Small Market Meetings August 2018

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WATERFRONT Managing Meeting Sponsorships Norfolk, Virginia A

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Tennessee Meeting Guide

Just outside of New York City you’ll find an entire Island of surprises. Long Island offers unique meeting venues within close proximity to The Hamptons, Wine Country, famous beaches and so much more. A regional airport, ferry services and a public train system that connects NYC to 124 stations across the Island provide easy access for attendees to get here, but we can’t promise they’ll ever want to leave.

THERE’S THIS PLACE where

MORE THAN RIVERS MEET

There’s a meetings destination where ideas are inspired by nature and nurtured by unexpected sophistication. Where hospitality, technology and amenities are top notch. Where groups gather to experience a town pulsating with arts, culture, food, drink, rich roots and friendly locals, not to mention three rivers and seven wilderness areas. Come together in Missoula—a world-class meeting place for corporate events, retreats, conferences and conventions. Meet our small town with big offerings.

Interested in meeting in Missoula? Call 406.532.3250 or visit destinationmissoula.org/smm

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Courtesy Myrtle Beach Area CVB

Volume 19

Issue 8

August 2018

Managing Event Sponsorship

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.Veteran meeting planners share tips for attracting and serving sponsors.

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Waterfront Destinations Meetings on lakes, rivers and seashores often enhance event attendance.

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Nautical Norfolk This Chesapeake Bay city is full of history, patriotism and waterfront venues.

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Courtesy Visit Norfolk

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Meet on the Mississippi .Padelford Riverboats offer meetings on Mississippi River cruises in the Twin Cities.

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Tennessee Meeting Guide Explore the scenic mountain destinations and convenient suburbs of the Volunteer State.

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Courtesy Visit Norman

On the cover: The Riverwalk in Wilmington, Delaware, gives visitors beautiful views of the city and the Christina River.

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, including hotels, conference centers, convention centers, destinations, transportation companies, restaurants and other meeting industry-related companies 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 (866) 356-5128 (toll-free) or (859) 225-1452. Fax: (859) 253-0499. 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.

For Sales Call

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Oklahoma’s College Town Norman offers bountiful campus amenities just outside of Oklahoma City.

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Kyle Anderson 866-356-5128

kyle@smallmarketmeetings.com

Mac T. Lacy Publisher/Partner maclacy@grouptravelleader.com

Brian Jewell Editor brian@smallmarketmeetings.com

Herbert Sparrow Executive Editor/Partner hsparrow@grouptravelleader.com

David Brown Art Director production@smallmarketmeetings.com

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Daniel Jean-Louis Savannah Osbourn Account Manager Staff writer sales@smallmarketmeetings.com Christine Clough Copy editor Kyle Anderson Account Manager Rena Baer kyle@smallmarketmeetings.com Proofreader

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Managin g Sponsor Meeting ships Norfolk, Virginia Tennesse Meeting e Guide

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Conference Events to Showcase SoCal City September 23-25

By Dan Dickson

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he Small Market Meetings Conference, to be held September 23-25 in Ontario, California, keeps delegates busy with networking and cementing business relationships in two marketplace sessions. So the conference organizers like to provide pleasant diversions such as sumptuous meals and tours of the host cities. That is exactly what delegates will discover when they get to Ontario.

On the first night of the conference, the Ontario Convention and Visitors Bureau will host a reception and dinner in the Ontario Convention Center, with heavy hors d’oeuvres for the delegates.

“We will be providing our guests with some of the wonderful culinary expertise that we have in the Ontario area,” said Larry Kaufman, director of sales for the Greater Ontario Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The second night’s dinner will be at an unusual place called Big Al’s. Kaufman describes Big Al’s as “sort of a Chuck E. Cheese, but it’s for adults.”

The huge complex features arcade games, bowling lanes, bars, food, 55 giant TV screens and much more. It is fantastic for large groups.

Tour Time

The Small Market Meetings Conference always sets aside time for delegates to tour the host city and its attractions. On the afternoon of the conference’s second day, delegates will have their choice of several trips.

One tour involves a distinctive museum that has been refurbished in recent years. The Ontario Museum of History and Art presents local and traveling exhibits. Delegates will learn more about this special part of Southern California, its people and their legacies. The museum experience will enhance everyone’s knowledge of art and history.

A second tour option is a visit to Ontario Mills, one of the largest shopping centers in the country. The mall is so popular that 28 million people visit it every year.

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Conference Report

Photos courtesy Greater Ontario CVB

Victoria Gardens, a 147-acre outdoor shopping mall, is a favorite with visitors to Rancho Cucamonga, a city near Ontario, California.

“Many of the world’s travelers flock there,” said Kaufman. “The Chinese even have a name for it — 10 Doors — because there are 10 entrances to Ontario Mills.”

The center is oval and has 10 distinctive shopping “neighborhoods.” The center has more than 200 stores that sell men’s, women’s and children’s clothing; footwear; jewelry; sporting goods; and much more.

A third tour option is “a surprise,” said the CVB. Officials will reveal details about it at the conference.

Personalized Post-FAMs

Ontario CVB officials said there will be no pre-FAM tours scheduled. However, the CVB can help delegates with post-FAM tours that they might want to participate in by provid-

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Groups meeting in Ontario can hold golf outings at Whispering Lakes, an 18-hole course owned by the city.

Ontario sightseeing tours will highlight attractions such as the Sam Maloof Foundation. ing precise contacts for destination cities, sites and attractions.

The CVB’s Kaufman is glad the Small Market Meetings Conference is coming to his city. He wants meeting planners to consider Ontario.

“We are at the crossroads that connect the palm desert communities to the east to all the way into L.A., and we are central to everything there is going on in Southern California.”

August 2018

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Westin to Debut on the Big Island in Hawaii

The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort will showcase local food and beautiful Hawaiian scenery.

HAPUNA BEACH, Hawaii — Westin Hotels and Resorts has announced the debut of the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort following an extensive multimillion-dollar renovation that will reimagine its guest rooms and suites, introduce four new culinary concepts and transform the resort’s public spaces.

“The opening of the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort reinforces that the brand is continuing to grow in lockstep with the evolving demand of travelers, who are increasingly prioritizing their well-being while on the road,” said Brian Povinelli, senior vice president, Westin Hotels and Resorts.

The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort will feature some of the largest rooms on the Kohala Coast, with 17 new suites that complement

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Industry News

232 guest rooms, each redesigned to be an oasis for well-being and relaxation. The renovations join an already-existing 85,000-square feet of full-service outdoor and indoor meeting space, including the 8,428-square-foot Hapuna Ballroom and six conference rooms.

“We are thrilled to bring the Westin brand to the Big Island of Hawaii, where we will welcome guests and the community to an elevated resort that celebrates the wellness, as well as the area’s local culture, and ease of island spirit,” said Kisan Jo, president of Prince Resorts Hawaii.

The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort will introduce four new culinary concepts: • A Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, Meridia boasts a display kitchen, craft cock-

Courtesy Westin Hotels and Resorts

tails, expanded al fresco dining and a charcuterie and crudo bar with house-made artisanal bread.

• A fun and casual dining experience that serves Pacific Rim cuisine, the Naupaka Beach Grill is an innovative casual restaurant that features an extensive list of local brews on tap.

• An outdoor seating experience, ‘Ikena Landing is an open-air breakfast venue with expanded seating and nature-inspired shade trellises.

• A centrally located barista bar, Piko Coffee+Bar, serves 100 percent Kona coffee, refreshing libations, a light menu and fresh grab-and-go selections. www.westinhapunabeach.com

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Canopy by Hilton Says Hello to Austin place, defined by urban activity and authentic materials inspired by the history and creative culture of Austin.

Located at 612 W. Sixth Street, the hotel will have 140 rooms, including five suites; an intimate guest lobby; and a relaxed, openair courtyard sanctuary that connects to a full-service restaurant Courtesy Canopy by Hilton and bar that integrates with the The new Canopy by Hilton is scheduled to open in Austin’s West Sixth Street West Sixth Entertainment District. neighborhood in 2020.

Amenities also include an elevated pool deck with excellent views of the street McLEAN, Virginia — Canopy by Hilton scene and downtown Austin. announced development plans for Canopy by “Canopy by Hilton fits seamlessly into the Hilton Austin Downtown in Austin, Texas.

Austin Downtown District,” said Gary Steffen, Ground is scheduled to be broken for the global head, Canopy by Hilton. “Known for a property this summer, and it is scheduled to dynamic pop-art and music scene, the open in January 2020. The property will proCanopy by Hilton Austin Downtown propervide a comfortable stay for guests in search of ty will offer guests a truly fresh and local an unusual urban oasis and upbeat city culAustin experience while establishing a strong ture in the heart of West Sixth Street. Guests new identity for this classic neighborhood.” of the property can expect a strong sense of Led by Lake/Flato Architects, the hotel

design team includes interior design firm Seifert Murphy and landscape architects Hocker Design Group. “We wanted to deliver a project that both complements the neighborhood while also elevating the West Sixth Street district,” said Rick Singleton, principal at Scenic Capital Advisors. “We chose architects and designers who understand Canopy’s neighborhood-centric concept and would be able to create a hotel with a unique look intrinsic to the neighborhood and streetscape.”

Connected to the street and open to the neighborhood community as well as hotel guests, the courtyard functions as a haven from the bustle of West Sixth Street’s highenergy nightlife. Comfortable seating within the courtyard will be surrounded by natural materials, greenery and water to capture the sense of Austin’s natural environment.

Framing the courtyard, Canopy Central, the bar/lounge and restaurant, will offer guests a variety of spaces, including a sidewalk cafe, a comfortable bar/lounge, a cozy outdoor fireplace and a reclusive guest retreat.

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In just one day, more than 300 volunteers from 80 companies donated nearly $50,000 in volunteer labor hours to national and state parks in New York and New Jersey.

August 2018

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Big Plans in Smaller Cities These destinations are making major investments in their convention centers.

By Vickie Mitchell

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onvention center expansions in large cities like Las Vegas and Los Angeles tend to grab the headlines, as these go-to destinations for large conventions invest billions in their facilities.

But a number of smaller cities are also looking at ways to attract more meetings with larger, updated convention centers. Trade Show Executive magazine reported this spring that 25 convention facilities are under construction and another 35 projects are in discussion.

Some developments are in small to midsize cities, which will mean new options for meeting planners. Here are a few you might want to learn more about:

Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky

Louisville will be holding the first convention in its expanded downtown convention center this month, and Lexington has announced it will renovate and expand its convention center, with a projected completion date of 2021. The Northern Kentucky Convention Center, across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, also plans to expand.

Louisville can also tout the recent opening of a 600room Omni hotel downtown and the renovation of downtown’s Marriott, across from the convention center.

In Lexington, a 21C Museum Hotel opened downtown in 2016 and a Marriott hotel and Residence Inn will open in late 2019, blocks from the convention center.

Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Oklahoma

Oklahoma City broke ground in June on a $288 million convention center, the largest single civic project in city history. Expected to open in two years, it will be linked to a 17-story Omni hotel and have a 30,000-square-foot ballroom with a balcony that overlooks a city park, a 200,000-square-foot exhibit hall and about 45,000 square feet of meeting space.

In Tulsa, a former arena is being turned into a 41,000-square-foot ballroom to help attract larger conventions. The $55 million redo at the Cox Business Center began in July.

Las Cruces and Roswell, New Mexico

In New Mexico, Las Cruces sometimes gets overlooked.

But with a population of 100,000, it is the state’s secondlargest city and, thanks in part to New Mexico State

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MeetingPoint

University, a draw for meetings, especially since the addition of the Las Cruces Convention Center 14 years ago.

Many think business has outgrown the center, and a new Courtyard by Marriott under construction adjoining it should make business grow even more. A convention center expansion will soon begin and should wrap up around the same time as the hotel’s opening next summer. Also this summer, Roswell’s convention center will reopen after completing an expansion and renovation.

La Crosse, Wisconsin

There’s controversy over how to do it, but there’s consensus that the La Crosse Center needs a $50 million expansion if the Mississippi River town wants to continue to draw meetings. The plan being considered includes a 17,000-square-foot ballroom with a terrace and another 10,000 square feet of meeting space. But the city’s mayor doesn’t like the fact that the building would extend over a street and part of a riverside park. Other Wisconsin cities that compete with La Crosse, including Green Bay, Eau Claire, Appleton and Wisconsin Dells, are upgrading their convention facilities.

Billings, Montana

A recent update of a 2015 convention center feasibility study reaffirms what experts said would happen — Billings is losing about 25 percent of its meeting business because of limited meeting space. Experts say even more business will be lost in the next five years, which has spurred the city to look at possible solutions. At the same time, Bozeman and Missoula are considering projects that will add new hotel and conference spaces.

Memphis, Tennessee

The city is taking bids again for the planned $175 million renovation of its 44-year-old Memphis Cook Convention Center because initial bids were too high. Memphis plans to expand and upgrade meeting spaces and add terraces to take advantage of its riverside location.

Vickie Mitchell is the former editor of Small Market Meetings. If you have ideas for future columns, contact her at vickiemitchell11915@gmail.com.

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

The Science of Sponsorships

Find the right sponsors for your event with these expert tips Courtesy American Bus Association

By Savannah Osbourn

Event planners at Northstar Meetings Group look to host communities, such as Louisville, Kentucky, for sponsorships and engagement.

ponsors play a pivotal role in conferences and events, from supporting the venture financially to supplying unique venues and products. Since sponsorships play such a critical role in the success of events, meeting planners should be careful and strategic about how they manage sponsorship opportunities.

For firsthand insight on sponsorship best practices, we spoke to three experts with different backgrounds in the meetings market.

Hank Phillips is the president and CEO of the Kentucky Travel Industry Association, the largest travel network in Kentucky. Lori Wilson serves as the director of special events at UK HealthCare in Lexington, Kentucky, and previously worked in hospitality and catering. Tim Schneider is the founder and chairman of the Northstar Travel Group’s new Sports Division, which oversees national events such as the annual Teams Conference and Expo.

Here are some of the tips they shared to help meeting planners succeed in finding and servicing sponsors.

respective goals or needs. Are the potential sponsors looking for brand marketing or community engagement opportunities? Would they be interested in gaining access to the event?

“The first question always to ask yourself is what’s in it for them,” said Phillips. “Avoid getting into the mindset that sponsors ought to want to do a sponsorship just to do it. There has to be real demonstrated value for the sponsor.”

Likewise, Schneider said, “It’s absolutely critical that you view your pitch through the eyes of your prospective sponsors. Make sure it responds to their needs, not yours.”

And though sponsorships are typically viewed as a marketing opportunities, not every sponsor is interested in gaining exposure.

Many larger companies receive a significant number of sponsorship requests and may prefer not to broadcast their selections. In other cases, the sponsorship might arrive in the form of an anonymous charitable donation.

“I think that everyone assumes a sponsorship demands a logo, but there are a lot of people that don’t want folks to know they’re involved,” said Wilson. “Since we’re a nonprofit, some people may want to give philanthropically, and it has nothing to do with access or marketing.”

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Cater to the Sponsors’ Goals and Needs

Before approaching potential sponsors, planners should determine how the sponsorship package will accommodate each organization’s

August 2018

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otherwise had if you undershoot,” said Phillips. “You have to know what is realistic and practical.”

Look for Community Engagement

One of the best ways to boost attendance at meetings and conferences is to cultivate a program that reflects the cultural highlights of the host destination, such as bringing in local food vendors or hosting an evening reception at a notable attraction.

“I think it’s always important to look at sponsors beyond the mere financial contribution they can make to an event through sponsorship,” said Schneider. “In the case of planning our annual Teams Conference and Expo, we work very closely with the host-city sponsor to make sure that our attendees experience the things that make that city unique.”

At the upcoming Teams Conference and Expo in Louisville, event organizers will join forces with some of the city’s most significant landmarks and attractions to give attendees a taste of Kentucky culture, starting with an opening reception at Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, and later visiting select venues such as the Muhammad Ali Center and the KFC Yum! Center.

Plan According to Budget Cycles

Some sponsorships can be fun. A bowling event is a KTIA favorite.

Develop a Compelling Pitch

When it comes to pitching to prospective sponsors, Wilson recommends having a face-to-face conversation whenever possible, followed by a formalized proposal. If event-organizers have to send out a blind request, then it is vital to present an engaging, thoroughly researched proposal.

“If you don’t look professional out of the gate, then you’re not going to make it out the door,” said Wilson. “We support about 350 organizations a year, but we probably get four times that amount in requests.”

Rather than send a traditional business document, planners should strive to showcase the commercial impact of the sponsorship. Since many people are visually oriented, this could entail a colorful sponsorship template or a sample graphic of the company’s logo digitally overlaid on a tent.

“Most people are going to look at it for 15 seconds if you’re lucky, so you should try to give them something that helps it stand out,” said Wilson.

Planners should also make sure the cost of the sponsorship is proportional to the benefits and incentives provided in the package.

“You can lose credibility if you really overshoot what is a practical consideration, and you can lose funds or services that you might have

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Managing Meetings

Most organizations plan their budgets a year in advance, so whether their fiscal year ends in spring or winter could determine the best time and approach for making a sales pitch.

“Sometimes it works out well if you get to talk to them during their budget cycle, but most of the time, that just doesn’t happen,” said Wilson. “Realistically, you want to be prebudgeted.”

Even if the event takes place annually, planners may want to send reminders about the upcoming dates and details to ensure their slots in the budget cycle. Advance notice also enables sponsors to make any necessary adjustments to the sponsorship proposal.

“Everything needs to be customized for what that sponsor wants,” said Wilson. “Every sponsorship proposal should say ‘Willing to customize based on your needs’ because sometimes it will surprise you.”

Ask for Feedback

Like all business partnerships, sponsorships are built on relationships, so it is beneficial for planners to engage and communicate with sponsors throughout the year, not just when they are trying to solicit or renew sponsor support.

“A sponsor’s objectives may change over time, so it’s a mistake to assume that they will just automatically renew without making a great case for why they should,” said Schneider. “Never take your sponsors for granted. We want to continually partner with them in a way that allows us to become an extension of their overall marketing efforts.”

As an example, Schneider mentioned how Northstar Meetings Group recently launched its first-ever eSportsTravel Summit in direct response to burgeoning interest in the esports industry from both sponsors and conference attendees. The event debuted with great success at the annual Teams Conference and Expo in Orlando, Florida, last year, prompting organizers to expand the program into a stand-alone event.

“The needs of your attendees and needs of sponsors often go hand

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

in hand, so it’s important to keep your ear to the ground so that you can create products to meet those needs,” said Schneider.

Be Selective

Though it can be tempting to accept every sponsorship offer that lands on the table, planners should be careful not to cheapen the quality of their event by bringing in too many low-level sponsors. Some business owners may offer to sponsor water stations or other small features just to gain exposure or access to the event, and planners can generally manage those details on their own.

Additionally, many brands strive to elevate themselves through association to other brands, so bringing in one reputable company will often attract another. For example, Tiffany and Company is extremely protective of its brand, and in order to showcase the logo at events, planners must follow detailed guidelines, such as using specific linen colors and silver dinnerware.

Most companies would be thrilled to see their name featured alongside such a highend brand, and planners can use the style and placement of branding as a key selling point in their pitches.

Courtesy Northstar Meetings Group

Sponsorships are an integral part of the social events and financial success of the annual Teams Conference.

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August 2018

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Rooms With A View

These waterfront destinations make appealing meeting sites Courtesy Quad Cities CVB

By Savannah Osbourn

The Celebration Belle offers lunch and dinner cruises on the Mississippi River for groups meeting in the Quad Cities.

lanners almost always experience a boost in attendance when they take their meeting or conference to waterfront regions, where beautiful scenery blends with lively entertainment and restaurants along the shoreline. With so many breathtaking locations to choose from, here are five colorful destinations across the U.S. that are guaranteed to leave a lasting impression on your attendees.

tunity to explore the Quad Cities, learn about the area and incorporate additional messaging about the goals of the meeting,” said Lynn Hunt, vice president of sales at the Quad Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Many of the region’s primary meeting properties are in the downtown areas. The RiverCenter in downtown Davenport sits right along the Mississippi River, adjacent to the historic Adler Theatre, the Hotel Blackhawk and the Radisson Quad City Plaza. Between two expansive exhibit halls, 10 breakout areas and an executive boardroom, the convention center can host from 10 to 3,000 attendees. In Bettendorf, the Quad Cities Waterfront Convention Center opened in 2009 as the newest convention center in the Quad Cities. This state-of-the-art facility can hold up to 1,500 guests for conferences and events and features a connecting skywalk to the Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf, the largest hotel resort in Iowa.

The TaxSlayer Center is an award-winning 30,000-square-foot arena in Moline that includes a 20,000-square-foot conference center and a

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Quad Cities, Illinois and Iowa

The Quad Cities is a region of five cities clustered around the banks of the Mississippi River: Davenport and Bettendorf in Iowa and Rock Island, Moline and East Moline in Illinois. Thanks to an efficient network of bridges and highways, visitors can hop between these cities within minutes, all while enjoying the views and attractions of the waterfront.

“Because of the unique layout of our cities and riverfront area, a lot of planners end up doing a scavenger hunt because it gives you the oppor-

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Meeting Ideas

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Courtesy St. Tammany Parish TCC

Palmettos on the Bayou offers waterfront dining in Louisiana’s St. Tammany Parish. beautiful outdoor terrace that overlooks the river. Visitors will find many restaurants and recreational activities within walking distance of these venues, including the nationally acclaimed Figge Art Museum, the Celebration Belle and the John Deere Pavilion. www.visitquadcities.com

Louisiana Northshore

Hugging the northern coast of Lake Pontchartrain in Louisiana, St. Tammany Parish encompasses nine picturesque towns with over 80,000 acres of urban green space. The region, also known as the Northshore, has served as a popular getaway for New Orleans residents since the 1880s, when steamboats would carry them across the lake to stay in shaded resorts along the water.

Meeting planners can take advantage of numerous amenities and venues throughout this vibrant area without having to worry about the expense and traffic of the major cities. In Slidell, groups of up to

August 2018

2,500 attendees can make themselves at home at the state-of-the-art Northshore Harbor Center, which has 45,000 square feet of space and often plays host to athletic tournaments, performances and trade shows. Slidell sits along a pristine freshwater swamp, and many groups enjoy taking a guided swamp tour throughout these lush waterways as an after-hours excursion.

For a less-traditional meeting venue, planners can host an event at the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum on the banks of the Tchefuncte River, which offers 3,600 square feet of banquet space along with a covered, wraparound balcony. The museum explores Louisiana’s rich maritime history through oral histories, interpretive programs and full-scale vessels on display.

“We are thrilled to have such a diversity of venues on the Northshore for the small to midsize meeting market,” said Tanya Leader, vice president of sales at the St. Tammany Parish Tourist and Convention Commission.

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Courtesy Myrtle Beach Area CVB

The Myrtle Beach area features 60 miles of uninterrupted shoreline.

Another notable attraction is the Global Wildlife Center in Folsom, which houses the largest free-roaming wildlife preserve in the United States. Visitors can catch a glimpse of over 4,000 species of exotic and endangered animals when they take a guided safari across this stunning 900-acre property. www.louisiananorthshore.com

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Each year, nearly 14 million people visit South Carolina’s Grand Strand, a 60-mile stretch of uninterrupted beach that spans 14 distinct communities. The proximity of these destinations allows visitors to experience the charms of a little fishing village like Murrells Inlet, the seafood capital of South Carolina, and then travel just a few minutes down the road to enjoy nightlife and world-class entertainment in Myrtle Beach.

“Our planners frequently tell us their events experience the highest attendance when they’re held along the beach,” said Kim DaRoja, direc-

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Meeting Ideas

tor of group sales at the Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. “And with our attractions and dining mostly along the coast, you’re able to have the best of both worlds.”

The Myrtle Beach Convention Center is a five-minute drive from the Myrtle Beach International Airport and three blocks from the ocean.

Together, the convention center and the adjoining Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center Hotel feature more than 250,000 square feet of flexible meeting space for regional trade shows, music festivals, faithbased conferences and more.

Meeting planners can also make use of the considerable conference space available at Kingston Resort, which encompasses more than 100,000 square feet of meeting space in four beautiful ocean-facing hotel properties. After hours, attendees will find no shortage of entertainment throughout this diverse region, from hiking and biking trails in two oceanfront state parks to shopping and dining at Broadway at the Beach, a renowned 350-acre outdoor entertainment complex. www.visitmyrtlebeach.com

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

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& Plan on meeting here

MEET, EXPLORE, CONNECT GREATER ONTARIO, CALIFORNIA A breathtaking contemporary state of the art venue with more than 225,000 square feet of flexible column-free exhibit, meeting and function space, the Ontario Convention Center is ideal for conventions, trade shows, exhibits and meetings. Located just 2 miles from Ontario International Airport with access to a variety of hotel and dining options within walking distance, the center is frequently used by filmmakers as an on-site location for movies and commercials.

• 225,000 total square feet with a 70,000 square foot column free exhibition hall • Full range of technology services • Award winning Executive Chef and service excellence • Over 6,000 hotel rooms available in Greater Ontario

Numerous Missoula venues sit on the banks of the Clark River.

Missoula, Montana

Courtesy Destination Missoula

Nestled at the confluence of three rivers and seven wilderness areas, Missoula, Montana, is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Though visitors can explore an eclectic culinary and shopping scene in downtown, they can also take advantage of kayaking, paddleboarding and tubing right in the heart of town. The city also boasts of 400 acres of urban parkland, 22 miles of trails and more than 20,000 planted trees.

“We like to say that Missoula has an unexpected sophistication that blends town and country,” said Kara Bartlett, group sales manager at Destination Missoula. “We have the space capacity, recreation and entertainment, but within minutes you can be hiking a mountain.”

For those who love a sunset view, it is worth taking the time to “Hike the M,” an undemanding, 30-minute trail from the University of Montana campus up to the summit of Mount Sentinel, which offers a spectacular overlook of the entire valley.

Three full-service properties offer conference space in the city. The Hilton Garden Inn Missoula in downtown provides the most extensive

August 2018

• Complimentary hotel parking and shuttle service For meeting needs of all sizes – from a conference room to a citywide convention utilizing the Ontario Convention Center – or for a special exposition or sporting event, the Greater Ontario Convention & Visitors Bureau will provide the necessary destination support tools to execute a successful experience.

For more information on planning your next adventure, visit GOcvb.org 800.455.5755

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Courtesy Greater Wilmington CVB

With 90,000 square feet of space, Chase Center on the Waterfront is Wilmington’s largest meeting venue. meeting amenities, with 22,000 square feet of function space, an on-site events team and videoconferencing capabilities. Nearby, the Holiday Inn Missoula Downtown comprises 20,000 square feet of meeting space that includes 10 meeting rooms and a spacious outdoor area. The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Missoula is on the banks of the Clark River just eight miles from the Missoula International Airport; the hotel offers a scenic backdrop for private banquets and events in a 6,345-square-foot divisible ballroom. www.destinationmissoula.org

Wilmington, Delaware

race into your next adventure

justin stine, meetings & sports sales manager 913.321.5800 | justin@ visitkansascityks.com visitkansasCitykS.com/ meetings

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Meeting Ideas

A 30-minute drive south of Philadelphia, Wilmington, Delaware, is a choice midway point between New York City and Washington, D.C., and provides easy access for travelers from East Coast cities.

The largest and oldest city in the state, Wilmington presents a broad range of historical and cultural attractions. Visitors can take a ride on the Riverboat Queen, a classic paddle-wheel vessel, or catch a Broadway show at the Delaware Theater Company. At Banks Seafood Kitchen, groups can sample steaming-fresh seafood while enjoying a sweeping view of the Christina River. “The riverfront is a very inviting place, and the

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view of the cityscape is exceptional. It really makes you feel like you can relax and enjoy life,” said Lyn Lewis director of communications and public relations at the Greater Wilmington Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The Chase Center on the Waterfront is the largest meeting facility in Wilmington and offers a beautiful overlook of the river, along with 90,000 square feet of meeting space, a 252-seat auditorium and a connecting passage to the Westin Wilmington Hotel. In 2019, the city plans to open an additional hotel property next to the center.

“It makes it really convenient for people who are staging meetings because it eliminates transportation,” said Lewis.

For those searching for a more luxurious setting, the historic Hotel Du Pont has been a staple of Wilmington since 1913 and serves as a popular venue for exclusive corporate retreats and events. Groups can organize receptions, seminars and other events in a variety of elegant spaces, including the Executive Conference Center, 11 private dining rooms and the Neoclassical Gold Ballroom. www.visitwilmingtonde.com

By Carlos Alejandro, courtesy Greater Wilmington CVB

A stroll along The Wilmington Riverwalk provides a nice break between meeting activities.

S T A Y L A F AY E T T E Plan your escape to the Happiest City in America.

L A F AY E T T E T R AV E L . C O M /Groups

August 2018

800 346 1958

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MEET NORFOLK This Virginia cit y boas t s wa t erfront views and diverse venues

By Zach Chouteau

The battleship Wisconsin, part of the Nauticus museum complex, is the most iconic attraction in Norfolk.

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Destination Showcase

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“I always find visitors are surprised by how many things there are to do here, and how easy it is to do them.”

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ith its rich history and still-flourishing marine heritage, Convention Center. The venue offers 60,000 square feet of flexible Norfolk, Virginia, provides groups and planners with an meeting space, with 26 full-size event rooms. Its largest meeting room, array of settings and sensations tied to the open waters. Its the Norfolk Ballroom, can host seated functions for up to 2,400 guests. positioning at the confluence of the Elizabeth The 397-room property is centrally located River, Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean and home to a Shula’s Steakhouse and a helps cement its stature as a one-of-a-kind heated indoor pool. Allen said the property, locale for meetings travel. which changed ownership last year, is now “We’re a waterfront destination along three moving forward on some major upgrades. major bodies of water,” said Donna Allen, vice Norfolk’s arsenal of event-hosting options president of sales and marketing for Visit got a huge boost in 2017 with the debut of the Norfolk. “Groups really have a chance to get Waterside District, an attractive compound of out and take advantage of it.” restaurants, lounges and event-friendly spaces.

There are numerous ways for groups to Home to great hangout spots like a Blue Moon leave dry land behind and see the city from a TapHouse and a Guy Fieri Smokehouse, plus the whole new perspective. snazzy, nautical-themed Harbor Club, the Among Allen’s top recommendations are vibrant venue can host everything from cozy the Spirit of Norfolk cruises along the Elizabeth private dinners to festive affairs for 6,000 guests.

River, where groups can dine, dance and Allen spotlighted the Half Moone Center, enjoy drinks at a rooftop lounge aboard a based by the water at Nauticus, as one of the large yacht. Allen also suggested a Naval Base hottest places in town to host an event. Its specCruise aboard the Victory Rover, a passenger tacular Grand Rotunda, with towering glass ship where groups of up to 150 can enjoy the windows and a spacious patio that overlooks exhilarating breezes from an open-air upper the Elizabeth River, makes it an excellent choice deck or take shelter during rougher weather when you’re seeking to impress a group. in the enclosed lower deck. The cruise features Lots of Lodging views of the naval base, with vessels that Norfolk at sunset When it comes to top meetings hotels, a include destroyers, submarines and more. recent entry into the Norfolk landscape is Another choice nearby is the American Rover, Photos courtesy Visit Norfolk.com stealing the show. Hilton, Norfolk, the Main, a spacious schooner where guests can help better known as simply the Main, is a stylish with the sailing tasks if they feel so inclined. hub of event spaces and fine dining along the A related option is clambering aboard the LOCATION city’s waterfront that opened just last year. The humongous Battleship Wisconsin, docked at Southern Virginia coast Main’s conference space, dubbed the Exchange, the marine-focused Nauticus attraction. Here ACCESS includes the largest ballroom in Virginia groups can view special exhibits, take behindNorfolk International Airport; among its 42,000 square feet of snazzy event the-scenes tours and even rough it for a interstates 64 and 264 space, and its array of top-tier restaurants camping overnighter.

MAJOR MEETING SPACES includes Saltine, a sophisticated seafood Of course, because Norfolk is Virginia’s Norfolk Waterside Marriott; establishment with some superb private-dinsecond-largest city, there are plenty of other Waterside District venue; Half Moone Center ing spaces. Other highlights of the 23-story lures there, even for avowed landlubbers. property include a heated indoor pool and a “I always find visitors are surprised by how HOTEL ROOMS rooftop garden lounge. many things there are to do here, and how 5,000-plus Another major meetings magnet is the easy it is to do them,” Allen said, mentioning OFFSITE VENUES Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel, which bills Norfolk’s robust arts scene and rising restauChrysler Museum, Hermitage Museum and itself as the only lodging in town directly rant array among the myriad lures.

Gardens, Nauticus along the water. With 468 guest rooms and CONTACT INFO Significant Spaces 46,000 square feet of function space, the propVisit Norfolk One of the city’s most substantial events erty can handle groups of almost any size. The 800-368-3097 hubs is also one of its most popular lodgings: venue recently completed a $12 million overwww.visitnorfolk.com the Norfolk Waterside Marriott Hotel and haul that included robust room renovations

Norfolk, Virginia

August 2018

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Norfolk restaurants, such as Todd Jurich’s Bistro, have won acclaim in recent years. and a remodeling of the conference center.

Allen said although details are still sparse, excitement is building over the planned debut of a Marriott Autograph Collection property next year in the city’s historic Royster Building on Granby Street; the hotel of about 120 rooms will include fine dining and a permanent glass-art gallery.

Off-Site Excitement

The famed Chrysler Museum is one of the first places that leaps to mind for Allen when she is asked about amazing off-sites. Its wideranging collection features works by artists such as Rubens, Manet, Matisse, Hopper, Pollock and Warhol among many others. The Chrysler is also a trove of enchanting event spaces, including Huber Court, which can accommodate 700 for a standing reception beneath a high, arched glass ceiling, and the Glass Shop, where up to 120 guests can

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Destination Showcase

drink and dine while taking in live glassblowing demonstrations.

The Norfolk Botanical Gardens isn’t just a thriving hub of gorgeous fauna; it is also a meetings and events hot spot. Sprawling across 175 acres intersected by seven miles of hiking paths, the gardens are divided into distinct areas, such as a Rose Garden and an Enchanted Forest. Surrounded by water on three sides, the venue offers tours not only by foot and tram, but by boat as well, with one special lunch tour combining all three.

The venue has a gamut of event areas for rent, including eight outdoor gardens and lawns, and indoor options that include the regal Rose Garden Hall, which can host functions for up to 200. Another compelling possibility is the intimate Garden Café, with its outdoor patio that overlooks the breathtaking Japanese Gardens.

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Norfolk sits on the Elizabeth River at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay.

Dynamic Diversions

The Nauticus compound is worthwhile even if you’re not planning a visit to the Battleship Wisconsin. The venue is also host to an acclaimed Maritime Center, the Hampton Roads Naval Museum, a 350seat theater that frequently shows 3D films and a gift shop.

Just a short drive from downtown, the Hermitage Museum is a serene retreat of open green spaces, a historic home and impressive art displays. The venue offers a handful of different tours and is home to some gorgeous al fresco function spaces on its 12-acre grounds.

Norfolk’s culinary scene is thriving, with about 80 new chef-owned restaurants that have opened around the downtown in recent years.

Allen said although you can find almost any kind of fresh seafood in the area, blue crab and oysters are favorites, and the city is in full step with the fresh/local flavors focus so in vogue.

Two establishments Allen particularly recommended are Byrd and

August 2018

Baldwin, an upscale steak and chop house that also has a vast array of seafood treats on the menu, including raw shucked oysters and Maryland crab cakes; and Todd Jurich’s, a hip bistro that puts its own special twist on old classics such as cherry duck and meatloaf. Both restaurants are suitable for both small groups of attendees dining out on their own and organized dinner affairs, as each has private dining spaces, including some elegant brick-lined spaces at Byrd and Baldwin.

Norfolk also has a cool but low-key sports scene with minor league hockey and baseball. In wintertime, groups can take in a Norfolk Admirals ice hockey match at The Scope, a 9,000-seat arena. Come spring and summer, planners can ponder taking their attendees to a Norfolk Tides baseball game at Harbor Park; the venue offers a wide array of cool group spaces, plus perks like letting a group VIP throw out the first pitch.

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On Campus in Oklahoma

By Rachel Carter

N O

O R M K L A H

A N , O M A

LOCATION Less than 20 miles south of downtown Oklahoma City ACCESS Will Rogers World Airport, interstates 35 and 40 MAJOR MEETING SPACES Marriott Hotel and Conference Center at NCED, Embassy Suites by Hilton Norman Hotel and Conference Center HOTEL ROOMS 3,150 OFF-SITE VENUES University of Oklahoma campus facilities, including Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Oklahoma Memorial Union, Catlett Music Center and the Donald W. Reynolds Performing Arts Center CONTACT INFO Visit Norman 800-767-7260 www.visitnorman.com

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Destination Showcase

Above: Groups can hold events in the rotunda of the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art in Norman.

Left: Oklahoma Memorial Stadium is a fixture of the University of Oklahoma campus in Norman.

A

s home to the University of Oklahoma, the city of Norman enjoys a national spotlight and widespread name recognition, but not everyone realizes that the college town is part of the Oklahoma City metro area.

Norman is the “same distance from the Oklahoma City Will Rogers airport as it is to downtown Oklahoma City, so it is a very short drive,” said Stefanie Brickman, communications manager for Visit Norman.

Will Rogers World Airport has 30 daily nonstop flights, and Norman sits just south of Oklahoma City on Interstate 35, both of which “can be helpful in getting people from their location to here,” she said.

Norman is a college community that offers visitors plenty to do, from college athletics to arts and culture.

On the OU campus, the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art houses a large collection of impressionist paintings.

“Everything you would go to Paris to see you can see in Norman,” Brickman said.

“There’s a Monet, a Renoir, a Degas, a Van Gogh.”

Admission to the museum is free, and planners can hold events in the Sandy Bell Gallery, which seats up to 200 people, or an auditorium that can seat 148. Full-facility rentals are also available after the museum closes to the public.

OU’s Sam Noble Museum has five galleries that showcase thousands of artifacts

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Convention Complex The Marriott Hotel and Conference Center at the National Center for Employee Development is Norman’s largest single meeting venue, and the complex also houses the U.S. Postal Service training center. The hotel’s 964 rooms include recently renovated guest rooms as well as dormitory-style accommodations — for USPS trainees — that work well for youth groups and sporting events. The conference center has more than 65,000 square feet of function space, including a 10,000-square-foot ballroom that can seat up to 1,000 for a banquet. The campus also features an outdoor saltwater pool; softball fields; a driving range; a ropes course; and tennis, volleyball, racquetball and basketball courts.

Hotel Hub The Embassy Suites by Hilton Norman Hotel and Conference Center is another popular convention hotel with 283 guest rooms and 50,000 square feet of flexible meeting space. The 28,000-square-foot Oklahoma Ballroom makes up more than half of that space and can be broken down into 10 smaller rooms. Next door, a Holiday Inn Express and Suites has 115 guest rooms, and a new Hampton by Hilton hotel is being built across the street from the Embassy Suites with more than 100 guest rooms. Plans are also in the works for a 124-room Residence Inn in the same area.

Photos courtesy Visit Norman

spanning 500 million years of Oklahoma’s natural and cultural history. Visitors can ride a glass “dinovator” to come eye to eye with the world’s largest apatosaurus.

At Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, visitors will see five bronze statues of OU’s Heisman trophy winners at Heisman Park and can explore the newly renovated Barry Switzer Center to see Sooner memorabilia, including jerseys and championship trophies.

“It’s quite a collection of hardware for fans to see,” Brickman said.

Norman is also known as a city of festivals. The annual three-day Norman Music Festival is a free event held at venues throughout downtown, and the annual Medieval Fair — also free — takes place every spring at Reaves Park. Visitors can also check out the Norman Chocolate Festival, the Norman Film Fest, the National Weather Festival and the Aviation Festival.

August 2018

Sooners State The University of Oklahoma campus offers planners plenty of options to saturate their events with Sooners flair. At Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, the Chesapeake Stadium Club can seat up to 500 for banquets, and the Santee Lounge can accommodate seated meals for 400. The Oklahoma Memorial Union has more than 20 event spaces, including a ballroom that can seat up to 350 for dinners or welcome up to 600 for receptions. Groups can also gather at the Catlett Music Center, the Donald W. Reynolds Performing Arts Center, the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art and many other OU venues.

Oklahoma Twister There’s nothing more distinctive to Norman than the home of the National Weather Center, which offers public tours and can arrange guided group tours. Visitors can observe operations of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Severe Storms Laboratory as meteorologists monitor systems, track storms and issue severe weather bulletins. Groups will also see TOTO — the Totable Tornado Observatory — that inspired the creation of the props Dorothy and D.O.T.3 for the 1996 blockbuster film “Twister,” all three of which are on display at the center. During their visit, guests can also grab breakfast or lunch at the Flying Cow Café.

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High Peaks in the Adirondacks

By Kristy Alpert

M

ornings at the High Peaks Resort in upstate New York start not with the sound of buzzing alarms, but rather the soft song of the American tree sparrow greeting the rising sun over the still waters of Mirror Lake. In just a few hours, the lake will begin buzzing with life as paddlers and fishermen take to the water to immerse themselves in the region’s favorite pastimes. But once the sun begins to set, the waters will still, and all that will remain is a reflection of the High Peaks Resort, standing as a reminder of a day well spent.

The High Peaks Resort was built on the site of the region’s first public lodging, an 1850s cherry-red farmhouse owned by Joseph Nash. The resort operated as a base camp of sorts for outdoor adventurers until the late 1970s. When the U.S. Olympic Committee named Lake Placid the host of the 1980 Winter Olympic Games, the site underwent its greatest transformation. The resort was chosen to serve as the home of the American

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Hospitality Showcase

Photos courtesy High Peaks Resort

Broadcasting Company for the games, so the property was built out with business, conventions and meetings in mind. The renovations and additions included large banquet spaces and meeting spaces. Even the parking lot was designed for the business traveler and doubled as the helipad for ABC executives.

Today, the High Peaks Resort features 177 guest rooms, many that boast spectacular views, in a laidback setting that blends modern conveniences with the spirit of Adirondack hospitality. The central location in the heart of Lake Placid makes the resort a fantastic home base for a number of daytime adventures for meeting guests, including many shopping, dining and entertainment options both on-site and in the surrounding area. The High Peaks Resort’s Olympic legacy and natural surrounding have created an ambiance of team building and camaraderie, making the resort a great environment for memorable meetings.

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High Peaks Resort Meeting Spaces With more than 10,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, the High Peaks Resort can accommodate groups of up to 300 guests. The resort boasts 10 different conference spaces, with options to suit almost any conference need. The nine large banquet spaces vary in size from 748 square feet with theater seating for up to 86 guests to 1,980 square feet with theater seating for up to 100 guests. Many of the spaces can be combined to accommodate up to 300 guests at one time. The Boardroom is suitable for smaller groups and meetings, accommodating up to 12 guests.

Around the Resort The resort is home to four bars and lounges, including the Dancing Bears Restaurant, open daily; the Bar at Lake House, open weekends; The Deck, open June through September; and The Den, open September through March. The High Peaks Resort’s booking packages are inclusive for groups, boasting many resort features included in the rate, such as lakefront access with watercrafts available; a fitness center; and four onsite pools, two indoor and two outdoor. The resort also features an Aveda Concept Element Day Spa and Salon, which offers a full range of massages and beauty treatments.

August 2018

Location Lake Placid, New York Size 177 rooms Meeting Space More than 10,000 square feet Access Lake Placid Airport Contact Info 518-523-4411 www.highpeaksresort.com

Left: The lobby of High Peaks Resort exudes rustic Adirondack charm.

Right: The Marcy Boardroom is ideal for executive sessions.

Opposite page: Groups meeting at High Peaks Resort can arrange team-building adventures on Mirror Lake.

Catering The culinary team at the High Peaks Resort defines its cuisine as New American: The food is approachable and includes options for vegans and vegetarians, with a nod to comfort foods and classic American dishes. Casual and formal menus are available, and the team can customize the menus to fit the ambiance of an indoor or outdoor event. The chefs at the resort love working with international flavors for events and can re-create dishes that transport guests to Asia, Mexico, the Mediterranean and even Ireland through the taste buds. Alcohol is available in accordance with all New York State Liquor Authority regulations.

Extras The High Peaks Resort offers guests a wealth of leisure opportunities year-round, both on- and offsite. Wi-Fi and parking are always complimentary.

Additionally, the meetings and events team works closely with local experienced professionals to create team-building exercises, and solo or small-group leisure opportunities for guests attending meetings or events at the resort. During the summer and holidays — Christmas and Presidents Week — the resort offers yoga twice a week, a birds-of-prey demonstration once a week and family movies daily. Every Thursday, the resort hosts Muddles and Music, a lively event with craft cocktails and live music.

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Meetings on the

By Kristy Alpert

T

he story begins on the banks of the Mississippi River in 1969.

Captain William D. Bowell Sr., founder of the Padelford Riverboat Company, launched his first sternwheeler, the Jonathan Padelford, into the waters outlining St. Paul, Minnesota. It was a boat that would have made Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn stand in awe, with its all-steel frame and towering stacks, and it drew lots of attention as passengers came from all over to hop on board for leisurely jaunts up and down the Mississippi.

Although the vessel was the first for the new riverboat touring company, it would not be the last, as Padelford Riverboats would soon add two more vessels to its fleet.

Today, the company is owned and managed by Gus Gaspardo and his wife, Tammy, who were selected by the Bowell family to take over the company in 2016 after Gus’ more than 34 years of working his way up from senior deckhand to captain to president. The Gaspardos are joined by a team of experienced river professionals with many years of service in the company, along with their two children, James and Samantha.

“I was lucky enough to grow up on the river,” said Samantha Gaspardo, event manager for the Padelford Riverboat Company.

“Cruising up the Mississippi River taking in the scenery and nature never gets old to me. My favorite part about the company is all of the people I get to meet through this job. Everyone has a story to tell and makes a connection with one another when they are on the river. It is

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Venue Showcase

Photos courtesy Padleford Riverboats

Above: Padelford Riverboats ply the waters of the Mississippi near St. Paul.

Left: Enclosed riverboat decks can be set for festive occasions. a side of Minnesota that not very many people are able to see.”

Since its inception, Padelford Riverboats has entertained more than 5 million guests, offering scenic tours along the river as well as themed cruises. The company also charters the vessels for private events and celebrations. All the boats now operate out of Harriet Island in downtown St. Paul and are equipped with dance areas, bars, sun decks and nostalgic decor and accents that make the journey along the Mississippi memorable.

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Mississippi

Meeting Spaces

The Padelford Riverboat Company operates three boats. The Jonathan Padelford has a maximum seating capacity of 100 and a standing capacity of 160. The Anson Northrup has a maximum seating capacity of 224 and a standing capacity of 300. The Betsey Northrup has a maximum seating

capacity of 176 and a standing capacity of 300. Meeting planners can also book the Anson Northrup and the Betsey Northrup at the same time, as the vessels can hook together to create one big boat with a seating capacity of 400 and a standing capacity of 600.

Catering With Chef Cooper at the helm, guests onboard Padelford Riverboat Company’s cruises will never go hungry or thirsty. All meals are served buffet style and range from appetizers to full dinners. Chef Cooper is known locally for his corned beef brisket, which won the

People’s Choice Award three years in a row at That Cooking School’s Corned Beef Cook Off. Other favorites include his grilled bone-in chicken with Jamaican-style Port Royal sauce, his cheesy hash potatoes and his beer cheese fondue with bacon jam. There is a full bar on board.

Onboard Entertainment

Padelford Riverboats

The Padelford Riverboat Company works with preferred vendors to offer onboard entertainment, including DJ DMill, who has been the favorite DJ on board for many years.

The company also contracts with live bands, including the Mississippi Ragtime, who also plays on the company’s regular Lunch and Lock and Senior Day cruises; Barbary Coast;

and Blues Contraption, who plays on the Ribs and Blues Cruise. Groups can also opt to simply use XM Radio or hook up an iPod for onboard music. Local company VIP Photos, a photo booth company, is another favorite for guests, as it provides a memorable keepsake from the group’s time on the water.

LOCATION

St. Paul, Minnesota

TYPE OF VENUE Off-site, riverboat

CAPACITY 600 guests

NEARBY ACCOMMODATIONS Covington Inn

CONTACT INFO 651-227-1100 www.riverrides.com

August 2018

Extras Along with private cruises and special-occasion sailings, the Padelford Riverboat Company offers a variety of themed cruises as a fun way to spice up an event or on-water meeting. Meeting planners can work with the company to add their own personal touches to the themes to make the cruises even more memorable. The company offers an ’80s

theme, a Mardi Gras theme, a Viva Las Vegas theme, an Aloha Hawaii theme and the popular Marvelous Minnesotan theme. The Padelford Riverboat Company’s events team is always exploring new ideas and themes to offer guests to make the cruises special, so planners should ask about new themes or specials.

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Sites in the Suburbs

By Rachel Carter

Courtesy Visit Franklin

Franklin, a suburb south of Nashville, hosts the annual Pilgrimage Music Festival.

T

he lights and excitement of the big city sometimes overshadow the surrounding suburbs, which too often wear the undeserved labels of sleepy towns and bedroom communities.

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But in Tennessee, the suburbs surrounding Nashville, Memphis and Knoxville offer easy airport or interstate access, as well as plenty of dining, shopping, entertainment and meeting venues, usually for less money and, oftentimes, with less hassle.

For example, Nashville is such a hot city on the national stage that some planners may not be able to get the availability they need — or they may not want to be right in downtown. Enter the suburbs.

“They can still come here and get that same, if not better, experience,” said Kathryn York, director of sales for Visit Franklin, Tennessee.

Middle Tennessee Suburbs

Nashville is known around the world as Music City, but its surrounding suburbs are just as musical. The city of Franklin is a straight shot 20 miles south of Nashville on Interstate 65. Franklin’s historic downtown district is hopping with shops, restaurants and live music every night of the week, York said.

“We’re still very much in with the music scene, but we’re more of where the songwriters live,” she said.

While big-name artists record and perform their hits in Nashville, “in Franklin, you hear who wrote it.”

The city is home to the annual Pilgrimage Music and Cultural Festival, which Justin Timberlake headlined last year and this September will feature artists such as Jack White, Dave Matthews and Lionel Richie.

Tennessee Meeting Guide

“Having really well-known festivals and events put us on the map as well,” York said.

Franklin’s largest meeting space is the 300-guestroom Franklin Marriott Cool Springs, with 30,000 square feet of meeting space in 23 meeting rooms, including a 13,500-square-foot ballroom that can be divided into 10 separate spaces.

The Ag Expo Park is a 175,000-square-foot event arena with 4,100 fixed seats. The arena can be expanded to hold up to 8,500 people and has an adjoining 4,050-square-foot meeting room that can be split into three.

The Factory at Franklin is a complex of 11 Depressionera factory buildings that have been renovated and reimagined as shopping, dining and entertainment venues. There, the 10,000-square-foot Jameson Hall can seat up to 450 people for banquets, and the 14,400-square-foot Liberty Hall has banquet seating for up to 800 guests. Groups can also use the 2,250-squarefoot Heritage Room or the 125-seat Little Brick Theater.

In downtown, the 1937 Franklin Theatre is an Art Deco movie theater with 296 seats and a 1,100-squarefoot multipurpose room.

Hotel development in Williamson County is booming. Ten hotel properties with 1,273 guest rooms are now under construction countywide, York said. The new full-service, 224-room Hilton Franklin Cool Springs is slated to open in September with 6,000

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By Allen Gillespie, courtesy Memphis Tourism

Shelby Farms Park offers a tranquil setting near Memphis. square feet of meeting space. A new 115-room Hilton Curio will be Franklin’s first downtown hotel when it opens in spring or early summer of 2020.

Northeast of Nashville, the suburbs of Gallatin and Hendersonville are “a well-kept secret,” and the area is rich in both scenic beauty and music heritage, said Barry Young, executive director of Sumner County Tourism.

“Johnny and June Cash lived here on Old Hickory Lake. Conway Twitty lived here,” Young said. “The Oakridge Boys still live here, and Taylor Swift moved here when she was a teenager.”

Rivership Cruises offers private yacht charters and cruises of Old Hickory Lake, and Cumberland River Cruises takes groups out on pontoon boats to see the homes of famous country-music stars.

A new Hilton Garden Inn is being built in Gallatin. It will have an adjacent conference center when it opens later this year. Also in Gallatin, Volunteer State Community College offers facility rentals, and the Epic Event Centre has several event spaces in a historic industrial building. There, the 8,100-square-foot Jackson Ballroom can hold up to 500 people, and the 4,130-square-foot Johnson Hall can accommodate 250 guests.

At Long Hollow Gardens and Vineyards, a covered greenhouse-style event space can seat up to 235 guests for meals, and Bagsby Ranch is a farm with a

August 2018

10,000-square-foot, climate-controlled lakefront event center.

In Hendersonville, the Bluegrass Yacht and Country Club is remodeling its event spaces, and Our Lady of the Lake has an event center that can hold up to 600 people for meals, Young said. www.visitfranklin.com www.visitsumnertn.com

West Tennessee Suburbs

Memphis is all about blues and barbecue, and its suburbs offer plenty of both. The city is snuggled into the southwestern corner of the state, with Arkansas just across the Mississippi River and the Mississippi state line just south of the city.

Memphis Tourism covers Memphis as well as Shelby County, which includes all the Tennessee side of the river suburbs, said Kevin Kern, vice president of public relations for Memphis Tourism.

The city of Germantown is about 20 miles southeast of Memphis, and the community is home to nearly 40,000 residents. The Germantown Performing Arts Center has an 864-seat performance hall as well as a black-box theater, a patron lounge and a spacious lobby for receptions and other events.

At the Great Hall and Conference Center in Germantown, the 8,600-square-foot main hall has large windows and opens onto an adjoining balcony.

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The space can also be reconfigured into five 1,600-square-foot rooms. The conference center seats 84 in tiered theater seating and offers full audiovisual and tech capabilities.

On the eastern edge of the Memphis city limits, Shelby Farms Park is a 4,500-acre urban park with 40 miles of trails and more than 20 ponds and lakes. The park’s FedEx Event Center has more than 7,200 square feet of flexible space, including the Lakeside Ballroom, where a wall of windows delivers views of Hyde Lake.

Groups can also use the park’s event lawn and outdoor stage, picnic pavilions and visitor center meeting rooms.

The Expo Center at Agricenter International has more than 86,000 square feet of exhibit space as well as an 825-fixed-seat amphitheater, seven breakout rooms, a boardroom and a banquet room. On the same campus complex, the Agricenter ShowPlace Arena is a multipurpose facility for equestrian events, festivals, concerts, trade shows and more. www.memphistravel.com

East Tennessee Suburbs

Knoxville is home to the University of Tennessee, and the campus sits not far from the banks of the Tennessee River. Although downtown and the 500,000-squarefoot Knoxville Convention Center serve as the city’s hub for major meetings and events, surrounding sub-

Middle Tennessee Meeting Space

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Tennessee Meeting Guide

urbs and smaller pockets offer planners plenty of hotels and conference spaces, said Sarah Rowan, director of sales for Visit Knoxville.

Farragut is a community of 23,000 residents that sits on interstates 40 and 75, less than 20 miles west of downtown. There, Turkey Creek is a shopping and entertainment development that’s home to several limited-service hotels, including a Hampton Inn and Suites and a SpringHill Suites by Marriott.

Cedar Bluff in west Knoxville is also just off the interstate but closer to the city center. The area is home to about 15 limited-service hotels as well as the 60,000-square-foot Rothchild Catering and Conference Center.

In Walland, about 30 miles south of Knoxville, Blackberry Farm is a luxury hotel and 4,200-acre resort in the Great Smoky Mountains. The resort has a variety of meeting rooms and event spaces, including Bramble Hall, an event center built in 2016.

RT Lodge sits on the woodsy campus of Maryville College in Maryville, about 20 miles south of downtown Knoxville. The lodge’s main meeting space can accommodate up to 50 people in classroom-style seating, but the lodge also has several other gathering options, from an elegant boardroom to a circle of chairs around a firepit in the forest. www.visitknoxville.com

let’s meet

Middle

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Tennessee Mountain Meetings

By Rachel Carter Courtesy Chattanooga Area CVB

A woman sits on one of the surrounding mountains overlooking Chattanooga.

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tretching nearly 2,000 miles, the Appalachian Mountains extend from the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador to central Alabama.

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Along the way, they cover the eastern edge of Tennessee with the Great Smoky Mountains, the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Valley and Ridge Province.

Rolling hills blanketed with lush greenery, steep slopes shrouded in mist and by beautiful scenery make these mountain destinations ideas for meetings and corporate retreats.

Chattanooga

Chattanooga is nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, and downtown Chattanooga “is completely surrounded by mountains,” said Brian Murphy, vice president of sales for the Chattanooga Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. The two most famous peaks are Signal Mountain and Lookout Mountain, where visitors will find Rock City and Ruby Falls.

The setting is “absolutely beautiful,” he said. “Trees and rolling hills and, in the fall and the winter, you can get some snow and some color.”

The 185,000-square-foot Chattanooga Convention Center, with 100,000 square feet of column-free exhibition space and 19,000 square feet of divisible banquet space, is the city’s major meeting venue. But more and more, groups are looking for “diversity of function space,” Murphy said. 2 on the Roof is a new 4,700-squarefoot venue that offers 360-degree views of downtown, the river and the surrounding mountains. Receptions with up to 300 guests can also use Chattanooga Whiskey Co.’s event room.

The 260-room Westin Chattanooga opened in October with 29,000 square feet of event space. In the 6,300-square-foot Portman Ballroom, walls of windows slide open to connect to the 36,000-square-foot outdoor

Portman Terrace, which provides views of Lookout Mountain.

Also in downtown, the Edwin Hotel is under construction, and the Read House Historic Inn and Suites is closed while it undergoes a $35 million renovation, both slated to be complete this fall.

The city redid the riverfront several years ago to make downtown more walkable and accessible. Today, the Walnut Street pedestrian bridge crosses the Tennessee River, connecting downtown to shops, parks and art galleries on the North Shore. Nearby, the Ruth Holmberg Pedestrian Bridge spans Riverfront Parkway to connect downtown with the Bluff View Art District.

The district is a historic neighborhood perched on stone cliffs high above the river where visitors will find restaurants, a coffee shop, an art gallery, gardens and the Bluff View Inn, a bed-and-breakfast housed in three turn-of-the-20th-century homes. In the district, groups can gather at the Hunter Museum of American Art, a modern venue, as well as the historic Renaissance Commons event hall.

The city’s free electric shuttle runs through downtown from the Tennessee Aquarium to the Chattanooga Choo Choo. Bike Chattanooga has over 300 bicycles at 38 stations throughout the city, including one station at the convention center. www.chattanoogafun.com

Smoky Mountains

At the base of the Great Smoky Mountains, Pigeon Forge “is the perfect backdrop for events,” said Jennifer Smith, sales manager for the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism and the LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge. “There

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The Island is a popular after-hours amusement destination in Pigeon Forge.

Courtesy Pigeon Forge Dept. of Tourism

THE INN at Pickwick Landing State Park Meeting and Conference Center

TO THE LAKE Over 6000 square feet of meeting and banquet space…..

Over 1400 acres of park grounds to enjoy….

Nature walks, golfing, picnicking, bird watching, boating, kayaking, swimming-

Make your meeting a relaxing retreat!

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Tennessee Meeting Guide

are amazing views every season of the year.”

The city’s 232,000-square-foot LeConte Center opened in fall 2013 and features a 100,500-squarefoot, column-free exhibit hall and the 12,000-square-foot Greenbriar Hall; both can be divided into smaller spaces. The center also has seven multipurpose rooms, each of which can be halved, for a total of 14 rooms.

Because city officials didn’t want to pilfer business from other venues, the city-owned LeConte Center can host events only for 1,500 or more people. That leaves about 20 different meeting and convention hotels and other properties for smaller functions, Smith said.

Black Fox Lodge opened in December 2016 across the street from the LeConte Center. The hotel has 175 guest rooms and flexible meeting space for 375 attendees in theater seating.

Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa opened in 2015 with 300 guest rooms and suites; its more than 6,000 square feet of flexible meeting space includes a ballroom for up to 170 people.

The former Holiday Inn in Pigeon Forge is undergoing a major renovation and is now the Ramsey Hotel and Convention Center, where planners will find 12,000 square feet of event space.

Pigeon Forge is a tourist town packed with more than 50 attractions and plenty of entertainment for attendees, and local theaters can sometimes be rented out. The LeConte Center sits on the banks of the Little Pigeon River. A four-and-a-half-mile Riverwalk connects the Old Mill district to The Island, an entertainment development where groups will find a Margaritaville resort, restaurants, shops, a Ferris wheel, a ropes course and more.

Just seven miles south, Gatlinburg serves as the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The Gatlinburg Convention Center has 148,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, including the 67,000-square-foot Great Hall, which can be split into three, as well as the 17,000-square-foot Tennessee Ballroom.

A Hampton Inn and a Fairfield Inn and Suites opened last year, joining a Courtyard by Marriott and a Holiday Inn Express, both of which opened in 2016.

Rocky Top Sports World is an indoor-outdoor sports tournament facility, but groups of all types can take advantage of 50,000 square feet of indoor event space and seating for several thousand people. www.mypigeonforge.com www.gatlinburg.com

Tri-Cities

Tucked into the northeastern corner of Tennessee, the cities of Bristol, Johnson City and Kingsport anchor the state’s Tri-Cities region. The area’s steep mountains, rolling hills and lush valleys are part

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of the Appalachian Mountains’ Valley and Ridge Province. Johnson City is the largest of the three cities, but Kingsport is home to the Tri-Cities’ largest venue: the MeadowView Conference Resort and Convention Center. The massive complex boasts nearly 82,000 square feet of function space and 42 event rooms. The resort has a 35,000-square-foot convention center, and the conference center has three ballrooms, two amphitheaters and outdoor space with a patio and courtyard.

Johnson City sits just west of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The recently renovated 206-guest-room Holiday Inn is the city’s largest event space, with more than 11,000 square feet, including a 4,800-square-foot ballroom that can seat 450 for meals.

Carnegie Hotel and Spa is a replica of its historic namesake, said Jenna Moore, director of sales for the Johnson City Convention and Visitors Bureau. The AAA Four Diamond property has 10,000 square feet of meeting space, including the Grand Soldiers Ballroom, which can seat about 250 for banquets.

Next door, the IACC-certified Millennium Centre can welcome up to 800 attendees. Its 25,000 square feet of meeting space features state-of-the-art conference rooms and a 5,900-square-foot ballroom that can be divided into thirds.

The Freedom Hall Civic Center is a recently renovated multipurpose arena that welcomes trade shows and conventions with banquet capacity for 800 or theater seating for 8,500.

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The Gray Fossil Site is an active Pliocene-era fossil dig site where visitors can watch paleontologists as they dig up fossils, including “a mastodon with a 12-foot tusk,” Moore said. The center now also houses the Hands On! Discovery Center, which has two event rooms for up to 55 and 30 guests, respectively.

Groups can enjoy the surrounding mountains with rafting trips on the Nolichucky River or guided mountain biking trips.

The city of Bristol straddles the state line, so “half of our city is in Virginia, and half is in Tennessee,” said Courtney Cacatian, executive director of Discover Bristol. Though most of the meeting hotels are on the Virginia side, the Tennessee side offers several venues as well, most notably the Bristol Motor Speedway. The NASCAR short track has event space that can seat 175 guests for meals, and groups can also arrange for guided tours and driving experiences, Cacatian said.

In Bristol’s historic downtown, planners can also book the restored 732-seat Paramount Theater and arrange for a demonstration of its historic Mighty Wurlitzer organ. Work is underway on Lost State Distilling’s new space in a historic building just under Bristol’s signature sign. The bottom floor will house the distillery, and the top two floors will have a bar and an event space. www.visitkingsport.com www.visitjohnsoncitytn.com www.discoverbristol.org

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