Small Market Meetings December 2016

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SOUTHEAST ALASKA CVB Housing Bureaus Meetings at Art Museums Nevada’s Meeting Resorts D E C E M B E R

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Small Market Meetings - December 2016.pdf

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Courtesy Sioux Falls CVB

Volume 17

Issue 12

December 2016

CVB Housing Bureaus

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Destination hosts can handle hotel logistics for meeting planners.

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Meetings at Art Museums

A culture of creativity makes these museums inspirational settings for meetings.

Southeast Alaska Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan offer Alaskan meeting experiences.

Courtesy Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

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Inn on the Lake This Finger Lakes hotel is an upstate New York favorite.

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Colonial Williamsburg The past is always present when you gather at this famous historic city.

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Nevada Resorts

Discover the wealth of great meeting properties beyond Las Vegas.

Courtesy Las Vegas CVB

For Sales Call

On the cover: Lupines signal the arrival of spring throughout Alaska.

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 for groups of five to 500. 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.

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DAVID BROWN ART DIRECTOR production@smallmarketmeetings.com

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866-356-5128

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STACEY BOWMAN ELIZA MYERS ACCOUNT MANAGER ONLINE EDITOR sales@smallmarketmeetings.com CHRISTINE CLOUGH COPY EDITOR KELLY TYNER ACCOUNT MANAGER RENA BAER sales@smallmarketmeetings.com PROOFREADER

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Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach to Debut New Event Space

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Photos courtesy Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach

The Wyndham Grand in Clearwater Beach will debut 22,000 square feet of new meeting space in January.

CLEARWATER BEACH, Florida — Set to open in January 2017 and available for booking after February 1, Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach is adding 22,000 square feet of flexible function space, including the area’s largest ballroom.

The beachfront destination resort delivers a blend of service and options to groups of 400 or more. Flexible function space includes seven meeting rooms divisible into 12 breakout rooms, plus the largest ballroom on Clearwater Beach — the 10,632-square-foot Dunes Ballroom. The Dunes Ballroom can host up to 800 guests and boasts among its many features a $250,000 programmable chandelier that helps create the mood, spirit and theme of any event.

Meeting spaces accommodate banquet seating and receptions, as well as classroom, theater, and U-shaped configurations, offer-

ing planners many possibilities. For more intimate executive-level meetings, planners can also choose the Osprey Boardroom.

“Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach promises a meeting experience that is nothing less than brilliant,” said Miguel Diaz, director of sales and marketing for the resort. “With twice as many visiting the area for meetings and conferences in 2015 versus 2010, we are introducing a new, high level of service to this distinctive destination that is experiencing rising appeal and demand by groups and guests.”

The resort offers groups everything a planner needs for a gathering, including state-ofthe-art technology, resort-wide Wi-Fi access, a business center, banquet and culinary offerings, and a team of on-site planners. www.wyndhamgrandclearwater.com

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Industry News

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Major Enhancements Coming to Gaithersburg Marriott

Courtesy Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center

More than 6,500 square feet of function space is being renovated at the Gaithersburg Marriott Washington Center.

GAITHERSBURG, Maryland — The Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center’s largest event space is being renovated with a more sophisticated décor and smart design for meetings and social events in Montgomery County, Maryland.

By early 2017, the Gaithersburg Marriott will offer more than 6,500 square feet of

newly updated function space for gala weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, conferences, board meetings and other events. In the meantime, planners can take advantage of special discounts and complimentary upgrades for end-of-year gatherings.

Inspired by the natural setting of Gaithersburg Marriott and the community

that surrounds it, this renovation continues the design concept established when the hotel introduced the Lakeside Ballroom, The Bench kitchen and bar, and Marriott Hotels Greatroom in 2013.

“Our earlier renovation concept was so well received by guests that we’re excited to expand the same character and charm to our additional Gaithersburg meeting space,” said Sara Moore, general manager, Gaithersburg Marriott. “Our guests are vocal about what they like, and we strive to give them everything they need to create successful events.”

Designers from Georgia-based designONE studio envision a rich palette of neutral tones and earthy shapes and textures for the new carpet, wall covering and furnishings in the 5,940-square-foot Washingtonian Ballroom, pre-function space, Rio Meeting Room and public areas. A diverse collection of artwork has been commissioned to reflect Maryland’s native beauty. www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-photos/waswg-gaithersburg-marriottwashingtonian-center/

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Solid speakers and a lively destination draw millennials

By Vickie Mitchell

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wenty- and 30-somethings won’t stand for sessions where talking heads deliver little substance. And because millennials are more likely than other generations to combine conference attendance with personal vacation time, they like to meet in places they’ll want to tell their friends about.

Cara Silletto, a millennial, has made her generation the focus of her business, Crescendo Strategies. Her company helps businesses better understand millennial employees to improve performance and avoid unnecessary turnover.

Here are her tips for planning educational content and choosing a meeting destination with millennials in mind.

For her recommendations on social media, technology and meeting atmosphere, see last month’s column at www.smallmarketmeetings.com/articles/aimingcool-millenials/.

Vet your speakers carefully.

Sadly, few speakers have the two qualities attendees hope for in a presenter: a dynamic speaking style and useful, usable information. “That is why people sit in the back,” said Silletto. “They want to be able to escape.”

Technology makes it easy to assess a speaker’s abilities beforehand. “With cellphone videos so accessible, no one has an excuse to not have a video,” said Silletto. “Even a two- to three-minute video will let you quickly know whether the person is articulate.”

Speakers should also provide their session’s learning objective. “What will people walk out with?” said Silletto.

“It should never be, for example, information about the new Medicaid changes. Instead, it should be, ‘Here are the changes, and this is the action that you need to take on them.’”

Keep sessions short and interactive.

Silletto is a speaker herself, and although she loves having a 90-minute time slot, she knows that is not what the crowd wants. “Make your sessions shorter and faster. Get to the point,” she said. She recommends sessions of an hour or less that include an interactive element. “They want you to get to the point; nobody has time for the fluff, and they don’t want a sales pitch.”

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MeetingPoint

To spice things up, vary the format.

Using the same format for every educational session spells dull. Have some traditional-style sessions that include an icebreaker, some 18-minute TED Talks-style sessions and some sessions that allow the crowd to be the experts through panels, roundtables or other interactive formats.

“At a recent conference I attended, one session was called Table Topics,” said Silletto. “Each table had a leader who was an expert on the topic, and anyone interested in the topic could sit and talk about it for 30 minutes.”

Attendees “learned from each other,” she said. “A lot of people in the crowd have as much information as the speaker.”

Millennials want to see more than the hotel.

Keep in mind that millennials are more likely than other attendees to blend personal and professional. “If your conference is a national one, where you can choose any city, you want to be pick a place that people would like to go on vacation,” Silletto said. If the destination is well known, like New York or Las Vegas, you won’t have to do much promotion. But if your meeting is being held in a lesser-known, second-tier city, you’ll want to play up its attractions with videos, photos and lists of top-10 sites.

“When they arrive in the city, make sure you have gotten the CVB to give you brochures, city guides, maps, and make sure you put links or info about the city and its restaurants, museums and other attractions on the conference app,” Silletto said. “The more fun people have, the more likely they are to come back next time.”

It’s also a good idea to incorporate local attractions, tastes and sounds into the conference, whether through complimentary or discounted tickets for a museum, a networking event at a baseball game or a night out at local restaurants. “It’s a way to make new friends, see the city and build camaraderie,” Silletto said.

For a free copy of Silletto’s guide, “The Millennial Mindset,” visit www.crescendostrategies.com.

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

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

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Make the Most of Housing Bureaus This CVB service offers convenience and intelligence Courtesy Sioux Falls CVB

By Savannah Osbourn

The Sioux Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau is one of many destination organizations around the country that provide housing support as part of their services to meeting planners.

hen it comes to making hotel arrangements, meeting planners often fail to take advantage of the free housing services from convention and visitors bureaus. As one of the meeting industry’s best-kept secrets, these housing bureaus operate as direct liaisons to nearby businesses, providing clients with all the necessary resources to make their event a success.

“Nobody has a better relationship with the hotels than the city, because we work with them day in and day out,” said Karen Wallace, director of housing services at the Greater Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau in Louisville, Kentucky.

This gives planners a central contact in the city and saves them the trouble of having to correspond with multiple hotels and businesses at once.

“The CVB is known as a one-stop shop for conventions, meetings and events, and housing bureaus are just an extension of that,” said Teri Schmidt, executive director at the Sioux Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

One of the first steps in the planning process is to find out which locations best serve a client’s needs. Once initial contact is made, bureaus work with planners to establish an accommodation bid, which involves setting a contract with the hotels.

“Let’s say you called me about doing an event,” Schmidt said. “I would take down all of your information — that you wanted to bring 200 people and you need one hotel, three luncheons, a banquet and a reception — I would put all this in a ‘sales flash’ and email it out to all our hotels.”

After the hotels respond with their availability and best prices, the bureau compiles this information for the client, who then signs a con-

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A Personal Connection

In essence, housing bureaus offer a personal connection to all the hotels in a city, making it easy for planners to book room blocks at the best prices, as well as monitor room reservations.

Housing staff want events to succeed as much as they want to fill hotel rooms, so in many ways they act as liaisons for the planner, helping with site selection, promotional materials, press releases and more.

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Managing Meetings

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Courtesy Go Cedar Rapids

Go Cedar Rapids provides housing bureau services for sports events in the area. tract with their hotel of choice. For planners, exploring options has never been easier.

Real-Time Tracking

During the reservation process, housing bureaus use their resources to regulate the number and location of rooms selected.

“The real value of our service is that we help meeting planners closely monitor their room block commitments to ensure that they are meeting their contractual obligations,” said Amy Cabe, director of convention services at Visit Spokane in Spokane, Washington. “If we observe that one hotel’s room block is poised to sell out briskly while another hotel’s rooms are sitting untouched, we work quickly by advising the meeting planner of this and recommending adjustments.”

Likewise, many have an online housing program that allows planners to keep track of which guests have made reservations and what rooms still need to be filled. This is helpful with managing staff and VIP lists, since planners may know how many rooms are needed ahead of time but not where people will choose to stay.

As clients update their guest lists, bureau staff send out weekly reports on which rooms are currently full or available. According to Rachel Meagley, the convention services and research coordinator at Visit Spokane, planners can control their level of involvement with this process.

“They get a login, so they can go in and see their block or pull reports,” she said. Other planners choose not to visit the site at all and simply wait to receive reports from the bureau.

December 2016

Simplified Registration

Registration is extremely simple as well. When guests are ready to begin booking their rooms, they will find everything they need on a single site.

“The attendees are directed to a link via the event website, where they create a profile, pick the dates they’re needing a room, and how many rooms are needed,” said Heather Deeter, director of group services at Go Cedar Rapids in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. “At that point, the system shows them the available properties that meet their criteria. They can then go through the process of booking the hotel — much like the process for any online hotel reservation system.”

Guests are prompted to enter their credit card information, which will be protected on secure software for the hotels alone to process.

They may also include their loyalty membership details.

“The hotels have to log into the system with their secure credentials in order to retrieve the payment information for the reservation,” said Deeter. “We do collect loyalty program information, and that is included in the information that the hotel receives.”

Afterward, the guest receives a confirmation email that their request has been processed.

Planning Ahead

Planners should contact housing bureaus at least several months prior to the event, since it is not uncommon for organizations to reserve room blocks over a year in advance.

“We have a couple of events already booked for 2020,” said Meagley.

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Courtesy Visit Spokane

A Visit Spokane representative assists meeting attendees and event planners with housing, registration and other logistics.

Cities typically require a minimum of two hotels and 500 room nights on peak for their housing services, though these specifications may vary. Since bringing new business to the city is a priority, some housing bureaus are more lenient when it comes to helping a first-time event get off the ground.

“If it’s a matter of whether or not the new business comes to the city, then we will consider it,” said Schmidt.

Meanwhile, other bureaus offer service regardless of event size, such as Go Cedar Rapids.

“There are no restrictions,” said Deeter. “It’s all about servicing the client and making them feel at home.”

For those unsure which cities offer housing bureaus, planners can either check online or call the convention and visitors bureau in their target location.

“Just contact your CVB and talk with them about it, then incorporate it into your planning,” Schmidt added. “It’s an advantage for your guests that will make their experience so much more pleasant and easier.”

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Managing Meetings

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Meetings and Masterpieces

Art museums make inspiring venues for gatherings

By Rachel Carter

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e are all products of our environment, so the saying goes.

And that’s especially true at art museums, where visitors are surrounded by endless variations of beauty, color and form. When a planner chooses to have an event at an art museum, that environment can’t help but influence both the meeting’s ambiance and its attendees.

Groups can take advantage of their surroundings either by gathering in a gallery or exploring one during their breaks, by scheduling guided group tours or by arranging hands-on art activities that can be customized to tie in with their meetings.

If you want to inspire creativity at your next meeting or event, consider holding it at one of these art museums.

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Meeting Ideas

By Dero Sanford, courtesy Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

Meeting spaces at Crystal Bridges are surrounded by art, beautiful woodlands and water features.

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art Bentonville, Arkansas

The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art owns an extensive collection of Colonial, 19th-century, modern and contemporary pieces, but the sparkling white and glass building and the lush 120 acres surrounding it are themselves works of art.

Architect Moshe Safdie designed the modern structure as a series of pavilions that sit on and stretch over two man-made ponds fed by Crystal Springs. In the galleries, visitors are surrounded by priceless art, but in the spaces in between, walls of windows provide views of the blue ponds and the green forest canopy, giving attendees a constant intertwining of art and nature.

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Courtesy Currier Museum of Art

Events at the Currier Museum of Art can incorporate both elegant banquets and gallery tours.

In the Great Hall, guests sit beneath an arched pine-beam ceiling while floor-to-ceiling windows deliver views of the upper pond. The hall can accommodate 250 for seated meals or 450 for receptions and is adjacent to the South Lobby, which is available during nonpublic hours.

On the museum’s lower level, three 800-square-foot suites each open onto Walker Landing, a paved 200-person venue that overlooks the lower pond and offers a circular waterfront amphitheater. Groups can also reserve Crystal Bridges’ restaurant, Eleven, or the entire museum for after-hours events.

Groups of 200 can gather on the South Lawn, and the North Lawn — “one of most beautiful spots of the museum,” according to special events manager Barbara McBride — will soon be more accessible with the addition of an elevator this year. Groups will be able to walk through the museum and take the elevator up to the lawn, she said.

Another addition is the new sculpture forest that’s slated to open on Memorial Day weekend. The Frank Lloyd Wright House lawn is “a beautiful reception area,” and the museum can open the house to smallgroup tours.

Crystal Bridges offers group tours for 10 to 60 people, and the museum’s guided Trails Tour of the grounds boasts 3.5 miles of sculpturedotted walking trails. The museum displays as many as 500 works at any time, but three of the museum’s most-recognizable works often get the strongest reaction from visitors: two portraits of George Washington

December 2016

and Asher Durand’s “Kindred Spirits.” Dale Chihuly’s work will also be on display during “Chihuly: In the Gallery and In the Forest” exhibit this summer. www.crystalbridges.org

Currier Museum of Art Manchester, New Hampshire

One of the most impressive things about the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester, New Hampshire, isn’t about what’s on display in the museum. It’s about what’s online. The museum’s entire collection — some 13,000 pieces of American and European art — is archived and searchable on its website. But that doesn’t mean visitors to the brickand-mortar museum won’t be wowed.

“For a small museum, we have a lot of impressive pieces,” said Lisa Pavlopoulos, manager of special events and catering operations. “We may only have one Picasso or one Matisse, but the ones we have are the cream of the crop.”

The museum is available for both daytime and after-hours events.

During the day, groups can use the 180-seat auditorium, one of two 60-capacity classrooms and a 20-person seminar room. Every facility rental includes admission to the museum, so attendees can wander around in the galleries during breaks, and the museum cafe can cater lunch.

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Courtesy Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art

A courtyard at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art showcases sculpture, horticulture and architecture.

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Evening event rentals are more popular because “you’re actually renting the entire museum,” Pavlopoulos said. Groups often start with a cocktail hour in the Winter Garden, the Anderson Lobby or the Historic Court, then move into the auditorium for a presentation. After that, they return to the Winter Garden for coffee and dessert, or a seated dinner for up to 180 people. And, of course, guests can explore the museum’s exhibits.

“The gallery time that’s built into an event is an added bonus,” she said. “It’s an incredible incentive that you don’t get anywhere in the area.”

The museum can also incorporate a guided tour or a hands-on art activity into any facility rental. During the Out of the Box tour, docents use “visual thinking strategies” to engage guests. Instead of basically lecturing visitors about the artwork, the docent will ask the group questions about various pieces, such as what do they think the artist intended.

“There’s no right or wrong answer,” she said.

“It’s a lot more free-form and less intimidating, and gets those creative juices flowing.” www.currier.org

Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art Eugene, Oregon

The University of Oregon’s Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art was established nearly 85 years ago with the Murray Warner Collection of Oriental Art. So it’s no surprise the muse-

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Meeting Ideas

um is best known for its collection featuring more than 3,700 works from Japan, China and Korea. But the museum also houses an extensive collection of art from the Americas and Europe, as well as a strong Pacific Northwest collection, said communications manager Debbie Williamson-Smith.

With its intricate exterior brickwork and hidden interior courtyards, the building itself is a treat. The university’s dean of the School of Architecture and Allied Arts designed the building, which opened its door in 1933 and is now a designated National Historic Landmark.

Two halls serve as the museum’s primary event space, and both have attached courtyards. Large windows in the 1,800-squarefoot Susie Papé Reception Hall flood the room with natural light and views of the formal landscaping in the adjoining South Courtyard.

The 1,800-square-foot Cheryl Ramberg Lecture Hall, which has the attached North Courtyard, is better suited for presentations and films. Often, a group will meet in one hall and have lunch or dinner in the other, she said.

The Prince Lucien Campbell Memorial Courtyard is a “remarkable interior open-air courtyard, which is one of our most iconic locations,” Williamson-Smith said. The courtyard, with column-lined corridors and a tiled reflecting pool, is also a great space for group photos and displays.

Groups can arrange guided tours — the

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

museum usually asks for about six weeks’ notice — and the museum will also work with the university’s art department to set up hands-on art classes and activities. Even if a meeting group doesn’t include a tour or a class, just being in the museum, wandering among the artwork during a break, is a benefit many other venues don’t offer.

“Anytime you can be in a cultural center or museum, it’s going to enhance your experience,” Williamson-Smith said, adding, “Unlike being in a hotel, you don’t take breaks and take a tour of the hotel.” http://jsma.uoregon.edu

Waterloo Center for the Arts Waterloo, Iowa

When people are surrounded by art, they can’t help but become “a little more creative” — even if they’re not inherently creative types, said Carrie Gleason, events coordinator for the Waterloo Center for the Arts.

The building sits on the banks of the Cedar River in Waterloo, Iowa, and because it boasts art galleries and a wide variety of event spaces available to the public, it serves as both a cultural center and a community hub.

Of the museum’s dozen event spaces, the Schoitz River Room is one of the most popular because it can hold up to 250 people or be split into two or three smaller spaces. Just outside the room, the Riverside Sculpture Plaza is an outdoor riverfront space for up to 150 people. The Petersen Town Hall can seat 165 for presentations, and the Law Court Theatre can seat 72. Two separate event rooms each have adjoining decks, both of which overlook the river, making them popular for meetings that use the outdoor space for breaks or lunch, or for evening receptions held beneath the patio’s string lights.

Just outside, a dramatic riverfront amphitheater has stadium seating

Courtesy Waterloo Center for the Arts

Modern art installations at the Waterloo Center for the Arts help meeting attendees tap into their creative sides. and can accommodate events for up to 3,000 people, such as an annual fundraising campaign kickoff and a local company’s client appreciation celebration, complete with live music and a hog roast. A couple of blocks away, Expo Plaza is a large-scale outdoor space that can accommodate events for up to 5,000 people.

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Courtesy Toledo Museum of Art

Groups can meet in the 1,750-seat Peristyle concert hall at the Toledo Museum of Art. The Waterloo museum houses four galleries that are always rotating displays, including pieces from the permanent collection, which includes a large collection of Haitian art. The galleries are always open to attendees to explore before, during and after events. Groups can also schedule a guided tour or arrange for a hands-on art experience, such as a jewelry-making class or a wine-and-paint session with an instructor. www.waterloocenterforthearts.org

Toledo Museum of Art Toledo, Ohio

For a city of fewer than 300,000 residents, Toledo, Ohio, boasts a met-

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Meeting Ideas

ropolitan art museum that would be the envy of larger cities. The Toledo Museum of Art was founded in 1901 and, in the 115 years since it opened in two rented rooms, has grown to include a 36-acre campus with six buildings that house the museum’s collection of more than 30,000 pieces.

The main museum building has 45 galleries, 15 classroom studios and a variety of spaces that are available for meetings during public hours and for after-hours events. During the day and in the evening, groups can use the historic 1,750-seat Peristyle concert hall, where Greek columns surround the main seating area, and up to 300 reception guests can mingle in the Peristyle lobby amid marble columns, cobblestone floors and painted Greek friezes.

The smaller Little Theater has auditorium seating for 160, the Red and Yellow meeting rooms can host events for 30 to 50 people, and the Green Room can accommodate receptions for up to 200 guests.

After-hours, groups can gather in Libbey Court, an entry hall with marble floors, soaring columns and a skylight ceiling, or in the Cloister gallery, a medieval stone courtyard. The museum’s major works of art surround up to 350 guests during events in the Great Gallery, and another contemporary art gallery can host up to 100 guests for receptions.

Across the street is one of the museum’s claims to fame: the 74,000-square-foot Glass Pavilion that opened in 2006. The postmodern building houses the museum’s glass collection that features 5,000 pieces of glass art from antiquity to contemporary times. The architects designed the building with exterior and interior walls that feature large, curving glass panels. The result is a series of seethrough spaces in the nearly transparent building.

The GlasSalon can seat 230 people for dinner and can be used with the adjoining Crystal Corridor, the pavilion’s main passage, where reception guests can mingle beneath a Chihuly glass chandelier. www.toledomuseum.org

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

21c Museum Hotel combines contemporary art, restaurants rich with local flavor, and art-filled meeting and event spaces.

Come experience it for yourself.

BENTONVILLE CINCINNATI DURHAM LEXINGTON LOUISVILLE OKLAHOMA CITY

Coming Soon: NASHVILLE KANSAS CITY INDIANAPOLIS 21cMuseumHotels.com

AN ALASKAN TRIO These three des tina tions welcome mee tin gs to southeas t Alaska

By Elizabeth Hey

Juneau meeting attendees can spend their downtime exploring the Alaskan wilderness.

Courtesy Travel Juneau

22

Destination Showcase

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

“Our walkable city is perfect for smaller groups, with hotels around our convention center that keep meetings intimate and compact.”

A

dventure and Alaska go hand in hand.

Towering mountains, peaks ringing ocean inlets, glaciers carving their way to the sea, and sightings of bears or whales are not everyday occurrences for most, unless you’re in the Land of the Midnight Sun. The same attractions that appeal to the leisure traveler will enthrall those who attend a meeting or conference in Southeast Alaska. Outdoor diversions, excellent cuisine and luxury accommodations blend seamlessly for a memorable event because who would turn down a whale-watching excursion or glacier flightseeing in between sessions.

Southeast Alaska, commonly called the Inside Passage, boasts sprucecovered islands and small coastal communities settled by Alaska’s native tribes and, later, by gutsy pioneers and miners; all contributed to the rich history and culture. A temperate rain forest, the region boasts stunning scenery, lush vegetation, outstanding marine life and an average 17 hours of summer daylight with temperatures in the 60s. Accessible by water and air, three key cities can act as a hub for your next meeting: Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan.

Juneau: Hub of Culture and Commerce

Juneau, Alaska’s capital, sits on the Gastineau Channel between Mount Juneau and Mount Roberts. Established before the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898, downtown’s Victorian architecture reflects the gold-mining days. Attractions include the Capitol, St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church and historic South Franklin Street. On the edge of town, iconic Mendenhall Glacier invites visitors to watch ice calve into Mendenhall Lake. The 1,500-square-mile Juneau Icefield offers the opportunity for helicopter tours, glacier landings and dog sled rides in summer. Whale-watching is legendary, and many tour operators guarantee sightings.

“Our walkable city is perfect for smaller groups, with hotels around our convention center that keep meetings intimate and compact,” said Liz Perry, president and CEO of Travel Juneau. “We’re also a year-round destination with a city-operated ski area and Nordic skiing, plus live theater, three opera companies, symphony and a hub for northwest coastal arts.”

On Juneau’s waterfront, the recently upgraded 106-room Four Points by Sheraton showcases mountain and water views. The Sheraton works in concert with Centennial Hall Convention

December 2016

Center, located directly across the street. Other hotels, within walking distance, include the Art Deco 195-room Westmark Baranof Hotel with 5,684 square feet of meeting space in seven rooms. They range from the 2,068-square-foot ballroom, which seats 220 theater style and 160 banquet style with full-service catering, to a 12-seat boardroom. A block from the convention center, the waterfront, 60-room Prospector Hotel offers one meeting room for 45 theater style and a restaurant/bar available for events.

“Because we back right up to Tongass National Forest, attendees can get out on the trails or the water in just a few minutes from their hotel or the convention center,” said Perry.

Juneau’s Centennial Hall Convention Center accommodates up to 1,000 theater style or 550 banquet style in its ballroom; the center also has four additional breakout rooms, for a total of 17,000 square feet, plus a commercial kitchen and approved caterers. One block from Centennial Hall, the remodeled Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall offers banquet space for up to 400 and/or breakout rooms. Offsite, the luxurious Jorgenson House, a 1915 bedand-breakfast filled with art and historic memorabilia, can be reserved. Indoor reception space accommodates up to 60 or dining for 30; an indoor/outdoor cocktail reception can be arranged for 100 guests. For something different, groups of 200 to 250 can attend a mountaintop meeting by way of the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway.

Brown bears at Juneau’s Chichagof Island Travel Juneau provides complimentary lead Courtesy Travel Juneau and RFP services customized to specific requests.

They will assist in developing a site itinerary and provide a detailed bid presentation. To help generate excitement and attendance, they can ACCESS provide brochures, postcards, maps, videos, Juneau International Airport, Alaska Marine digital images and welcome signage, plus a Highway System media contact packet for local media.

Coordinating spouse and guest activities, as MAJOR MEETING SPACES well as assistance in planning premeeting and Centennial Hall Convention Center, Elizabeth postmeeting tours, are available.

Juneau, Alaska

Peratrovich Hall, Westmark Baranof Hotel HOTEL ROOMS More than 1,100 OFFSITE VENUES Jorgenson House, Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway CONTACT INFO Travel Juneau 888-521-2201 www.traveljuneau.com

Ketchikan: Steeped in Native Heritage

The community of Ketchikan supports a thriving native culture steeped in the arts with numerous galleries and shops featuring resident artists. The city contains the world’s largest collection of totem poles. The Totem Heritage Center’s internationally renowned 19th-century collection was retrieved from remote native village sites. Saxman Native Village, a totem park,

23

Sunset at Sitka’s Sandy Beach

Ketchikan, Alaska

Courtesy Visit Sitka

Courtesy BestofAlaskaTravel.com

Sitka, Alaska

Ketchikan, Alaska

ACCESS Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport (Alaska, Delta), Alaska Marine Highway System

ACCESS Ketchikan International Airport, Alaska Marine Highway System ferry routes

MAJOR MEETING SPACES Harrigan Centennial Civic Center, Sheldon Jackson Campus thru Sitka Fine Arts Camp, Westmark Sitka Hotel, Sitka Performing Arts Center

MAJOR MEETING SPACES Ted Ferry Civic Center, Sunny Point Conference Center, Cape Fox Lodge, Salmon Falls Resort

HOTEL ROOMS 575

HOTEL ROOMS 487 by early 2017

OFFSITE VENUES Alaska Raptor Center, Sitka Sound Science Center, Univ. of Alaska SE, Sea Mountain Golf Club, Allen Marine Catamarans

OFFSITE VENUES Lumberjack Show arena, harbor cruises, art galleries, Saxman Community Hall adjacent to the Saxman Totem Park

CONTACT INFO Visit Sitka 800-557-4852 www.sitka.org

CONTACT INFO Ketchikan Visitors Bureau 800-770-3300 www.meetinalaska.com

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24

Destination Showcase

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schedules Alaska cultural presentations and craft demonstrations. Sportfishing reigns as some of the best in “The Salmon Capital of the World.� Charter fishing passengers catch salmon, halibut and rockfish, and freshwater fishing is also popular. “The Tlingit tribe originally settled the area, and two other tribes reside here, which gives yearround opportunities to experience our native culture,� said Patti Mackey, president and CEO of Ketchikan Visitors Bureau. “Attendees can enjoy a lecture, watch native dancing or take a class with instruction in traditional arts.�

Ketchikan will increase its hotel capacity to nearly 500 rooms in early 2017. Close to the airport and ferry, the Best Western Plus Landing Hotel provides 107 guest rooms and suites, a fitness center, courtesy shuttle service and in-house catering.

Nearby and slated to open in early 2017, the My Place Hotel, an economy extended-stay option, will have 64 rooms with compact kitchens.

Located 16 miles north of downtown, the 52-room Salmon Falls Fishing Resort’s meeting room can host a theater-style gathering for 80, a classroom for 48 or a banquet for 90 with in-house catering.

Overlooking downtown Ketchikan, the 72-room

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

“Creating the ideal experience is how we’ve earned an 80% rebooking rate and the praises of planners across the U.S.” Marcy McKinley, Director of Sales Grand Wayne Convention Center

See for yourself @

grandwayne.com Courtesy Visit Sitka

Fort Wayne, Indiana 260.426.4100

A traditional totem greets visitors to Sitka National Historical Park.

Cape Fox Lodge affords panoramic views and a funicular tram from its lobby to downtown. Meeting space can accommodate a 150-person reception or a banquet for 120; the executive boardroom seats 16, plus there are two additional breakout rooms and in-house catering.

The Ted Ferry Civic Center is the city’s largest meeting facility, with a professional kitchen, an executive boardroom and the latest audiovisual technology. The contemporary ballroom offers 4,500 square feet, which can be divided into three rooms, or can seat 550 theater style or 500 banquet style; classrooms can accommodate 96 each. The adjoining 1,500-square-foot stage offers the latest sound and lighting technology.

Conveniently located in the Best Western Plus Landing Hotel near the airport, the Sunny Point Conference Center offers a reception room with a granite bar and a fireplace that can host a banquet for 60, a classroom for 36 or theater-style seating for 80. The Sunny Point ballroom can accommodate a cocktail reception or a theater-style event for 200, a banquet for 185 or classroom seating for 66; there’s also a large outside deck that overlooks the picturesque Tongass Narrows.

The Ketchikan Visitors Bureau’s on-staff meeting planner provides individualized service that includes bid solicitation, site selection, and event and itinerary planning. The bureau can arrange transportation to and from the airport, which is on a nearby island and accessible by the five-minute Ketchikan Airport Ferry, as well as to/from venues and activities. Delegate packets and promotional materials can be provided.

The bureau can source entertainment and plan pre-event and postevent excursions, and spouse and family activities.

December 2016

Everything you desire. More than you expect.

• 225,000 sf. of versatile space with convention & expo hall, two ballrooms, 18 meeting rooms, intuitive floor plans, extensive pre-function areas • Carpeted, climate-controlled rooms • Free set-up • On-site AV, Event management, Catering • High tech Productivity Suite • 500 attached guest rooms and attached covered parking • High performance WiFi • Easy access and move-in • Downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana, with more dining and more doing!

25

Courtesy Visit Sitka

Bald eagle sightings are common in southeast Alaska.

“We’re 90 minutes by air from Seattle, which makes our community very attainable from the lower 48,” said Mackey. “Attendees can leave home in the morning and attend a cocktail reception in Ketchikan that evening.”

Sitka: Historic Outpost

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Totem Poles

SITKA.ORG

26

Destination Showcase

Located on Baranof Island, Sitka was also settled by the Tlingets before the Russians established a fur-trading colony in 1804.

Today, Sitka boasts 21 National Historical Registry sites. The onion-domed St. Michael’s Orthodox Cathedral still dominates downtown Sitka, and the story of Russian America comes alive at Sitka National Historic Park, which commemorates the last Tlingit-Russian battle. Also downtown are the restored Russian Bishop’s House and Castle Hill, where Russian America was transferred to the United States in 1867. Former Sheldon Jackson College, Sitka’s art mecca, offers a variety of meeting spaces, a state museum, festivals and a finearts camp that offers year-round, adult workshops. The Alaska Raptor Center features birdin-hand programs for groups. The Fortress of

the Bear sanctuary provides up-close brown bear viewing.

“Outdoor activities span kayaking, flightseeing, ATV tours and golf,” said director of tourism Sherry Aitken for Visit Sitka. “We have Alaska’s highest salt-water catch rate for king salmon, plus world-class halibut and freshwater fishing.”

Downtown Sitka will have 326 hotel rooms next summer after the Aspen Hotel opens with 70 suite-style rooms. Another 200 rooms lie outside the central district. The 105-room Westmark Sitka provides 2,759 square feet of flexible space for five meeting rooms, with banquet space for 100 and classroom seating for 75.

Located on Sitka’s historic waterfront, the 72-room Totem Square Hotel and Marina offers airport shuttle service and meeting space for up to 25 attendees. Across the street is the Community House, a performance venue and meeting space modeled after a Tlingit clan house, with a stage and tiered or banquetstyle seating for up to 300.

Sitka’s 32,000-square-foot Harrigan Centennial Civic and Convention Center was completely renovated and reopened in October.

It offers breathtaking mountain views from its 4,127-square-foot auditorium and seven meeting rooms. The experienced staff can help plan events, plus provide the latest in multimedia equipment and a commercial kitchen with approved caterers.

Off-site events at the modern Sitka Performing Arts Center have a 650-seat capacity or space for 150 for a lobby cocktail reception. For a unique site, catamarans moored in the downtown marina can accommodate up to 100 guests and offer full audiovisual and Wi-Fi capabilities.

Visit Sitka can assist with accommodations, group room rates, meeting facilities and local transportation contacts. Volunteers are available for delegate information, registration or room set-up support. Promotional assistance can include providing delegate bags, local visitor guides, walking maps and promotional items, depending on meeting size.

To build interest, a PowerPoint presentation, a video or a slide show can be provided for premeeting promotion. Discounts with local galleries, boutiques, coffee shops and restaurants can also be coordinated.

“Our staff is intimately involved with each event,” said Aitken. “We treat everyone who comes here like a star.”

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

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visit south walton.com/meetings

One resort experience; many unique meeting options.

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sandestin.com/smtg | 844-707-6647

Florida’s Cultural Coast

By Elizabeth Hey

All photos courtesy Visit Sarasota County

Above: With more than 100 galleries, Sarasota is an art hub of Florida.

Left: Boaters enjoy sunset at Sarasota Bay.

S A R A S O T A, F L O R I D A LOCATION Florida’s Gulf Coast ACCESS Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport; Interstate 75; U.S. 41 MAJOR MEETING SPACES Hyatt Regency Sarasota, Ritz-Carlton Sarasota, Westin Sarasota (coming soon) HOTEL ROOMS 5,500 resort and hotel rooms, plus condos and vacation rental homes OFF-SITE VENUES Ringling museum, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium CONTACT INFO Visit Sarasota County 941-955-0991 www.sarasotameetings.com

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Destination Showcase

O

nce the winter home of “The Greatest Show on Earth,” performed by the Ringling Brothers Circus, the city of Sarasota and surrounding Sarasota County claim 35 miles of pristine beaches. In 2015, the white-quartz sand of Siesta Beach ranked as the top U.S. beach by Trip Advisor reviewers and among the world’s top 15 beaches. Located between Tampa and Fort Myers, Sarasota County and its necklace of islands — Longboat Key, Lido Key, Manasota Key, Siesta Key, Casey Key — boast not only dazzling sand and sun, but also abundant culture and ecotourism.

“We consider ourselves Florida’s Cultural Coast, and in addition to our abundance of arts and culture, we have a unique circus heritage influenced by the Ringling Brothers,” said Shelby Connett, meeting and group sales manager for Visit Sarasota County. “Sarasota also has the highest concentration of Zagat-rated restaurants in the state of Florida.”

Offering more than 10 theaters and 100 galleries, Sarasota County puts a priority on the arts. It supports a professional symphony, an opera company and a ballet company. The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall hosts Broadway shows and worldrenowned performers. In addition, the ornate Venice Theatre and Asolo Repertory Theatre feature primarily local performances. The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art showcases old masters and modern art through their permanent collection and rotating exhibits. Also on-site at the Ringling, the Tibbals Circus Museum and lavish Ca’ d’Zan, the Ringling’s 56-room winter home, offer a glimpse into circus life.

Along the central Gulf Coast, ecotourism ranges from deep-sea fishing to more than 35 golf courses. Kayaking, canoeing, hiking, biking and bird-watching can be enjoyed year-round. Sunset cruises and wildlife boat tours depart from Marina Jack. Offshore charters give the chance to reel in large fish, and the famous tarpon arrive mid-May through early July.

“We’re known for our bicycling,” said Connett. “Venice is consistently ranked as a bicycle-friendly city, and our variety of trails includes the paved Legacy Trail, which starts at the historic train depot.”

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Siesta Key is one of Sarasota County’s most picturesque beaches.

Gorgeous Accommodations

Off-Site Activities

Sarasota County is home to 30 hotels featuring meeting spaces of 600 to 22,000 square feet. A short walk away from the chic boutiques of St. Armand’s Circle, the 294-room Hyatt Regency Sarasota overlooks a marina and Sarasota Bay. The hotel’s 20,000 square feet of meeting space includes classroom capacity for 700. A luxury landmark, the newly renovated 266-room Ritz-Carlton offers championship golf, private beachfront facilities and a well-appointed spa. Its 18,000 square feet of meeting space includes classroom and banquet capacity for 800. The 219-room Resort at Longboat Key Club offers multiple restaurants, a premier beachfront and 12,000 square feet of meeting space.

The Circus Arts Conservatory rents a big-top tent for one-ring shows that feature magicians and performers for audiences of up to 1,754; the event can include a performance before or after the reception, circus meals and a red carpet. At Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, an urban oasis among 20,000 exotic plants, the newly renovated Great Room by the Bay accommodates up to 250 people and overlooks Sarasota Bay and Ringling Bridge through a wall of windows. Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium can host cocktails at the reef, dinner among the sharks and luaus at a tiki hut; it also has six indoor and outdoor meeting spaces with capacity for up to 500 guests.

Getting There

Team Unity

The open-air Sarasota Trolley has been transporting guests for 25 years and offers special packages. Three trolleys seat 34 passengers each. Decorated with polished brass, etched glass and burnished wood, they’re outfitted with an iPod-compatible sound system. Gulf Coast Destinations and SRQ Services can arrange for a dine-around as well as transport guests to area activities. Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, five miles from downtown Sarasota, services direct flights on most major airlines from key Northeast and Southeast destinations. In addition, Sarasota is just under an hour’s driving distance from Tampa International Airport.

Located on 450 acres near Bradenton, IMG Academy serves as a school and training destination for athletes of all ages and abilities, and offers performance coaching for business groups. Former collegiate and professional players and coaches, teachers and performance specialists can tailor a day or several days. Facilities include an on-campus spa, sport fields, tennis and basketball courts and a new multisport stadium with seating capacity for 5,000. The Circus Arts Conservatory can accommodate groups of five to 50 for a variety of circus arts team-building activities that help boost self-esteem, encourage team bonding and provide a fun approach to getting a group to work, play and learn together.

December 2016

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At Your Service Complimentary services by Visit Sarasota County will assist you in creating the ideal meeting for your clients. Site visits can be arranged with customized itineraries, and someone from the bureau can accompany you upon request. The sales team can help with locating the hotel that meets your group’s needs, as well as recommending the area’s best caterers, photographers and off-site venues for events and meetings. Personalized save-the-date postcards can be mailed out. Visit Sarasota can create welcome bags for attendees and provide an on-site information booth.

Incentives and Pluses Incentives are available for events that are new to Sarasota County within the past five years. On a sliding scale, from 10 to 250 peak rooms, off-site dining credits range from $625 to $3,750. Or planners can choose an in-destination shuttle credit for a special event or transportation to/from the airport. For 36 or more peak rooms booked, there’s a one-night, $15-per-room rebate option. Note that peak rooms is defined as the highest number of rooms booked on a single night throughout the duration of the stay. Rooms must be booked with a Visit Sarasota County partner hotel.

Groups can do exciting teambuilding exercises at the Circus Arts Conservatory.

30

Destination Showcase

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Hotel Venezia Ideal location for your next small meeting. Over 6000 square feet of flexible meeting space. Resort Style setting, no resort fees. Full service restaurant and lounge.

GIVE THEM A

PRESENTATION

941-308-7700 HotelVeneziaFL.com

TO REMEMBER.

Westin Sarasota The Westin Sarasota, opening in April 2017 is Sarasota’s newest jewel overlooking the Bay. With 26,000 square feet of beautiful and flexible meeting space, this is the perfect spot for your meeting or event.

941-706-1607 WestinSarasota.com

Hyatt Regency Sarasota Select a memorable waterfront setting for your event. Our expert planners help your guests experience the power of connection through refreshing culinary fare, technology-enabled collaboration & more.

941-953-1234 Sarasota.Regency.hyatt.com

Zota Resort Located on a breathtaking stretch of white sand beach in exclusive Longboat Key, you’ll find the luxurious, new Zota Beach Resort opening in early 2017. Introductory meeting specials available.

941-387-1605 ZotaBeachResort.com

The Resort at Longboat Key Club Extraordinary meetings require an exceptional location.223 luxury suites, 45 holes of golf, tennis, 8 onsite restaurants & lounges, spa, fitness center, marina, 12,000 sq. ft of flexible meeting space.

941-387-1605 LongboatKeyClub.com

Florida’s Gulf Coast | Sunsets on the Gulf of Mexico. Brilliant white-sand beaches. Evenings of theater, concerts and nights on the town. The only thing

Orlando Tampa

better—the inspiration they’ll have for tomorrow’s meeting. Contact us to find out about exclusive meeting incentives.

Miami

L O N G B O AT K E Y | S T. A R M A N D S | L I D O K E Y | S I E S TA K E Y | C A S E Y K E Y | V E N I C E | M A N A S O TA K E Y | E N G L E W O O D | N O R T H P O R T

SarasotaMeetings.com

A Finger Lakes Tradition

By Kristy Alpert

T

here are few better seats in all the Finger Lakes than the ones set up at the base of the Inn on the Lake in Canandaigua, New York. Each night, as the sun begins to drop below the shores of Lake Canandaigua, the resort’s line of wooden Adirondack chairs offers guests front row seats to one of the region’s most spectacular performances: the sunset.

Watching a sunset at the Inn on the Lake is an experience guests can enjoy any day of the year from this year-round hotel. For more than 46 years, the Inn on the Lake has remained the only full-service hotel in the city of Canandaigua, managing to take the authentic and laid-back atmosphere typical of the Finger Lakes region and combine it with stylish and refined touches that meet the needs of any modern hotel or meeting guests. The Inn offers 134 guest rooms and suites, eight of which feature cascading Jacuzzis that look out over the lake.

Richly colored fabrics and shaded wall sconces cast an

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Hospitality Showcase

All photos courtesy VisitFingerLakes.com

effortlessly elegant glow on the inn’s dark wood inlaid interiors while the exterior blends into its natural surroundings with dainty perennials and towering trees.

Guests staying at the hotel can take advantage of the indoor and outdoor pools and the fitness studio, and anyone is free to stop in for a bite at the hotel’s three on-site restaurants: the Shore Restaurant, the Sand Bar Lakeside Bar and Grill, and the Lounge and Lakeside Deck.

The inn has become a hot spot for events thanks to its six dedicated meeting rooms and lakeside tent for weddings and special events. From its scenic spot on the north shore of Canandaigua Lake, the conference center accommodates various corporate meetings and programs, association conventions and social events. The beautiful lakeside tent at the inn hosts several wedding receptions from May through October and offers an outside venue where groups can break out of the meeting room atmosphere for lunches, cocktail parties and dinners.

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Inn on the Lake Meeting Spaces With more than 7,000 square feet of flexible meeting space at its conference center, the Inn on the Lake is suited to host both large conferences and small meetings. The Lakeside Tent is perfect for elegant outdoor events, with room for up to 300 guests. The other spaces include the Grand Ballroom for up to 400 guests, the Clark/Thompson Rooms for up to 150 guests, the Susan B. Anthony Room for up to 150 guests, the Vintage Room for up to 50 guests, the Ontario Room for up to 50 guests, the Director’s Room for up to 12 guests and the Board Room for up to six guests.

Meeting Extras Ambiance can take an event to the next level, which is why the Inn on the Lake has invested in the latest in audiovisual equipment and computer technology to enhance each event. The entire resort is equipped with wireless internet that enables meeting guests to stay connected poolside and display real-time visuals with ease during meetings. Multiple-channel mixers, wireless and wired microphones and plasma TV displays are all available for rent, and one of the resort’s skilled audiovisual technicians will run the system for the entire meeting for $35 per hour.

December 2016

Location Canandaigua, New York Size 134 rooms Meeting Space 7,000 square feet of flexible space Access New York State Thruway Contact Info 585-394-7800 www.theinnonthelake.com

Left: A business meeting in an Inn at the Lake breakout room Right: Greeting attendees in the hotel’s pre-function space Opposite page: Chairs overlook the waterfront of Canandaigua Lake.

Catering Catered affairs at the Inn on the Lake linger long on the palates of guests, with the catering team’s American-inspired menus and gourmet touches. The in-house catering department specializes in extravagant wedding receptions and working lunches; it also offers a range of themed buffets — New York Deli, Tour of Italy, Mexican, Asian, Luau and others — and break menus suitable for any type of meeting or event. The Inn’s seafood options are incredibly popular, with caviar displays and oyster bars adding a premier touch to menus that feature crab-and-scallop-stuffed sole with lobster cream sauce or broiled Atlantic salmon with roasted-shallot vinaigrette. Alcohol is available and includes New York wines and local craft brews.

On-Site From May through mid October, the inn offers an outside, casual grille, the Sand Bar, which is the perfect meeting point after a day of boating on the lake, with live entertainment every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Live music also fills the indoor lounge every Saturday evening during the offseason; guests can saunter in after a meal at the all-day dining restaurant Lakeview. The inn also features an indoor heated pool with a Jacuzzi, an outdoor heated pool and a fitness studio. All rooms at the hotel are nonsmoking and feature complimentary wireless internet, and some of the rooms are set up to accommodate pets.

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Rolling hills and abundant shorelines make the Finger Lakes one of the most scenic regions in New York.

34

Hospitality Showcase

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

DE E P R A C FERENCE

Hallways and public spaces are decorated with homey, comfortable furniture.

CON

DIEM

Off-Site The Inn on the Lake shares a driveway with the New York Wine and Culinary Center (NYWCC), which is a haven for shopping and sampling the finest New York-sourced products and ingredients.

Several of the Inn on the Lake’s meeting and event groups take advantage of the proximity and set up team-building events at the NYWCC, or simply go for a tasting of New York wines, beers and spirits that they have available. Sutter’s Marina can be found next door to the inn and is a popular spot for boat rentals for active guests. Main Street Canandaigua satisfies the shoppers in the group with its full lineup of quaint shops and boutiques.

Day Trips Even though there is plenty to occupy guests on-site, the Inn on the Lake acts as a great bouncing-off point for day trips around the Finger Lakes region. Within a few hours, guests can be sipping along any of the region’s famous wine trails, shopping at the Waterloo Premium Outlets or exploring the world of aviation at the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum in Hammondsport, New York. The region is home to some phenomenal outdoor spaces where each season offers new opportunities to get out and explore. Visitors can snow ski in winter, fly-fish in spring, sail or speed through the warm waters on a boat during summer, or go leaf peeping through the foliage of fall.

December 2016

The status quo doesn’t get to be extraordinary. But you do.

Centrally located and insanely affordable, Nebraska’s capital has the venue selection, entertainment value, small-town hospitality, and big-city amenities that planners and attendees come home raving about.

Plan for more at

lincoln.org/meet.

35

A Colonial Conf

Photos courtesy Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

By Kristy Alpert

T

he clacking of hooves along red-bricked pathways and the gentle rustle from the freshly fallen leaves are merely the preludes to the soundtrack that serenades guests through an average day in Colonial Williamsburg. Once the Colonial capital of Virginia from 1699 until 1780, this historic destination has been carefully restored to its pre-American Revolution glory and stands today as the largest living-history site in the world.

The city of Williamsburg sat virtually abandoned following the state capital’s move to Richmond, and it wasn’t until the 1920s that local reverend W.A.R. Goodwin, rector of the city’s Bruton Parish Church, brought up the idea of restoring the city back to its 18th-century glory.

His dream was made possible through generous support from John D. Rockefeller Jr., who helped bring the rector’s vision to life.

When this historic destination opened to the public in 1932, Franklin D. Roosevelt was preparing to take his seat in the Oval Office, and Amelia Earhart had just taken off from Newfoundland on her solo journey over the Atlantic. Colonial Williamsburg has always played a vital role in the nation’s history, but once it opened in 1932, it began to

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Venue Showcase

play a role in the country’s future by educating future generations and shining a light on the nation’s past.

Colonial Williamsburg is much more than a museum, as it takes visitors back to an era when butter was churned by hand and politics were discussed over pints at Wetherburn’s Tavern. The 300-acre area offers a firsthand look at what life was like in 18th-century America.

The community includes two art museums, the Golden Horseshoe Golf Club and the Spa of Colonial Williamsburg. Accommodations are available at a variety of properties operated by the Colonial Williamsburg Hotel Group, as well as Colonial Houses Historic Lodging, where guests can stay the night in the historic area to be fully immersed in Colonial life.

The area has a long history of important meetings and celebrations taking place on its historic soil, and it continues that legacy with its more than 67,000 square feet of flexible meeting space. Colonial Williamsburg’s 48 meeting rooms, four outdoor venues and 1,000 hotel rooms make it an easy vote for where to hold your next meeting or event.

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ference

Meeting Space All of the meeting spaces at Colonial Williamsburg are run by the world-class Colonial Williamsburg Hotel Group, which offers a variety of venue options for meetings and events.

The Williamsburg Inn features four event spaces: the East Lounge, for up to 170 guests; the Perry Shaw Hepburn Room, for up to 15 guests; the Rockefeller Room, for up to 135 guests; and the Regency Room, for up to 130

guests.

The Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel offers 10 flexible venues among its 12,812 square feet of meeting space, ranging from intimate boardrooms for 15 guests to grand terraces for 495 guests. The Providence Hall, for intimate meetings and receptions, features eight options for meeting; some rooms are sized for five meetings guests and others for up to 145 reception guests.

Williamsburg Lodge In 2017, the Williamsburg Lodge and Conference Center will join the Marriott Autograph Collection of hotels. It remains the busiest meeting destination at Colonial Williamsburg with 13 divisible meeting spaces, including a dedicated conference center with space to accommodate up to 1,300 guests. The venues at this grand lodge with the maximum number of guests they

hold are as follows: the Colony Room, 810; the Patriot Room, 65; the Heritage Room, 36; the Constitution Room, 40; the Liberty Room, 64; the Jefferson Boardroom,18; the Tidewater Room, 427; the Allegheny Room, 277; the Conference Arrival Hall, 280; the Conference Center Lobby, 315; the Piedmont Room, 320; the Virginia Room, 1,468; and the Virginia Lawn, 1,335.

Colonial Williamsburg LOCATION

Williamsburg, Virginia

TYPE OF VENUE Off-site, museum

CAPACITY 1,000

NEARBY ACCOMMODATIONS Williamsburg Lodge

CONTACT INFO

888-965-7254 www.colonialwilliamsburg.com

Groups can meet in some of the hundreds of restored and re-created historic structures in Colonial Williamsburg.

December 2016

Catering Each of the lodges features its own catering menu, where inhouse chefs prepare their signature dishes for a broad range of menu options. The Williamsburg Inn’s signature granola is a musthave for any breakfast or brunch gatherings, and the house smoked honey turkey is delicious whether it’s served on a hot croissant or chopped up on a bed of crisp lettuce. The Williamsburg Lodge specializes

in artistic hors d’oeuvres, plated dinners and active chef stations; the Williamsburg Woodlands culinary team’s bento-style luncheons are a favorite for most meeting groups. Alcohol is allowed, and Colonial Williamsburg’s own craft beers, developed by the Historic Foodways program and brewed in partnership with the local Alewerks Brewing Company, are featured.

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On-Site Activities

Groups can arrange for Colonial Williamsburg’s historic interpreters to make appearances at their events.

Meeting Extras It wouldn’t be a meeting at Colonial Williamsburg without a touch of authenticity, which is why the meeting and events team worked up a few special extras that can add an authentic touch to any event. Experiences include private performances and exclusive escorts from the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes and

The entertainment and recreation options at Colonial Williamsburg are so vast that only a handful of meeting groups have managed to fit them all into one stay. The sales team works with planners to customize itineraries that fit the theme and desires of the meeting groups, but even the regular scheduled events are enough to keep groups busy for long after the event. The

area features an 18-hole Robert Trent Jones-designed golf course, a full-service spa and more than a dozen options for dining, from dining in an historic setting to grabbing something quick from the snack bar between meetings.

Only at Colonial Williamsburg Drums team; a visit with one of the highly trained interpreters who portray characters and personas such as one of the nation’s Founding Fathers; and detailed event planning and tailored service from Colonial Williamsburg’s partnership with the Sterling Event Planners of Williamsburg.

In addition to extensive daily interpretive and entertainment programs, historic sites, trade shops and retail stores, meeting guests can take a carriage ride through the revolutionary city and fire a real musket at the educational Musket Range. The DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum features items from

1670 through 1830, and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum is home to the nation’s premier collection of American folk art. For contemporary shopping, dining and entertainment, guests can simply cross the street and visit Colonial Williamsburg’s Merchants Square.

From traditional hotel properties with conference centers and meeting rooms, to college campuses, historic buildings and museums with lake views, the Kenosha Area is prepared to welcome your next conference or special event with a touch of unexpected charm. Go to visitkenosha.com/meetings to find out more.

VISITKENOSHA.COM

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Venue Showcase

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www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Nevada’s Meeting Resorts

By Rachel Carter Courtesy Peppermill Resort Hotel

Reno’s Peppermill Resort Hotel offers more than 106,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor function space.

W

hether posh havens or rustic retreats, resorts were originally somewhere people went on vacation — but they are increasingly places where planners can do business.

December 2016

Resorts allow meeting planners to put their attendees in a place that caters to both business and pleasure, which often helps attract more delegates. Nevada offers a host of resorts from the ultra-luxurious to the old-timey, from the mountainsides of Lake Tahoe to the plateaus of the Mojave Desert.

Peppermill Resort Hotel Reno, Nevada

The Peppermill in Reno, Nevada, is the epitome of a AAA Four-Diamond resort with sparkling chandeliers, gleaming marble and a glimmering pool. Everything about the Peppermill is high end, including the technology available for meetings and conferences that gather in the hotel’s function space.

“We’re kind of the property with digital on steroids,” said Pat Flynn, executive director of hotel operations and sales.

The Peppermill Reno partnered with Event2Mobile to create a Peppermill-branded mobile app platform that planners can customize for their events, including agendas, schedules, speaker bios and more, he said.

Planners also receive a passcode on the room reservation side so they can log in and look at their registration rates 24 hours a day.

The Peppermill is also “very techy” when it comes to presentation capabilities with digital reader-boards and 14-by-12-foot LCD displays for welcome messages and sponsor videos.

The property has 1,623 rooms and 106,000 square feet of flexible event space, including three ballrooms and several other meeting spaces, that’s configurable for a wide range of event types and group sizes. The 62,000-square-foot Tuscany Ballroom is a clear-span space that can accommodate trade shows and banquets

for up to 3,400 guests. The 12,000-square-foot Naples Ballroom can be configured into eight rooms, and the Capri Ballroom can be split into four separate spaces.

Planners can arrange a poolside reception or a highend private dining experience at White Orchid. When the business day is done, attendees can delve into the resort’s abundant nightlife, which includes happy hour drinks at the Fireside Lounge, nightly live entertainment at the Terrace Lounge and dancing at the Edge nightclub. www.peppermillreno.com

Silverland Inn and Suites Virginia City, Nevada

The mining frenzy of the middle to late 1800s turned Virginia City into one of the most important industrial cities — and one of the largest — in the western United States. Today, Comstock Mining still works the silver-rich Comstock Load District in and around the town.

Everything in Virginia City has the ambiance of the Old West, and visitors will feel like they’re stepping into a town from the 1870s, a feeling the owners of the Silverland Inn and Suites maintained at the hotel, general manager Robert Steiner said. The exterior is designed to look like a rustic barn. Inside, the 66 guest rooms and suites are decorated with Western Victorian flair.

Groups can gather in the hotel’s 1,300-square-foot ballroom that connects to another 770-square-foot foyer area. An outdoor patio overlooks the Comstock Park Arena, and an outdoor picnic space is adjacent to the indoor pool, both available for receptions or luncheons.

While outside, guests may spot a band of wild horses, with anywhere from three to 30 horses, that

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Courtesy The Ridge Tahoe

The Ridge Tahoe offers abundant year-round outdoor activity options for guests. often roams through town in the spring and summer.

The Silverland has the largest plot of natural grass in Virginia City, Steiner said, “so they gravitate toward the hotel.”

“They’ll come and feed off the green grass; this is one of those few cities or towns you can get up close to wild horses,” he said.

Although Comstock doesn’t offer tours of its mining operations, groups can go to Ponderosa Saloon for a drink and a guided tour of the mine in the back of the bar, or take a guided tour of the Chollar Mine, where they’ll see tunnels, timber bracing, silver ore and antique equipment. Groups can also take a V&T Railroad trip, a carriage ride or a historic walking tour. www.silverlandusa.com

Ridge Tahoe Lake Tahoe, Nevada

This summer, the Ridge Tahoe wrapped up a $2 million project to expand and renovate its event space. The project expanded its Clubhouse by 2,300 square feet, adding two meeting rooms on the first floor, and renovated the 3,700-square-foot Castle Rock conference space only “a staircase away” on the second floor, said Marlena Feitas, vice president of resort sales and marketing for the Ridge Resorts.

The space boasts quintessential rustic Tahoe style with vaulted ceilings, wood beams and large windows

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Nevada Meeting Guide

that let in plenty of natural light as well as views of Castle Rock, a “signature landmark above Lake Tahoe,” she said.

“You do not feel like you’re in a conference center,” she said, adding, “In addition to really feeling like you’re at Lake Tahoe, it’s really easy for a group to take a break and experience Lake Tahoe.”

Outdoor activities are the name of the game at the 11-acre resort, where guests will find on-site tennis, racquetball and basketball courts; pools; rock climbing; and nearby access to hiking, fishing, mountain biking, kayaking, paddleboarding, rafting, ATV tours and more. The Ridge Tahoe has a trailhead on its property that connects to the 72-mile Tahoe Rim Trail, where groups can go on an hourlong guided hike as a teambuilding activity.

The Ridge Tahoe offers in-house DMO services to planners. Resort staff can make reservations for a Lake Tahoe cruise aboard the 500-passenger MS Dixie II paddle-wheel boat, charter the 90-passenger Tahoe Paradise yacht or arrange tickets for a scenic ride on the Heavenly Mountain Gondola at the neighboring Heavenly ski resort, where groups will also find a mountain coaster, zip lines and a ropes course. Winter activities aren’t limited to skiing and snowboarding at Heavenly; the Ridge can arrange for guided group snowshoeing treks and snowmobile tours.

The Ridge will also partner with the Round Hill Pines

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Beach Resort to either cater or organize beachfront sunset dinners where guests can play sand volleyball and have a drink at the Tiki bar. www.ridgetahoeresort.com

Red Lion Hotel Elko, Nevada

With 220 guest rooms, the Red Lion Hotel and Casino is “by far the largest hotel” in the mining city of Elko, and it boasts the largest casino in town. But the hotel and casino offers an even bigger selling point: It’s one of three Navegante-owned properties that form a sort of three-hotel “resort” along Idaho Street offering “economy, moderate and deluxe” options for meetings and groups, said executive director of hospitality Kristi Hansen. Because of the umbrella ownership, planners have easy access to all three for lodging, gaming and meeting options, she said.

The Red Lion is the largest and most luxurious of the three hotels and offers 4,000 square feet of indoor event space, including its 2,850-square-foot ballroom that can be divided. Glass doors connect to an adjoining 1,200-square-foot tented outdoor space that’s available from May through September. The Coffee Garden buffet is open 24 hours a day and offers a full menu, and Aspens Bar and Grille is a five-star restaurant that also offers private dining for up to 24 people.

Next to the Red Lion, the High Desert Inn has 171 guest rooms and 5,000 square feet of function space.

December 2016

Courtesy Red Lion Hotel & Casino Elko

Elko’s Red Lion Hotel ballroom is set for a gala dinner.

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The largest meeting room has 1,350 square feet of space and can accommodate receptions for up to 170 guests. Across the street from the Red Lion, the Gold Country Inn and Casino has 150 guest rooms and JR’s Restaurant, which offers private dining.

All three properties have a variety of bars and lounges.

In addition to being able to stay at one hotel and play at all three properties, meeting attendees can take advantage of free live entertainment every night of the week and use the coupon book for free play and discounts at both the Red Lion and Gold Country.

“There are just so many give-me’s we offer,” Hansen said.

The hotels are about a mile from the new 30,000-square-foot Elko Conference Center, a new building that opened next door to the existing Elko Convention Center, which offers a 913-seat auditorium and five meeting rooms totaling about 12,000 square feet. www.redlion.com/elko

Aquarius Casino Resort Laughlin, Nevada

Ninety miles south of Las Vegas, in the Mojave Desert in the southernmost tip of Nevada, the town of Laughlin is best known for play, both on the casino floor and on the Colorado River. The city sits on the banks of the Colorado, and many of its casinos line the river’s edge, linked by the Laughlin Riverwalk trail.

The Aquarius Casino Resort is Laughlin’s largest with 1,907 guest rooms, a 50,000-square-foot casino and 30,000 square feet of meeting and conference space in six flexible meeting rooms.

The Aquarius Pavilion and Conference Center has a 19,300-square-foot pavilion that can be split into two spaces: one with roughly 13,800 square feet and the other with about 5,500 square feet.

Down the hall, two conference rooms can be combined for a total of 2,700 square feet, and two additional meeting rooms offer 2,500 and 1,070 square feet of event space.

Splash lounge on the main casino floor offers a stage, a dance floor, tiered seating and roll-up doors, and is available for group functions and private parties. The Cove Bar and Lounge is also available for private events.

When they’re not doing business, attendees can board the Celebration riverboat for a dinner cruise, a scenic tour or a private charter on the Colorado River, or ride a horse along the Colorado River in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

Groups can also get on the river by renting kayaks, tubes, paddleboards and jet skis. www.aquariuscasinoresort.com

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Nevada Meeting Guide

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

2017 Small Market Meetings Industry Directory ALASKA

VISIT SITKA|SITKA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

104 Lake St. Sitka, AK 99835 907-747-8604 Sherry Aitken tourism@sitka.org www.sitka.org Nestled against lush, green-forested mountains, Sitka’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral spires rise above this surprisingly cosmopolitan town perched on the “outside” of Alaska’s Inside Passage. Direct 2-hour flights from Seattle, quality meeting venues, historical places, boutique shopping, accessible wildlife and locavore restaurants let you meet with a spirit of adventure.

CALIFORNIA

FAIRFIELD CONFERENCE & VISITORS BUREAU

1000 Webster Street, 1st Floor, Suite A. Fairfield, Ca 94533 707-399-2445 Christian Wentworth christian@visitfairfieldca.com www.visitfairfieldca.com Welcome to beautiful Fairfield, nestled in the heart of Northern California. Best known as being home to the Jelly Belly Factory and Anhueser-Busch Brewery, Fairfield also offers two thriving wine regions, premier golf courses, outdoor adventures through rolling hills and attractions for all ages – truly a destination full of surprises.

FLORIDA

VISIT SARASOTA COUNTY

1777 Main Street, Suite 302 Sarasota, FL 34236 941-955-0991 Seana Mincy smincy@visitsarasota.org www.VisitSarasota.org Soak up the sun at any spot along our 35 miles of white sand beaches. Treat yourself to the artisanal foods and thriving life that make up the downtown areas, or immerse yourself in the wild side. In Sarasota County, each moment is your own.

December 2016

FLORIDA

VISIT SOUTH WALTON

25777 US Highway 331 South Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 800-822-6877 Pamela Watkins Pamela@VisitSouthWalton.com www.VisitSouthWalton.com/Meetings When choosing the location for your next meeting, look no further than the sugar-white beaches of South Walton, Florida. Groups of all sizes can enjoy memorable meetings with distinguished meeting facilities, award-winning accommodations and creative teambuilding activities. With 16 acclaimed beach neighborhoods to choose from, South Walton provides a uniquely customized meeting experience.

ILLINOIS

CARBONDALE TOURISM

126 S. Illinois Avenue Carbondale, Illinois, 62901 800-526-1500 Jordan Wren jordan@carbondaletourism.org www.carbondaletourism.org Carbondale Tourism is the official convention and visitors bureau for the city of Carbondale, Illinois. We are a hub for information about the local community and a resource for out of town visitors. For any questions on what to do, where to go, and where to eat, feel free to contact us.

ILLINOIS

EFFINGHAM CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

1505 Hampton Drive Effingham, IL 62401 217-342-5305 Jodi Thoele thoelej@ci.effingham.il.us www.visiteffinghamil.com Effingham is the ideal place for meetings and conventions in Illinois. Effingham is centrally located at the intersection of I-57 and I-70. You’ll also have an excellent choice of meeting facilities and venues in Effingham, from our 20,000 square feet Thelma Keller Convention Center to intimate spaces like the wine room at Firefly Grill.

INDIANA

ILLINOIS

SPRINGFIELD CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

VISIT HENDRICKS COUNTY

109 N. Seventh St. Springfield, IL 62701 800-545-7300 Gina Gemberling meeting.info@springfield.il.us www.planonspringfieldil.com Plan a legendary meeting in historic Springfield, Abraham Lincoln’s hometown. With the newly renovated Prairie Capital Convention Center, three distinct convention areas, more than 4,000 guest rooms and great facilities, events of all sizes shine in Illinois’ capital city.

8 West Main Street Danville, IN 46122 Becky Harris becky@visithendrickscounty.com www.visithendrickscounty.com With its optimal location 10 miles and 15 minutes west of Indianapolis, proximity to the airport, hotel space, ancillary attractions and services, Hendricks County has the knowhow and amenities necessary to host your next meeting or event. Coming in 2018 – a new Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center!

INDIANA

KENTUCKY

GRAND WAYNE CONVENTION CENTER

21C MUSEUM HOTELS

120 W. Jefferson Blvd Fort Wayne, IN 46802 260-426-4100 Marcy McKinley mmckinley@grandwayne.com www.grandwayne.com Grand Wayne Convention Center in downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana, is among the Midwest’s premier event facilities.

The Center’s intuitive floor plans encompass 225,000 available square feet of carpeted, climate controlled, AV equipped space with free high performance WiFi, onsite AV and event management professionals, and full service food and beverage.

710 West Main St, Third Floor Louisville, KY 40202 502-882-6224 Emily Cotterman ecotterman@21chotels.com www.21cmuseumhotels.com/ 21c Museum Hotels is on the move, bringing its unique experience to cities across the country. Born out of a desire to integrate contemporary art into everyday life, 21c launched in downtown Louisville, Kentucky in 2006. Come explore for yourself and discover how 21c is redefining the art of modern Southern Hospitality.

INDIANA

KENTUCKY

VISIT SOUTH BEND MISHAWAKA

101 N. Michigan St. Suite 300 South Bend, IN 46601 800-519-0577 Becky Fletcher bfletcher@visitsouthbend.com www.visitsouthbend.com The new South Bend is evolving and in a state of transformation. With fun attractions, great restaurants, new hotel properties and conference spaces, and being home to the University of Notre Dame, the South Bend area is building a vibrant community that is beneficial to both visitors and meeting planners.

MEETNKY

| NORTHERN KENTUCKY CVB

50 E. RiverCenter Blvd. Suite 200, Covington, KY 41011 859-261-4677 hello@meetNKY.com www.meetNKY.com Welcome to Northern Kentucky, or NKY as we like to call ourselves. In NKY the South quite literally begins at our front door — where small-town warmth & hospitality go hand-in-hand with big-city amenities and attractions. Our unique style of South is what shines through… and you’ll find in NKY we do Southern with a bit of German fusion and a whole lot of sass!

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2017 Small Market Meetings Industry Directory MISSOURI

NEVADA

OHIO

BRANSON CONVENTION CENTER

ELKO CONVENTION & VISITORS AUTHORITY

LIMA/ALLEN COUNTY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

MISSOURI

NORTH CAROLINA

OHIO

TEXAS

ROSSFORD CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

MCKINNEY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

TENNESSEE

WISCONSIN

Managed by SMG 200 South Sycamore Street Branson, MO 65616 417-243-7002 Janet Peterson jpeterson@bransoncc.com www.bransoncc.com Enjoy the sophistications and style of a Metropolitan Convention Center in the Heart of the Ozark Mountains. Managed by SMG the “Gold Standard” in public facility management, The Branson Convention Center delivers unparalleled experience and service. The Branson Convention Center is a meeting planner, exhibitor and attendee’s dream. This architectural gem is an ideal location for a diverse range of events and gatherings – from trade shows and conventions, to religious symposiums, corporate meetings, sports competitions, public expos and large scale social events.

COLUMBIA CVB

300 S Providence Rd, Columbia, MO 65203 573-441-5577 Beth Mead Beth.Mead@CoMo.gov www.visitcolumbiamo.com/ “Centrally located in the heart of Missouri, Columbia’s location is easily accessible from all over the region.

Working with the full service CVB results in better value and higher attendance for your next meeting or convention.”

NEBRASKA

LINCOLN CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

1128 Lincoln Mall, Suite 100 Lincoln, NE 68508 402-434-5335 Derek Feyerherm dfeyerherm@lincoln.org www.lincoln.org/meet Enjoy the high-energy, hometown atmosphere of Lincoln, Nebraska. Bursting with a renewed sense of energy, Lincoln has a little something for everyone from venues to activities. Meeting attendees and visitors are invited to experience the city like a local, knowing there’s something new to do every day.

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700 Moren Way Elko, Nevada 89801 775-738-4091 Tom Lester tom@elkocva.com www.exploreelko.com The Elko Convention & Visitors Authority has over 40 years of experience in pre-convention & meeting planning. Let our professional staff be the liaison between you and the supplier. City wide Elko has 100,000 square feet of meeting space, 2700 lodging rooms, 2 golf courses and several unique meeting venues.

VISITGREENVILLESC

148 River Street, Suite 222 Greenville, SC 29601 800-351-7180 David Montgomery dmontgomery@visitgreenvillesc.com www.visitgreenvillesc.com One of the Southeast’s hottest cities, The Wall Street Journal calls Greenville, SC “Dream Town, USA.” Greenville’s natural beauty, southern charm, cosmopolitan cool and energized downtown with 100+ restaurants, along with easy interstate access and user-friendly airport make Greenville a stand out destination.

NORTH CAROLINA

VISIT WINSTON-SALEM

200 Brookstown Avenue Winston-Salem/NC/27101 866-728-4200 Christian Schroeder christian@visitwinstonsalem.com www.VisitWinstonSalem.com Winston-Salem is a sophisticated meeting destination conveniently and strategically located at the epicenter of North Carolina. Meeting professionals and dele-gates alike consistently give Winston-Salem high marks as a memorable meeting destination that blends its rich Colonial roots with a vibrant, southern city vibe. Winston-Salem is Your Southern Wake-Up Call

144 S. Main Street, Suite 101 Lima, Ohio 45801 419-222-6075 Sharree Brenneman-Reehling sharree@lima-allencvb.com www.lima-allencvb.com The Lima/Allen CVB is dedicated to helping you make your next event a success. We want you and your attendees to have a wonderful experience while you’re here. We will strive to make guests feel right at home with hospitality that is second to none. Let us show you why We Live It and You’ll Love It.

1001 Dixie Hwy., Suite D Rossford, OH 43460 855-765-5451 Beth Genson, bethgenson@visitrossfordohio.com www.VisitRossfordOhio.com Four host hotels on Clark Drive at I-75 and I-80 Ohio Turnpike with 400 rooms serving 60% of the US. You are within minutes of all Toledo attractions and venues as well as affordable high-tech space at Owens College. New hotel/ convention center slated for spring 2019 with restaurants and retail.

RUTHERFORD COUNTY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

3050 Medical Center Parkway Murfreesboro, TN 37129 800-716-7560 Donna Klempnow dklempnow@rutherfordchamber.org www.ReadySetRutherford.com This vibrant Southern community, located just southeast of Nashville, features a Civil War national battlefield, pioneer village, antebellum homes, Nissan plant tours, winery and moonshine distillery tours, walking horses, the largest outdoor shopping venue in the state, antiques, and over 300 restaurants! Free county-wide parking, itinerary planning, and more.

TEXAS

DESTINATION EL PASO

One Civic Center Plaza El Paso, TX 79901 915-534-0692 Brooke Underwood bunderwood@destinationelpaso.com www.visitelpaso.com El Paso is a premier meeting hub in the Southwest, thanks to our world-class venues. For starters, we’ve begun work on multi-million-dollar investments in citywide projects.

This means improvements to parks and attractions — most within walking distance of our 133,000-square-foot convention center.

200 West Virginia McKinney, TX 75069 888-649-8499 Vanesa Rhodes vrhoads@visitmckinney.com www.visitmckinney.com The McKinney CVB is ready to assist you in selecting the perfect location for your small market meeting in North Texas. Just outside Dallas, McKinney offers a variety of unique venues in quaint historic settings, natural backdrops, or even in a Croatian village. Contact us today to schedule a site visit.

FOX CITIES CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

3433 W College Ave Appleton, WI 54914 920-734-3358 Amy Karas akaras@foxcities.org www.foxcities.org We invite you to come together in the Fox Cities, Greater Appleton, Wisconsin. You’re sure to enjoy the big-city amenities and small-town charm our 20 communities offer, along with our award-winning lodging, premium meeting and event space and free Bureau services to groups of 10 to 2,000 people.

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

2017 Small Market Meetings Industry Directory WISCONSIN

KENOSHA AREA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

812 56th Street Kenosha, WI 53140 800-654-7307 Deanna Goodwin deanna@visitkenosha.com www.visitkenosha.com Ideally located between Milwaukee and Chicago, Kenosha blends small town charm with big city hospitality in the most unexpected ways. Venues range from traditional hotel conference centers and meeting rooms to college campuses, historic sites and museums with spectacular Lake Michigan views. Picture your next meeting or event in Kenosha!

NATIONWIDE

SPECTRA VENUE MANAGEMENT BY COMCAST SPECTACOR

3601 South Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19148 888-456-2599 Carrie Jackson Carrie_Jackson@comcastspectacor.com www.spectraexperiences.com Spectra knows it takes experience to host an unforgettable one. We are the experts that help bring out the best in event planners, using proven methods, innovative concepts, responsive customer service, and passionate industry professionals to turn your event into an experience. With a variety of Convention Centers and event space ranging from 10,000 to 500,000 square feet that include elegant ballrooms to expanded exhibit halls and meeting rooms, we have the perfect venue for your next event.

INTERNATIONAL

MEET PUERTO RICO

PO Box 6841 McKinney, TX 75071 214-856-3810 Joyce M. Martinez jmartinez@meetpuertorico.com www.meetpuertorico.com Puerto Rico offers everything a planner needs for successful meetings of any size – the Caribbean’s largest and most technically-advanced convention center, top accommodations, authentic “bucket list” activities, fine dining and sophisticated meeting and event venues. Puerto Rico continues to be positioned as one of the most soughtafter global meeting destinations. No passport needed for U.S. citizens.

December 2016

ALABAMA Auburn Marriott Opelika Hotel & Conference Center at Grand National 3700 Robert Trent Jones Trail Opelika, AL 36801 Phone: 334-737-2125 Email: brooke.kastner@marriottgrandnational.com Contact: Brooke Kastner Auburn-Opelika Tourism 714 E. Glenn Ave. Auburn, AL 36830 Phone: 334-704-0114 Email: cindy@aotourism.com Contact: Cindy Pugh Bryant Conference Center 240 Paul W. Bryant Dr. Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 Phone: 205-348-8600 Email: jarivers@ccs.ua.edu Contact: Josh Rivers Dothan Area CVB PO Box 8765 Dothan, AL 36304 Phone: 334-794-6622 Email: robert@dothanalcvb.com Contact: Robert Hillman Greater Birmingham CVB 2200 Ninth Avenue North Birmingham, AL 35203 Phone: 205-214-9223 Email: bcotton@inbirmingham.com Contact: Brent Cotton Greater Gadsden Area Tourism 90 Walnut St. Gadsden, AL 35901 Phone: 256-549-0351 Email: tamaraebrooks@gmail.com Contact: Tami Brooks Huntsville/Madison County CVB 500 Church St. NW, Ste. One Huntsville, AL 35801 Phone: 256-551-2223 Email: brogers@huntsville.org Contact: Bob Rogers Mobile Bay CVB 1 S. Water St., PO Box 204 Mobile, AL 36601 Phone: 251-208-2021 Email: jbousard@mobile.org Contact: Jerry Bousard Montgomery Chamber CVB 300 Water St. Montgomery, AL 36104 Phone: 334-261-1108 Email: sfaniel@montgomerychamber.com Contact: Shawna Faniel Perdido Beach Resort 27200 Perdido Beach Blvd.

Orange Beach, AL 36561 Phone: 251-981-9811 Email: cworcester@perdidobeachresort.com Contact: Cori Worcester

Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports PO Box 3167 Tuscaloosa, AL 35403 Phone: 205-391-0957 Email: bbuchanan@visittuscaloosa.com Contact: Bill Buchanan

ALASKA Alaska – Visit Anchorage 524 West 4th Ave. Anchorage, AK 99501 Phone: 907-276-4118 Email: sstanton@anchorage.net Contact: Shelli Stanton City of Wrangell/Nolan Center PO Box 1050 Wrangell, AK 99929 Phone: 907-874-3699 Email: terri@wrangellalaska.org Contact: Terri Henson

ARIZONA Chandler Office of Tourism MS 416, PO Box 4008 Chandler, AZ 85244 Phone: 480-782-3037 Email: kimberly.janes@chandleraz.gov Contact: Kimberly Janes Desert Diamond Casino Hotel PO Box 22230 Tucson, AZ 85734 Phone: 520-342-3020 Email: hlabbott@ddcaz.com Contact: Holly Abbott Flagstaff CVB 211 W. Aspen Ave. Flagstaff, AZ 86001 Phone: 928-213-2920 Email: jyoung@flagstaffaz.gov Contact: Jessica Young Yuma Visitors Bureau 180 West 1st St., Ste. D Yuma, AZ 85364 Phone: 928-376-0100 Email: leslie@visityuma.com Contact: Leslie McClendon

ARKANSAS 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa 75 Prospect Ave. Eureka Springs, AR 72632 Phone: 479-981-0036 Email: english.jodie@gmail.com Contact: Jodie English Brown Degray Lake Resort State Park 2027 State Park Entrance Rd. Bismarck, AR 71929 Phone: 501-865-5853 Email: linda.hodges@arkansas.gov Contact: Linda Hodges

DoubleTree by Hilton Downtown Little Rock 424 W. Markham St. Little Rock, AR 72201 Phone: 501-372-4371 Email: vfrench@doubletreelr.com Contact: Velva French Eureka Springs City Advertising & Promotion Commission PO Box 522 Eureka Springs, AR 72632 Phone: 479-253-7333 Email: karen@eurekasprings.org Contact: Karen Pryor, CTIS Fayetteville, AR CVB 21 S. Block Ave., Ste. 100 Fayetteville, AR 72701 Phone: 479-521-5776 Email: jpennington@experiencefayetteville.com Contact: Julie Pennington Fort Smith Convention Center 55 South 7th St. Fort Smith, AR 72901 Phone: 479-788-8934 Email: jrichey@fortsmithar.gov Contact: Jeremy Richey Fort Smith CVB 2 North B St. Fort Smith, AR 72901 Phone: 479-783-8888 Email: amy.jones@fortsmithar.gov Contact: Amy Jones Little Rock CVB PO Box 3232 Little Rock, AR 72203 Phone: 501-370-3258 Email: jjones@littlerock.com Contact: Jennifer Jones North Little Rock CVB PO Box 5511 North Little Rock, AR 72119-5511 Phone: 501-758-1424 Email: scott@northlittlerock.org Contact: Scott Sudduth Petit Jean State Park 1285 Petit Jean Mountain Rd. Morrilton, AR 72110 Phone: 501-727-5522 Email: kathy.fitch@arkansas.gov Contact: Kathleene Fitch The Lodge at Mount Magazine 577 Lodge Dr. Paris, AR 72855 Phone: 479-963-5240 Email: heidi.ryan@arkansas.gov Contact: Heidi Ryan Visit Bentonville 104 East Central Bentonville, AR 72712 Phone: 479-271-9153 Email: christine@visitbentonville.com Contact: Christine Skorenko

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2017 Small Market Meetings Industry Directory Visit Hot Springs 134 Convention Blvd.

Hot Springs, AR 71901 Phone: 501-620-5028 Email: ceasterday@hotsprings.org Contact: Cora Easterday

Hotel Elegante 2886 S. Circle Dr. Colorado Springs, CO 80906 Phone: 719-302-9872 Email: dkahlhamer@mcmelegante.com Contact: Dana Kahlhamer

Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort 100 N. Atlantic Ave. Daytona, FL 32118 Phone: 386-947-8084 Email: ghutchinson@daytonahilton.com Contact: Gina Hutchinson

Visit Jacksonville 208 N. Laura, Ste. 102 Jacksonville, FL 32202 Phone: 904-421-9183 Email: bmeyer@visitjacksonville.com Contact: Bob Meyer

Visit Rogers 317 W. Walnut Rogers, AR 72756 Phone: 479-619-3191 Email: erin@rogerslowell.com Contact: Erin Jernigan

Sky Ute Casino & Resort 14324 Hwy. 127 North Igancio, CO 81137 Phone: 888-842-4180 Email: brian.lundstrom@skyutecasino.com Contact: Brian Lundstrom

iCruise – WMPH Vacations 220 Congress Park Dr., Ste. 330 Delray Beach, FL 33445 Phone: 561-243-2100 Email: trisha@wmph.com Contact: Trisha Cook

Visit Pensacola 1401 E. Gregory St. Pensacola, FL 32502 Phone: 850-434-2142 Email: lmathews@visitpensacola.com Contact: Leslie Mathews

Visit Aurora 15151 E. Alameda Pkwy., Ste. 5200 Aurora, CO 80012 Phone: 303-326-8699 Email: heatherwydock@visitaurora.com Contact: Heather Wydock

International Palms Resort & Conference Center 1300 N. Atlantic Ave. Cocoa Beach, FL 32931 Phone: 321-392-1645 Email: dmann@internationalpalms.com Contact: Dianna Mann

Visit St. Pete Clearwater 8200 Bryan Dairy Rd., Ste. 200 Largo, FL 33777 Phone: 727-464-7208 Email: tina@visitspc.com Contact: Tina Berrien

CALIFORNIA Citslinc International 108 N. Ynez Ave., #205 Monterey Park, CA 91754 Phone: 949-637-6688 Email: citslinc@yahoo.com Contact: Peter Liu Greater Ontario California CVB 2000 E. Convention Center Way Ontario, CA 91764 Phone: 909-937-3006 Email: ddaves@ontariocvb.org Contact: Denise Daves Marin CVB 1 Mitchell Blvd., Ste. B San Rafael, CA 94903 Phone: 415-925-2060, x11 Email: christine@visitmarin.org Contact: Christine Bohlke Riverside CVB 3750 University Ave., #175 Riverside, CA 92501 Phone: 888-748-7733 Email: jverduzco@riversidecvb.com Contact: Julie Verduzco Temecula Creek Inn 44501 Rainbow Canyon Rd. Temecula, CA 92592 Phone: 951-587-1461 Email: nguanzon@jcresorts.com Contact: Noel Guanzon Visit Berkeley 2030 Addison St., Ste. 102 Berkeley, CA 94704 Phone: 510-549-7040 Email: sales@visitberkeley.com Contact: Jeff Blair

COLORADO Durango Area Tourism Office 802 Main Ave. Durango, CO 81301 Phone: 970-247-3500 Email: grace@durango.org Contact: Grace Shepard

46 Industry Directory

DELAWARE Greater Wilmington CVB 100 W. 10th St., Ste. 20 Wilmington, DE 19801 Phone: 302-295-2213 Email: jbittmann@visitwilmingtonde.com Contact: Jessica Bittmann

FLORIDA

Key West Express PO Box 2460 Fort Myers Beach, FL 33932 Phone: 239-314-1213 Email: labrenda@keywestexpress.net Contact: LaBrenda Schretter MSC Cruises (USA) Inc. 6750 N. Andrews Ave., Ste. 100 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 Phone: 954-958-3283 Email: wayne.peyreau@msccruisesusa.com Contact: Wayne Peyreau

Bellasera Hotel 221 9th St. South Naples, FL 34102 Phone: 800-548-5284 Email: liz.sanders@sunstream.com Contact: Liz Sanders

Ocala Marion County VCB 112 N. Magnolia Ave. Ocala, FL 34475 Phone: 352-438-2800 Email: ashley.dobbs@marioncountyfl.org Contact: Ashley Dobbs

Emerald Coast Convention Center 1250 Miracle Strip Pkwy. SE Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 Phone: 850-609-3910 Email: tmaraj@co.okaloosa.fl.us Contact: Tisha Maraj

Ocean Center 101 N. Atlantic Ave. Daytona Beach, FL 32118 Phone: 386-254-4500 Email: lhunter@oceancenter.com Contact: Lori Hunter

Emerald Coast CVB *Destin-Fort Walton Beach, FL 1540 Hwy. 98 (Miracle Strip Pkwy.)

Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 Phone: 850-651-7647 Email: srushing@co.okaloosa.fl.us Contact: Sherry Rushing

Ramada Plaza Beach Resort 1500 Miracle Strip Pkwy. SE Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 Phone: 850-243-9161 Email: jackie@ramadafwb.com Contact: Jackie Blue

Group Travel Odyssey 7081 Grand National Dr. Orlando, FL 32819 Phone: 888-440-5245 Email: bud@grouptravelodyssey.com Contact: Bud Geissler Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront 1550 N. Atlantic Ave. Cocoa Beach, FL 32931 Phone: 321-613-9023 Email: john.read@hilton.com Contact: John Read

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort 9300 Emerald Coast Pkwy. West Destin, FL 32550 Phone: 850-267-4467 Email: jessicadafler@sandestin.com Contact: Jessica Dafler St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors & Convention Bureau 20 Old Mission Ave. St. Augustine, FL 32084 Phone: 904-209-4432 Email: wmcbroom@floridashistoriccoast.com Contact: William McBroom

Visit Tallahassee 106 E. Jefferson St. Tallahassee, FL 32301 Phone: 800-628-2866 Email: janet.roach@visittallahassee.com Contact: Janet Roach

GEORGIA Albany, GA CVB 112 N. Front St. Albany, GA 31701 Phone: 229-317-4760 Email: kcorley@albanyga.com Contact: Katie Corley Alpharetta CVB 178 S. Main St., Ste. 200 Alpharetta, GA 30009 Phone: 678-297-2811 Email: beth@awesomealpharetta.com Contact: Beth Brown Columbus, GA CVB PO Box 2768 Columbus, GA 31902 Phone: 706-256-4344 Email: mgrace@visitcolumbusga.com Contact: Melanie Grace Discover DeKalb CVB 1957 Lakeside Pkwy., Ste. 510 Tucker, GA 30084 Phone: 770-492-5015 Email: clarenceb@dcvb.org Contact: Clarence Boone CVB of Dunwoody 41 Perimeter Center E., Ste. 200 Dunwoody, GA 30346 Phone: 678-244-9803 Email: sarahs@cvbdunwoody.com Contact: Sarah Steadman Georgia International Convention Center 2000 Convention Center Concourse College Park, GA 30337 Phone: 770-907-3074 Email: divey@gicc.com Contact: Darcel Ivey

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

2017 Small Market Meetings Industry Directory Hilton Atlanta Marietta Hotel & Conference Center 500 Powder Springs St. Marietta, GA 30064 Phone: 770-427-2500 Email: betsy.gavin@hilton.com Contact: Betsy Gavin Jekyll Island Club Hotel 371 Riverview Dr. Jekyll Island, GA 31527 Phone: 912-635-5125 Email: hhamilton@jekyllclub.com Contact: Heather Hamilton Macon, GA CVB PO Box 6354 Macon, GA 31208 Phone: 478-621-7053 Email: kgrissom@visitmacon.org Contact: Kristen Grissom Peachtree City CVB 201 McIntosh Trail Peachtree City, GA 30269 Phone: 678-364-6944 Email: ematos@visitpeachtreecity.com Contact: Eric Matos Sandy Springs Hospitality & Tourism 5920 Roswell Rd., Ste. A-118 Sandy Springs, GA 30328 Phone: 770-206-1445 Email: will.carlson@sandyspringsga.org Contact: Will Carlson Sheraton Atlanta Downtown 165 Courtland St. NE Atlanta, GA 30303 Phone: 404-659-6500 Email: glake@sheratonatl.com Contact: Georgette Lake

ILLINOIS Chicago’s Premier Western Suburb – Lisle CVB 925 Burlington Ave. Lisle, IL 60532 Phone: 800-733-9811 Email: friday@stayinlisle.com Contact: Robin Friday, CMP Green Mill Village & Green Mill Village Theatre 917 Green Mill Rd. Arcola, IL 61910 Phone: 217-268-4400 Email: cassie@agri-fab.com Contact: Cassie Yoder Meet Chicago Northwest 1375 E. Woodfield, Ste. 120 Schaumburg, IL 60173 Phone: 847-490-1010 Email: tgruman@chicagonorthwest.com Contact: Tina Gruman Peoria Area CVB 456 Fulton St., Ste. 300 Peoria, IL 61602 Phone: 309-282-3286 Email: ltafoya@peoria.org Contact: Laura Tafoya

December 2016

Q Center 1405 N. 5th Ave. St. Charles, IL 60174 Phone: 630-444-4346 Email: karen.vavra@dolce.com Contact: Karen Vavra

French Lick Resort 8670 W. State Rd. 56 French Lick, IN 47432 Phone: 812-369-4176 Email: hfuller@frenchlick.com Contact: Heather Fuller

Rockford Area CVB 102 North Main Rockford, IL 61101 Phone: 815-963-8111 Email: mhansen@gorockford.com Contact: Morgann Hansen

Hamilton County Tourism 37 E. Main St. Carmel, IN 46032 Phone: 317-660-4043 Email: kpeterson@hamiltoncountytourism.com Contact: Kori Peterson

St. Charles, IL CVB 311 N. Second St., Ste. 100 St. Charles, IL 60174 Phone: 630-377-6161 Email: michelle@visitstcharles.com Contact: Michelle Cianferri

Horizon Convention Center 401 S. High St. Muncie, IN 47305 Phone: 765-716-8309 Email: lrowe@horizonconvention.com Contact: Laura Rowe

Visit Champaign County 108 S. Neil St. Champaign, IL 61820-7269 Phone: 217-351-4133 Email: leahl@visitchampaigncounty.org Contact: Leah Longueville

Morris Inn 130 Morris Inn South Bend, IN 46556-5200 Phone: 574-631-2023 Email: jkurth@nd.edu Contact: Joe Kurth

Volo Auto Museum 27582 W. Volo Village Rd. Volo, IL 60073 Phone: 815-385-3644 Email: brian@volocars.com Contact: Brian Grams

Visit French Lick West Baden PO Box 71 French Lick, IN 47432 Phone: 866-960-7792 Email: kristal@visitfrenchlickwestbaden.com Contact: Kristal Painter

INDIANA Bloomington Monroe County Convention Center 302 S. College Ave. Bloomington, IN 47403 Phone: 812-336-3681 Email: april@bloomingtonconvention.com Contact: April Wason Century Center 120 South St. Joseph St. South Bend, IN 46601 Phone: 574-235-9711 Email: leannab@centurycenter.org Contact: Leanna Belew Columbus, IN CVB 506 Fifth St. Columbus, IN 47201 Phone: 800-468-6564 Email: bharper@columbus.in.us Contact: Becky Harper Doubletree by Hilton South Bend 123 N. Saint Joseph St. South Bend, IN 46601 Phone: 574-283-7118 Email: jegan@dtsouthbend.com Contact: Julie Egan Evansville CVB 401 SE Riverside Dr. Evansville, IN 47713 Phone: 812-421-2204 Email: avezzoso@evansvillecvb.org Contact: Ashley Vezzoso

IOWA Ames CVB 1601 Golden Aspen Dr., #110 Ames, IA 50010 Phone: 515-956-3201 Email: kiefferj@iastate.edu Contact: Julie Kieffer

KANSAS

Visit Wichita 515 S. Main St., Ste. 115 Wichita, KS 67202 Phone: 316-660-6306 Email: aschmidt@visitwichita.com Contact: Amy Schmidt

LOUISIANA Cypress Bend Resort 317 Sage Hill Dr. Shreveport, LA 71106 Phone: 318-820-2108 Email: april.lawrence@cypressbend.com Contact: April Lawrence Jefferson CVB/New Orleans 1221 Elmwood Park Blvd., Ste. 411 New Orleans, LA 70123 Phone: 877-572-7474 Email: carolyn@experiencejefferson.com Contact: Carolyn Barrett Lafayette Travel 1400 NW Evangeline Thruway Lafayette, LA 70501 Phone: 337-232-3737 Email: karen@lafayettetravel.com Contact: Karen Primeaux Louisiana Northshore CVB 68099 Hwy. 59 Mandeville, LA 70471 Phone: 985-892-0520, x203 Email: zondra@louisiananorthshore.com Contact: Zondra Jones Visit Baton Rouge 359 Third St. Baton Rouge, LA 70801 Phone: 225-382-3585 Email: tracy@visitbatonrouge.com Contact: Tracy Francis

MAINE

Kansas City, KS CVB PO Box 171517 Kansas City, KS 66117-0517 Phone: 913-601-4013 Email: kerry@visitkansascityks.com Contact: Kerry Green

CVB of Greater Portland Maine 94 Commercial St., Ste. 300 Portland, ME 04101 Phone: 207-772-4994, x227 Email: eenglish@visitportland.com Contact: Elissa English

Leavenworth CVB 100 North 5th St. Leavenworth, KS 66048 Phone: 913-758-6725 Email: klee@firstcity.org Contact: Kristi K. Lee

Olympia Companies 1230 Congress St. Portland, ME 04102 Phone: 207-553-9544 Email: heather@pwmclarion.com Contact: Heather Levesque

Manhattan CVB 501 Poyntz Ave. Manhattan, KS 66502 Phone: 785-776-8829 Email: karen@manhattan.org Contact: Karen Hibbard Visit Topeka 618 S. Kansas Ave. Topeka, KS 66603 Phone: 785-234-1030 Email: rosemary@visittopeka.com Contact: Rosemary Dahlgren

MARYLAND National 4-H Conference Center 7100 Connecticut Ave. Chevy Chase, MD 20815 Phone: 800-368-7432 Email: alazarte@fourhcouncil.edu Contact: Armando Lazarte

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2017 Small Market Meetings Industry Directory MASSACHUSETTS Greater Merrimack Valley CVB 61 Market St., Unit 1C Lowell, MA 01852 Phone: 978-459-6150 Email: comalley@merrimackvalley.org Contact: Courtney O’Malley North of Boston CVB PO Box 5193, I-95 Southbound, Exit 60 Salisbury, MA 01952 Phone: 978-465-6555 Email: darlene@northofboston.org Contact: Darlene Foley Scenic Luxury Cruises & Emerald Waterways European River Cruises 20 Park Plaza, Ste. 903 Boston, MA 02111 Phone: 757-576-0344 Email: michel.madjerich@scenicusa.com Contact: Michel Madjerich Springfield First/Mass Mutual Center 1277 Main St. Springfield, MA 01103 Phone: 413-271-3259 Email: rdecusati@massconvention.com Contact: Richard Decusati

MICHIGAN Ann Arbor Area CVB 106 W. Michigan Ave. Ann Arbor, MI 48103 Phone: 734-483-4444 Email: phughes@ypsilanti.org Contact: Pam Hughes

MINNESOTA Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group 701 Carlson Pkwy.

Minnetonka, MN 55305 Phone: 507-884-9610 Email: janelle.smith@carlsonrezidor.com Contact: Janelle Smith Minneapolis Northwest CVB 7100 Northland Circle North, Ste. 102 Minneapolis, MN 55428 Phone: 763-566-7722 Email: jackie@mplsnw.com Contact: Jackie Darsow Rochester CVB 30 Civic Center Dr. SE, Ste. 200 Rochester, MN 55904 Phone: 507-424-0817 Email: lodegard@rochestercvb.org Contact: Lori Odegard

48 Industry Directory

MISSISSIPPI DeSoto County Tourism 4716 Pepper Chase Dr. Southaven, MS 38671 Phone: 662-393-8770 Email: margaret@sodesoto.com Contact: Margaret Devine

MISSOURI Branson Convention & Visitors Bureau PO Box 1897 Branson, MO 65615 Phone: 417-243-2121 Email: ylong@bransoncvb.com Contact: Yvonne Long John Q Hammons Hotels & Resorts 300 John Q Hammons Pkwy.

Springfield, MO 65806 Phone: 417-873-3548 Email: dena.soden@jqh.com Contact: Dena Soden

Campus Conferencing by Sodexo 4720 Ellicott Way Reno, NV 89519 Phone: 207-391-9187 Email: norma.charette@sodexo.com Contact: Norma Charette City of Henderson 200 S. Water St. Henderson, NV 89015 Phone: 702-267-2114 Email: edward.kirby@cityofhenderson.com Contact: Ed Kirby

NEW MEXICO New Mexico State University Box 30001, MSC CC Las Cruces, NM 88003 Phone: 575-646-5664 Email: juhughes@nmsu.edu Contact: Julie Hughes

NEW YORK

The Elms Hotel & Spa 401 Regent St. Excelsior Springs, MO 64024 Phone: 816-630-5500 Email: ljaegers@elmshotelandspa.com Contact: Lorie Jaegers

American Tour Guide Association PO Box 8363 New York, NY 10116 Email: paula@americantourguide.org Contact: Paula Reynolds

University of Missouri 909 Hitt St. Columbia, MO 65211 Phone: 573-882-9192 Email: hougr@missouri.edu Contact: Rita Houg

Lake George Regional COC & CVB 2176 State Route 9, PO Box 272 Lake George, NY 12845 Phone: 518-668-5755 Email: lgrcccvb@lakegeorgechamber.com Contact: Kristen Hanifin

MONTANA 320 Ranch & Resort 205 Buffalo Horn Creek Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730 Phone: 406-670-0796 Email: susan@320ranch.com Contact: Susan Murphy Visit Billings 815 South 27th St. Billings, MT 59101 Phone: 406-245-4111 Email: stefan@visitbillings.com Contact: Stefan Cattarin

NEVADA Atlantis Casino Resort Spa 3800 S. Virginia St. Reno, NV 89502 Phone: 775-824-4455 Email: mmilcic@atlantiscasino.com Contact: Meghan Milcic

Saratoga Convention & Tourism Bureau 60 Rail Road Place, Ste. 301 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 Phone: 518-584-1531 Email: nancy@discoversaratoga.org Contact: Nancy Jess Visit Buffalo Niagara 403 Main St., Ste. 630 Buffalo, NY 14203 Phone: 716-852-0511 Email: williamson@visitbuffaloniagara.com Contact: Dionne Williamson Visit Syracuse 115 W. Fayette St. Syracuse, NY 13202 Phone: 315-470-1907 Email: gsnell@visitsyracuse.com Contact: Greg Snell

NORTH CAROLINA Chapel Hill Orange CVB 501 W. Franklin St. Chapel Hill, NC 27516 Phone: 919-245-4323 Email: mbarbera@visitchapelhill.org Contact: Marlene Barbera

Pinehurst – Southern Pines – Aberdeen CVB 10677 Hwy. 15-501 Southern Pines, NC 28387 Phone: 910-692-3330, x237 Email: bstewart@homeofgolf.com Contact: Beverly Stewart Visit NC Smokies 1110 Soco Rd. Maggie Valley, NC 28751 Phone: 828-944-0761 Email: ron@visitncsmokies.com Contact: Ron Bower

NORTH DAKOTA North Dakota Tourism Department 1600 E. Century Ave., Ste. 2 Bismarck, ND 58503 Phone: 701-328-2525 Email: decunningham@nd.gov Contact: Deanne Cunningham

OHIO Akron/Summit CVB 77 E. Mill St. Akron, OH 44308 Phone: 330-374-7560 Email: kharris@visitakron-summit.org Contact: Karen Harris Butler County Visitors Bureau 8756 Union Centre Blvd.

West Chester, OH 45069 Phone: 888-462-2282 Email: mogorman@gettothebc.com Contact: Margaret O’Gorman Destination Toledo 401 Jefferson Ave. Toledo, OH 43604 Phone: 419-321-5041 Email: tvetter@visittoledo.org Contact: Tony Vetter Experience Columbus 277 W. Nationwide Blvd., Ste. 125 Columbus, OH 43215 Phone: 614-297-2319 Email: rdudley@experiencecolumbus.com Contact: Roger Dudley Rossford CVB 10001 Dixie Hwy., Ste. D Rossford, OH 43460 Phone: 855-765-5451 Email: bethgenson@visitrossfordohio.com Contact: Beth Genson Visit Grove City 1600 Gateway Circle Grove City, OH 43123 Phone: 614-539-8747 Email: amanda@visitgrovecityoh.com Contact: Amanda Davis

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

2017 Small Market Meetings Industry Directory OKLAHOMA Claremore Expo and Tourism Development 400 Veterans Pkwy.

Claremore, OK 74017 Phone: 918-341-1325, x402 Email: lisa@visitclaremore.org Contact: Lisa Rogers Lawton Fort Sill CVB 302 W. Gore Blvd.

Lawton, OK 73501 Phone: 580-355-3541, x3 Email: tburgess@visitlawtonok.com Contact: Taylor Burgess Oklahoma City CVB 123 Park Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73102 Phone: 405-297-8930 Email: moneill@visitokc.com Contact: Morgan O’Neill Remington Park Racetrack & Casino One Remington Place Oklahoma City, OK 73111 Phone: 405-425-3270 Email: christy.mccormack@remingtonpark.com Contact: Christy McCormack Stillwater CVB 409 S. Main Stillwater, OK 74074 Phone: 405-743-3697 Email: nicole@visitstillwater.org Contact: Nicole Horn Tulsa CVB One W. Third St., Ste. 100 Tulsa, OK 74103 Phone: 918-560-0251 Email: caseykeefer@visittulsa.com Contact: Casey Keefer Visit Norman 309 E. Main St. Norman, OK 73069 Phone: 405-261-8043 Email: taylor@visitnorman.com Contact: Taylor Mauldin

PENNSYLVANIA Chester County Conference & \Visitors Bureau 300 Greenwood Rd. Kennett Square, PA 19348 Phone: 484-840-7213 Email: courtney@brandywinevalley.com Contact: Courtney Babcock Destination Gettysburg 571 W. Middle St. Gettysburg, PA 17325 Phone: 717-338-1053 Email: jenny@destinationgettysburg.com Contact: Jenny McConnell

December 2016

Discover Lehigh Valley 840 Hamilton St., Ste. 200 Allentown, PA 18101 Phone: 610-882-9200 Email: suzanne@discoverlehighvalley.com Contact: Suzanne Stianche Explore York 60 East North St. York, PA 17401 Phone: 717-852-9675, x110 Email: patrick@yorkpa.org Contact: Patrick Bourque

RHODE ISLAND Discover Newport Rhode Island 23 America’s Cup Ave. Newport, RI 02840 Phone: 800-326-6030 Email: psmurro@discovernewport.org Contact: Patricia Smurro

SOUTH CAROLINA Florence Civic Center 3300 W. Radio Dr. Florence, SC 29501 Phone: 843-679-9417 Email: kwall@florenceciviccenter.com Contact: Kendall Wall Hampton Inn & Suites Myrtle Beach Oceanfront 1801 Ocean Boulevard Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 Phone: 843-946-6400 Email: nancy.lee@hilton.com Contact: Nancy Lee Hilton Head Island Hotel Partners I and II 1 Dillon Rd. Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 Phone: 843-681-7900 Email: robin.howell@hilton.com Contact: Robin Howell Myrtle Beach Area CVB 1200 N. Oak St. Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 Phone: 843-916-7299 Email: ursula.grant@visitmyrtlebeach.com Contact: Ursula Grant North Myrtle Beach COC 1521 Hwy. 17 South North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582 Phone: 843-361-3047 Email: shafran@northmyrtlebeachchamber.com Contact: Shafran Fields Spartanburg CVB 105 N. Pine St. Spartanburg, SC 29302 Phone: 864-594-5051 Email: pbyrd@visitspartanburg.com Contact: Patricia Byrd

SOUTH DAKOTA Rapid City CVB 444 Mount Rushmore Rd. North Rapid City, SD 57701 Phone: 605-718-8481 Email: steiger@visitrapidcity.com Contact: Tyson Steiger Sioux Falls CVB 200 N. Phillips Ave., Ste. 102 Sioux Falls, SD 57104 Phone: 605-373-2025 Email: aeliason@siouxfalls.com Contact: Anna Eliason

TENNESSEE

Crowne Plaza Dallas Downtown 1015 Elm St. Dallas, TX 75202 Phone: 214-379-3576 Email: jverghese@crownedallas.com Contact: Jesse Verghese Greater New Braunfels COC 390 S. Sequin Ave. New Braunfels, TX 78130 Phone: 830-625-2385 Email: nina@nbcham.org Contact: Nina Eastman Laredo CVB 501 San Agustin Ave. Laredo, TX 78040 Phone: 956-795-2200 Email: aramos@ci.laredo.tx.us Contact: Aileen Ramos

Eden Crest Vacation Rentals 652 Wears Valley Rd. Pigeon Forge, TN 37862 Phone: 865-774-0059 Email: carol@edencrest.com Contact: Carol Bryant

San Angelo CVB 418 W. Avenue B San Angelo, TX 76903 Phone: 325-655-4136 Email: suzanna@sanangelo.org Contact: Suzanna Aguirre

Gatlinburg CVB PO Box 527 Gatlinburg, TN 37738 Phone: 800-343-1475 Email: dian@gatlinburg.com Contact: Dian Stanfill

Sheraton Arlington 1500 Convention Center Dr. Arlington, TX 76011 Phone: 817-703-5727 Email: beth.mendez@sheratonarlingtonhotel.com Contact: Beth Mendez

Visit Franklin, TN/Nashville South 400 Main St., Ste. 200 Franklin, TN 37064 Phone: 615-794-8510 Email: kathryn@visitfranklin.com Contact: Kathryn York

Visit Lubbock Wells Fargo Center, 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor Lubbock, TX 79401 Phone: 806-747-5232 Email: lisa@visitlubbock.org Contact: Lisa Grinstead

TEXAS Allen CVB 301 Century Pkwy.

Allen, TX 75013 Phone: 214-509-4110, x4669 Email: thopkins@visitallentexas.com Contact: Toni Hopkins Amarillo Convention and Visitor Council 1000 S. Polk St. Amarillo, TX 79101 Phone: 806-374-1497 Email: ashley@visitamarillo.com Contact: Ashley Gutierrez Arlington, TX CVB 1905 E. Randol Mill Rd. Arlington, TX 76011 Phone: 817-704-7592 Email: stefanie@arlington.org Contact: Stefanie Schafner Bryan-College Station CVB 1101 University Dr. East, Ste. 108 College Station, TX 77840 Phone: 979-260-9898 Email: destiny@bcscvb.org Contact: Destiny Whitley

VIRGINIA Hampton, VA CVB 1919 Commerce Dr., Ste. 290 Hampton, VA 23666 Phone: 757-728-5317 Email: lori.leib@hamptoncvb.com Contact: Lori Leib Kindred Resorts and Hotels 2100 E. Cary St., Ste. 3 Richmond, VA 23223 Phone: 804-525-2035 Email: bree@meetkindred.com Contact: Bree Ellen Brostko Visit Loudoun 112 – G South Street SE Leesburg, VA 20176 Phone: 703-771-2170, x4432 Email: hayes@visitloudoun.org Contact: Ann Hayes Visit Norfolk 232 E. Main St. Norfolk, VA 23510 Phone: 800-368-3097 Email: dhowe@visitnorfolktoday.com Contact: Dana Howe

49

2017 Small Market Meetings Industry Directory Fredericksburg Regional Tourism 706 Caroline St. Fredericksburg, VA 22401 Phone: 866-405-3046 Email: vamatthews@fredericksburgva.gov Contact: Victoria Matthews

WASHINGTON Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism 904 Potter St. Bellingham, WA 98229 Phone: 360-671-3990 Email: tamara@bellingham.org Contact: Tamara Addis Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority 3100 S. 176th St. Seattle, WA 98188 Phone: 206-686-7261 Email: jene@seattlesouthside.com Contact: Jene Iceberg

WASHINGTON, DC Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE Washington, DC 20590 Phone: 202-366-5054 Email: greg.nahmens@dot.gov Contact: Greg Nahmens

WEST VIRGINIA Charleston, WV – Hip, Historic, Almost Heaven 200 Civic Center Dr. Charleston, WV 25301 Phone: 304-344-5075 Email: lauren.hunt@charlestonwv.com Contact: Lauren Hunt Greater Morgantown CVB 341 Chaplin Rd. Morgantown, WV 26505 Phone: 304-292-5081 Email: kfanok@tourmorgantown.com Contact: Kay Fanok Your West Virginia Group Connection 12 Brick Lane Ct. Cross Lanes, WV 25313 Phone: 304-545-5268 Email: kakawv@hotmail.com Contact: Kathy Johnson

WISCONSIN Greater Green Bay CVB PO Box 10596 Green Bay, WI 54304 Phone: 920-405-1153 Email: jolie@greenbay.com Contact: Jolie LyFoung Janesville CVB 20 S. Main St., Ste. 17 Janesville, WI 53534 Phone: 608-757-3171 Email: groups@janesvillecvb.com Contact: Lori Johnson Menominee Casino Resort PO Box 760 Keshena, WI 54135 Phone: 715-853-1090 Email: lfuhrmann@menomineecasinoresort.com Contact: Lori Fuhrmann Oshkosh CVB 100 N. Main St., Ste. 112 Oshkosh, WI 54901 Phone: 920-303-9200 Email: cathy@visitoshkosh.com Contact: Catherine Cluff Visit Beloit 500 Public Ave. Beloit, WI 53511 Phone: 608-313-1366 Email: matt@visitbeloit.com Contact: Matthew Bosen

Wisconsin Dells VCB PO Box 390 Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965 Phone: 608-254-7180 Email: tifani@wisdells.com Contact: Tifani Jones

WYOMING Campbell County CVB PO Box 1393 Gillette, WY 82718 Phone: 307-686-0040 Email: terry@visitgillettewright.com Contact: Terry Sjolin Little America Hotel & Resort 2800 W. Lincolnway Cheyenne, WY 82001 Phone: 307-775-8457 Email: hfoster@cheyenne.littleamerica.com Contact: Heather Drick-Foster Visit Cheyenne 1 Depot Sq., 121 W. 15th St., Ste. 202 Cheyenne, WY 82001 Phone: 307-778-0182 Email: jim@cheyenne.org Contact: Jim Walter

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a f a m i ly o f br a n d s

200 Tourism Cares donors gave nearly $100,000 to social enterprises to help rebuild Nepal after a tragic earthquake.

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Visit Winston-Salem went above and beyond to make sure that our three events were successful, memorable and fun! The food was top-notch quality, and our members praised their accommodations. Thank you for making my job easier!

— Ginny Fountain, CMP Director of Meeting Planning North Carolina Association of Electric Cooperatives

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We chose Winston-Salem for the location, but were blown away by everything the city—and our venue—had to offer.

®

VisitWinstonSalem.com 866-728-4200 • More than 4,800 hotel rooms • 100,000+ square feet of Convention Center meeting space downtown • Over 100 restaurants and shops within walking distance of Convention Center complex • A Forbes’ Top 10 Best Downtown • Centrally located in the state

FOR DETAILS, CONTACT: Alexandra “Alex” Collins Sales Manager Alex@VisitWinstonSalem.com 336-728-4216 Christian Schroeder Director of Sales and Services Christian@VisitWinstonSalem.com 336-728-4218

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