Tristate Meeting and Event Planner Guide 2018
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More Than a Meeting LOCAL VENUES ARE MAKING BUSINESS EVENTS MORE FUN AND BENEFICIAL By Caroline Wiita
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ith the revitalization of Cincinnati’s downtown neighborhoods, it’s no surprise that local businesses are ditching the conventional conference. While the traditional meeting location still exists, companies are now looking at venues that can host any group outing in an upbeat environment.
THE CARNEGIE HALL AT NEWPORT Best known as a historic landmark and a former Carnegie library, the Carnegie Hall at Newport takes guests back to the turn of the 20th century in the middle of northern Kentucky’s cityscape. Inside the limestone building, guests are greeted by Italian Renaissance architecture, including marble columns and ornate chandeliers. The styling behind this former library is idyllic for weddings and receptions, but the venue can hold any event. Every event at the Carnegie Hall includes exclusive use of the 10,000-square-foot building, says Peggy Sparks, general manager of the facility. This includes all three floors of the building, as well as the outdoor garden terrace. In addition to the whole venue, groups have the ability to bring in the caterer of their choice. “We believe each group has their own preferred taste in food and beverage,” Sparks says. “So we allow the client to select the caterer that best fits their taste and budget.” The Carnegie Hall also has breakout rooms, an integrated sound system, complimentary Wi-Fi, a large stage for keynote speakers or performances, and even a pool table for more relaxed functions.
BOOST BOOST is a site the solely holds corporate events. BOOST hosts corporate groups for a variety of functions: retreats, team
Carnegie Hall in Newport building, brainstorming sessions, strategy meetings, workshops, training sessions, consumer research and more, says owner Jenny White. Meetings are its function, but as BOOST’s slogan says, it’s “not your typical meeting space.” With other venues, there may be multiple groups having events on the same day. BOOST only hosts one group per day. With a Nintendo Wii, a Karaoke machine, swing chairs, cornhole and more, BOOST incorporates fun elements into the environment. “A great deal of effort goes into planning a meeting before it happens, and every meeting has objectives it sets out to meet or exceed,” says White. “It’s our goal to immerse attendees in a space that doesn’t feel like a workspace, but where the work gets done.” Located in the heart of Over-the-Rhine, BOOST’s design is the antithesis of a corporate office. For example, the 4,600-squarefoot loft has natural sunlight, hardwood floors, a spiral staircase and decorated metalwork. BOOST is also home to a rooftop deck that dons an excellent view of downtown Cincinnati.
IMPROV CINCINNATI Sometimes, instead of a group meeting, com-
panies are looking for team building activities. Improv Cincinnati helps groups learn—and to laugh along the way. Improv Cincinnati can serve the precise needs of any group—that’s what makes improv so versatile. “If a team just wants t wo hours of fun and laughter, we can provide that service,” says Improv Cincinnati executive director Jon Ulrich. “If they’d like to cultivate practicing specific skills—executive presence, speaking with passion, active listening, building trust, etc.—we can do that, too.” One of the things that makes an improv workshop different than other team building outings is the connections the team makes. “Participants were noticeably applying the concepts in the following days [after the workshop]. Partnering with clients enables us to provide … practical and relevant business skill training,” Ulrich says. Taking an Improv Cincinnati workshop cultivates trust, creativ it y and communication, among other skills, says Ulrich. “Plus, improv workshops provide the rare opportunity for adults to play and laugh together—always a good thing.” n w w w.
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