Value Destinations
Book affordable meetings in America’s best small-market cities Greenville, SC
Greenville is home to TD Convention Center, offering 280,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space and 60,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. Unique event venues include the BMW Performance Center, Peace Center and Heritage Green. What’s New: Over $30 million in renovations were completed last year at the Hyatt Regency Greenville. New hotels include Aloft Greenville Downtown (opening December 2015) and Home2 Suites by Hilton Greenville Airport (opened in August 2015).
Hampton, VA
Hampton Roads Convention Center welcomes groups with 344,000 sq. ft. of versatile convention and exhibit space and a grand ballroom with banquet seating for more than 2,000. What’s New: The Virginia Air & Space Center opened two new exhibits in July 2015: the Solarium and Engineer it! (for children). New restaurants include The Point at Phoebus with a farm-to-table menu, and Old Point Comfort Marina’s new seafood restaurant, The Deadrise.
Natchez, MS
The “Jewel of the Mississippi” is the river’s oldest continuous settlement, turning 300 in 2016. The Natchez Convention Center, housing 32,000 sq. ft. of state-of-theart meeting space, is adjacent to the 119-room Natchez Grand Hotel. What’s New: Hotel VUE, formerly VUE Hotel & Restaurant, is being renovated. Charboneau Rum Distillery opened next to King’s Tavern and Natchez Brewing Company. Natchez National Historical Park’s upgraded Fort Rosalie opens next August.
Springfield, MA
Springfield is home to the MassMutual Center, offering a 40,000-sq.-ft. exhibition hall, 15,000-sq.-ft. ballroom and 24,500 sq. ft. of meeting space. What’s New: The MassMutual Center is receiving a $3.2 million technology upgrade. A world-class casino and entertainment complex opens in downtown Springfield in 2018; the development includes a 250-room hotel and 15 shops and restaurants. Blackjack Steakhouse recently opened near the Basketball Hall of Fame, in the Little Italy section.
www.visitgreenvillesc.com Joe Kramer, VP, Sales (800) 351-7180; jkramer@ visitgreenvillesc.com
east
www.visithampton.com Michelle Hergenrother, Senior Group Sales Manager (757) 728-5337; michelle@ hamptoncvb.com
visitnatchez.org Lynsey Smith, Director of Sales (800) 647-6724; lynsey@ visitnatchez.org
www.valleyvisitor.com Alicia Szenda, Director of Sales (413) 755-1346; alicia@ valleyvisitor.com
Bismarck-Mandan, ND The expanded Bismarck Event Center houses 200,000 sq. ft. of function space, www.discoverbismarckmandan.com Lori Yantzer, Director of Sales (800) 767-3555; lori@discoverbismarckmandan.com
including a 100,000-sq.-ft. exhibit hall, arena seating up to 10,000 and 20 breakout rooms. The Center is next door to the region’s largest mall and in walking distance to 800 hotel rooms. What’s New: The North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum has undergone a $52 million expansion and now offers 39,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space.
Chicago Northwest, IL
The sophisticated Chicago Northwest region is located minutes from Downtown Chicago and O’Hare International Airport. The 500-room Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center features a 100,000-sq.-ft. convention center, complemented by more than 62 hotels. Arlington International Racetrack is among the attractions. What’s New: Sonesta ES Suites completed a full renovation in June 2015. New offsite venues include Level 257, Grillhouse by David Burke, Pearl Banquets & Conference Center and Topgolf.
Columbia, MO
Located halfway between Saint Louis and Kansas City, Columbia is home to more than 3,700 hotel rooms, over 200 restaurants, scenic parks and the 18,612-sq.-ft. Columbia Expo Center. What’s New: The new Holiday Inn Express & Suites at Stadium & Highway 63 has an attached restaurant and conference space. Additionally, the LEEDcertified Broadway Columbia – a Doubletree by Hilton Hotel (3,000 sq. ft. of meeting space) opened in the downtown area.
Dublin, OH
The City of Dublin, known for its Irish heritage, is preparing for the new Bridge Street District. Located along the Scioto River, the destination will feature numerous shops, restaurants, entertainment, and potentially a new hotel and conference center. What’s New: The Crowne Plaza Dublin completed a $7 million renovation, and the Residence Inn Dublin opened in June. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium debuted its newest event space, the 7,000-sq.-ft. Africa Events Center, last summer.
LafayetteWest Lafayette
Lafayette-West Lafayette is home to Purdue University’s scenic campus and its Big Ten spectator sports. With 27 hotels, the cities offer groups diverse lodging options as well as museums, art galleries and culinary highlights such as the Parkside Seafood House and Wildcat Creek Winery. What’s New: The Courtyard by Marriott is adding a conference center with a capacity of 300 people. Marriott TownePlace Suites is currently undergoing a $600,000 renovation.
MIDWEST
chicagonorthwest.com Heather Larson, Director of Destination Sales (800) 847-4849; hlarson@ chicagonorthwest.com
www.visitcolumbiamo.com Andrea Jira, Convention Sales Manager (573) 875-1231, ext. 5575; AQJira@ GoColumbiaMO.com
www.IrishisanAttitude.com Amanda Mikkelson, Group Sales Manager (800) 245-8387; amikkelson@ irishisanattitude.com
www.HomeOfPurdue.com Ashley Gregory, Group Tours and Meetings Manager (800) 872-6648; agregory@ HomeOfPurdue.com Facilities & destinations 2015 Summer
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