Small Market Meetings October 2023 by The Group Travel Leader, Inc.

MANAGING EVENT PUBLICITY | HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA | KENTUCKY MEETING GUIDE OCTOBER 2023

e v i t n e c In stinations De

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The premier event and meeting venue in Kentucky. 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.

ON THE COVER: Yellow Ginko trees line a quiet road in Napa Valley during autumn.

INSIDE VOLUME 24 | ISSUE 9

IDEAS Incentive Destinations

CITY Huntsville, Alabama

ONE-STOP Hyatt Regency Conroe

D E PA R T M E N T S

6 INSIGHTS 12 PROFILE Holiday Party Ideas

Zondra White Jones

14 MANAGING

MEETING GUIDE Illinois

Event Publicity

SMALL MARKET MEETINGS is published monthly by Pioneer Publishing, Inc., 301 E. High St., Lexington, KY 40507, and is distributed free of charge to qualified meeting planners who plan meetings in small and medium size towns and cities. All other meeting industry suppliers may subscribe by sending a check for $39 for one year to: Small Market Meetings, Circulation Department, 301 East High St., Lexington, KY 40507. Phone (859) 253-0503. Copyright SMALL MARKET MEETINGS, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of editorial or graphic content in any manner without the written consent of the publisher is prohibited.

Courtesy Visit Quad Cities

MEETING GUIDE Kentucky

TO ADVERTISE CALL KYLE ANDERSON 859-356-5128 kyle@smallmarketmeetings.com Mac T. Lacy Publisher/Partner

Brian Jewell VP & Managing Editor

Kyle Anderson Director, Sales & Marketing

Donia Simmons Creative Director

Herbert Sparrow Executive Editor/Partner

Ashley Ricks Graphic Designer

Bryce Wilson Advertising Account Manager

Rena Baer Copy Editor

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Puzzled Where To Meet? ACROSS 2. Hike and bike trails pass through here. 3. Has the best facilities between Denver and Omaha. 6. 1,350 of these happen every year.

DOWN 1. Downtown Hub for eats and drinks. 4. Historical monument on 1-80. 5. A campus of conference, events and hotels. 7. Every year 1 million of these migrate through 8. HS FB All-Star game.

(We’ll give you a hint: Kearney.)

Kearney, where the Heartland gathers. Every year, Kearney hosts more than 1,350 events. From the Nebraska Shrine Bowl to conferences large and small, top-notch entertainment – heck, even a million Sandhill Cranes make sure to meet in Kearney every year. Why? Because Kearney has the best facilities between Denver and Omaha, experienced staff, and wonderful volunteers that make sure every event that comes to town is taken care of. If you’re looking for a host city for your next event, make sure you look at Kearney, Nebraska.

WheretheHear tlandGathers.com

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INSIGHTS WITH VICKIE MITCHELL

SEASON’S MEETINGS

alloween pumpkins, move over. Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanza are on the doorstep, and with them come an annual task — planning the company holiday party. After a couple of years of disrupted and Zoomedin gatherings, event experts predict this year’s holiday season will be super celebratory. It also might be time to try something new. Here are a few ideas.

Take holiday parties to new heights in 2023

Pick a color, any color

Elevate your event

If the pandemic had an upside, it is the uptick in alluring outdoor venues it brought. Let this be the year the holiday party steps out of the stuffy ballroom and onto a rad rooftop or pleasant patio. Pick a space with firepits to naturally pull people together for s’mores or creamy lattes. Firepits seem to have popped up everywhere, from the Pecan Tree Courtyard at the UGA Center for Continuing Education and Hotel in Athens, Georgia, to three public beaches and a host of oceanfront resorts in Huntington Beach, California. There’ll be no need for glittering holiday décor if you choose a rooftop bar perched above twinkling city lights like Juniper, the rooftop venue at the AC Hotel in Greenville, South Carolina. The massive 16,000-square-foot space sits eight stories above Main Street. The Atlantic adds extra dazzle to the Sky Bar at the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront Hotel. Views from 21 stories and up stretch south to the North Carolina border to north to Norfolk. 6

Party planners say just about anything goes for holiday color schemes this year, so think about what will resonate with your crowd. Woodland colors — rust, green, terracotta, burgundy — are expected to be big, used in tandem with other forest elements like mosses and mushrooms. At the opposite end of that subdued spectrum, though, there’s likely to be some Barbie-fueled pinks and glittering golds to reflect the brighter mood 2023 exudes. Light up the night even more with energy-saving LED lights — fill clear vases and jars with LED fairy lights to brighten tables and use LED candles in luminaries to safely show guests the path to the party. Hang Christmas-theme pinatas filled with candy or funny fortunes, or turn newsprint and magazines into garlands. And if you don’t plan to save your décor for reuse, donate it to a community or senior center or school that will make use of it.

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New twists on traditions

Some holiday party themes stick around, but who says they can’t change with the times? Ugly sweater contests always bring Santa-size belly laughs, so simply take a new approach and have guests create their own holiday sweaters on-site. They bring an old sweater; you provide lots of weird and wonderful embellishments and hot glue. The creativity and conversation will take off like Santa’s sleigh. If kids are part of the holiday gathering, hire a professional Santa this year. The International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas (ibrbs.org) provides connections to pro Santas around the world. (And, if you want to see a sizeable slice of the IBRBS’s 2,200 members, be in Memphis next April for its annual convention.) Instead of piping in Christmas carols, hire a high school chorus or a choir to sing holiday tunes or have a professional storyteller tell seasonal tales. You can find one through the National Storytelling Network (storynet.org). For nontraditional fun and games, have guests don a VR headset and ski down a slope, surf some waves or swing for a hole in one.

Make the season sustainable Mocktails make tasty toasts

There’s no better time for mocktails than the holidays. In a season of overindulging, leaving out the booze is healthier and eliminates some over-imbibing. Holiday mocktails can be so tasty and colorful that no one will feel like they are missing anything. Most recipes are super simple — swirl three or four ingredients and festoon a pretty glass with fruit or a sprig of rosemary for a festive drink like a winter berry cocktail of apple juice, strawberry syrup, cranberry juice and sparkling water. Another idea? A sparkling blood orange mocktail that lifts not only the spirits but the immune system thanks to orange juice, honey and a touch of vanilla. For a warm-up, there’s always rich hot chocolate, topped with whipped cream, stirred with a peppermint stick. There’s no shortage of mocktail ideas on the internet — they pop up like mushrooms in a forest this time of year.

October 2023

Christmas is, by nature, a huge creator of waste, whether it’s mounds of ripped wrapping paper or truckloads of Amazon boxes. Many guests will appreciate efforts to make a holiday party more environmentally friendly. From the start, seek a venue that promotes sustainable practices. Zoos, nature centers and botanical gardens are logical choices, but many other venues, from hotels and conference centers to wineries and breweries, are also being kinder to the Earth. Then, eliminate as much paper as possible. Online companies like Punchbowl make it simple to create and send attractive evites and manage guest lists. Instead of disposable or even compostable dishes, opt for china and glassware. Partner with local organizations that distribute leftover food to those in need. And instead of cheesy — and often plastic — gifts, make a donation to each guest’s favorite charity. Or opt for something made locally — a decorated sugar cookie from the vegan bakery in town or a chocolate bar made with sustainable ingredients — presented in a recycled gift bag. 7

CUSTOM CONTENT

Lively Chandler, Arizona, Is packed with potential BY VICKIE MITCHELL

o grasp Chandler’s lengthy past and its lively present, simply walk out of the Crowne Plaza Phoenix-Chandler Golf Resort and into downtown’s streets. Locals know the 249-room hotel as the San Marcos, one of the first projects city founder Dr. A. J. Chandler built in the early 1900s when he began to develop land that was a blank canvas on Phoenix’s southeastern edge. The resort’s 32,000 square feet of meeting space make it the city’s largest conference property. Today, city blocks near the hotel are packed with restaurants, bars and live music venues — more than 40 in all — where food and music styles range widely and conference groups can be entertained for hours. Some of the businesses are in carefully restored buildings from Dr. Chandler’s day; others are much more modern. Parks, palm trees and public art provide pleasing interruptions.

A CITY THAT STANDS ON ITS OWN

Its personable downtown is just one way Chandler proves it is not a Phoenix suburb but instead, a city with a heritage and proud culture. It’s become known as a hotbed of tech and innovation, and more than a dozen companies have made their global headquarters in Chandler, including Fortune 500 tech company Insight.

Downtown Ocotillo

Those businesses, as well as a welcoming environment for start-ups that Dr. Chandler himself kickstarted with his entrepreneurial efforts, have led to rapid growth. Chandler’s population is nearing a quarter million, making it Arizona’s fourth-largest city. Phoenix-Sky Harbor Airport is a 20-minute drive; I-10, which connects the region to the West and East Coasts, borders Chandler’s western edge.

GROWING NUMBER OF HIGH-PROFILE ATTRACTIONS

Chandler’s growth has attracted a number of national entertainment and retail concepts, like the Crayola Experience, and, most recently, the first Arizona location of SCHEELS, the massive Midwestern outdoor store with 75 departments, a full-size Ferris wheel, a 16,000-gallon saltwater aquarium, a wildlife mountain, a candy shop, a café and arcade games. Its location at Chandler Fashion Center, a mall with a 20-screen cinema, make it a natural for after-meeting hours. Early next year, Chandler will become the newest location of Andretti Indoor Karting, where multi-story karting tracks draw those who dream of becoming a racecar driver and others find fun with laser tag and virtual reality experiences. Group package pricing covers activities, event space and food; 8,000 square feet of event space will be equipped with audio visual, free wi-fi and in-house catering.

CUSTOM CONTENT

“If you were a kid, who loved spending sick days at home watching The Price Is Right or other game shows, [Game Show Battle Rooms] is the place for you, You get to be the contestant.” — KIMBERLY JANES Game Show Battle Rooms

Given Chandler’s large corporate and manufacturing base, team building options are in demand, and that has spawned a new, locally owned business called Game Show Battle Rooms. “If you were a kid, who loved spending sick days at home watching The Price Is Right or other game shows, this is the place for you,” says Kimberly Janes with Visit Chandler. “You get to be the contestant.”

EVENING OPTIONS EXPAND

Unlike some cities, Chandler seems to have gained more restaurants than it lost during the pandemic. One notable new spot, Elliott’s Steakhouse, is an upscale steak and seafood restaurant with a 47-foot bar and a 1,000-square-foot private dining space. Located in the renovated 1920s Rowena Theatre building,

Bear Creek Golf Complex

it is a sister restaurant to the popular Brickyard Downtown and Hidden House. Two other new establishments are sure to draw group outings. QuartHaus is a roomy outdoor space where locals and visitors can play cornhole, basketball and other games while having a drink and a pizza slice. The whole place can be booked for events. BuquiBichi, a boutique taproom out of Mexico, expands Chandler’s already significant list of breweries and distilleries. And dining extends beyond downtown. The Chandler Ranch plaza is a collection of Asian restaurants and shops that highlights Chandler’s Asian population, said to be the largest in the state. More than a dozen businesses offer everything from Korean fried chicken and sushi to baked goods and Asian gifts. 99 Ranch Market, the largest Asian supermarket chain in the U.S., anchors the development. Another way small groups can get a literal taste of local flavor is with a private, farm-to-table dinner at Greenhouse Gardens. Janes can help planners with addons like live music or Native American hoop dancers. Conference goers who fly in from other regions can experience the Southwest, whether it be with a guided hike in nearby mountains or desert; an evening at The Eddie Basha Collection, a private collection of high-caliber Western art that welcomes events; or a trail ride at KOLI Equestrian Center. Of course, with the Grand Canyon a little over four hours away and the red rocks of Sedona a couple of hours closer, a day trip to Arizona’s most famous sights isn’t out of the question.

KOLI Equestrian Center

Crayola Experience

Crowne Plaza Phoenix Chandler Golf Resort

Pool at the Marriott Phoenix Chandler

Greenhouse Gardens

FOR MORE INFORMATION: HIGH QUALITY CONFERENCE HOTELS

The Crowne Plaza, Chandler’s best-known conference hotel, is an urban resort, with landscaped grounds, a large pool and an 18-hole golf course. Not long ago, its public spaces and guest rooms were refreshed during a $16 million renovation. A new, small casual meeting space, the Ocotillo Suite, feels like a living room in a comfortable home. Some groups use it as their office during conferences; others gather boards or leadership teams in the space. About three minutes from the Crowne Plaza, the 110-room Hilton Garden Inn can provide overflow rooms. Three miles west of downtown, the Hilton Phoenix Chandler has wrapped up a $4.5 million renovation of its public spaces, 17,000 square feet of meeting space and pool area. It had already renovated its 197 guest rooms. Another option well-suited to corporate groups, the Marriott Phoenix Chandler opened in 2019 near a corporate office park. The Marriott’s 10,000-square-foot ballroom is Chandler’s largest, and its 28,000 square feet of meeting space is all on the first floor, making navigation simple. Seven limited-service hotels nearby can handle overflow. Another plus for planners is knowing they can turn to Janes for assistance. After 20 years with Visit Chandler, she is an expert on the city, its venues, attractions and suppliers. “I know this area and can get them the right connections,” she assures.

VISIT CHANDLER Kimberly Janes 480-782-3037 kimberly.janes@chandleraz.gov visitchandler.com

My sister and I perform with our band, Soul Revival. So I’m not a big celebrity, just a local celebrity. I told my husband I think I’m exactly where I need to be.”

MEETING LEADERS ZONDRA WHITE JONES

BY RE B E CCA TRE ON

f all the gatherings Zondra White Jones has planned over her 17-year tenure as senior sales manager at Visit the Northshore, family reunions are her favorite. In fact, her own brought in 215 guests. As a third-generation resident of St. Tammany Parish, White Jones says sharing her hometown with visitors is the best part. “I grew up here and I think this area is amazing,” she said. “We’re 45 minutes north of New Orleans, and some people say it’s the Hamptons of New Orleans. It’s not a slowpaced or sleepy destination. It’s very diverse — we have rolling hills and farms, and on the other side, there are swamps. We have many museums, a wonderful culinary scene and lots of outdoor activities.” White Jones’ career in the tourism industry began after she got her associate’s degree in mass communication. Newly married to her high school sweetheart and busy with two young children, she took a job working at the front desk of the Holiday Inn in nearby Convington. “I worked there for 10 years and absolutely loved it,” she said. “I moved from the front desk to becoming a sales manager, and I was like, ‘this is it; this is what I want to do.’” It was that job that led her to start working at Visit the Northshore, thanks to a contact she met at the Holiday Inn who worked at the CVB. That was 17 years ago, and she hasn’t looked back. Visit the Northshore represents nine towns within the St. Tammany Parish, which some might find overwhelming but which

White Jones finds exciting because things are always changing, offering new attractions to the destination. “I went from knowing the hotel like the back of my hand to going to this enormous destination, which was a huge learning curve,” she said. “There’s a lot going on — I feel like I’m still getting to know it as a destination, from hotels to restaurants and attractions. You build relationships getting to know everyone, and that’s what I love. I’m still learning 17 years later.” Her kids are 31, 29 and 25 now, but White Jones will still help them plan an itinerary for when they come home to visit, sometimes bringing friends. She might send them to a local brewery, to go berry picking or even to a one-stop-shop, the local yearround farmers market. “You can go to the farmers market, get some gumbo or fried fish and listen to some great music,” she said. Music is a pillar in White Jones’ life — she began singing in church about age 5, joining the choir with her sister, who is just 15 months older. They sang with the choir through high school, even traveling to New York City to sing at Carnegie Hall. White Jones attended her junior college on a vocal scholarship and always dreamed of being a professional singer. “But I needed a stable job and I had two children,” she said. “That never came to fruition, but I’m not out of the game — my sister and I perform with our band, Soul Revival. So I’m not a big celebrity, just a local celebrity. I told my husband I think I’m exactly where I need to be.”

EXECUTIVE PROFILE NAME

Zondra White Jones TITLE

Senior Sales Manager O RGA N IZ AT IO N

Visit the Northshore LOC AT IO N

St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana B I R T H PL ACE

Mandeville, Louisiana E DU C AT IO N

Associate’s degree in mass communication, Mary Holmes Junior College C A R E E R H IS TO RY

• Holiday Inn in Covington, front desk, sales manager — 1995–2005 • Visit the Northshore, senior sales manager — 2006–present

smallmarketmeetings.com

TIPS FROM

ZONDRA WHITE JONES • Work with your CVBs. We know about all the hidden gems in our area and can connect you to the local vendors to ensure your event will be memorable. We’re a one-stop shop and can assist you from the beginning of the planning stages until the end. All our services are complimentary. • Be yourself! People plan with people they know and trust, so build those connections. Be interested, not interesting. That’s how you build lasting relationships. • Enjoy! Be present and welcoming to all. Take the time to enjoy meeting new and diverse people. ZONDRA WHITE JONES (RIGHT) WITH HER SISTER AND BANDMATE FADRA WHITE (LEFT)

Connect, Collaborate, Celebrate. It’s not just what we call our ballrooms, it’s what we want to happen inside them.

4 distinct gathering spaces: • The Connect Ballroom has 18,000 sq. ft. of space.

We invite you to tour the Brookfield Conference Center before you plan your next event. Located at I-94 and Moorland Rd., just minutes from Milwaukee.

• The Collaborate Ballroom offers 6,000 sq. ft.

Voted 2023’s Best Conference Center by Smart Meetings Magazine.

• The Celebration Atrium is an 8,000 sq. ft. space for pre- or post-function gatherings, breaks, and more. • The Celebration Plaza offers 9,000 sq. ft of outdoor meeting space.

No Details Overlooked Our team provides seamless execution of your business or social event so your guests can experience the best of everything at the Brookfield Conference Center. A variety of palate pleasing restaurants and an abundance of shopping options for your guests are just minutes away.

October 2023

www.brookfieldconferencecenter.com • Contact us at 262-789-0220.

Brookfield

MANAGING

For Immediate Release

EXPERTS DISCUSS GENERATING PUBLICITY FOR EVENTS

BY R ACHEL CRICK

n a world saturated by content and a 24-hour news cycle, generating and sustaining hype for an event on the horizon can be tricky. That’s where good event publicity is necessary; it can ensure a good return on your event investment and growth in key performance indicators like revenue, sponsorships and attendance. But how should planners design their publicity strategies in the era of shifting media platforms? How can they appeal to broader audiences without breaking the bank? And who should they turn to for exposure? For an event that will have attendees buzzing, planners can check out these tips from industry experts.

“Having a cohesive brand or voice for the event is very, very important. You can leverage and utilize that across all promotion outlets.”

MAKE A PLAN When it comes to publicity, having a comprehensive plan upfront is extremely important. “Basically, it’s a plan that outlines how and when we are going to promote the event,” said Alison Kieckhafer, owner and chief event officer of The Event Lounge, a meeting and event planning agency. “It indicates what our target market is, and it also spells out the timeline that we will be following as well as what outlets we’re using.” To create this plan, a planner must first ask a client about the audience of the event and its objectives. That will determine how much publicity is necessary and what platforms should be used. After all, an event attracting 600 attendees requires less publicity than an event for 2,000. “Listen to your client and try to really understand why this event exists, why they’re spending money on this event” said Brian Acheson, owner of VIP Events. “This guides a lot of the processes.” Coming up with a sensible timeline is crucial, too. Periodically releasing information to the target market about an upcoming event ensures it stays on their minds, rather than just telling them about it one time and expecting them to save the date. “That’s the starting point: You want to make it easy to spread the word correctly,” said Colleen Rickenbacher, speaker, author and former vice president of event planning at the Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Because if it’s not ready in the beginning, everything else won’t fall into place.” Budget is a factor to consider at this time, too, because that determines the platforms to use and the players that can assist planners with publicizing an event. If the client has a large marketing/

Alison Kieckhafer OWNER, CHIEF EVENT OFFICER The Event Lounge Experience: 29 years

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“We have to make people want to go in the first place. If it’s a smaller list of people who were invited, I do want people trying to crash the event.”

Brian Acheson OWNER

VIP Events, Inc. Experience: 39 years

October 2023

public relations budget, they may be able to hire a PR firm to assist with publicizing the event. If their budget is small, the planning team may have to exclusively rely on free digital resources for publicity. The plan should also factor in what to do once the event is over. That’s especially true if the event will reoccur. Publicizing the night’s great success and achieved outcomes, such as fundraising goals met, revenue raised or event attendance is a great way to gain favor in the eyes of the public — and get them excited for the next event.

HONE YOUR STRATEGY The number of media outlets and platforms can make creating an event PR strategy intimidating. But to cast a wide net, it’s important that planners use this range of platforms to their advantage. To start with, there are traditional strategies to consider, such as issuing press releases. Planners should ensure these are distributed to local media outlets, such as newspapers, television news and radio programs. In larger cities, there may be multiple newspapers or papers for nearby communities. A destination’s CVB is a great resource for a list of local media contacts or even tools to assemble a media kit. Rickenbacher said it’s a good idea to have all the key information, such as date and time, ready before a press release so that the media doesn’t have to come back again and again to track down additional facts. And, if a planner is counting on issuing more than one press release, it should have new information each time. Another outlet with an audience specific to an industry is a trade journal. If the event is supposed to attract attendees from a particular industry, why not make sure all the trade journals in that industry are telling their readers about the event? “I use trade journals a lot,” Rickenbacher said. “Trade journals hit so many different generations, age groups and types of people.” Another tactic to generate hype for public events is the use of guerrilla marketing tactics, according to Kieckhafer, which could entail something “that’s boots on the ground, fun, highly energetic, [like] driving around in a branded vehicle of some sort, handing out some cool branded giveaways.” Even for internal or corporate events, connecting with the right media is important. At conferences, there is often a newsletter or magazine that gives attendees a snapshot of what’s happening; getting a specific event or session into that newsletter can increase awareness of it among conference attendees. Companies and associations also have their own websites, blogs, social media and newsletters where the event can be promoted. And on the day of the event, especially at conferences or trade shows, one way to promote it

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so it stands out, according to Acheson, is to “create some element of FOMO [fear of missing out].” This can be done with a bit of creativity that creates a feeling of exclusivity. “Our invitations are on a big lanyard, bigger than a name badge, that has the company logo, the date, the times and all the info you need to know,” he said. “We’ll pass them out on the trade show floor. Attendees wear it around their neck even though the event doesn’t start for eight more hours.”

NEW PLAYERS The era of social media and influencers has changed the PR world, and therefore, the way events are publicized has changed as well. Yet some are hesitant to step into this world and consider the traction it can create when it comes to promoting an event. “As 45-plus planners, sometimes we don’t necessarily embrace social media influencers and how pivotal they can be to driving a brand,” Kieckhafer said. “That’s kind of an interesting area to explore.” Social media and its long list of features are ever evolving, and different platforms appeal to different groups. This is something planners must account for when doing public outreach. “You need combinations of different things, but you need every bit of the social media,” Rickenbacher said. “If that event is hitting different age groups and cultures, don’t forget the diversity. Consider the attendee and the type of event.” Posting on Facebook and LinkedIn may be a better way to reach baby boomers and Generation X, while making a video on Instagram or TikTok may be a better call for millennials and Generation Z. Social media influencers are relatively new players in the public relations and marketing field. They harness the power of social media to “influence” their sizeable following to buy products or go places; they can certainly be leveraged to publicize an event. If planners can gather the support and interest of influencers, they can get the word out to their followers. “Some of them do it for money, some do it for free product, some of them do it for exposure in your marketing collateral on your marketing website,” said Kieckhafer. “Every agreement with influencers is crafted differently.” One word of caution when it comes to using social media and influencers to publicize an event: Planners should be savvy with the online world or have someone on their team who is. This minimizes the risk of missteps and bad press. “You have to know how to navigate it,” Kieckhafer said. “It could be something that could go awry. Not all PR is good PR.”

“You have to deliver what you say, make sure when they get there, they’re not disappointed; follow through with the hype you’ve generated plus more, especially with annual events.”

Colleen Rickenbacher CO-FOUNDER

Global Protocol, Etiquette and Civility Academy Experience: 40+ years

smallmarketmeetings.com

CUSTOM CONTENT

Blaze a path to Janesville and banish meeting blahs BY VICKIE MITCHELL

n Janesville, Wisconsin, it’s easy to break free of boring meeting spaces. The city of 66,000, less than an hour west of Madison and Milwaukee and about two hours north of Chicago, prides itself in venues with “depth and breadth,” says Christine Rebout, executive director of the Janesville CVB. “Our strength is these beautiful and nontraditional venues.”

BEAUTIFUL BACKDROPS FOR MEETINGS

For beauty and an inspiring origin story, there’s Rotary Botanical Gardens. Decades ago, two local Rotary Clubs transformed an old rock quarry into 20 acres of gardens, many with international themes. The extraordinary result reminds those who meet in the garden’s 2,540 square feet of divisible meeting space of teamwork’s power. At the gardens, the outdoors is in the spotlight, as meeting rooms in the visitors center open to a roomy patio and the gardens beyond. Garden tours and horticulture talks are easy add-ons; a sunny 2,400-square-foot atrium welcomes dinners and receptions. The gardens are far from the only beauty spot in a region known for outdoor activities. At The Celtic House at Glen Erin Golf Course, 12,000 square feet of banquet space is adjoined by a large deck that overlooks the emerald golf course. Next to the course, Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport serves private aircraft and also has conference spaces and airplane hangars for larger events.

Also outside of town, Fermenting Cellars Winery has added to its outdoor event options with a large, open-air pavilion; smaller groups can cluster around an outdoor fireplace as they sip wines made on site. Downtown, the Rock River provides a soothing backdrop for several bars and restaurants, including Genisa, an Italian wine bar in a restored Italianate building. During the day, it offers small meeting spaces including a sunny patio above the river. A new downtown event space, The Venue, was once a church. High ceilings and large windows make its largest space, the church’s former sanctuary, feel peaceful and spacious. Another roomy venue, the Janesville Performing Arts Center, has a 633-seat theater for opening sessions and three 50-person meeting rooms. On the edge of downtown near the river, big doors slide open for fresh air in a carriage house-turned-meeting space on the 3.5-acre campus of the Rock County Historical Society. The handsome three-story building has been outfitted with an elevator and meeting equipment. Of course, Janesville does have its share of traditional meeting spaces, including the 142-room Holiday Inn Express off I-90/I-39, which has its own 15,000-squarefoot conference center. And funding is expected to be finalized soon so work can begin on Janesville’s newest conference space. The project will turn a former Sears at Uptown Janesville mall into three venues: a 20,000-square-foot conference center, a year-round hockey rink and another arena that will be ice half the year and available for other sports and conferences the other half. It will be a convenient conference facility, close to the interstate, with ample free parking, dining, entertainment and hotels nearby.

Bodacious Shops of Block 42

JANESVILLE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU Lori Johnson Director of Meeting & Group Sales 608-757-3171 meetings@janesvillecvb.com janesvillecvb.com

Rock County Historical Society Carriage Barn photo by Patrick Gasper

Rotary Botanical Gardens photo by Marsha Mood

IDEAS

Courtesy Gulf Shores Orange Beach Tourism

A JOB WELL DONE These domestic incentive destinations are top performers

BY R ACHE L CRICK

veryone loves to be rewarded. Whether you prefer a backdrop of sunsoaked vineyards, majestic mountains or the rhythmic rush of the surf, there’s a wide variety of destinations that can serve to reward and impress a company’s top team members. Cities with tropical climates and beaches are logical destinations for incentive travel. But some places offer lesser known and equally rewarding incentive experiences for attendees. From classic spots to surprising finds, planners can look to these cities across the country for exciting domestic incentive travel destinations.

GULF SHORES/ ORANGE BEACH, ALABAMA

With 32 miles of white sand beaches on the Gulf of Mexico and the delectable flavors of the ocean in its cuisine, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama, promise an alluring and leisurely experience for travelers. A plus for planners is the area’s affordability and accessibility from locations in the Southeast and Midwest. “It’s really just a smaller destination with great Southern hospitality, a great place for people to lay back and relax,” said Michelle Russ, vice president of sales, sports and events at Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism. “We’ve got a great culinary scene because of all the fresh seafood. We just have a great small-town feel with great beach amenities.” Perdido Beach Resort recently underwent a $20 million renovation, updating its 344 guest rooms, three restaurants and 44,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space. This includes two outdoor beachfront decks. The Lodge at Gulf State Park, a Hilton Hotel, has 350 guestrooms and 40,000 square feet of meeting space, including the largest beach-view ballroom on the Gulf of Mexico with

Above: Gulf Shores and Orange Beach offer 32 miles of beautiful white sand beaches for incentive events.

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over 12,000 square feet. The Orange Beach Event Center at The Wharf is another banquet option for groups, in addition to restaurants like Big Beach Brewing Company, Zeke’s Restaurant and COASTAL Orange Beach. In addition to enjoying the spacious, clean beaches, activities for incentive travelers can include sunset cruises with dolphins, glassblowing and pottery classes at the Coastal Arts Center, and sandcastle-building classes. Fishing, golf and shopping are other popular leisure activities. gulfshores.com

“It’s really just a smaller destination with great Southern hospitality, a great place for people to lay back and relax.... We just have a great smalltown feel with great beach amenities.” — Michelle Russ, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism

NAPA VALLEY, CALIFORNIA

As one of the best-known wine regions in the world, Napa Valley is a top destination to impress and reward attendees. With warm, sunny California weather, more than 150 restaurants and hundreds of wineries, it’s a dreamy destination for an incentive trip. “Napa Valley is an amazing combination of inspiring business meeting locations with plenty of interactive and experiential options to supplement your meeting format,” said Linsey Gallagher, president and CEO of Visit Napa Valley. “The culinary, wine and outdoor experiences we have are perfectly situated for an incentive group.” Napa is a boutique destination with about 5,700 hotel rooms. Popular choices for meetings and events include the Meritage Resort and Spa, which has 467 guestrooms and 80,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space, and the Silverado Resort and Spa, with 355 rooms and 100,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space. Wine tastings and pairings at any of the hundreds of wineries open to the public are a must;

Photos courtesy Visit Napa Valley

October 2023

Napa Valley scenes, clockwise from left: Grapes on the vine; an elegant meal; hot air balloons over the valley

IDEAS

some favorites that are also popular for meals and banquets include the Lewis M. Martini Winery and B Cellars Winery. Popular restaurants for gourmet group meals are Brix, which has a great patio for watching sunsets, and Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch, which offers a farm-to-table experience. At the Culinary Institute of America at Copia, highly trained chefs can curate interactive experiences for groups in the demonstration kitchen. Other rewarding activities include hot air balloon rides through the valley or a ride on the vintage train cars of the Napa Valley Wine Train. visitnapavalley.com

LAZOOM COMEDY BUS TOUR IN ASHEVILLE

ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA

From visiting its nearly 70 craft breweries to doing mountaintop yoga, there’s a refreshing range of experiences for travelers in Asheville, North Carolina, an artsy town tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The city has a reputation for attracting Courtesy Explore Asheville

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Flexible space for up to 1500, EV charging, free parking, 300+ rooms, attentive service from exceptional people.

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outdoor enthusiasts, creatives and those craving adventure, which gives it an invigorating energy. “It’s an exciting time to meet in Asheville, as many historic buildings are witnessing a renaissance of sorts, attracting new businesses like hotels and restaurants and even a vinyl-pressing factory,” said Cass Herrington, PR manager at Explore Asheville. The Restoration Asheville features 60 guestrooms and private event spaces such as a rooftop bar and a bowling alley in the basement. Wrong Way Cabins and Campground is a unique collection of accommodations, with 16 cabins, a 1,200-square-foot event space, and wellness and voluntourism activities for guests. Four more hotels are slated to open in 2023-24, including a 185-room Embassy Suites by Hilton with 7,000 square feet of meeting space. Rhubarb, a restaurant owned by James Beard Award-nominated chef John Fleer, offers farm-to-table cuisine. Other local favorites include Cucina 24, Eldr and Cultura, each of which can accommodate groups. Exploring Asheville’s vast collection of art shops and galleries in the River Arts District is a must for visitors. Workshops ranging from glass blowing to jewelry making are offered and make excellent team-building activities. The city’s surrounding mountains are prime environments for ziplining, ATV riding, paddling and hiking. exploreasheville.com

“It’s an exciting time to meet in Asheville, as many historic buildings are witnessing a renaissance of sorts, attracting new businesses like hotels and restaurants and even a vinyl-pressing factory.” — Cass Herrington, Explore Asheville

October 2023

The Facilities, The Lodging The Fun ... Just Perfect! Located along the Ohio River directly adjacent to Ohio and Kentucky, our proximity to Cincinnati means we’re close to big-city amenities with all of the meeting customization and service a smaller location can provide. Home to Hollywood Casino and the Lawrenceburg Event Center, we’re ideal for small and mid-size meetings and conventions of all types, offering: ✦ Large, customizable meeting and event space ✦ 15 miles to the Cincinnati International Airport ✦ 468 hotel rooms ✦ Walkable Main Street offering casino gaming, destination dining, entertainment options, historic tours, riverfront access, outdoor recreation, trails, winery/brewery properties, and more

Ready to get started? Scan the QR code to the right!

The Perfect Place To Meet

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www.visitsoutheastindiana.com/meetings-conventions21

IDEAS

HONOLULU, HAWAII

When it comes to incentive events, Hawaii is a classic destination. Its beaches, turquoise waters, tropical climate and hospitality draw millions of visitors to Honolulu, its capital city, each year. Honolulu has a long list of hotels and resorts where attendees can relax and enjoy the island’s amenities. Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort has an impressive 2,860 guestrooms, which can accommodate large groups with blocks of up to 1,500 rooms. It also has 150,000 square feet of meeting space. Thanks to its five pools, Waikiki’s longest waterslide, 18 restaurants and bars, and an assortment of shops, the resort is fully stocked with everything attendees could need. Additionally, activities such as yoga, snorkeling and paddleboarding are offered. Another option, known for its colorful pink exterior, is the Royal Hawaiian Resort Waikiki, a Marriott property. It has been open for nearly a century and has over 500 guestrooms and suites,

12,000 square feet of indoor meeting space and several large outdoor spaces stretching the property’s beach and gardens. It also has a selection of restaurants, two pools and a spa. Off the resort, incentive travelers can experience many activities, such as sunset cruises, swimming with dolphins and snorkeling. They can try their hand at surfing, take a guided tour of the island to see its gorgeous nature and wildlife, and try Honolulu’s eclectic cuisine. gohawaii.com

WHITEFISH, MONTANA

Breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains and a wilderness that takes visitors back to the frontier days can be just as rewarding, if not more, than a beach vacation. A trip to Whitefish, a Montana town just 45 minutes from the entrance to Glacier National Park, is the ideal way to experience the beauty of the Rockies, warm weather not required.

By Tor Johnson, courtesy Hawaii Tourism Authority

Honolulu scenes, clockwise from left: Surfing lesson; an aerial view of Honolulu; kayaking off the coast

By Ben Ono, courtesy Hawaii Tourism Authority

Courtesy Hawaii Tourism Authority

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REDEFINING

business casual With beautiful, white-sand beaches, a variety of venues and endless entertainment opportunities, the Alabama Gulf Coast brings new meaning to business casual. Book your next meeting or conference with us and let the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach sales team handle the rest. GSOBmeetings.com . 888-421-8715 . #GSOBmeetings

IDEAS

“I hear ‘I’ve never been to Montana, but it looks so beautiful; I want to experience it,’” said Dan Hansen, director of marketing and sales at Explore Whitefish. “We’re still new to a lot of people, so incentive trips here are a perfect way to experience something new and relax and check something off that bucket list.” Popular stays include the Lodge at Whitefish Lake, which has over 150 overnight accommodations ranging from hotel rooms to luxurious rental cabins. The property also features 13,700 square feet of meeting space and a marina, where guests can take chartered cruises or boat rides. Grouse Mountain Lodge has 144 rooms and 11,000 square feet of meeting space. It’s situated on the 36-hole Whitefish Lake Golf Course. Whitefish Mountain Resort, a ski lodge, is also popular with incentive groups visiting during winter months. Downtown Whitefish consists of several blocks of dining and nightlife experiences. Herb and Omni, which serves upscale fare, has a second floor fit for banquets and other events. Craggy Range, a bar and

Whitefish scenes, clockwise from left: Downtown Whitefish; enjoying autumn scenery; preparing to ski

grill, is another great option for groups. Outdoor experiences such as whitewater rafting, hiking, fly fishing, wilderness tours and biking (or e-biking) in Glacier National Park are some of the biggest draws for travelers in the area, but they can also catch performances at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center or the O’Shaughnessy Cultural Arts Center. explorewhitefish.com

“We’re still new to a lot of people, so incentive trips here are a perfect way to experience something new and relax and check something off that bucket list.” — Dan Hansen, Explore Whitefish

Courtesy Explore Whitefish

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CUSTOM CONTENT

One call does it all in Kalispell, Montana BY VICKIE MITCHELL

lanning a meeting in Kalispell, Montana, is easier and far more fun when planners call upon Discover Kalispell, the area’s destination marketing and stewardship organization.

LOCAL INSIGHTS

The DMO helps planners in myriad ways. Its staff has rounded up a rodeo for an evening’s entertainment, secured hotel rooms on short notice and orchestrated tours and transportation for meetings held in the town of nearly 30,000. “Our in-depth knowledge of the area and strong partnerships help us deliver swift solutions and support, even when the situation is challenging,” said Dawn Jackson, group sales manager for Discover Kalispell. Those local insights and connections lead to memorable group experiences, like a rodeo created for one conference that has since been recreated for others. Jackson called Brash Rodeo, a local rodeo company that was more than happy to create a downsized version of its regular rodeo for the conference of tour operators. There was roping, barrel racing and bronc riding and the DMO helped add even more fun with stick horse races and roping contests, a Western barbecue, music by a local duo and line-dancing lessons to work off a dessert of candied bacon bread pudding. “We worked a whole lot into 2.5 hours,” Jackson said. Of course, a rodeo isn’t the only way to add Western flavor. Discover Kalispell has hooked groups up with Montana Horse Works, where pros demonstrate how hors-

DISCOVER KALISPELL Dawn Jackson 406-758-2820 (o) dawn@discoverkalispell.com discoverkalispell.com

es herd cattle and do other ranch chores and where guests can groom horses and even take horseback trail rides.

BOOTS AND BOUTIQUES

Often, before Western theme events, attendees venture to Kalispell’s well-preserved downtown to shop at local stores, including Western Outdoor, home to 2,500 pairs of cowboy boots and 1,500 cowboy hats. Discover Kalispell has turned these shopping trips into more of an adventure by organizing scavenger hunts. As teams seek answers to clues, they talk to shopkeepers, learn more about the town and win some prizes donated by stores.

A SPECIAL TOUCH

Downtown Kalispell is 32 miles from the west entrance of Glacier National Park and near Flathead Lake, making Kalispell a natural tourist destination that also appeals to meeting groups, including military reunions. Those reunions, often planned by volunteers, especially appreciate an assist from Discover Kalispell. For one military reunion, the DMO organized a trolley tour of the Conrad Mansion Museum, the Northwest Montana History Museum and the Hockaday Museum of Art, all in Kalispell, followed by a boxed lunch in a downtown park. For another reunion that had been cancelled during the pandemic then rescheduled, the DMO helped secure more hotel rooms as attendance grew. And meeting in a small town can have other upsides. When the local Elks Lodge learned that veterans who served on the USS St. Paul would gather in Kalispell, its members whipped up a big buffet dinner to show their appreciation to the veterans. It was a special and unexpected treat that surely made Kalispell and its kind and proud citizens hard to forget.

HIGH-TECH

Huntsville Groups can hold events beneath a Saturn V rocket at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville. All photos courtesy Huntsville/Madison Co. CVB

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CITY

The Rocket City is a leading Southern meeting destination

BY E LIZ A BET H HEY

untsville’s well-known nickname, “The Rocket City,” aptly characterizes it as an innovator. Alabama’s largest city served as the state’s first capital and birthplace of the nation’s space program. Among its varied and numerous attractions, the U.S. Space and Rocket Center bills itself as the planet’s largest spaceflight museum. Pairing a high-tech community with the picturesque rolling Appalachian foothills, Huntsville delivers world-class meeting facilities and offers intriguing opportunities for your next conference.

HUNTSVILLE AT A GLANCE LOCATION: North Alabama ACCESS: Huntsville International Airport (HSV),

interstates 65 and 565, U.S. Highway 72 HOTEL ROOMS: 7,700 CONTACT INFO:

Huntsville/Madison County Convention and Visitors Bureau 800-843-0468 huntsville.org MEETING SPACES Von Braun Center BUILT: 1975, renovated 2019 EXHIBIT SPACE: 100,800 square feet TOTAL SPACE: 170,000 square feet OTHER MEETING SPACES: 12 breakout rooms Jackson Center at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology OPENED: 2009 LARGEST EXHIBIT SPACE: 7,584 square feet TOTAL SPACE: 9,144 square feet MEETING HOTELS Westin/Element Huntsville GUEST ROOMS: 382 (232 Westin rooms and 150 Element rooms in one high-rise building) MEETING SPACE: 12,741 square feet Huntsville Marriott at the Space and Rocket Center GUEST ROOMS: 282 MEETING SPACE: 11,289 square feet Embassy Suites by Hilton Huntsville GUEST ROOMS: 295 rooms MEETING SPACE: 12,350 square feet

October 2023

Destination Highlights

DISTINCTIVE VENUES

Huntsville Botanical Garden

untsville can easily be considered Alabama’s hub for technology, the arts and entertainment. Technical expertise booms at the headquarters of several Fortune 500 companies; the Army’s Redstone Arsenal, which includes NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center; and Cummings Research Park. Since the 1950s, the city’s history has been intertwined with the nation’s space missions. “At the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, groups can hold a reception or dinner under one of only three Saturn V rockets in existence,” said Jamie Koshofer, vice president of conventions for Huntsville/Madison County. “The center hosts after-hours special events and unique activities.” Each with a unique vibe, the city’s arts and entertainment districts range from Quigley downtown to Mid-City, Village of Providence, Town Madison and Bridge Street Town Centre. According to Koshofer, all are within a 10-15 minute drive, making it convenient to visit several in one evening. In addition, Lowe Mill ARTS and Entertainment venue boasts more than 200 artists in 150 studios. On the doorstep of the Appalachians, outdoor recreation abounds. Burritt on the Mountain, a historic mansion and living history museum on 167 acres, affords panoramic views of the Tennessee Valley plus seasonal events, craft classes and Wednesday night cocktails at The View. The Land Trust of North Alabama contains nine nature preserves in and around Huntsville. Greenways and trails offer hiking, walking and biking. “Groups are impressed with the scenic beauty of our community,” said Koshofer. “As the centerpiece of our downtown, Big Spring International Park is surrounded by local shops, entertainment and restaurants.”

Lowe Mill ARTS and Entertainment

DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS

Distinctive Venues

owntown’s Huntsville Museum of Art holds an extensive collection of works by American women. Thirteen galleries and special event spaces are ideal for receptions, meals or activities accommodating several hundred attendees. In addition to top-name performers, such as Stevie Nicks and Dave Matthews, the 8,000-seat Orion Amphitheater hosts receptions, performances and special events. Toyota Field in Town Madison and Joe Davis Stadium in John Hunt Park offer unique event space. At Campus No. 805, a refurbished school turned event space, groups can reserve the former football field, where gatherings can include food trucks and live music. The 7,500-squarefoot Roundhouse at the Huntsville Depot dates to 1860 and makes the perfect location for receptions. Outdoors, Burritt on the Mountain boasts an impressive glass and metal deck adjacent to the Baron Bluff Building, one of its many event and activity spaces. The Huntsville Botanical Garden features more than 15,000 square feet of space offering numerous options for activities, both indoor and open air. The garden also boasts the largest openair butterfly house in the nation. “The Grand Hall overlooks the gardens,” said Koshofer. “Groups can also enjoy rotating exhibits in the springtime, Festifall in autumn that includes the Scarecrow Trail, and the drive- or walk-through Galaxy of Lights at the holidays.”

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Major Meeting Spaces

AFTER HOURS

Campus No. 805

he Von Braun Center (VBC) ranks as the region’s largest meeting and tradeshow facility, housing more than 170,000 square feet of space with full catering and event services. Under its roof are the 8,500-seat Propst Arena, the 1,950-seat Mark C. Smith Concert Hall and the 1,200-person-capacity Mars Music Hall. The VBC’s South Hall boasts 100,800 square feet of flexible space. In addition, Rhythm on Monroe, an on-site restaurant with rooftop bar, welcomes attendees. Five downtown hotels include the Embassy Suites by Hilton Huntsville, which offers Spa Botanica and an indoor saltwater pool. Connected to VBC via a climate-controlled walkway, it’s across the street from Big Spring Park. Dual-branded, the Westin/Element Huntsville combines 382 guest rooms with the Bridge Street Town Centre outdoor mall featuring shops, restaurants, bars and entertainment. Recently renovated, the Huntsville Marriott at the Space and Rocket Center has a beautiful outdoor patio and pool with museum views. In the works, a Trilogy Hotel, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, will open with 290 rooms in late 2024. “Our convention center is across the street from Big Spring Park, so attendees can walk in its green space during breaks or relax by the lake surrounded by art installations and the Huntsville Museum of Art,” said Koshofer. The Jackson Center at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology provides more than 13,000 square feet in five rooms, the largest at just over 7,500 square feet. On-site catering and setup make it a favorite for technical meetings and conferences. Stovehouse, a reimagined stove factory converted to a multi-use facility, lies minutes from downtown and offers more than 13,000 square feet of rental space.

MAJOR MEETING SPACES

October 2023

Big Springs Park

After the Meeting

he Rocket City Trash Pandas, the city’s double-A minor league baseball team, plays home games at Toyota Field. The Huntsville City Football Club, affiliated with the MLS Next Pro soccer league, takes the field at Joe Davis Stadium. And Huntsville Havoc, the city’s professional ice hockey team, plays at the Von Braun Center. Both Huntsville and Madison, which is essentially a suburb, have charming historic neighborhoods with locally owned restaurants. In the Twickenham Historic District, the 1819 Weeden House Museum and Garden offers tours and event space as the oldest home open to the public in Alabama. Harrison Brothers Hardware, in business since 1897, sells vintage toys, pottery, housewares, books and gourmet food that make excellent souvenirs. Attendees can explore local establishments and culture on downtown’s craft beer, cocktail or coffee trails. Stovehouse’s numerous on-site restaurants, plus The Brewers Cooperative and the Pourhouse’s rooftop seating, are popular choices. One block away and connected by a pedestrian walkway, Campus No. 805 houses more breweries, restaurants, a pinball arcade and axe throwing for the after-hours crowd. “At Campus No. 805, the old cafeteria is now an event center,” said Koshofer. “It still has the original school bathrooms and lockers. Hidden behind a row of lockers in the former band room, the speakeasy is definitely worth finding.”

O N E - S T O P D E S T I N AT I O N

‘A Uniquely Texas Experience’

BY CL A IRE HA NNU M

erched on the site of a former summer camp in the rolling hills of Conroe, Texas, Hyatt Regency Conroe feels like a peaceful escape that’s somehow also in the center of the action. The polished property is just 40 minutes away from the bustle of Houston, 20 minutes from the serene 21,000-acre Lake Conroe, and a quick 10-minute jaunt from the charming restaurants, culture, and nightlife of downtown Conroe. “Hyatt Regency Conroe combines the beauty of its natural surroundings with the convenience of modern amenities, creating a uniquely Texas experience,” said Ildebrando Salazar, director of sales, marketing and events at Hyatt Regency Conroe. The property just opened in May, and its sparkling new amenities are a draw for conventions and leisure travelers alike. The hotel boasts seven stories and 250 guest rooms, 13 of which are premium suites offering flexible workspaces and oversized windows. A chic outdoor terrace, garden and outdoor pool with an amenity deck all provide ample opportunity for relaxation between keynotes and breakout sessions. “The hotel is thoughtfully designed to meet the needs of a variety of travelers by offering the tools to stay connected, provide stress-free environments for gatherings, and promote productivity and peace of mind,” Salazar said. For meeting planners, Hyatt Regency Conroe is an all-in-one dream come true. Top-of-the-line on-site dining includes a luxe eatery with an exposed kitchen, an elevated lobby lounge and a grab-and-go market with specialty cafe drinks. “Our banquet food and beverage philosophy really shines through in the quality of our offerings, and our outdoor deck can accommodate cocktail receptions for groups of 125-plus,” said Salazar. With 30,000 square feet of event space, organizers can choose among a wide range of meeting spaces, from boardrooms to ballrooms, private dining rooms and patio space. These spaces can accommodate anywhere from 14 to 1,000-plus guests. “Planners typically enjoy the newness of our meeting space and guest rooms and rave about the quality of our food and beverage offerings,” said Salazar. The hotel’s convenient location right off Interstate 45 is the cherry on top, making it an ideal gathering space for groups of all kinds.

THE NEWLY OPENED HYATT REGENCY CONROE HAS 250 GUEST ROOMS AND 30,000 SQUARE FEET OF MEETING SPACE.

HYATT REGENCY CONROE IN GRAND CENTRAL PARK

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M E E T I N G S PAC E S Hyatt Regency Conroe is equipped with 30,000 square feet of event space and eight meeting rooms. The property’s Regency Ballroom, its largest space, offers 14,003 square feet with 20-foot ceilings and can host as many as 1,400 seated guests. The Junior Ballroom offers over 6,000 square feet and capacity for 600 people. Both ballrooms can be divided into smaller spaces to accommodate more intimate gatherings. Two stunning outdoor patios — one at 3,159 square feet and another at 1,344 square feet — offer a change of pace for guests looking for a breath of fresh air. Two meeting rooms, two boardrooms, a private dining room, a club lounge and two expansive ballroom pre-function spaces assure options for every scale of event.

DINING The hotel’s full-service restaurant, Conroux, is its shining star. Diners can enjoy indoor seating with exposed kitchen views or outdoor patio dining. This eatery features a menu of Texas Gulf eats and Vietnamese flavors. Visitors can unwind with a drink at Avenue A, the hotel’s lobby bar, which offers inviting outdoor seating. Guests on the go can stop by The Market, which offers an array of grab-and-go snacks and specialty cafe drinks.

N AT U R A L B E A U T Y

HYATT REGENCY CONROE LOCATION

Conroe, Texas SIZE

The hotel is located in Grand Central Park, on the site of former summer getaway Camp Strake, surrounded by pine trees and natural Texas scenery. The great outdoors are just a few steps from the hotel, with greenery and wildlife surrounding the property. Nearby Sam Houston National Forest and W.G. Jones State Forest are great hiking destinations, and guests who want to get out on the water can take the quick 20-minute trip to Lake Conroe. With 157 miles of shoreline, the lake offers opportunity for swimming, fishing, water sports and lakefront eats.

250 rooms MEETING SPACE

A R T S A N D E N T E R TA I N M E N T

30,000 square feet ACCESS

George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport, Interstate 45 CONTACT INFO

936-444-4454 hyattregencyconroe.com Photos courtesy Hyatt Regency Conroe

October 2023

Hyatt Regency Conroe is just minutes from an array of options for experiencing the arts. Crighton Theatre, a former vaudeville venue built in 1934, is a Conroe fixture that regularly hosts concerts and live performances. The Madeley Fine Art Gallery, operated by the Conroe Art League, features monthly galleries. The Heritage Museum of Montgomery County, which is located in a historic house, offers exhibits that explore the local history of the county Conroe calls home.

GROUPS CAN ENJOY CLASSIC KENTUCKY FARE IN AN ELEGANT, HISTORIC SETTING AT BOONE TAVERN IN BEREA.

Kentucky Culinary Encounters

Meetdieng Gui

BY PAUL A AVE N GL A DYCH

entucky has a flavor profile all its own. From the inimitable hot brown to foods made with the state’s signature spirits, groups gathering in the Bluegrass State can look forward to a wide variety of culinary delights. Meeting planners wanting to incorporate Kentucky flavors and drinks into their events should consider these five locations.

Courtesy Historic Boone Tavern

HISTORIC BOONE TAVERN

Berea Historic Boone Tavern opened in 1909 at the request of Nellie Frost, the wife of William Frost, who was then president of Berea College. As the university’s reputation grew, Nellie was tasked with hosting as many as 300 guests at her home one summer. The tavern, which was named after Daniel Boone, has hosted visitors ever since, including luminaries such as the Dalai Lama, Henry Ford, Calvin Coolidge, Eleanor Roosevelt, Maya Angelou and Robert Frost. Boone Tavern began with 25 guestrooms but has grown over the years to 63. To this day, students at Berea College have an active part in running the tavern. The property can handle groups of up to 150 people. Boone Tavern Event Center has 8,552 square feet of space across seven separate rooms, and offers full-service catering and dining with locally grown and Kentucky Proud ingredients in its meals, many of which come from the Berea College Farm. Its group catering menu includes Kentucky favorites such as the hot brown, which comprises shaved ham and turkey on sourdough with Mornay sauce and browned to perfection. Chicken Flakes in a Bird’s Nest is shredded white and dark chicken in cream sauce served in a nest of potatoes with country-style

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green beans, cranberry-orange relish and a side salad. Every diner receives complimentary spoonbread, a regional traditional Appalachian dessert that is a pudding-like white cornmeal souffle. Groups can also add a bourbon flight. boonetavernhotel.com

FARMER AND FRENCHMAN WINERY

Robards The Farmer and Frenchman Winery in Robards opened in 2016 on a plot of land owned by Katy Mussat’s family. She and her husband, Hubert, who is the Frenchman in the vineyard’s name, began planting grapes on the property a couple of years before they launched. Now the business sells estate wines, from grapes grown on the property, as well as wine made at their winery using grapes from other major grape-growing regions, including California and Michigan. There is a farm-to-table restaurant in the same building as the tasting room that offers an extensive wine list, including European varieties. The menu includes Kentucky favorites as well as foods inspired by French and Italian cuisines. There are a few meeting spaces on the property. The private wine cellar seats 14 people. The dining room can host groups of up to 10 people, and no reservations are necessary if groups want to participate in a wine tasting. The refurbished tobacco barn features glass doors, heating and air conditioning. It can host groups of up to 250 when paired with the Promenade. The whole property, including the café and entertainment venue, overlooks the vineyard, which is set up on a hill. Behind that is rolling countryside. There is a garden on site, so the products served at the restaurant come from there or from local farms. The restaurant is known for its daily specials that include not only fresh meat and produce but also fish and duck. farmerandfrenchman.com

A BOONE TAVERN BOURBON TASTING Courtesy Historic Boone Tavern

BEAUMONT INN

Harrodsburg Beaumont Inn is in Harrodsburg, the oldest English-speaking settlement west of the Allegheny mountains. It is made up of three historic structures that used to be a college for young women from 1845 to 1916. In 1919, the property was converted from a college into the Beaumont Inn, and it has been operated by the same family for 104 years. The inn has 33 rooms and three dining rooms. Greystone House is a large old home that

The refurbished tobacco barn features glass doors, heating and air conditioning. It can host groups of up to 250 when paired with the Promenade. October 2023

FARMER AND FRENCHMAN WINERY By Mark Herron, courtesy Farmer and Frenchman Winery

Meetieng Guid

HARRODSBURG’S BEAUMONT INN

can be rented out for small group meetings. The Harrod Room in the main inn is perfect for small, casual meetings and has breakout spaces for up to 20 people. The John Augustus Williams Meeting Room in the main inn features flexible table configurations, wireless internet access, a dedicated lobby, audio-visual equipment, and beverage and food service for up to 30 guests. The inn is known for its homemade food, including yellow-legged fried chicken, which it has been serving for more than 100 years. Aged country hams are hung out back in the property’s ham house and cured for two years. The restaurant menu also includes cheese and grits, hot browns, the inn’s famous corn pudding, and mashed potatoes and gravy. The current owner of the inn purchased it from her cousins a little over a year ago. She and her children run it, giving it the distinction of being the oldest family-run bed-and-breakfast in Kentucky and one of the oldest in the country. The inn’s popular Southern breakfast features corn cakes, biscuits and gravy, brown sugar syrup, eggs, bacon and sausage. beaumontinn.com

TALBOTT TAVERN

Bardstown Talbott Tavern was built in 1779 and has been called the oldest Western stagecoach stop in America. Constructed with thick Flemish Courtesy Beaumont Inn

s g n i t ee

where HOLD YOUR M TO

Experts from around the events industry weigh in with their insights on destination selection and event management in our FREE digital guide. Download the guide to help you pick the perfect destinations for your meetings — and make the most of your time there. SMALLMARKETMEETINGS.COM/WHERE

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bond stone walls, deep window casings, heavy ceiling timbers and built-in cupboards, the building reminds visitors of an old English inn. The tavern was an attractive spot for stagecoach travelers to stop for a drink, meal and lodging before setting off again on their journey. Several big names in American history passed through the tavern’s doors, including Andrew Jackson, William Henry Harrison, Daniel Boone, General George Rogers Clark and a 5-yearold Abraham Lincoln. King Louis Phillippe of France and his brothers spent time there during his exile in 1797. The tavern was associated with many big names in Kentucky’s bourbon industry, including T.D. Beam, brother of Jim Beam, and William Samuels and Leslie Samuels, who were master distillers of Maker’s Mark. Meeting groups can host events of 30 to 75 people. The Talbott Inn has a well-equipped kitchenette, personal bar, private bathrooms and a projector to facilitate events and presentations.

Beaumont Inn is in Harrodsburg, the oldest English-speaking settlement west of the Allegheny mountains. It is made up of three historic structures that used to be a college for young women from 1845 to 1916.

TALBOTT TAVERN IN BARDSTOWN

Courtesy Depot Theater

501 West 2nd Street | Owensboro, KY 42301 | 270.687.8800 | OwensboroCenter.com

October 2023

Meetieng Guid Group rates on food are available and include an array of hors d’oeuvres, lunch and dinner with some Kentucky favorites, such as bourbon walnut chicken and Kentucky hot brown. Groups of 25 or more that host events at the tavern can add a private bartender and elegant tablecloths. talbotttavern.com

ELK CREEK VINEYARDS

Owenton Elk Creek Vineyards is about one hour away from Cincinnati, Louisville and Lexington but only a half hour away from Kentucky’s famous Ark Encounter. The vineyard opened in 2006, specializing in everything from dry reds to sweet and fruity wines. There is a café that serves gourmet sandwiches and charcuterie boards. The winery has about 15 wines made on site. The grapes are brought in from California and New York. The tasting room features a three-story stone fireplace and a deck overlooking the valley that used to grow the company’s grapes. The wine cellar can host a group of 30 for a wine tasting, a formal cocktail hour or a dining event. The mezzanine is a semi-private area above the main floor of the winery that can accommodate 50 guests. The amphitheater is an outdoor stone structure that overlooks the property and is situated between two lakes. Most groups put up tents to hedge against Kentucky’s fickle weather. The venue can accommodate up to 250 people. The main area of the building can fit 75, and the patio, with its picturesque setting and bird’s eye view of the property, can fit 50. The space also features an outdoor fireplace. If meeting groups want to take a private tour of the wine-making operations, it can be included in the rental package. elkcreekvineyards.com

A DINNER EVENT AT ELK CREEK VINEYARDS

Talbott Tavern was associated with many big names in Kentucky’s bourbon industry, including T.D. Beam, brother of Jim Beam, and William Samuels and Leslie Samuels, who were master distillers of Maker’s Mark. ELK CREEK WINES

INSIDE BLOOMINGTON’S FAMOUS MALL OF AMERICA Photos courtesy ElkCreek Vineyards

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Get away from it all to

Kentucky State Parks Whether for 20 or 400, we will help you find the perfect environment. Take

advantage of knowledgable interpreters at one of our 17 state resort parks for a personalized tour or hike during your visit to discover what makes Kentucky so memorable.

Speak to a group sales professional to learn more about Kentucky State Park opportunities: paige.thompson@ky.gov or call 502-892-3343. parks.ky.gov/meetings-weddings #kystateparks

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS

Meet Kentucky’s Museums

MEETING ATTENDEES CAN SOAK IN KENTUCKY’S SIGNATURE SOUNDS AT THE BLUEGRASS MUSIC HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM IN OWENSBORO.

Meetdieng Gui

Courtesy IBMHOF

BY PAU L A AV EN GL A DYCH

entucky’s culture and history make it a oneof-a kind destination for meetings. For proof, look no further than the state’s museums. Groups can hold meetings or after-hours events at many distinctive institutions around the state. Check out these venues showcasing Kentucky music, classic cars, natural resources and more. BLUEGRASS MUSIC HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM

Owensboro The Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum details the evolution of bluegrass music and the other musical genres that influenced it, including gospel, jazz and blues. The museum includes exhibits about

the dawn of the bluegrass era, which follows the stories of bluegrass pioneers Bill Monroe and Flatt and Scruggs. The Starving Out exhibit discusses the rise of rock ’n’ roll in the 1950s that began to steal market share from other musical genres and how bluegrass artists managed to survive in spite of it. The 1960s and 1970s were famous for their bluegrass festivals that helped energize the industry and create new styles of bluegrass, such as California bluegrass, jam grass and new grass. On the second floor of the building, view a video history and tour temporary exhibits. A temporary Jerry Garcia exhibit will open in 2024. Meeting planners wanting to host events at the museum can utilize the 447-seat Woodward Theatre for presentations or awards ceremonies. Exhibit spaces and the lobby can be rented out for a more immersive experience, and the facility has a festival stage for intimate gatherings. The second-floor Gallery Room can accommodate 100 people, while the third-floor Independence Bank Event Room can host groups of up to 250. bluegrasshall.org

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NATIONAL CORVETTE MUSEUM

Bowling Green The National Corvette Museum is chock-full of nostalgia, with beautifully restored Corvettes placed among street scenes: in front of a Mobil service station, in a 1960s Chevrolet dealer showroom and at a St. Louis assembly plant. The museum recently opened a family education gallery geared toward the younger generation of Corvette enthusiasts, and the E. Pierce Marshall Memorial Performance Gallery features digital projection, interactive touch screens and artifact display cases set among beautiful Corvettes from different generations. The museum has an 8,297-square-foot meeting facility with a prep kitchen, stage with lighting, bar area and outdoor covered display space that can accommodate 500 for a banquet. Corvette Boulevard is perfect for a reception, trade-show booths or conference center overflow. It can host 200 for a banquet. Groups that rent out space in the museum can add a self-guided or guided tour of the museum. For $50 per person, the next-door General Motors plant offers a combo ticket that includes a 90-minute tour of the GM plant and self-guided access to the museum. Groups can rent out the Corvette Simulator or order merchandise from the store at a discount. Stingray Grill can cater events held at the museum, or groups can bring in outside vendors. Bar services are provided by NCM Motorsports Park. The museum also partners with Motorsports Park for Corvette experiences and Karting. corvettemuseum.org

NATIONAL CORVETTE MUSEUM

Courtesy National Corvette Museum

SOUTH UNION SHAKER VILLAGE

Auburn Between 1807 and 1922, a communal religious sect called the Shakers built a village with over 200 buildings, including dormitories, shops, barns, stables and a mill complex. The group espoused equality, pacifism and simple living. They also produced and sold products throughout the South until declining membership and economic problems after the Civil War led to the closing of the South Union community. In the 1950s, a woman named Curry Hall decided to preserve Shaker history and began collecting Shaker furniture. Her collection got so large, she decided to open a museum in 1960. A nonprofit organization was formed to promote Shaker heritage and now maintains and interprets nine original Shaker structures on nearly 500 acres of farmland. The Village welcomes groups of all kinds for meetings and private events. There are indoor spaces in several buildings, including the South Union Hotel, which was built in 1869 to cater to Victorian railroad travelers who stopped at South Union. The hotel has three dining rooms, an enclosed sun porch and a large catering kitchen that can accommodate 60 people. The meeting room of the 1824 Centre House is where the Shakers held worship services. It is a large open space that can host groups of 50 to 60. southunionshakervillage.com

SOUTH UNION SHAKER VILLAGE

Courtesy South Union Shaker Village

October 2023

Meetieng Guid

KENTUCKY MUSIC HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM

KENTUCKY MUSIC HALL OF FAME

Courtesy KY Music HOF

Mount Vernon The Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Museum opened in 2002 with its first class of inductees. The entrance to the museum was built in 1945 as the original riding stables of John Lair, founder of Renfro Valley Entertainment Center. The museum is next to the Renfro Valley concert venue, and its exhibits pay tribute to the famous musicians and professional songwriters in all musical genres who have influenced Kentucky’s musical heritage. They feature clothing worn by famous artists, musical instruments, memorabilia and photographs of the artists who have been inducted into the hall of fame. A timeline shows how different musical genres got their start in Kentucky, and visitors even have a chance to try out different musical instruments. Visitors enjoy learning about the likes of Kentuckians Loretta Lynn, Ricky Skaggs, Bill Monroe and Brian Littrell and Kevin Richardson of the Backstreet Boys. Recent inductees include Carly Pearce, Pete Goble, Tommy White and Norah Lee Allen. The museum hosts events in its lobby for 75 to 100 guests or in a conference room that can accommodate groups of 50 or fewer. The museum provides tables and chairs, and groups can arrange to have food catered by local restaurants. An outdoor amphitheater behind the museum features a stage and is a great space for weddings, concerts or receptions of about 200 people. Groups can also rent the field behind John Lair House or the field in front of Aunt Polly Cabin. kentuckymusichalloffame.com

INLAND WATERWAYS MUSEUM

INSIDE BLOOMINGTON’S FAMOUS MALL OF AMERICA

Paducah River Discovery Center in Paducah recently rebranded as the Inland Waterways Museum. Located in a former bank building, which is considered the oldest building in the city, the museum was first developed to showcase the maritime history of the Four Rivers Region. Paducah is at the hub of several inland waterways, and the museum teaches visitors about the rivers and how they affect the lives of those who live along them. It also encourages guests to be responsible citizens and conserve the natural resources connected to the waterways. Exhibits touch upon the wildlife, plants and people who make the inland waterways their home. A favorite exhibit is the boat simulator, an audio-visual experience where guests can captain a speed boat, towboat or Coast Guard vessel in a variety of scenarios. Captains will feel the vibration and hear the sounds of the boat they choose. Groups hosting events at the museum can decide if they want to add on a short program about the museum and the historic building or just wander the exhibits and gift shop as part of their gathering. The Founders Room upstairs has a beautiful view of the confluence of the Tennessee and Ohio rivers. The room has been wonderfully restored to its original glory, with wooden floors, window and door frames, fireplaces and an elegant staircase. The space can hold 50 to 75 people with seating or 125 for a standing reception. inlandwaterways.org

Courtesy Inland Waterways Museum

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MEETINGS WITH A VIEW

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

cor bink

m ytour ism.co

606-528-886

Waterfront Illinois

DOWNTOWN MOLINE HAS 502 HOTEL ROOMS NEAR THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.

Meetdieng Gui

Courtesy Visit Quad Cities

BY PAU L A AV EN GL A DYCH

roups don’t have to fly to the coast to incorporate waterfront destinations into their events. Illinois has several cities situated along rivers, streams and lakes that make perfect conference destinations with full-service hotels, conference centers and plenty of ways to get outside and enjoy nature. MOLINE

Moline serves as the global headquarters of Deere and Company. John Deere moved his operations to the city in 1848 to take advantage of the Mississippi River’s waterpower and transportation. Two of the city’s main attractions have ties to the Deere family — the John Deere Pavilion and Butterworth and Deere-Wiman historic mansions. Meeting planners have their pick of 502 downtown Moline ho-

tel rooms. Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center in the heart of downtown has 140 rooms and 10,000 square feet of meeting space. It is located right on the Great River bike path, giving guests an opportunity to stroll along the Mississippi River. The hotel is across the street from Bass Street Landing, a unique outdoor venue for events and festivals. RiverStation is a mixed-use riverfront development with retail and restaurants that connects to the bike path. To incorporate the riverfront into their meetings, groups can use the riverfront bike path for recreation, exercise or planned activities. The Celebration Belle, a 750-passenger paddle-wheel boat, offers themed sightseeing and lunch cruises. It also offers special events cruises and all-day cruises. The boat can be rented out for corporate functions and events for up to 800 people. Meeting groups can also plan a dine-around that incorporates riverfront restaurants. The Mississippi River Visitor Center in nearby Rock Island gives visitors a chance to watch commercial ships navigate Lock and Dam 15. visitquadcities.com

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GALENA

The Galena area is home to some beautiful waterways that are ripe for exploration and connecting with nature. The Galena River, which runs adjacent to downtown, offers beautiful views of the city as it meanders through lush vegetation on wooded hills and around attractive bluffs. Visitors will see a variety of wildlife, including bald eagles. Galena on the Fly at Eagle Ridge offers kayak, canoe and electric bike rentals. The Apple River, which runs through Apple River Canyon State Park, features incredible limestone bluffs, deep ravines, springs, streams, wildlife and prime fishing spots. The Mississippi River is also nearby, and groups can take an educational river cruise or paddle the backwaters in a canoe. Meeting planners can host their events at Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa, which has 80 guestrooms and 23,600 square feet of meeting space. The facility has 14 meeting rooms. Chestnut Mountain Resort, which sits up on a bluff above the Mississippi River, offers everything from Segway tours and ziplines to an alpine slide. It has 99 guestrooms and a 5,700-square-foot conference room. Both resorts feature plenty of outdoor recreation and fun activities for attendees to take part in during their down times. The Desoto House Hotel has 55 guestrooms and a 3,846-square-foot event space. For fun, groups can take tours of the Ulysses S. Grant Home, the Galena History Museum and downtown Galena, with its 140 independently owned businesses, including wineries, breweries, boutiques and canning companies. visitgalena.org

QUINCY

FALL ON THE RIVER IN GALENA

Courtesy Galena Country Tourism

ONE OF QUINCY’S 17 HISTORIC HOMES

The city of Quincy got its start as a Mississippi River town in 1822. Situated about two hours north of St. Louis and 90 minutes west of Springfield, Quincy is an affordable group destination that is known for its historic architecture. Groups can get a taste of Quincy’s early history by touring 17 historic homes in the area. The Mississippi River is an ever-present fixture in the city, which has worked hard to improve its waterfront. Quincy offers kayak tours on the river. Its riverfront is on a quieter stretch of the Mississippi, making it a perfect place to get out on the water. There is also a trail along the river for hiking or biking. Nearby Bob Bangert Wetland is an interpretive wetland project on 26 acres that offers prairie restoration, an observation deck, educational exhibits and environmental programs. The wetland is just north of Quincy’s main riverfront, where visitors can spot ducks and other waterfowl. The Oakley Lindsay Centre is a 30,000-square-foot convention center a couple of blocks from the river in Quincy’s hospitality district. The Quincy Community Theatre, inside the Centre, also has meeting space. Two hotels are near the convention center, The Atrium Hotel on Third and the Microtel Inn and Suites, both of which have views of the river. Holiday Inn Quincy is a full-service hotel with 4,500 square feet of meeting space. The By Tim Spencer, courtesy See Quincy

October 2023

Meetieng Guid Quincy Armory Event Center, housed in a historic Fifth Infantry Armory building, has 10,000 square feet of open space to host events for up to 600 guests. It is near the Dr. Richard Eells House, home to the Quincy Underground Railroad Museum. seequincy.com

PEORIA CIVIC CENTER

PEORIA

Courtesy Discover Peoria

HILTON ORRINGTON/EVANSTON

Peoria is located between St. Louis and Chicago on the Illinois River, making it very accessible to meeting groups wanting to host events in the area. The Peoria Civic Center features 110,000 square feet of exhibit space, a 30,000-square-foot ballroom and smaller meeting rooms that can be used for breakout sessions. The arena seats 12,000 and the theater seats 2,400. Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette is connected to the Civic Center via skywalk. The full-service hotel features 18,167 square feet of event space, with the largest space able to host groups of 650. The Courtyard by Marriott Peoria Downtown is also next to the Civic Center and has a small meeting room for up to 50 people. The two hotels together offer 400 guestrooms. The Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center is on the riverfront. It has 225 guestrooms and 32,000 square feet of meeting space. The hotel has a nice patio that overlooks the river. Groups wanting to get out on the water can rent speedboats, jet skis and sailboats or take a sunset cruise on the Spirit of Peoria, a historic paddle-wheeler. The boat offers lunch and dinner cruises. Groups can rent out the boat for private cruises that can host 200 for a buffet-style meal or 500 for a reception. peoria.org

EVANSTON

Home of Northwestern University, Evanston sits alongside Lake Michigan. The city is known for its sandy beaches, historic mansions, bicycle paths and beautiful parks. And although there are no businesses on the beach, group visitors can get out on the water by renting kayaks or sailboats.

Groups wanting to get out on the water can rent speedboats, jet skis and sailboats or take a sunset cruise on the Spirit of Peoria, a historic paddle-wheeler.

Courtesy Chicago’s North Shore CVB

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Host your meetings in Chicagoland, where there’s world-class meeting space, restaurants, museums, outdoor adventures, and shopping. For more information, and to learn about the incentives available, contact: Sales at 630.575.8070 or Meetings@DiscoverDuPage.com

www.DiscoverDuPage.com/Meetings

Meetieng Guid

shaping brilliant minds.

Chicago’s famed Wrigley Field is situated between downtown Chicago and Evanston. O’Hare Airport is just west of Evanston, making it very accessible to groups wanting to fly in for an event. The city has several full-service meeting hotels, including Hilton Garden Inn Chicago North Shore/Evanston with 178 guestrooms and 5,800 square feet of meeting space. The hotel is within easy walking distance of Lake Michigan. Hilton Orrington/Evanston has 269 guestrooms and 26,705 square feet of meeting space, while the Holiday Inn Chicago North-Evanston has 159 rooms and 6,578 square feet of meeting space. The Westin Chicago North Shore in nearby Wheeling is the largest full-service hotel in the area, with 35,000 square feet of venue space and 412 guestrooms. The Double Clutch Brewing Company makes for an interesting off-site venue, with its exposed brick and custom car showroom. Groups can rent out its Bier Hall, Showroom or the entire venue, including the Brew Pub. Northwestern University has plenty of meeting options on campus, and Rotary International’s headquarters features several event and meeting spaces. In their free time, groups can tour the Baha’i House of Worship, which is right on the lake and features beautiful architecture, or the Illinois Holocaust Museum. visitchicagonorthshore.com

BAHA’I HOUSE OF WORSHIP NEAR EVANSTON

CHAMPAIGN-URBANA IS An Affordable, Hi-Tech Meetings Destination Centrally Located Between Three Midwest Hubs The fastest growing metro in Illinois The Greatest Midwest Food Town Schedule a site visit to today!

800.369.6151

champaignmeets.com

Courtesy Chicago’s North Shore CVB

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Illinois Originals

Meetdieng Gui

Courtesy National Great Rivers Museum

BY PAUL A AVE N GL A DYCH

eeting planners don’t have to settle for hosting their events in mundane locations. Illinois has several truly unique event venues, including museums and a vintage theater, that offer everything from entertainment and outdoor adventures to wine dinners. NATIONAL GREAT RIVERS MUSEUM

Alton The National Great Rivers Museum’s mission is to introduce visitors to the Mississippi River and the impact it has had on the United States and its history. Established in 2003, the facility is a collaboration between the U.S. Army Corps of En-

October 2023

VISITORS LEARN ABOUT THE HISTORY AND GEOLOGY OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AT THE NATIONAL GREAT RIVERS MUSEUM IN ALTON.

gineers and Meeting of the Rivers Foundation. It explains the Mississippi River as a commodity, a habitat and a geological formation. The 12,000-square-foot museum hosts interactive exhibits, a theater and an outdoor landscape. The building is adjacent to the Melvin Price Locks and Dam, which was built in 1994 as part of the nine-foot navigational channel maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers. The facility sits between two confluence points of the Mississippi River. Upstream of the structure, the Illinois River flows into the Mississippi and just downstream, the Missouri flows in. Visitors have an opportunity to take a 45–60-minute tour of the structure, which takes them 80 feet into the air for amazing views of the river. Groups can schedule private tours as well. The museum has a multipurpose room with A/V that can host groups of 50 to 60 for catered meals. The theater can seat 110 and has a large screen for speakers. The Esplanade Pavilion, just east of the museum, provides an outdoor riverfront setting for special events. Groups hosting events there can schedule tours of the museum in advance through the local tourism bureau. mtrf.org

Meetieng Guid

GONE SOCIAL

Peoria The inspiration for Gone Social, an entertainment complex in Peoria, came from a married couple’s fun experience in an escape room. “I loved the challenge and communication aspect of it,” said Gone Social owner Sara Ruder. “From a design and build perspective, my husband loved it.” A friend of the Ruders decided to sell them the escape rooms he had developed. They founded Gone in 60 Escape Games in 2017. The following year, they built their first escape room from scratch and decided to quit their day jobs and work for their new company full time. They leased another building to house an axe-throwing venue called Gone Axe Throwing with a kitchen and a bar. Sara wanted to add a Rage room, but her husband wasn’t convinced. After the COVID-19 shutdowns, they decided people needed an outlet for their anger so in October 2020, they opened Gone Mad Rage Room. Eventually they merged all three venues into one location with pinball, arcade games and live music. The venue can host groups of 250 for corporate events or team building. Groups can add live music to their events and use the stage area for lectures or speeches. The facility has expanded its menu and has a bigger selection of catering options to choose from, including traditional bar food, pastas, salads, flatbreads, taco bars, sandwiches and appetizers. gonesocialpeoria.com

GONE SOCIAL

Courtesy Gone Social

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM EXPERIENCES IN JUST ONE CLICK Travelers want rich, authentic, and meaningful experiences. As travel professionals, we need to ensure we use travel as a force for good. Discover hands-on cultural experiences, impact organizations, sustainable products and more through the Tourism Cares Meaningful Travel Map.

Explore meaningful travel at tourismcares.org/meaningful-map

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Pictured: Visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center to explore the preservation of the traditions, languages, and art of Alaska’s Native People through statewide collaboration and education.

THE ORPHEUM CHAMPAIGN

Champaign The Orpheum Champaign is a historic theater in downtown Champaign that was built in 1914 as a vaudeville theater and eventually became a movie house. In the 1990s it was converted to a children’s science museum. That establishment moved out during COVID, and the theater was turned into an event space for weddings, meetings and small performances. The theater’s interior design was modeled after an opera house at the Palace of Versailles in France and features ornamental plaster work, gold and maroon accents. The theater was fully restored several years ago to preserve some of its vintage charm. The current owners added vintage rugs, couches, tables and chairs, which can be used for events. There are several spaces in the building that can be rented out. The lobby can be used for setting up, decorating and check-in tables. A classic staircase goes up to the second level where there is additional seating and an alcove with a bar. If groups rent the lobby, they can also use the second-level balcony that overlooks the lobby. Just off the lobby is an area that used to house retail shops. Those have since been combined into a larger meeting space

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NOW BOOKING your best event! Meagan Drabik | Sales Manager

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Full in-house services for In-person, Hybrid, or Remote meetings 225,000 sf of beautifully appointed convention & event spaces 50,000 sf carpeted Convention & Expo Hall; 18 versatile event rooms 4500 theatre; 3100 banquet; 2900 classroom with full AV capabilities 3 adjacent hotels with garage parking; 6,500+ guest rooms citywide In-house Sales, AV, Catering, Event management, and Guest experiences 60+ walkable restaurants and pubs, boutiques, and riverfront parks Easier event planning, intuitive guest navigation, full event support

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grandwayne.com 260.426.4100 @GrandWayneCC #yourGrandWaynestory INSIDE BLOOMINGTON’S FAMOUS A BANQUET SETTING AT THE ORPHEUM CHAMPAIGN MALL OF AMERICA Courtesy the Harts Co.

October 2023

Meetieng Guid

A GROUP EVENT AT LYNFRED WINERY

that can fit up to 50 people. The historic theater space can accommodate groups of 250. The stage is a dramatic space with high ceilings that can be combined with the main theater space or rented out separately. orpheumchampaign.com

LYNFRED WINERY

Roselle Lynfred Winery opened in 1979 in a historic home that was built in 1912. The founders restored the structure, preserving its original details, and converted it into a winemaking operation. The 18-inch-thick cellar walls provided the perfect temperature control for aging wines. They produced 5,000 gallons of wine across seven varieties when they first opened their doors. In 1990, the Lynfreds broke ground on a 24,000-square-foot winemaking facility, which opened in 1997 with an oaken tasting room, custom stained-glass windows and a four-suite bed and breakfast. The winery attracts more than 100,000 visitors a year and has much to offer groups. Standard daily tours last an hour and feature visits to the property’s wine production area and a guided sampling of seven Lynfred wines. Evening tours feature a guided sampling of eight specially selected Lynfred wines in the tasting room, as well as gourmet bread and cheese. Groups may request a private room for an additional fee for a maximum of 25 guests. The Sip and Savor experience allows up to 50 guests to sample eight Lynfred wines paired with a cheese tray. lynfredwinery.com

A LYNFRED WINERY TABLE SETTING

MORE THAN JUST A PLACE TO MEET FIND JUST WHAT YOU NEED AT VISITEFFINGHAMIL.COM Photos courtesy Lynfred Winery

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CHESTNUT MOUNTAIN RESORT

Galena Chestnut Mountain Resort is a full-service 99-room slopeside lodge that offers on-site dining, plus an indoor pool, sauna, whirlpool and electronic game room. The resort can host meeting groups of up to 250 people. It has three event rooms over 1,000 square feet and two large guest rooms that can accommodate meetings of 20 or fewer. The resort is perfect for groups that love to enjoy the outdoors year-round. During the winter months, attendees can get out on the slopes for skiing or snowboarding. The resort has 19 ski runs ranging from novice to black diamond. The Farside is a large terrain park that contains more than 25 rails and an array of features served by its own triple chair lift and surface lift. During the summer, the resort has an alpine slide that stretches 2,050 feet down the hill to the banks of the Mississippi River. The Farside Mountain Bike Park offers lift-serviced downhill mountain biking trails. The area features a zipline and a 75- to 90-minute Segway tour that takes guests on a three-mile ride across the resort’s mountain terrain. A 1.5-hour Mississippi River cruise offers guests a chance to see the Mississippi River and its wildlife while learning about the history and geography of the area. There is an 18-hole miniature golf course and a nine-hole disc golf course, and guests can rent bikes. chestnutmtn.com

CHESTNUT MOUNTAIN RESORT

Courtesy Chestnut Mountain Resort

Chestnut Mountain Resort is perfect for groups that love to enjoy the outdoors year-round. During the winter months, attendees can get out on the slopes for skiing or snowboarding. During the summer, the resort has an alpine slide that stretches 2,050 feet down the hill to the banks of the Mississippi River.

October 2023

Plan your next meeting in Charlottesville & Albemarle County, Virginia! Choose from a variety of unique meeting venues, then unwind at one of 40+ wineries along the Monticello Wine Trail, followed by culinary delights on the historic pedestrian Downtown Mall. Contact sales@visitcharlottesville.org to learn more!

LEARN MORE 52

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