Meeting and group tours final

Recent Airport Renovation, Unique Conference Spaces and Fun Group Attractions Make Redding and Shasta Cascade an Exceptional Meeting Destination REDDING, CA – (February 25, 2015) – With mountains to fascinate, waters to liberate, and accommodations to rejuvenate, organizers from meeting planners to film scouts are discovering why Redding’s surroundings are called the Shasta Cascade Wonderland. Groups can leave traffic, parking challenges, and typical routines behind and welcome the fresh air, wide open spaces, and inspiration of this region. And, getting to and from Redding and Shasta Cascade is no problem, thanks to the completion of a three-year, $9.3 million expansion of the Redding Municipal Airport, which added 17,000 square feet. Even better: United Express began offering jet service in and out of Redding, increasing passenger capacity and reducing ticket prices.

Chad New, Director of Industry Relations and Sales at the Redding Convention and Visitors Bureau, couldn’t be happier. “Redding and Shasta Cascade offer a unique array of indoor and outdoor venues, activities, accommodations, historic treasures, and great accommodations for meeting and event planners throughout the year,” said New. “And now, thanks to the airport expansion, it’s easier than ever to bring in groups for leisure or business travel.” Meeting planners attending the March Plan Your Meetings, PYM Live convention at the Hotel Palomar in San Francisco are invited to find out about Redding and Shasta Cascade’s variety of meeting and event spaces in person.

Recent press is also helping get the word out about Redding as a unique destination. The Western Group Tour Magazine winter 2015 edition penned an article titled, “Redding Provides Fresh Inspiration for Creative Tours,” and Shasta Cascade recently became one of Lonely Planet’s Top 10 Best Destinations in the US for 2015. Comprised of eight rural counties famous for their roles in the pioneer gold rush of the mid-1800s, this majestic region of northern California is abundantly scattered with lakes, rivers, mountains, and historic mining towns. It’s also home to Lassen Volcanic National Park, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, two National Monuments, many other National Forests, and seven California State Parks. Besides offering unforgettable fun and adventure for groups, the region is also a popular choice among film crews, with a dedicated Shasta County Film Commission Office to help with locations and permits.

Downtown Redding The area’s hub city of Redding is the northern California basecamp for recreation, resting below Mount Shasta, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and the Trinity Alps. Graced by the Sacramento River 1

winding through town, the city boasts two high priority advantages for groups of all kinds. First, group attendees can explore the natural and refreshing landscape: a horseshoe of mountains, short distances to wilderness, and adventures from rock climbing and hiking to birding, fishing, and lavender gathering. Second, Redding is the largest California city north of Sacramento, and downtown Redding is a great host for meeting guests looking to shop, dine, have a drink, and enjoy live music and other entertainment. There are several convention hotels to choose from in Redding, along with the spacious Redding Civic Auditorium and other large and small meeting venues. The west’s best walking and cycling trails, including the Sacramento River National Recreation Trail, are a stone’s throw from many orf these meeting spaces.

Stroll the streets and see some of Redding’s historic landmarks and buildings, including the restored art deco Cascade Theatre. Enjoy everything from casual to fine dining, as well as local wine tasting establishments, craft beer bars, and classic pubs. There are, and even a few dance clubs for the night owl seeking after-hours fun.

Indoor and Outdoor Meeting Spaces Redding has a variety of beautiful outdoor locations for meetings, events, weddings, and receptions, and is home to standout sporting facilities. There are also severalMany hotels, restaurants, and even local vineyards that also welcome groups of all sizes. Looking for something different? What about meeting in an outdoor theatre on a stunning fall day? How about team building exercises atop horses, or stand-up even paddleboards?

Redding has plenty of ways for meeting planners to break the retreat routine and get any group excited for what’s next. Baseball stadium? Check. Museum? Check. Garden, waterpark, historic buildings, promenade, theatre, playground, and of course, an enormous sundial? All check. The Sundial Bridge in Redding is the largest working sundial in the world and the glass-decked pedestrian bridge lights up beautifully at night. Holding an evening reception under the bridge is a special, memorable way for groups to gather. So, whether needing a traditional or unique meeting space, meeting planners will find just the thing to accommodate a variety of groups. Here are a few locations: Redding Civic Auditorium

700 Auditorium Drive Redding, CA 96001 530-229-0022 From an intimate reception to a large convention, the Redding Civic Auditorium has space for you.

Choose from the terrace, patio, private meeting rooms, main auditorium or even the large lawn. Bring 20 or 2,000 people and the Civic Auditorium will open its doors to you.

• RiverRock Café & Premiere Catering services are available in-house • Over 31,000 square feet of indoor trade show space • Flexible main auditorium seating configurations 1,300-2,000+ • 1- 32” HD LED Box Office Screen • 2- 50” and 2- 39" HD LED Lobby Screens • 2- 17’ wide x 10’ high Auditorium Screens 2

• A short walk to the world famous Sundial Bridge, Turtle Bay Exploration Park, and the Sacramento River National Recreation Trail.

Holiday Inn Convention Center 1900 Hilltop Drive Redding, CA 96002 (530) 221-7500 Redding’s Holiday Inn is about as central as it gets. In addition to the shopping, recreation, and sightseeing nearby, the Holiday Inn offers casual dining in its full service restaurant, room service and poolside service, 8,000+ square feet of convention space, and everything else you would expect from a high quality hotel and convention center.

Red Lion 1830 Hilltop Drive Redding, CA (530) 221-8700 Expect royal treatment from the Red Lion Hotel in Redding. The spacious facilities include 9,331 square feet of pre-function areas and flexible meeting space, accommodating as many as 900 people.

Restaurant dining and a comfortable lounge will make it hard to leave!

The Sundial Bridge 840 Sundial Bridge Parkway Redding, CA 96001 (530) 243-8850 This one of a kind, glass-decked pedestrian bridge serves as an incredible entrance to Redding’s Sacramento River National Recreation Trail. World-renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava conceived the unique design of the bridge, the first of its kind in the United States, and made it the tallest working sundial in the world! The massive 217 foot pylon leans due north and functions as the gnomon of a sundial, casting its giant shadow on a garden-bordered dial plate at the bridge’s north end. The suspension, cable-stayed design of the bridge does not have any footings in the river out of respect for the nearby salmon-spawning habitat. Receptions under the bridge are available.

Turtle Bay Exploration Park 840 Sundial Bridge Parkway Redding, CA 96001 (530) 243-8850 This 300-acre campus, located along the banks of the Sacramento River, offers educational and entertaining activities that interpret the relationship between humans and nature. The park tells the story of the region and its people through a museum that includes an underground aquarium, Native American history and exhibits, interactive experiments, and rotating art exhibits; wildlife exhibits; Paul Bunyan's Forest Camp; California’s largest, seasonal North American butterfly house; an amphitheater; and, across the Sacramento River, the McConnell Arboretum and Gardens. The gardens feature 20 acres of Mediterranean climate display gardens, a children’s garden, medicinal garden, and two beautiful and unique water features. Enjoy a snack and refreshments at the Turtle 3

Bay Coffee Bar, which has captivating views of the Sacramento River as well as the world-famous Sundial Bridge.

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area 14412 Kennedy Memorial Drive Whiskeytown, CA 96095 (530) 242-3400 Just eight miles west of Redding, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is located at the juncture of the Klamath Mountain range and the northern edge of the Sacramento Valley, making it home to a special collection of plant and animal life. Some of the park's features are Whiskeytown Lake, Shasta Bally Mountain, and numerous waterfalls, together providing opportunities for water recreation, hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Situated on the south shore of the lake is a memorial to President John F. Kennedy, commemorating his dedication of the dam in 1963, shortly before his assassination. Whiskeytown Lake boasts 36 miles of shoreline and 3,200 surface acres for recreation; its placid surface is excellent for swimming, scuba diving, kayaking, rowing, sailing, and fishing.

Mt. Shasta Hwy 89/Ski Park Road Mt. Shasta, CA 96067 (530) 926-8610 At 14,179 feet, snow-capped Mt. Shasta dominates the northern skies as you journey through the region. During winter, recreation enthusiasts can enjoy alpine skiing and snowboarding at the Mt. Shasta Board and Ski Park, featuring three triple chair lifts and a surface tow. Three hundred miles of groomed trails offer cross-country skiers and snowmobilers a great way to explore this massive mountain. Mt. Shasta Board and Ski Park: Snow Phone: 530-926-8686 / 530- 926-8610 / 800SKISHASTA. Art Deco Cascade Theater Offering two meeting rooms and capacity for 1000, this restored 1930’s theatre is a fine example of majestic Art Deco architecture. Listed on both the California and National Registries of Historic Places, this downtown Redding landmark is home of the North State Symphony’s Redding performances and provides a state-of-the-art venue for a diverse array of arts and cultural events that celebrate the human spirit.

Things to Do Year-Round Whether your meeting or group activity includes outdoor adventure, or cultural excursions, Redding and Shasta Cascade are filled with year-round unexpected pleasures. Attendees can walk, hike, bike, or horseback ride their way to adventure between meetings, or access the area’s several rivers and lakes for boating, paddling, rafting, , and fishing. There areWith so many great things to do and see all year long in this breathtaking region, groups come back again and again.

Sacramento River National Recreation Trail

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Redding’s trail system features the 19-mile Sacramento River National Recreation Trail, which crosses the historic Diestelhorst Bridge, the “Ribbon” suspension bridge, and the world-famous Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay. Bicycle tours are also available.

Fishing

Redding is known for offering the best trout fishing in the west, and is listed as number four on Forbes’ list of the nation’s top ten fly-fishing towns; it’s also the only city on the West Coast to receive this honor. It’s no surprise that the city is also home to The Fly Shop, the world’s largest fly-fishing outfitter. The Fly Shop is the place to go for equipment, advice, or to arrange guided trips for a unforgettable adventure.

Shasta Caverns A trip to the Shasta Caverns, recently designated a National Natural Landmark, is three adventures in one! Enjoy a scenic catamaran cruise across Shasta Lake, a fun bus ride to the cave entrance, and an information-filled tour of what some geologists consider one of the most beautiful limestone caves in the nation! Group tours and dinner cruises on the lake are also available.

Dining, Breweries, Vineyards and Wineries From elegant fine dining restaurants to cozy diners and cafés, this region truly has it all. Redding and Shasta Cascade have a growing craft brewery and winery scene: within a short drive you can visit several local wineries for tastings and to get a glimpse at how wine is made. Stop in and taste local favorites at one of the many wine bars, breweries, pubs, and eateries in downtown Redding.

Shasta State Historic Park Old Shasta’s historic brick buildings mark the location where the area’s “Queen City” once stood during California’s gold mining days. The park features an excellent museum that is home to the original jail and gallows. The Litsch General Store and the Blumb Bakery have been restored to their original condition, and other features include one of the oldest Masonic Lodges in California.

Castle Crags State Park Named for the 225 million-year-old, 6,000-foot tall glacier-polished crags, this beautiful state park offers swimming and fishing in the Sacramento River, hiking in the back country, and a great view of Mt. Shasta. There are 76 developed campsites, 6 environmental campsites, and RV camping up to 27’ is available. The 4,350-acre park features 28 miles of hiking trails, including a 2.7 mile access trail to Castle Crags wilderness, part of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. The Pacific Crest Trail also passes through the park.

Lassen Volcanic National Park This extraordinary park boasts incredible mountain scenery and fascinating thermal wonders. Access through the park is limited during winter months, but excellent cross-country skiing is available, as well as interpretive snow- shoe tours led by park rangers. During the warm summer months, drive through the park and experience Spring in July! 530-595-4444 McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park 5

Spectacular 129-foot Burney Falls can be enjoyed from the lookout point above, or from the pool at the base of the falls for a more refreshing experience! The water that creates Burney Falls issues from an underground spring and flows year-round with the same cold 47 degree, 100 million gallons of water per day.

Win River Casino The Native American Win-River Casino is open 24 hours a day and features many amenities including a spa, dining, gaming, and entertainment year round. Offering 751 slots, The Elements Restaurant, and aa 10,000 square foot event center, and shuttle service to and from local hotels and businesses in the area, this is a great destination for families, couples, and business travelers alike.

Redding Transportation Options Redding is spacious with a variety of attractions, but it only takes 15 minutes to cross town in traffic.

Car rentals, Amtrak and Greyhound service, buses, taxis, limousines, shuttle services, bicycle rentals, and even pedicabs are available.

For more information on meetings and events in Redding and Shasta Cascade, please visit www.visitredding.com/meet www.funplacetomeet.com, www.facebook.com/VisitReddingCA. ### About Shasta Cascade Covering an area roughly the size of Ireland, the Shasta Cascade region is the perfect place to get back to nature, relax and enjoy the great outdoors. Comprised of eight rural counties historically known for being part of the pioneer gold rush in the mid-1800s, this majestic region of northern California is abundantly scattered with lakes, rivers, mountains and historic mining towns, and includes Lassen Volcanic National Park, two National Monuments, six National Forests and seven California State Parks offering unforgettable fun and adventure. Boasting 300+ days of beautiful weather a year, this area offers boundless outdoor recreation with magnificent landscapes and breathtaking vistas. From towering volcanoes, alpine ranges, and glaciers, to waterfalls, lush forests, pristine lakes, and roaring rivers, this travel destination is one of a kind. Shasta Cascade is easy to get to by auto, air or Amtrak, and offers an off-the-beaten-path experience where people discover the abundance of nature in one of the few unspoiled areas remaining in California. For more information or to request a visitor’s guide visit www.shastacascade.com, like our Facebook page www.facebook.com/ShastaCascade, or find us on twitter www.twitter.com/ShastaCascade.

About Redding, CA Situated at the northern end of the Sacramento River Valley, Redding is the hub city in Shasta Cascade and is located just two hours north of Sacramento and three hours northeast of San Francisco. An incredibly historic and vast rural region, Redding offers a plethora of outdoor adventure and attractions all year long, along with great wine, food, sporting and cultural events, dining, lodging and entertainment. Found nearby several scenic lakes, rivers, state and national parks, including Shasta Lake, Whiskeytown Recreation Area and Lassen Volcanic National Park, Redding is a fantastic basecamp for exploration in Shasta Cascade, offering Any Adventure, Any Day. Voted in 2014 as the 6

“Unofficial capital of Kayaking” by Time Magazine, Redding is located at the crossroads of I-5 and California state routes 299 and 44, with the great Sacramento River running through the center of town. For more information or to order a visitor’s guide visit www.visitredding.com, like our Facebook page www.facebook.com/VisitReddingCA or find us on twitter at www.twitter.com/visitreddingca.

For up to date happenings follow our blog at www.visitredding.com/blog.

Media Contacts Susan Hartzler Mental Marketing 818-585-8641 shartzler@mentalmarketing.com www.mentalmarketing.com Chad New Visit Redding 530-225-4105 chad@visitredding.com www.visitredding.com Lisa May Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association 530-365-7504 lisa@shastacascade.org www.shastacascade.com

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