MGM's Event & Party Planning Guide

BUSINESS MEETINGS

& EVENTS PLANNING TIPS & RESOURCES

Learn the ins and outs of planning – and executing – effective business meetings and events in Montgomery.

2018 EXCLUSIVE GUIDE

ENTERTAINMENT / UNIQUE VENUES / CATERERS / HOTELS & MEETING SPACE

BUSINESS EVENT GUIDE

COME TOGETHER

If the idea of planning an event for your business has you stressed, read on for a list of tips and tools that will make it easier and ultimately, more successful.

THE BASICS

MAKE IT MEMORABLE

are a lot of things to consider. Answer these questions to

less than excited. But there are ways to make your event memorable.

get started.

• Don’t make it mandatory.

• What type of event are you after?

• Consider having a theme.

• What is the goal of the event?

• Talk it up around the office and give out plenty

When it comes to hosting an office party or meeting, there

When the words “office party” are mentioned, many employees are

• Will there be food?

of details so employees feel like they know

• How many people will attend?

what to expect.

• Do a little research and find a day or evening

• What’s your budget?

• Do your goals (and budget) call for renting an offsite venue or holding the event at your business?

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that isn’t packed with other events or functions that could conflict.

MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

BUSINESS EVENT GUIDE

CHOICES, CHOICES.

Different events call for different venues and vibes.

“END OF THE YEAR” AWARDS BANQUET

When it comes to recognizing your volunteers and employees for all their hard work, an award event is the first thing that comes to mind. These annual events encourage your staff to strive for excellence in areas you want to emphasize. You

TEAM-BUILDING PARTY

can pick an off-site location with a unique venue that

Think beyond the ropes

spurs memories like a farm

course, and consider

or historic venue. Make it

pure fun and games like a

an event that your team

bounce session at Rockin’

COMPANY LUNCHEON

CLIENT OR VOLUNTEER

Jump Trampoline Park or a

OR DINNER

APPRECIATION PARTY

really working together, try

Employees can interact with

Client or volunteer appreci-

Escapology or Breakout

one another over an activity

ation parties are a reward-

Games. This fast-paced fun

we all enjoy – eating. It’s a

ing way to say “thanks” to

pushes employees to pool

simple but appreciated way

your best clients for their

ideas and strategize to solve

to recognize employees

business or volunteers for

puzzles. This activity not

and give them a break from

their hard work. Whether it’s

only reinforces teamwork, it

the hectic atmosphere at

small and intimate or you’re

can make memories that will

the office. A tip for making

inviting a major crowd, many

positively impact working

the meal go smoother: Limit

area hotels have a wide

relationships.

the menu to three or four

range of meeting-space

entrées and coordinate this

options to choose from and

A FEW FAVES:

with your restaurant prior

lessen the stress of a party

ROCKIN’ JUMP

to arriving. Some restau-

by including on-site catering

TRAMPOLINE PARK

rants, like Central, will even

ANOTHER IDEA:

in their venue rental. These

print your special menu for

Consider making it a themed

events are also nice ways to

guests.

event that kicks off next

incorporate your employ-

year’s goals with party

ees’ families into business

favors that compliment the

festivities.

upcoming initiatives.

bowling outing. To get folks

montgomery.rockinjump.com ESCAPOLOGY

escapology.com BREAKOUT GAMES

breakoutgames.com

A LITTLE TREAT:

Organize a tailgate party at the office on the Friday

GET THE HOOK UP

before a big game (think Iron Bowl or Super Bowl)

Need a space that’s AV

to relieve stress and build

compatible? Check out our

common non-work interests

guide for meeting space that

(or rivalries!)

meets your tech needs too.

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MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM

looks forward to each year.

Many company banquets are formal, but they don’t have to be. You can easily put together a catered picnic. Casual events are more relaxed. And they give employees something to bring their families to as well.

There is nothing wrong with the formal approach either.

Presenting an award over a nice dinner gives extra meaning to the recognition.

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MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

BUSINESS EVENT GUIDE

Featuring Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Members

129 Coosa

334-517-1155

Alabama Activity Center

334-269-0222

Alabama State University

334-299-4100

Alabama Wildlife Federation AlleyBAR

800-822-9453

334-387-3333

Alley Station

130 Commerce Street 334-277-1077 www.alleystation.com

AUM Center for Lifelong Learning

334-244-3804

Auburn University at Montgomery 334-244-3000 Address Phone Capital City Club A201 Monroe Street, Suite 2100 Web Address 334-834-8920 www.clubcorp.com/Clubs/ Capital-City-Club-Montgomery

City of Montgomery - The Alley

334-625-2100

City of Montgomery - Riverwalk Amphitheater 334-625-2100

Commerce Center

Address Phone Dexter Avenue King MemorialWeb Address Legacy Center 334-239-9336 334-264-0829

Dream Field Farms

334-534-6976

F. Scott Fitzgerald Museum Hampstead

334-264- 4222

334-270- 6730

Hank Williams Museum 334-262-3600 The Mission House

461 South Court Street 334-356-3892 Facebook/Mission House.com

Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts Multiplex at Cramton Bowl Pete Peterson Lodge

334-240-4333

334-625-3480

334-271-7013

Railyard Tavern & Porter Room 12 West Jefferson Street 334-262-0080 www.tavernandporterroom.com

RSA Plaza Terrace Troy University

334-264-0829

334-241-9500

Union Station Train Shed The Warehouse Young House

334-277-1077

334-264-7480

334-261-1106

NUMBER OF GUESTS

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>2 0 21 -5 0 50 -10 0 10 0+

UNIQUE VENUES

UNIQUE VENUES

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Mandatory Catering

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AV Compatible

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Tables/ Chairs Included

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SPECIAL GUEST

Alley Station allows patrons to choose their own off-site caterer, so it’s easy to customize your event, whether it's a breakfast or a BBQ.

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MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM

A GREAT VIEW

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.

The Capital City Club boasts one of the best views in downtown Montgomery.

Enjoy a holiday party, business event or a host a rooftop lunch with colleagues.

It’s just one of the great amenities of a CCC annual membership.

INSIDE HISTORY

. . .

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.

.

The F. Scott Fitzgerald Museum is full of the elegance and charm of the Gatsby era. Enjoy its beautiful outdoor space in the heart of historic Old Cloverdale.

R E S TAU R A N T S

BUSINESS EVENT GUIDE

WITH MEETING SPACE

RESTAURANTS

NUMBER OF GUESTS

Featuring Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Members

Blackfinn Ameripub

334-517-1760

Central

129 Coosa Street 334-517-1155 www.central129coosa.com

SPICE IT UP

City Grill

334-244-0960

Chappy’s Deli - Perry Hill

334-279-7477

Chappy’s Deli - Vaughn Road

334-279-1226

Chicken Salad Chick Vaughn Road 334-649-4828 Chick-fil-A - Downtown 334-293-4773

>2 0 21 -5 0 50 -10 0 10 0+

WITH MEETING SPACE

. .

Island Delights - Dexter Irish Bred Pub Jim N Nick’s La Jolla

SWEET RETREAT

334-593-0043

334-356-5641

334-834-7559

334-213-0046

334-356-2600

Magnolia’s Grill & Bar

334-288-3858

Newk’s Eatery 334-290-4955 Sinclair’s Taste

334-271-7654

334-676-4333

The Cork & Cleaver The Exchange

334-676-2260

334-481-5165

The House Restaurant at the Renaissance 334-481-5166

The Tipping Point

A round of cookie skillets at The Tipping Point or a sampling of desserts is a sweet reward for meeting goals or brainstorming together.

334-260-9110

Twin Peaks

6814 EastChase Parkway 334-513-1244 www.twinpeaksrestaurant.com

Vintage Year

334-819-7215

Yellowhammer Café

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334-239-7758

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12 West Jefferson Street 334-273-7427 www.dreamlandbbq.com

Ginza Japanese & Korean

.

Rental Fee or Minimum Order

. . . .

Dreamland BBQ

Looking for laid-back fun?

Dreamland BBQ in the office or served up in the Tavern or Porter House gives business gatherings a less-traditional vibe.

Outdoor Eating

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MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

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BONUS Twin Peaks offers a 20% discount to fellow Chamber members.

. .

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MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM

BEFORE CALLING THE MEETING, CALL EMBASSY SUITES BY HILTON

*Service of alcohol subject to state and local laws. Must be of legal drinking age. © Hilton Worldwide.

TM indicates

Embassy Suites by Hilton Montgomery Hilton & Conference Center 300 Tallapoosa Street / Montgomery, AL 36104

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MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

TM

a trademark of Hilton Worldwide.

/ 334-269-5055 / 800-Embassy / Embassy.com

BUSINESS EVENT GUIDE NUMBER OF GUESTS WITH MEETING SPACE

Featuring Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Members

Comfort Inn & Suites Mitylene

334-532-4444

Comfort Suites Airport South

334-676-2576

Comfort Suites

334-387-2585

Country Inn & Suites

334-277-4142

Country Inn & Suites - Carmichael

334-270-3223

Courtyard by Marriott Montgomery 334-272-5533

Days Inn

334-356-3335

DoubleTree by Hilton

334-245-2320

Drury Inn & Suites Montgomery

334-273-1101

Embassy Suites Montgomery Hotel and Conference Center 300 Tallapoosa Street 334-269-5055 embassysuites3.hilton.com

Fairfield Inn & Suites Airport

334-281-6882

Fairfield Inn & Suites EastChase

334-260-8650

Hampton Inn & Suites EastChase Hampton Inn Airport

334-277-1818

334-280-9592

Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown Hilton Gardens Inn

334-265-1010

334-272-2225

Hilton Garden Inn EastChase Holiday Inn Airport South

334-244-0101

334-288-3858

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites EastChase 334-271-5516 Home Inn & Suites

334-387-3016

Homewood Suites by Hilton Microtel Inn & Suites

334-272-3010

334-649-4465

Montgomery Inn & Suites Red Roof Inn

WITH MEETING SPACE

334-409-9999

334-269-9611

Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center 201 Tallapoosa Street 334-481-5000 www.marriott.com

Staybridge Suites by Marriot EastChase 334-277-9383 TownePlace Suites by Marriot EastChase 334-239-7110 Wind Creek Casino Montgomery Wingate by Wyndham

334-245-4684

866-946-3360

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>2 0 21 -5 0 50 -10 0 10 0+

HOTELS

H OT E L S

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W H Y A H OT E L? • ONE-STOP SHOP They have employees, caterers and contractors in place to service any need.

• ONE SIZE FITS ALL Most hotels have the flexibility to handle groups and events of all sizes.

• EASY ACCESS AND PARKING Sufficient parking (even valet) and accommodations for any special needs are taken care of by most facilities.

• PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT Guests and team members are walking into a clean and well-equipped space prepped to be a productive environment.

ANOTHER TIP: Guest rooms are the most profitable source of revenue for hotels. If you will also be reserving guest rooms, this may help lower meeting space costs.

D O W N TO B U S I N E S S Meeting spaces with computer labs or classroom space can make group learning easy.

A FEW OPTIONS: Alabama State University Auburn University at Montgomery AUM Center for Lifelong Learning Troy University

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MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM

GET TOGETHER Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center can host groups and activities of all sizes. Whether a convention hall or more structured meeting rooms are needed, spaces on-site at The House, the rooftop spa or the more casual Exchange Bar give you plenty of options.

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MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

BUSINESS EVENT GUIDE

ENTERTAINMENT

NUMBER OF GUESTS

Alabama Shakespeare Festival

334-271-5353

Arrowhead Country Club 50 Ocala Drive 334-272-7180 *13

>2 0 21 -5 0 50 -10 0 10 0+

& ACTIVITY VENUES Featuring Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Members

E N T E R TA I N M E N T

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Mandatory Catering

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AV Compatible

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Tables/ Chairs Included

WHY OFF-SITE?

.

www.arrowheadcountryclub.net

. .

Breakout Games 6715 Taylor Court 334-203-7868

breakoutgames.com

Capri Theatre

334-262-4858

City of Montgomery- Gateway Park Lodge Address and Golf Course 334-284-7920 Phone City of Web MontgomeryAddress Harriott II 334-625-2100 Cloverdale Playhouse

334-262-1530

Cottonwood Golf Club

334-281-3344

Escapology Montgomery 130 Commerce Street 334-523-1947 escapology.com

Grandma’s Home House Retreat Ice Palace at Eastdale Mall Jasmine Hill Gardens

334-207-8028

334-277-2088

334-567-6463

Lagoon Park Golf Course

334-240-4050

Mann Wildlife Learning Museum

334-240-4900

Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Riverwalk Stadium 200 Coosa Street 334-323-2255 biscuitsbaseball.com

Montgomery Performing Arts Centre 334-481-5100

ON A DEADLINE

• TEAM BUILDING Bring staff together with an off-site activity.

• JUST FOR FUN A few laughs and time to enjoy each other’s company create good memories.

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• EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION Acknowledge hard work of staff or volunteers by treating them special.

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• AWARDS BANQUET Hitting a big goal or marking a milestone is a reason to celebrate together.

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Test your staff’s teamwork and discover unknown strengths during Breakout Games’ fun, timed escape activities.

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ANOTHER TIP: Even teaming up to plan an off-site event can create more inner-office camaraderie.

HIT IT OFF RIGHT

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PREP FOR SUCCESS Teams are more effective and collaborative when they "huddle." Communication, problem-solving and decision-making activities can bring bigger gains in the office.

PARTY HARD (NO, IT’S EASY!) Montgomery Biscuits Baseball has reserved areas in Riverwalk Stadium designed specifically for businesses and large group gatherings.

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MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

BUSINESS EVENT GUIDE

NUMBER OF GUESTS >2 0 21 -5 0 50 -10 0 10 0+

ENTERTAINMENT Featuring Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Members

Montgomery Zoo 2301 Coliseum Parkway 334-240-4900 montgomeryzoo.com

Old Alabama Town

334-240-4500

Robert Trent Jones Capitol Hill

334-285-1114

Rockin’ Jump Trampoline Park

334-239-2587

Rosa Parks Library & Museum

334-241-8615

Troy University’s Davis Theatre

334-241-9567

Address W.A. Gayle Planetarium 1010 Forest Avenue Phone 334-625-4799 Web Address www.troy.edu/planetarium

Wind Creek Casino & Hotel Montgomery 1801 Eddie L. Tullis Road 334-567-1283 windcreekmontgomery.com

Wynlakes Country Club

334-279-0297

E N T E R TA I N M E N T

Mandatory Catering

AV Compatible

Tables/ Chairs Included

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GO WILD! The Montgomery Zoo offers both meeting spaces and unique entertainment options including behind-the-scenes tours and animal encounters.

B E S T T H E AT R E S Are bright lights and a big stage part of your event? Check out these local theatres for rental space or a great night in the audience.

A FEW OPTIONS: Alabama Shakespeare Festival

asf.net

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MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM

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Troy University Davis Theatre

troy.edu/davistheatre Montgomery Performing Arts Center

mpaconline.org

C AT E R I N G V E N D O R S

BUSINESS EVENT GUIDE

Featuring Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Members

A Catered Affair, Inc. 334-281-4747

EAT UP

important aspects of any type or size event. Your event goal should help you decide on the amount and kind of food to serve.

Casual? Go with finger

foods and light appetizers.

Elegant banquet? Pick

ASE Cakes & Catering dba Courthouse Café

Chick-fil-A Downtown

334-265-7181

334-293-4773

Baumhower’s Eastern Blvd

Chick-fil-A EastChase

334-271-1831

334-271-1095

Baumhower’s S. Union Street

Chick-fil-A Eastdale Mall

334-263-8800

334-272-1411

334-517-1760

someone like Jennie Weller Catering or Carron Marrow Events.

A BIT OF ADVICE:

Chicken Salad Chick Vaughn Rd 334-649-4828

Buffalo Rock Pepsi 334-395-7171

Carron Morrow Events

Jim N Nick’s

334-262-8463

334-213-0046

Full Moon Bar-B-Que

King’s Table Catering

334-676-5999

334-270-0200

Georgia Roussos Catering

La Jolla

Chris’s Hotdogs

334-279-6279

334-265-6850

Central

Cuco’s Downtown

334-517-1155

GiGi’s Fabulous Foods, LLC

Lek’s Railroad Thai at Union Station 334-269-0708

334-593-5623

Honey Baked Ham

Magnolia’s Grill & Bar

334-284-9100

334-288-3858

Irish Bred Pub

Island Delight @Dexter

Martha's Place

334-356-5641

7798 Atlanta Highway 334-356-7165

Ixtapa Mexican Restaurant 334-277-7600

334-832-0081

Chappy’s E. South Blvd

Dream Field Farms

334-286-9200

334-534-6976

Chappy’s Perry Hill Rd

Dreamland Bar-B-Que

334-279-7477

334-273-7427

But don’t forget your budget. Discuss this up front with any caterer and get cost estimates before making final decisions.

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334-356-2600

251-666-1141

334-834-7559

Chicken Salad Chick Zelda Rd 334-517-1378

a caterer that has proven experience in this area,

Filet & Vine, Inc.

334-279-1226

Blackfinn Ameripub

Food is one of the most

Chappy’s Vaughn Rd

MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

Jason’s Deli

marthasplacebuffet.com

Moe's Original Bar-B-Que 334-676-1078

334-409-9890

Jennie Weller Catering 334-264-7480

Montgomery Catering 334-269-0222

Nancy’s Italian Ice

Texas Roadhouse

334-356-1403

334-396-7774

Newk’s Eatery

The Tipping Point

334-290-4955

334-260-9110

PepperTree Steaks & Wine

Urban Cookhouse 334-239-7801

334-532-8005

Sa Za’s

Wharf Casual Seafood

334-495-7292

334-676-3200

Scott Street Deli

Wishbone Café

334-264-9415

334-244-7270

Shashy’s Fine Foods, Inc.

Yellowhammer Café

334-263-7341

334-239-7758

Shrimp Basket

Zoe’s Kitchen EastChase

334-523-0466

334-270-9115

Sinclair’s 334-271-7654

Sol Restaurante Mexicano & Taqueria 334-593-8250

Sushi Café 334-819-7060

SweetCreek Farm Market 334-280-3276

Zoe’s Kitchen Zelda 334-395-4698