needs, interests and expectations.
RE-EVALUATE YOUR GOALS
In the fast-paced world of meeting planning, it can be tempting to follow a template. If you’re planning an annual event, for example, your instinct may be to replicate what happened last year — with the same guest list. But before you start, it pays to take some time and ponder these key questions: how, when, where and who. Each year, you should redefine or reaffirm the meeting’s goals. This helps identify the target audience and determine who should be invited. Ask yourself, your team members or your clients what outcomes they hope to achieve at this in-person event. Is it to discover new business opportunities? Launch new product lines? Add new customers? Expand sales in existing accounts? The answers to these questions will go a long way toward telling you who should be on the invitation list and which audience segments will benefit the most from the information provided.
Expect Wall-to-Wall inspiration.
Meetings in Paducah, KY
It’s rare to find a city that ignites inspiration at every corner. Paducah, KY, delivers on all fronts, starting with over 60 “Wall to Wall” Murals that capture years of rich history on Paducah’s floodwall. Add in the thriving downtown full of boutique shops, charming restaurants, live music and hands-on experiences and you’ll be amazed at how this UNESCO Creative City impacts and inspires your next meeting.
More Reasons to Meet in Paducah
• 20 flexible meeting spaces along the riverfront in Downtown Paducah
• Brand name, historic and boutique-style lodging
• Access to signature experiences that bring local art, culture and history to life
Find the perfect fit for your convention, meeting or event with the help of our complimentary planning services today! Contact Lynda Peters-Jones, Director of Sales, at lynda@paducah.travel.
"Wall to Wall" Murals
FOCAL POINTS
DEEP DIVES ON TRENDING TOPICS
TRIM YOUR GUEST LIST
With your eyes set on an ideal target audience, you can plan a smaller meeting.
Recent research by Northstar Meetings Group found that planners expect a rise in small to medium-sized gatherings and events in the coming year. Smaller, more specialized meetings allow companies to segment their messages to reach the proper ears. This forces a company to rethink which departments, geographies and teams get the invitation and which may be better served through other means.
For example, software training could be done on-line through virtual learning. It doesn’t require collaboration between departments or deep conversations about sales and marketing. Save in-person events for tackling topics that require collaboration, brainstorming and conversation.
HOLD REGIONAL EVENTS
Does this same strategy work well for companies with fully remote workforces? I believe so.
Leaders of remote-first companies may see face-to-face meetings as critical for building corporate culture and retaining top talent. But it is costly to fly the entire team in for an all-hands meeting. Even worse, it can lead companies to try and pack too much information into too few days.
If you’re planning for a distributed workforce, consider having regional meetings where the executive leadership team travels to
meet local workers. These gatherings will be more intimate and give employees more time to collaborate with management.
FOCUS ON SALES
When you focus on the key audience for a meeting, you’ll likely find yourself “uninviting” certain constituencies, perhaps some that weren’t enthusiastic about being there anyway. But if there’s one group you should always be careful to include, it’s your sales team.
A sales team is critical for the growth of any company, so bringing them together each year to review past successes and outline future growth is paramount. Gathering them with executive leaders signals that they are valued and that the organization cares about meeting their needs and setting them up for success.
If you host only one meeting each year, a sales kickoff provides the most benefits. It allows you to focus everyone around key goals, get team member buy-in, gather and share customer feedback and offer fresh perspectives on existing products or services. These meetings are also great opportunities to share best practices, develop new skills, recognize top sales producers and create momentum and energy for coming sales efforts.
REAP THE BENEFITS
Ensuring the right attendees are at corporate meetings is crucial to foster effective communication, drive meaningful discussions and ultimately achieve desired outcomes. By carefully considering who needs to be in the room — whether for their expertise, decision-making authority or stakeholder perspective — organizations can enhance collaboration and innovation. It also keeps costs under control and cuts down on wasted staff time.
As the business world continues embracing hybrid and dynamic work environments, it’s essential to adapt our approach to meeting participation. Leveraging technology to facilitate remote attendance, thoughtfully curating agendas and prioritizing inclusivity can all contribute to more productive meetings.
Remember, the goal is not just to fill seats but to create environments where every voice matters and every contribution counts. By doing so, we can transform our meetings from routine obligations into powerful catalysts for success. ORGANIZATIONS
GO CONNECT GO CREATE
Greater Ontario California offers a unique and connected meeting experience with its vibrant community, countless activities and authentic charms. Picture your attendees day hiking in the San Gabriel Mountains, engage with locals in an urban garden and share high fives when nightlife comes alive at the Toyota Arena. For fun, adventure, value and purpose, connect with our team to learn about competitive rates and way to stretch your budget further to create a truly memorable event. So much. So close. SoCal.
Splitting the Bill
CO-LOCATING EVENTS COMES WITH PROS AND CONS
BY RACHEL CRICK
In recent years, rising costs and falling memberships have led some organizations to look at co-locating their conferences or tradeshows to boost event profits. In theory, co-locating cuts costs, boosts attendance and promises attendees twice the value. In practice, it offers as many risks as rewards, especially if it’s not done correctly.
Here’s what experts say event planners and their organizations need to know about co-location.
KNOW BEFORE YOU CO-LOCATE
In simple terms, co-location is when two separate events, usually hosted by two organizations, are held in tandem. For example, a small association might host an evening event during a larger conference, or two organizations might have their trade shows at the same time in the same venue.
There are two primary goals of co-location. Organizations hope to save money and resources by splitting the cost of the venue and increase their event’s attendance by attracting their cohost’s audience.
The goals seem simple, but in reality they’re not always easy to achieve. Planning two events in tandem means twice the moving parts for planners to manage. Plus, the decision to co-locate is usually made by an executive team — a team that doesn’t always include event planners.
“My advice to any association is if you’re going to co-locate an event, each side needs to have their head of meetings in on the negotiations from the beginning,” said Ed Rigsbee, a public speaker and author who specializes in associations and strategic alliances. “Those people know what it’s going to take to make it work and have the in-depth knowledge.”
In addition to involving the planning team from the start, associations must realize that co-location is not an easy path to profit. It is a binding legal and financial partnership that requires both sides to make sure the partnership is a good fit. Without due diligence, an association can put itself at risk by partnering with an organization that isn’t well managed or financially secure.
“It’s basically two organizations agreeing to come together and deliver greater benefits to themselves or stakeholders.”
Lutz CEO/PRESIDENT
“You need to ensure each event planner communicates their purpose and their value clearly for the participant to avoid any brand confusion.”
“Look into their financial and operational health to check on who you will partner with,” said Valerie Bihet, owner of VIBE Agency. “Do due diligence. If you don’t have the same values and objectives, or if you don’t share the same audience or if you have some competing interests, don’t do it.”
COMMUNICATION IS KEY
Clear communication is a hallmark of any successful event. For the executives, this means a frank conversation to hammer out details early on. Roles and responsibilities must be defined, costs and labor divided, and goals and objectives set to avoid misunderstandings. That means contracts must be signed, conflicts and negotiations resolved and strategy agreed upon by both sides.
Valerie Bihet
OWNER
VIBE Agency
Experience: 30+ years
“When you’re getting into the nitty gritty and the roles aren’t clear, it can be pretty complex, and you can have lots of disputes,” said Dave Lutz, founder and president of Velvet Chainsaw Consulting, which specializes in business consulting for meetings. “It definitely is something that needs to be spelled out in the beginning.”
If two associations are co-locating their trade shows, event planners for both must continue to communicate with one another after initial negotiations. Talks should increase in frequency as the event draws nearer.
“It’s all about communication,” Rigsbee said. “Did Association A’s CEO communicate everything their meeting planner needs to know? Did Association B’s CEO communicate everything to his or her meeting planner that that person needs to know? Unfortunately, a lot of times the answer is ‘no.’”
Bihet recommends assigning task forces to handle various logistical components, such as production or content, and having these task forces meet on a regular basis.
“Make sure you have a collaborative plan,” said Bihet. “At the beginning, you can do some monthly or bi-monthly calls, then lead up to a weekly call.”
Talking with the other planning team keeps the partners’ event visions aligned and allows any red flags to be addressed. It also builds trust between the organizations.
“You have to realize that, nine times out of 10, if these things don’t work, it’s because of a trust issue,” Lutz said. “I’ve seen so many situations where it becomes an us-versus-them mindset.”
BEING A GOOD CO-HOST
When it comes to logistics of a co-located event, planners on both sides have twice the details to manage.
Scheduling can be a challenge. Partners must work together to ensure there are no conflicts in their agendas.
For example, if two trade shows co-locate and then have evening events on the same night, they limit the potential attendance at either event. Likewise, if each event has their keynote speaker scheduled at the same time, it eliminates the possibility of cross-engagement. Logistical issues — like limited equipment — should also be considered. A venue might not have enough A/V equipment to cover the needs of both events should the equipment be needed at the same time.
Partners must take care not to lose their brand identity when they co-locate. If it’s not obvious which components belong to which event, one brand will miss out on recognition.
“Be careful, because you can have brand confusion,” Bihet said. “Then you have brand misalignments and poor perception of one of the events, and it’s a diminished experience compared to the other event.”
A good sign for a successful co-location partnership is when two organization’s audiences overlap — but not too much. Co-locating events for organizations that have conflicts of interest or the same audience can become too competitive and take audience engagement from each other.
Good partners ensure every level of the team stays engaged. Because of the number of details involved, the team needs to be involved
“Co-promoting
events and creating strategic alliances is a wonderful way to create synergy, but it does take energy, time, commitment and caring.”
Ed Rigsbee
34 years
throughout. An absent partner can become a weak link.
“If you’re not going to do the work, it’s not going to go well,” Rigsbee said. “So you have to keep your interest level and participation all the way through at that same higher level.”
Even in an ideal partnership, there will be some hiccups. And at the end of the day, planners may need to give some grace and let go.
“You have to be pretty thickskinned and realize if there’s a co-location, you’re not going to be in control of things you’d normally be in control of,” Lutz said. “You may have to look the other way and have more empathy.”
TO ROAM
PHOTO: GARY KUNIS
AUTHENTIC
AMBIANCE
Historic destinations make meetings memorable
BY RACHEL CRICK
History adds to any event’s ambience. That’s why planners seek historic destinations. Often, through their intricate architecture and links to important people and events, they remind of earlier times. Venues like grand mansions or historic textile mills add beauty or recall a different way of life.
Here are five meeting destinations across the country with history to share.
SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA
Santa Barbara, California, is sure to delight any history buff with a cultural mix that includes Spanish Mission and Moorish architecture and Hollywood glamor from the silent film era. The city’s historic institutions also pay homage to the story of the indigenous Chumash Native American tribes that roamed present-day Santa Barbara over 1,000 years ago. Historical settings like the Granada Theatre, where 100 attendees can dine on the historic stage, and the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, an operational courthouse with outdoor sunken gardens and a Mural Room that illustrates the city’s history, make excellent backdrops for off-site meetings.
“Groups should have meetings here because of the culture, history, and tapestry of experience in a small and accessible place,” said Beth Olsen, director of sales at Visit Santa Barbara. “When you bring your meeting here you feel like you’ve gone somewhere with a story to tell.”
In addition to its off-site venues, Santa Barbara’s traditional venues include two of its largest hotels,
Above: The Santa Barbara County Courthouse is one of Santa Barbara’s most visited attractions and event venues.
Courtesy Visit Santa Barbara
the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort and The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara. Both have 12,000-square-foot ballrooms and outdoor spaces that let attendees enjoy the warm climate. A host of smaller inns and boutique hotels handle overflow. Attendees can spend their downtime on the beach, go on a whale watching excursion or visit one of the region’s wineries.
visitsantabarbara.com
“Groups should have meetings here because of the culture, history, and tapestry of experience in a small and accessible place. When you bring your meeting here you feel like you’ve gone somewhere with a story to tell.”
— Beth Olsen, Visit Santa Barbara
OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI
Founded in 1837, Oxford, Mississippi, was named for the prestigious university in England, with the hope it would be selected as the site of the state’s first public university. The scheme worked, and the University of Mississippi, nicknamed Ole Miss, opened in 1848. Thanks to telephone booths and a double decker bus, Oxford retains its symbolic ties to English life. And its appeal to history lovers doesn’t stop there; it was also home to legendary Southern Gothic author William Faulkner. His home, Rowan Oak, is now a museum, filled with relics from the author’s life. Other historic hotspots include the downtown square and the historic Lyric Oxford, a theater that can also serve as a venue.
“Oxford is very special,” said Nadia Thornton, marketing and sales manager at Visit Oxford Mississippi. “It’s the extracurricular things that set a destination apart. You have options for touring the University of Mississippi, sitting in The Grove, learning about Faulkner, or having a cocktail and a great meal from a James Beard Award-winning chef.”
Santa Barbara scenes, clockwise from left: Santa Barbara County Courthouse; overlooking Santa Barbara; the Granada Theatre
Photos courtesy Visit Santa Barbara
The city has its share of modern meeting amenities too. The Oxford Conference Center recently underwent a $1 million cosmetic renovation to upgrade its 25,000 square feet of meeting space, which includes an 11,000-square-foot hall and a 280-seat auditorium. Three nearby hotels offer 280 hotel rooms. The 146-room Inn at Ole Miss, the city’s only full-service hotel, has 10,000 square feet of meeting space.
visitoxfordms.com
AMANA COLONIES, IOWA
Founded in 1855 by German immigrants who sought religious freedom, Iowa’s Amana Colonies comprise seven villages in eastern Iowa just south of Cedar Rapids. The colonies’ inhabitants lived communally for nearly 80 years and became known for their craftsmanship and self-sustaining, closeknit community. The Amana Colonies were designated a National Historic Landmark in 1965 and
have been attracting tourists since.
Amana’s most prominent meeting space, Hotel Millwright, was created from part of its still-operational woolen mill, the last in Iowa. Known for its textiles, Amana still produces them today as an effort to preserve local history. The hotel original woodwork and modern finishes give it an eclectic
“Oxford
is very special. You have options for touring the University of Mississippi, sitting in The Grove, learning about Faulkner, or having a cocktail and a great meal from a James Beard Award-winning chef.”
— Nadia Thornton, Visit Oxford Mississippi
Oxford scenes, clockwise from left: An event setup at Wonderbird Spirits; Faulkner’s home, Rowan Oak; The Oliver Hotel of Oxford
Photos courtesy Visit Oxford Mississippi
feel and there are several historic meeting spaces to choose from, including the 1,000-square-foot Carding Studio and the 7,000-square-foot Merino Loft.
“With the modern space of Hotel Millwright, along with the history that’s within the community, people can come and have their event while experiencing the hospitality of the Amana Colonies,” said Keeley Degel, director of sales at Hotel Millwright.
Price Creek Event Center, also in Amana, is another rustic venue that does its own catering. Other points of interest nearby are the Millstream Brewing Company, Iowa’s first craft brewery, and Amana’s General Store. Planners can arrange for step-on guides to join groups for a history-themed bus tour of the seven colonies after their meeting. amanacolonies.com
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND
Though New England overflows with historic destinations, few allow attendees to experience their past quite like Newport, Rhode Island. This walkable coastal gem was founded by English settlers in 1639 and officially incorporated in 1784, but much of its
Amana’s most prominent meeting space, Hotel Millwright, was created from part of its still-operational woolen mill, the last in Iowa.
Amana scenes, clockwise from left: The exterior of the Hotel Millwright; an aerial view of Amana; a meeting room at Hotel Millwright
Photos courtesy Hotel Millwright
Discover a stunning landmark and one�of�a�kind venue for corporate events and meetings� The Truitt Vanderbilt Club features elegant Georgian architecture and flexible spaces� including sophisticated rooms� stately porches� sweeping lawns� and private suites� Elevate your next event by combining Southern splendor with corporate excellence� creating unforgettable moments in a grand setting� Plus� enjoy the convenience of being just a short walk from charming downtown LaGrange� VisitLaGrange�com
Truitt Vanderbilt Club
historic appeal comes from the Gilded Age when extremely wealthy families built luxurious mansions there. Some of them can be booked for events, including the popular Rosecliff, built in 1902.
“Off-site venues are really what sets Newport apart,” said Alex Hurd, director of sales at Discover Newport. “Nobody’s building Gilded Age mansions anymore. And it’s not just touring — you get to experience what the houses were built for: entertainment.”
Because Newport was a significant port city, there’s also a ton of maritime history to experience. Groups can sail on 12-meter yachts or have an event at the Sailing Museum. Other favorite off-site venues include the city’s wineries, car museums and the International Tennis Hall of Fame, which celebrates the sport’s history in Newport and around the world.
Several convention hotels are located downtown
and on the waterfront. Downtown, the historic 208room Hotel Viking offers 14,000 square feet of meeting space. The Newport Marriott Resort and Spa, Newport Beach Hotel and Suites and Newport Harbor Island Resort can host meetings on the water. discovernewport.com
“Nobody’s
building Gilded Age mansions anymore. And it’s not just touring — you get to experience what the houses were built for: entertainment.”
— Alex Hurd, Discover Newport
Newport scenes, clockwise from left: Goat Island; Music Room at The Breakers; Rosecliff
Photos courtesy Discover Newport
By Erin McGinn
By Corey Favino
LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO
Surrounded by the Chihuahuan Desert, Las Cruces, New Mexico, has millennia of history to share. Indigenous tribes are believed to have first lived there at least 23,000 years ago. In the last five centuries, the Spanish conquistadors arrived, the United States and Mexico fought over territory, Las Cruces was founded and American settlers arrived.
The region has a long agricultural history, and one venue that showcases it is the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum. In addition to a courtyard and several indoor spaces, the museum has ranching activities that groups can try. Nearby, the historic town of Mesilla is anchored by the historic Basilica of San Albino and retains the appearance of a border town in the 1800s. The park and plaza can be rented for outdoor events.
In downtown Las Cruces, near the campus of New Mexico State University, the LEED-certified Las Cruces Convention Center has a 17,000-square-foot exhibit hall, a 9,000-square-foot
ballroom and 10 breakout rooms, as well as indoor and outdoor pre-function spaces. Meeting hotels and resorts include a Ramada Hotel and Conference Center, with 6,800 square feet of meeting space, and the Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces, with 35,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space.
After the meeting, attendees will love exploring natural wonders like the Organ Mountains, the Rio Grande and White Sands National Park. They might also catch one of the city’s many multicultural festivals. visitlascruces.com
Las Cruces scenes, clockwise from left: A performer in Mesilla; a Hotel Encanto ballroom; the Las Cruces Convention Center
Las Cruces, New Mexico, has millennia of history to share. Indigenous tribes are believed to have first lived there at least 23,000 years ago.
Photos courtesy Visit Las Cruces
meet you
Location
30 miles outside of Nashville
Shopping
in Rutherford County, Tennessee
Lodging
62 Hotels with +5,500 Rooms
110,000 sq. ft. of Meeting Space
Attractions
One of the Largest Outdoor Retail Areas in Tennessee
Over 425+ restaurants, from familiar favorites to unique local eateries Dining
Immerse yourself in rich Civil War history including a National Battlefield
‘Creative SPIRIT’
All photos courtesy Visit Sioux Falls
The Big Sioux River cascades over a series of rock formations at Falls Park in the heart of Sioux Falls.
Sioux Falls is the cultural capital of the Great Plains
BY KATHERINE TANDY BROWN
If event attendees don’t have a strong impression of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, before they arrive, they will have one when they leave.
“For years, South Dakota was referred to as a flyover state,” said Allyson Kasch, director of sales for Experience Sioux Falls. “When people finally started showing up, they liked Sioux Falls so much that for several years, we were counted as one of the top 40 cities in the U.S.”
This urban oasis in the middle of the Great Plains is full of inviting scenery, activities and firstclass meeting amenities.
SIOUX FALLS AT A GLANCE
LOCATION: Southeastern South Dakota on the Big Sioux River, near the Iowa and Minnesota state lines
EXHIBIT SPACE: 100,000 square feet for the center, including two exhibit halls (16,800 square feet each) and a grand ballroom
OTHER MEETING SPACES: 13 meeting rooms
MEETING HOTELS
Sheraton Sioux Falls and Convention Center
GUEST ROOMS: 243
MEETING SPACE: 5,930 square feet
Holiday Inn City Centre
GUEST ROOMS: 290
MEETING SPACE: 15,000 square feet
Canopy by Hilton (opening January 2025)
GUEST ROOMS: 216
MEETING SPACE: 20,000 square feet
Best Western Plus Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center
GUEST ROOMS: 223
MEETING SPACE: 60,000 square feet
WHO’S MEETING IN SIOUX FALLS
Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival
ATTENDEES: 1,800
Destination Highlights
Sioux Falls has experienced phenomenal growth. Downtown and its eclectic shops, galleries and eateries along historic Phillips Avenue are infused with a creative spirit. On the walls of the Phillips Avenue Diner, 75 years of change is documented in historic photos of the city. The diner, housed in a former Airstream trailer, whips up specials like the Elvis waffle, served with peanut butter and bananas.
The most striking new development is the $200 million Steel District near Falls Park. When complete, it will have shops, offices, residential spaces, five restaurants and a 216-room Canopy by Hilton hotel with 20,000 square feet of meeting space. The hotel is set to open in early 2025.
No surprise, the 123-acre Falls Park is the city’s most popular attraction. It’s an amazing sight in the middle of downtown, as the Big Sioux River drops up to 100 feet over massive boulders. Observation towers and tree-lined walking trails afford spectacular views.
Downtown, the SculptureWalk showcases more than 80 pieces of South Dakota art, and the enormous “Arc of Dreams” sculpture serves as the centerpiece of the city’s skyline. Its stainless-steel arc spans 85 feet above the Big Sioux.
Distinctive Venues
As offsite venues go, the Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science is pure renaissance. Built of rare, tough Sioux quartzite in Neoclassical style, it’s where live Broadway tours, concerts and chamber recitals are staged. And, it’s home to art galleries and a science center, the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, the South Dakota Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the South Dakota African American History Museum and the SculptureWalk Visitors Center.
Gatherings here can be held in a 4,200-square-foot sculpture garden; an 1,800-seat theater, or a smaller one with 150 seats; a 160seat CineDome or a 164-seat state-of-the-art planetarium.
Industrial ambience best describes the downtown corporate event space Monick Yards and its expansive warehouse windows, wood features, built-in marble bars and 16-foot ceilings. Its 12,000 square feet of event space includes a 3,000-square-foot grand hall and a 5,025-squarefoot reception hall. Two private suites make ideal breakout rooms.
“Our interior is thoughtful, with attention to detail and design,” said Amy Boes, venue director and co-owner. “There’s lots of natural light. And we can accommodate different types of meetings because one of our main spaces is large and the other smaller.”
A new outdoor venue, Levitt at the Falls, presents as many as 50 free outdoor music concerts every summer on a lush green lawn. Its mission is to build community through music, and the venue can be booked for groups of up to 4,000 people.
DISTINCTIVE VENUES Levitt at the Falls
Major Meeting Space
On downtown’s outskirts, the Sioux Falls Convention Center has been well maintained with numerous upgrades since it opened in 1996. Its 100,000 square feet of event space includes 13 meeting rooms, an exhibit hall and a 50,400-square-foot ballroom. The attached 243-guestroom Sheraton Sioux Falls and Convention Center adds another 5,930 square feet of meeting space, including 10 event rooms and five breakouts. It also has an on-site restaurant and lounge, and a fitness center.
The convention center and Sheraton are part of the Denny Sanford Premiere Center (DSPC) complex, home to Sioux Falls Arena, the Sioux Falls Stampede pro ice hockey team, a minor league baseball stadium, a track and field facility and 132,000 square feet of function space. The complex is consistently ranked as a top entertainment venue in the state and it handles concerts, sporting events, conventions, meetings and trade shows.
Back downtown, the 290-room Holiday Inn City Centre’s 15,000 square feet of meeting space includes its 10th-floor Starlite Ballroom with breathtaking downtown views for events of up to 333.
“Anyone can easily walk to downtown attractions and restaurants,” said Melany Pravacek, the hotel’s director of sales. “Our staff has longevity and can call many return guests by name.”
AFTER HOURS
After the Meeting
Housed in a 1920s building adorned by a remarkable mural, Monks Ale House is South Dakota’s first craft beer bar. It features a rotating menu of more than 50 beers, an extensive wine list and popular pizzas.
To blow off a little steam after meeting all day, attendees can head to Remedy Brewing Company for a Queen Bee Honey Cream Ale and a game of pickleball on one of Remedy Pickleball Pub’s three courts. Remedy also serves wine, cider and mead.
Parker’s Bistro downtown serves local farm-to-table dishes and has a private event space for dinners of 35 or cocktails for 50. Attached to Parker’s, the new full-service Myrtle’s Fur Vault and Bar — once a real fur vault — has 1930s ambience, private space and an award-winning wine list.
If after-meeting leg-stretching has more appeal than sipping, Great Shots golf entertainment venue’s golf simulator technology lets customers play some of the world’s top courses.
And at Nelson Park, a 25,000-square-foot ice-skating plaza, one of the nation’s largest, has opened, while Great Bear Recreational Park has wintertime downhill skiing, tubing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Group lessons are available.
Myrtle’s Fur Vault and Bar
Sioux Falls Convention Center
MAJOR MEETING SPACES
TO THE ‘Key
South’
VBY KATHERINE TANDY BROWN
icksburg, Mississippi, has been known as the “Key to the South,” ever since President Abraham Lincoln said the city was the “key” to defeating the South during the Civil War. He knew that if Union troops gained control of the Mississippi River at Vicksburg, the North could win the war. The Battle of Vicksburg lasted 47 days — during which residents found safety in caves — and resulted in a Union victory.
Today, the 1,800-acre Vicksburg National Military Park brings details of that ferocious conflict to life. It is the second-largest national cemetery in the country and the final resting place of 17,000 Union troops.
There’s much more to this town than history, though. In the past 15 years, Vicksburg’s downtown has undergone a revitalization. “We consider ourselves ‘hip-storic’,” said Ashley Gatain, director of sales and marketing for Visit Vicksburg. “Our downtown is walkable. We have great bars and restaurants, shopping, galleries, spas and salons. There’s even a walk-up daiquiri window.”
Six downtown museums are another feather in this Southern city’s cap. They include the Old Courthouse Museum, in Vicksburg’s most historic building (circa 1858); the interactive Brent Lower Mississippi River Museum; and two Civil War museums. Another favorite, the fascinating Catfish Row Museum, showcases Vicksburg’s diverse culture.
Along the Mississippi riverfront, four riverboat casinos are permanently docked including the Ameristar Vicksburg Hotel Casino, which welcomes groups of 25 to 200 aboard to eat, drink, play and enjoy world-class entertainment.
Vicksburg is known for its antebellum homes and 11 of them are open for public tours. One of them, the 219-year-old McRaven is known as “The Time Capsule of the South” for its collection of museum-quality antiquities. Because some of its former residents seem to like hanging around, this tour home is also Mississippi’s most haunted house.
Several of these elegant mansions now operate as B&Bs, including the 1870 Baer House, which features a two-story privy. Since Vicksburg doesn’t have a hotel attached to its convention center, groups can stay in a grand historic home.
“Often our meetings and overnights are out-of-the-box,” said Gatian. “This gives visiting attendees the experience of real Southern hospitality.”
THE AUDITORIUM AT THE SOUTHERN CULTURAL HERITAGE CENTER
SITUATED ON THE BANKS OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER, VICKSBURG IS REFASHIONING ITSELF AS A “HIP-STORIC” DESTINATION.
LOCATION
On the east bank of the Mississippi River in western Mississippi, halfway between Memphis, Tennessee, and New Orleans
ACCESS
Interstate 20 and U.S. Route 61, America’s Blues Highway; Vicksburg Municipal Airport; Vicksburg Tallulah Regional Airport; Jackson Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport
MAJOR MEETING SPACES
Vicksburg Convention Center, Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation, Levee Street Warehouse and The Carriage House, The BB Club HOTEL ROOMS 2,000
OFF-SITE VENUES
Tara Wildlife Herbert Bryant Conference Center, The Inn at Cedar Grove, Oak Hall B&B
CONTACT INFO Visit Vicksburg 601-636-9421 visitvicksburg.com
Major Meeting Spaces
Opened downtown in 1997, the Vicksburg Convention Center (VCC) can host meetings and events for 10 to 2,000 in its 17,000 square feet of meeting space. The nearby 42-room, boutique Vicksburg Mulberry hotel has 1,900 square feet of flexible event space.
Attendees can learn about the culture of the city, the state, the Mississippi Delta and the American South during meetings at the Southern Cultural Heritage Center. Its 1885 Auditorium accommodates around 200, and the 1868 Convent Parlor can hold up to 75.
Refreshing Off-Site Venue
A 30-mile drive from Vicksburg, Tara Wildlife Herbert Bryant Conference Center’s 5,700 square feet of event space includes a 3,000-square-foot lobby, shaded decks and outside seating in a peaceful, rustic setting. Cabins and lodges along the Mississippi River accommodate up to 65 guests.
For team building, groups can try a field course that includes skeet shooting, knife throwing, mountain biking, canoeing and fishing on the property’s 6,800 acres.
“At Tara, attendees can relax, breathe and absorb the sounds and smells of the country, and enjoy a moment away from city life,” said conference center coordinator Mark Bowen.
AMERISTAR CASINO VICKSBURG
All photos courtesy Visit Vicksburg
Vicksburg
Antebellum Tour Homes
The Inn at Cedar Grove is another of Vicksburg’s tour homes. Known as the Crown Jewel of Vicksburg, this 1840 mansion overlooking the Mississippi River survived a Civil War siege, with a cannon ball embedded in its parlor wall as proof.
Two blocks from the convention center, the inn is now a hotel, bar and restaurant perfect for business meetings and corporate retreats with a five-acre event lawn and a ballroom for dinners of 50 or receptions of 75. As soon as another guestroom is added, the inn will have 17 guest rooms. For overflow, another tour home next door, The Corners B&B, has 13 guest rooms.
Creative Cuisine
Vicksburg is known for its Southern food, and visitors can learn to cook it or simply enjoy eating it. Catfish Row Museum offers cooking classes and demos as well as event spaces, a café and live music. The building was once home to a blues and R&B hotspot.
Built in the 1830s, Anchuca Historic Mansion and Inn is situated amid live oaks, brick streets and gas lanterns, and its restaurant is known for its luscious Sunday brunches and Southern manners. The inn also has 10 upscale guest rooms and a gorgeous swimming pool.
Visit Beaufort
A ROOM AT BEAUFORT INN
CEDAR GROVE
OPENED LATE LAST YEAR,
FBY PAULA AVEN GLADYCH
rom grand resorts and hotels to massive renovations and event venues, Wisconsin has plenty of new and upgraded meeting venues to consider. Here are five new or improved options for meetings and events.
MULVA CULTURAL CENTER
De Pere
The Mulva Cultural Center is a 75,000-square-foot cultural destination on the Fox River in De Pere that hosts traveling art and educational exhibits from around the world. Designed with high-efficiency glass, a limestone façade and continuous terrazzo flooring, the center has already taken home an AIA Chicago Lerch Bates People’s Choice Award for best cultural architecture.
Opened in December 2023, the center’s current atrium exhibition,
New in Wisconsin
Sharks, which runs until early January, comes to the center from the Australian Museum and features 10 life-size shark replicas. Its next exhibition, Unofficial Galaxies, January 25 through April 27, is one of the largest private collections of Star Wars memorabilia in the world.
Meeting planners have their pick of choice meeting spots. A 200-seat auditorium can be used for lectures or presentations, while two multipurpose learning spaces can accommodate up to 90 for lectures, meetings or special occasions. The atrium, which includes exhibit space, is two stories high and can host 350 for a cocktail reception or 200 for a plated dinner or buffet. A boardroom for 20 is equipped with state-of-the-art A/V equipment.
The on-site restaurant can seat 100 for lunch or dinner. Groups that would like to tour the exhibits as part of their event can add it to their booking. The center’s patio is a wonderful spot for a cocktail reception.
mulvacenter.org
Courtesy Mulva Cultural Center
THE MULVA CULTURAL CENTER IS A 75,000-SQUARE-FOOT FACILITY ON THE BANKS OF THE FOX RIVER IN DE PERE.
GRAND GENEVA RESORT AND SPA
Lake Geneva
In June, the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa completed a $35 million renovation and redesign of its 610 guest rooms and suites, common areas and meeting spaces. Everything, from carpet to décor to lighting and furniture has been redone.
The 1,300-acre resort has numerous meeting and event options indoors and outside. Its 62,000 square feet of meeting and event space — five ballrooms, four boardrooms, the ballroom foyer and public restrooms — got a full facelift. The Evergreen Ballroom offers lake views and can host up to 360 guests, while the Grand Ballroom can accommodate up to 576. The 12-person boardrooms have been upgraded with the latest technology, large-screen televisions and a new design.
The resort’s largest conference space, the 13,000-square-foot Forum Convention Center, was completely renovated in 2019.
Groups that meet at the resort can add a round of golf, corporate fitness classes, rock climbing, skiing or horseback riding. The resort has two 18-hole championship golf courses; a downhill ski operation; an indoor/outdoor waterpark; a spa and wellness center; two indoor tennis courts; four indoor pickleball courts; an indoor basketball/volleyball court; and an indoor climbing wall. A 10-hole golf short course will open in fall 2025.
grandgeneva.com
HOTEL VERDANT
Racine
Hotel Verdant, an independently owned boutique hotel, opened in August 2023 at the northeast side of Racine’s Monument Square, a piazza anchored by a monument and bordered by retail shops and restaurants. The hotel is in the former Zahn’s department store, which sat empty for 40 years, and is in a prime spot overlooking Lake Michigan.
The upscale hotel, owned by Dominion Group out of Milwaukee, is managed by Charlestowne Hotels, which is known for managing boutique hotels.
The 80-room hotel was designed by a Chicago interior design firm that specializes in boutique hotels. Some of its seven suites and premium rooms have lake views. Amenities include a fitness center, a sauna and a full-service restaurant with Italian-inspired cuisine for lunch and dinner. It serves a seasonal menu and brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.
Hotel Verdant is in the former Zahn’s department store, which sat for 40 years, and is in a prime spot overlooking Lake Michigan.
A RENOVATED BOARDROOM AT GRAND GENEVA RESORT
Courtesy Hotel Verdant
A PUBLIC SPACE AT RACINE’S HOTEL VERDANT
Courtesy Grand Geneva Resort and Spa
The hotel’s 3,500-square-foot ballroom can be divided into two smaller spaces and has Bluetooth capability, sound, climate control, dimmable lighting, and a builtin projector and screen. A small boardroom seats eight people.
Both spaces have large floor-to-ceiling windows for natural lighting. The hotel is best known for its fifth-floor rooftop lounge, a great vantage point to view Lake Michigan, a block and a half away.
hotelverdant.com
KALAHARI RESORTS AND CONVENTIONS
Wisconsin Dells
Kalahari Resorts recently invested $80 million to improve and expand its Wisconsin Dells property, adding 237 new guest rooms, a self-service kiosk check-in experience, dining options and refreshing interior spaces.
The new guest rooms, the Hillside at Kalahari, are connected to the main resort by skywalk and include double-queen sofa and hospitality suites. The resort also improved its lobby and waterpark entrances.
Kalahari’s 125,000-square-foot indoor waterpark is known for its water slides, a water coaster, a lazy river,
Courtesy Kalahari Resorts and Conventions
THE HILLSIDE LOBBY AT KALAHARI IN WISCONSIN DELLS
whirlpools and wave pool. Its outdoor waterpark features another lazy river, as well as several water slides, an outdoor whirlpool spa and Splashdown Safari, a multi-level water tree fort.
The resort also has plans to expand the outdoor waterpark and add custom treehouses and a supper club.
Meeting groups can take advantage of the resort’s 1,000 guest rooms and vast meeting spaces. It has doubled the size of its convention center, bringing it to 212,000 square feet of flexible space that include three ballrooms, 47 meeting rooms, four luxury boardrooms, 21 smaller meeting rooms, and exhibit space for more than 750 booths. Entertainment options include Trappers Turn Golf Club and 12North Par3 Experience; a spa and salon; a virtual gaming experience called The Arena; retail shops; and the nearby Ho-Chunk Casino and AMC Desert Star 15 Theatre.
kalahariresorts.com/wisconsin
MARKET ON THE RIVER Chippewa Falls
Situated in downtown Chippewa Falls, Market on the River was originally commissioned in 1916 by the Chippewa Valley Mercantile Company as a wholesale grocery house. The Wisconsin Farmers Union purchased it in 2022 and has redeveloped it for mixed-use.
Everything good you can imagine is here for you and your guests: FOR PLANNERS:
» Full in-house Sales, Event, AV Technology, F&B, and Host services
» 225,000 sf of beautifully appointed space
» 18 versatile event spaces and intuitive floor plans
» 4 downtown full service hotels with garage and valet parking
» SAVE UP TO 15% vs. comparable cities! FOR ATTENDEES:
» Boutique shopping; live entertainment; vibrant arts & attractions
» Riverfront parks, trails, and activities for all ages
» Easy drive-to destination; Easy by air via FWA
Courtesy Market on the River
MARKET ON THE RIVER IN CHIPPEWA FALLS
Meagan Drabik Sales Manager
Market on the River opened this fall with a food hall and vendor space on the first floor. The second floor will serve as the headquarters of the Wisconsin Farmers Union and as an event space, ideal for reunions, conferences or conventions. The third floor will be apartments and short-term rentals.
The event space features an attached prep kitchen, as well as tables, chairs and linens. It is equipped with state-of-the-art A/V systems and can accommodate up to 200 guests. Groups can bring in outside catering, but in-house catering is available. The event space offers stunning views of the Chippewa River.
The property is well located, within one mile of the iconic Leinenkugel’s Leinie Lodge and the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewery. It’s also a short walk from the Cobblestone Hotel and Suites and has easy access to downtown shops, boutiques, restaurants, local bakeries, coffee shops, miles of trails and beautiful parks.
marketonriver.com
Situated in downtown Chippewa Falls, Market on the River was originally commissioned in 1916 by the Chippewa Valley Mercantile Company as a wholesale grocery house.
Courtesy Market on the River
AN EVENT SPACE AT MARKET ON THE RIVER
Wisconsin Originals
BY PAULA AVEN GLADYCH
Meeting planners looking to host events beyond the ballroom will find an abundance of options in Wisconsin. Unique venues throughout the state help attendees get out into nature, explore the state’s scenic beauty, and partake in sporting events or educational opportunities.
ROUND LAKE FARMS
Brillion
Brillion’s Round Lake Farms is an event venue that’s part of the Ariens Nordic Center, where athletes who compete in the biathlon train year-round in cross-country skiing and rifle shooting on 250 acres of rolling hills with trails throughout. The 12,000-square-foot venue sits on a hill that overlooks the Nordic Center and Round Lake.
Built on the site of an old barn, the venue incorporates the original silo in its design. The second floor is a gathering hall for up to 300 people theater style and 200 for a banquet. The lower level is a gallery
that can be used with the gathering hall.
A full bar downstairs is modeled after a British pub. Smaller meeting spaces include a tasting room on the lower level for board meetings or parties of up to 36 guests, a top-floor boardroom for 24, and a full deck and patio. Some groups rent the entire property and have a cocktail reception downstairs before moving upstairs for dinner.
The facility’s executive chef and staff prepare food for events. For fun, athletes can give a short training course on biathlon and then allow attendees to shoot at targets with biathlon rifles. Miles of trails can be explored year-round. ariensnordic.com/round-lake-farms
THE LANDING AT HOYT PARK Wauwatosa
The Landing at Hoyt Park in Wauwatosa is a seasonal beer garden where diners drink local and international beer and wine and eat traditional beer garden fare like giant pretzels, brats and pizza at European-style picnic tables. Opened in 2013, the Landing was built on the north
Courtesy Round Lake Farms
ROUND LAKE FARMS CAN ACCOMMODATE UP TO 200 GUESTS FOR BANQUETS.
end of the park’s historic bathhouse to complement its community pool and bring more people to Hoyt Park.
The beer garden service window is in the same building as the pool and Grand Hall, an event space where 1930s-era craftmanship has been preserved as modern touches like acoustic panels, pendant lighting, flat-screen TVs and a 10-foot screen with projector were added. It is air conditioned and has a wood-burning fireplace.
Groups can rent out the beer garden during the day or book the Grand Hall and the pool for events.
The facility was renovated and is run by the Friends of Hoyt Park and Pool, a nonprofit community organization founded to save the only public swimming pool in Milwaukee County.
The Grand Hall once served as the basket room, where swimmers stored personal items in baskets when they visited the pool. It can host up to 80 guests, and groups that rent it can order food. friendsofhoytpark.org
THE NATURE PLACE
LaCrosse
The Nature Place in La Crosse is a community center with a nature theme. The center is in Myrick Park, where nature trails thread near the river bluffs and the La Crosse River Marsh. Constructed in 2009, the community center is architecturally stunning, with a 26-foot-tall black willow tree used as structural support inside an atrium with 114 towering windows and a treehouse-style loft.
Visitors can play games, work puzzles, go on scavenger hunts or see the live reptiles, insects, turtles and fish used for educational purposes. Outside, there are eight native gardens to enjoy.
Three meeting rooms, the atrium and outdoor spaces are available for events. The Marshview Room, for up to 150, is equipped with a kitchenette, microphones, a projector, a screen and speakers. The Discovery Room, home to the facility’s education animals, can host groups of 40. The La Crosse Room accommodates 25. All rooms have Wi-Fi.
The entire building can accommodate 450, and the outdoor spaces, including the surrounding park, have handled events for up to 2,000 guests. The Nature Place allows groups to use their own caterer, but hard liquor is not allowed. Those that want to serve beer, wine, seltzers or ciders must rent the entire building. natureplacelacrosse.org
THE FLORIAN GARDENS CONFERENCE CENTER
Eau Claire
At Eau Claire’s Florian Gardens Conference Center, meetings bring the outdoors inside. All three of the ballrooms overlook beautiful gardens including the largest, the Rock Cress Garden and its 24-foot waterfall. Each garden has a pergola for ceremonies or live music.
Within the conference center’s 10,000 square feet of event
Courtesy Friends of Hoyt Park and Pool
THE LANDING AT HOYT PARK’S BEER GARDEN
Courtesy The Florian Gardens
THE FLORIAN GARDENS
space, state-of-the-art flexible walls keep sound from traveling between the ballrooms. The center has audio-visual and onsite
THE NATURE PLACE IN LACROSSE
in a former Cadillac dealership he bought. The collection is always being refreshed as additional cars, some on loan and some donated, are displayed.
The facility has two event spaces and an executive boardroom on the second level overlooking cars in the main gallery. Its conference table can seat 18, and the room includes an 80-inch conference screen equipped with clickshare technology and overhead speakers.
The facility’s Haddad Event Center space, toward the back of the main gallery, can seat 160. The event center and gallery can be used in tandem and are served by a full catering kitchen and a full bar staffed by the facility’s bartenders. The venue works with several caterers, and event planners can bring in outside entertainment. Museum volunteers are on hand for events to answer any questions guests may have about the cars.
theautomobilegallery.org
Start planning for your next meeting or event in the Fox Cities. From riverfront meetings by day to world-class dining at night, the Fox Cities are the perfect place to stage your original event experience.
Looking for a modern, state-ofthe-art option with room for a crowd? Check out the Fox Cities Exhibition Center - 38,000 square feet of thoughtfully designed space built right into the hillside of Downtown Appleton.
