Tristate Meeting and Event Planner Guide 2019
Meeting in the Middle OFF-SITE MEETING SPACES CAN CATER TO EVENTS OF ANY SIZE By Kevin Michell
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incinnati businesses continue to experience growth and, because of that, external resources are in higher demand. As such, the meeting and event space business is adapting to a variety of business needs. The following three venues each fill a niche for off-site corporate gatherings of varied sizes.
SMALL GROUP HUDDLES Coworking spaces have become popular with the rise of startups and the gig economy, but they’re not just for independent workers untethered to a desk or office. Facilities like CovWorx in Covington, Kentucky, are flexible and spacious enough for getting a small group together out of the office to work on a project or brainstorm as a team. Started in 2016 in a building on Madison one block west from The Carnegie, which previously housed Senior Services of Northern Kentucky, CovWorx boasts 20,000 square feet of huddle rooms, networking space and more for entrepreneurs and teams alike. CovWorx operates largely on monthly memberships but is flexible to business needs, with custom plans for use of the building’s amenities available. Standard options range from floating desk rental to securing a dedicated large room. All membership tiers include locker space, 24-hour keycards for building access, free parking, wireless internet access, coffee, monthly conference room allotment and discounted access to in-house design and technology assistance. 1032 Madison Ave., Covington, 513-205-8022, covworx.com.
MEDIUM DEPARTMENT OR STAFF MEETINGS One of the newest hotels in the city, The Summit—a Dolce hotel, part of Wyndham’s fleet of modernist resorts around the world—was designed to be easy on the eyes for all visitors, whether they’re staying
The Manor House in Mason can accomodate groups as large as 2,000. on-site for their family getaway or visiting the building for a few hours on business. This venue prides itself on adaptability as much as aesthetics. Containing 19 indoor rooms—ranging from 400-square-foot meeting areas to 2,000-square-foot ballrooms—spread among three floors of the building, The Summit is big on modern flair and capability while also providing a welcoming and energetic atmosphere. The Summit also features many additional amenities. Two rooftop terraces are available for rental, art and modern décor line the halls, the Overlook Kitchen + Bar offers a refined menu to visitors, and the hotel is in close proximity to many Oakley and Hyde Park hot spots. Whether a business function needs an afternoon or the whole weekend, the Summit is a hotel and venue designed to fit the bill. 5345 Medpace Way, Madisonville, 513-527-9900, thesummithotel.com.
LARGE COMPANY-WIDE EVENTS Long a premier wedding destination in northern Cincinnati, Mason’s Manor House covers 18 acres and can host groups as large as 2,000 people. The property is adaptable for corporate events of any format with a set of ballrooms in the main
building and several ancillary areas. The Georgian room can be used as the largest space at the Manor House or broken down into two smaller but ample rooms and is a popular choice for large organizational gatherings. The Carriage House, opened in 2012, is a unique venue for corporate retreats. It was styled to be an upscale, comfortable lodge that boasts both a rustic aesthetic and modern amenities. “It’s a more exclusive option available that’s still on our property that just sits back a little further, that their company alone can host holiday parties at,” says Events and Sales Manager Morgan Orlando. “They really like that it’s different from the ballroom style [rental spaces].” As a premier event space, the Manor House has a full array of amenities to pair with the rentable areas. Chief among them is the in-house food program, run by executive chef Kevin Lamb—who has been a part of the Manor House for almost 20 years—and his full kitchen staff. “We make it so easy to customize a package with great food that some restaurants and other banquet centers can’t do,” notes Orlando. 7440 Mason Montgomery Road, Mason, 513-459-0177, manorhouseohio.com. n w w w.
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