Unique Spaces and Places

Unique Spaces & Places

Planners in search of unique venues for their upcoming meetings, events and group functions will find a wealth of options throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region. From an urban site with dozens of sports cars to a rural farm show complex consisting of 1,000,000-square feet to a food purveyor with multiple locations featuring Italian specialties to an African themed resort with an indoor waterpark in the mountains, here are just a few of the very unique choices available to planners for their group functions.

A World Away in the Pocono Mountains

Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in the Pocono Mountains, PA is one of the region’s largest convention resorts with 950 guest rooms and over 200,000-square feet of function space. Home to a world-class culinary team and several on-site restaurants, guests will find much to do at this unique Africa-inspired property.

Topgolf connects people through virtual experiences and innovations, combining technology with sports entertainment. Since opening its first Topgolf venue in 2000 in the U.K., they have brought their unique brand of experiential entertainment to over 60 locations around the globe, including several throughout the U.S. Mid-Atlantic Region. These venues collectively serve millions of guests each year and welcome people from all walks of life to enjoy high-tech games, climate-controlled hitting bays, a chef-inspired menu, hand-crafted cocktails, event spaces, music and more.

Activities include an on-site spa, miniature golf, an outdoor adventure course and other team building opportunities, as well as a climate-controlled indoor waterpark and more.

Its recently expanded convention space offers built in AV in pillarless ballrooms, pre-function space filled with natural light, and, of course, genuine African Art throughout making Kalahari feel like it is a world away; its unique backdrop inspiring attendees and providing planners with a creative setting and unique environment in which to host memorable event experiences.

Menus can be customized as part of creating unique experiences for guests, as well. “Whether it's an authentic Indian dinner, a walking lunch or a themed reception, our team loves not only a challenge, but to ensure that each and every vision a client has can come to life. In addition, Kalahari owns all of its AV equipment, which makes the planning process seamless and the technology aspect one that you can count on,” notes Stephani L. Bann, CMP, assistant director of sales for Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in the Pocono Mountains.

Groups can add to their experience by working with various vendor partners at Kalahari, including African Dance groups, team building facilitators, drayage and production companies and more. “In choosing a destination like Kalahari, you are giving your attendees the opportunity to have an experience,” explains Bann. “From the moment you step foot in the doors, you'll feel the incredible hospitality, see the amazing collection of art, attend a conference with outstanding food, and when not in meetings, there's something to do for everyone. Relax with a massage in our spa, soar down a waterslide, enjoy an incredible meal at one of the Pocono Mountains' top restaurants, or check out many of the other activities this destination has to offer.”

Nearly Limitless Flexibility

The PA Farm Show Complex and Expo Center is another unique venue. Located in the Hershey-Harrisburg Region, it offers over one-million square feet of space. It features eight fullywired halls that vary in size from 16,500-square feet all the way up to 172,000-square feet, as well as three arenas that boast seating for 900, 1,600 and 7,300 respectively, allowing planners flexibility to choose the right size and fit for their groups’ needs.

Boasting almost limitless options for events, this premier facility’s versatile accommodations play host to everything from livestock shows to corporate meetings to trade shows to black-tie events and more with a skilled team that works with planners to assure successful events. The complex's flexible floor plans make it easy to host everything from intimate gatherings to large exhibitions, concerts, and sporting events, too, with versatile seating options, as well as ample guest parking.

“Our region features city amenities with the quiet charm of a family destination,” notes Sharon S. Meyers, executive director for the PA Farm Show Complex and Expo Center.

While food and beverage are offered on-site by an exclusive partner provider, event planners and promoters are welcome to bring in third-party vendors for other services to help enhance their attendees’ experience.

The PA Farm Show Complex and Expo Center offers a mix of newly renovated, accessible and green features all in a venue that boasts historic charm, varied and flexible function space, ease of accessibility, affordability and highlevel customer service.

Feeding the Need… for Speed

In Philadelphia, PA, the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum is home to one of the world’s greatest collections of racing sports cars. Through the theme “The Spirit of Competition,” the museum celebrates the history and evolution of these magnificent machines.

Assembled over 50 years by Dr. Frederick Simeone, the museum contains over 75 historically significant cars, including: Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Bugatti, Mercedes, Jaguar, Bentley, Porsche, Aston Martin, Corvette, Ford, and others.

At 78,000-square feet, the museum is one of the few event venues in the Philadelphia area that can comfortably accommodate groups of 1,000 seated or 2,000 for receptions. Its space is very adaptable and partitions are available to section-off areas.

Whether for a corporate event or social function, attendees can have full use of the entire museum with its world-famous car collection as the backdrop and a team dedicated to making the event special. On-site features include free Wi-Fi, free onsite parking for approximately 350 cars, and valet parking service that is available for an additional cost.

With a multitude of catering options, the Simeone Foundation Museum’s team can help plan out the menu for any occasion, from light fare to wholesome cuisine.

Mille Miglia Cafe is the most intimate space at the facility - a unique venue with an Italian-style piazza setting and outdoor café tables. The Andretti Conference Room is a large, open conference space with an outside window wall and a boardroom table. The Bugatti Room is a large, private meeting space that is Internet and AV ready, perfect for video presentations.

Expert docents are available to take guests on an unforgettable journey through the museum’s outstanding collection of racing sports cars. The museum conducts private guided tours by reservation, and can custom

tailor tour experiences for groups. Tours last between 90-120 minutes, and are an informative, educational and entertaining experience.

Inspired Culinary Experiences

Di Bruno Bros. proudly offers six retail locations in and around the Philadelphia area, as well as multiple bottle shops and an outdoor piazza in the heart of the city’s iconic Italian Market. Each of these locations boasts a mix of unique services and products.

Providing extraordinary food experiences inspired by their legacy, Di Bruno Bros. is a specialty food retailer and importer that began with a modest shop in South Philadelphia back in 1939. They have since evolved into a communitydriven enterprise that includes retail, catering, import and e-commerce divisions.

Group functions with Di Bruno include the opportunity to meet a monger and hear a tale of cheesemakers near and far, to explore a world of culinary delights, and to visit the prepared foods counter for some deliciously easy fare. Every visit to Di Bruno Bros. offers a bite of something special, such as the monger’s favorite cheese pairing of the moment.

The team at Di Bruno is dedicated to always learning more about the food world, whether about generations of cheesemakers, the way Prosciutto di Parma has been made in the same way for centuries, or the process for which rennet comes together with milk to become cheese.

In the Di Bruno Bros family, memories are made around the table and that idea is the inspiration for their event venue on Spring Garden Street in Philadelphia. This historic space is ideally suited to accommodate a wide variety of cele-

brations, from corporate parties to weddings to social soirees.

Former home to night clubs and the storied Northern Savings Fund, BANCA is representative of everything Philadelphians love about the city - history, mystique, and a bold comeback. “Gather extended family and new friends in our chic 3,000-square foot space and keep the party going through the night... You bring the vision, we’ll bring the food, BANCA will bring the magic,” proclaims Leah Donnelly, director of marketing for Di Bruno Bros.

The newest location in the Di Bruno Bros. portfolio opened in Wayne, PA – a marketplace with energy, expertise and enthusiasm for all things edible. This 8,000-square foot Italian culinary destination features mouth-watering displays and immersive food shopping experiences inspired by Di Bruno’s Italian Market legacy and old-world European food markets, offering opportunities for guests to taste and sip their way through culinary adventure.

A seat at Bar Alimentari is like a seat at the Di Bruno family table. Centered in the heart of the market, this smaller, focused version of their Rittenhouse restaurant concept is ideal for enjoying formaggi and salumi plates, Romanstyle pizza, pasta, seasonal salads and curated wine by the glass, as well as beer and cocktails.

At Cafe Di Bruno, sip expertly-brewed beverages by Seattle-based artisan coffee roaster Caffè Umbria while enjoying house made pastries, parfaits and savory sandwiches. The Bottle Shop offers a variety of vintages, along with craft beer, mixers, mocktails and barwares with a knowledgeable and passionate team who can suggest a perfect pairing or local favorite.