It’s everything you want from a destination, all set against a backdrop of Pacific Northwest splendor.
Convenience that allows you to make the most of your work and free time? Check.
World-class hotels just steps from state-of-the-art convention locales? Yep.
Extraordinary attractions and restaurants within walking distance? Got it.
Professional planners to assist you in putting together your best event ever? Done and done.
Tacoma is perfectly placed for regional, national, and international business. Located just 20 minutes south of Sea-Tac International Airport and with the link light rail service connecting all of downtown, you and your guests won’t be spending valuable time in traffic.
When your convention’s in one of America’s most walkable cities, you’ll find your meetings only a few steps from your hotel. And with five major event centers, multiple historic spaces, and exciting outdoor venues, there’s no shortage of places to gather.
Whether it’s for team-building or sightseeing, the wonders of five spectacular museums, fascinating entertainment hotspots, and endless dining options are at every turn. And the postcard-perfect Mt. Rainier with its unmatched beauty is only a short drive away.
From site visits to promotions, securing accommodations and venues to customizing proposals, we’re with you every step of the way. Plus, we offer special services to larger groups: dedicated websites, off-site assistance, excursion itineraries, and visitor information. It’s the little differences that make all the difference.
PIERCE COUNTY HAS IT ALL. DON’T BELIEVE US? THE NUMBERS DON’T LIE.
92 Walk Score makes Downtown Tacoma a “Walker’s Paradise” walkscore.com
The Tacoma Link light rail offers twelve stops in downtown soundtransit.org/tacomalink
Sea-Tac Airport offers nonstop service to: 91 domestic destinations 28 international destinations portseattle.org/sea-tac/airlines-destinations
#1 best destination for mid-sized meetings (up to 1,000 people) meetingsource.com
2017 top 100 safest cities in America for women securitychoice.com
Top 20 convention centers in North America
Exhibitor Magazine 2024 Centers of Excellence
6,432 rooms available at business-class hotels and quality motels in Pierce County visitpiercecounty.com/meetings
119,000 sq. ft. of event space at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center, making it one of the largest meeting venues in the Pacific Northwest tacomaconventioncenter.org
260 miles of hiking in Mt. Rainier National Park nps.gov/mora
2,365 pieces of Chihuly Glass Art on display in the Bridge of Glass’ Seaform Pavilion museumofglass.org
850 collector vehicles on display in Pierce County americascarmuseum.org; lemaymarymount.org
70+ bars, restaurants, and cafes within walking distance of the Greater Tacoma Convention Center and free Tacoma Link light rail line visitpiercecounty.com/food-drink/restaurants
6 major museums are located within the museum district in downtown Tacoma visitpiercecounty.com/museum-district
20+ private and public golf courses, including Chambers Bay, site of the 2015 U.S. Open visitpiercecounty.com/golf
39 -inch average annual precipitation
Annual high temperature of 62° F
Annual low temperature of 45° F usclimatedata.com
Looking for a unique, unforgettable space to host an event or treat your guests to a bit of sightseeing? You’ve come to the right place. Within minutes of your meetings, you’ll find an astounding array of must-sees and can’t-misses.
It starts in Tacoma’s famous Museum District and the Chihuly Bridge of Glass, a 500-foot-long pedestrian walkway adorned with thousands of creations by renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly. Across the span, you’ll find the famed Museum of Glass, a showcase for extraordinary glasswork from around the world, but also home to the West Coast’s largest working hot shop, where you can watch visiting artists shape their pieces.
Continuing your cultural adventure, you’ll discover the Tacoma Art Museum, where works of Renoir, Degas, and Pissarro share space with those of Northwest artists and early American Modernists. Adjacent to the Bridge is the Washington State History Museum, with its rotating exhibits of Americana (including amazing model train displays), and a short ways away, you’ll find the one-time steamship stopover, Foss Waterway Seaport. If cars are your thing, just up the road are LeMay - America’s Car Museum and its sister attraction, the LeMay Collections at Marymount, showcasing everything from the earliest Model T’s to the latest speedway supercars. Or you can experience what it was like to live in the 1850s at the Fort Nisqually Living History Museum.
And the fun doesn’t stop at the city limits. Explore further into Pierce County and discover the history of the area’s indigenous tribes and first corporations at the DuPont Historical Museum, the maritime magic of Gig Harbor at the Harbor History Museum, and the majesty of the stately Meeker Mansion in Puyallup.
There’s no better place to salute a successful year or treat your attendees to a little R&R than on the waterfront. From your downtown meetings, the Tacoma waterfront is only a few minutes’ walk and you’ll find an endless array of activities and eateries.
Take a stroll or jog down the Ruston Way Waterfront for great views of Mt. Rainier and the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges. If adventure feeds your soul, rent a kayak, paddleboard, or boat and get out on the water. Mix your Northwest visit with a taste of Italy on board an authentic Venetian gondola at Gig Harbor Gondola. Or take a hike to Sequalitchew Beach in DuPont, where if you’re fortunate, you might just spot an orca or humpback whale.
If fresh water is more your style, take your party to Lakewood and American Lake for boating, water skiing, tubing, sailing, swimming, and fishing or drop a line in the Puyallup River (or any of the countless rivers between Tacoma and Mt. Rainier) and hook yourself a salmon.
Maybe you’d prefer that someone wrangles your dinner for you. If so, the Tacoma Waterfront is restaurant after restaurant after restaurant of freshly caught seafood, wood-fired pizzas, astounding steaks, and whatever else your hunger calls for.
Check out more extraordinary dining options on page 26.
The locals simply call it “The Mountain,” as in: “Wow, The Mountain sure is amazing today.” It’s Mt. Rainier and its beauty is beyond compare.
No matter where you decide to hold your meeting in the bustling city of Tacoma, you’re going be treated to a spectacular view, but you don’t have to only experience it from afar. Just a short drive away, you’ll find Mt. Rainier National Park, which features five extraordinary areas across more than 230,000 acres. Among the most popular of the five developed locales is the aptly named Paradise, famous for its wildflower-filled meadows in the summer and snowshoeing in the winter. Start at the Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center for hiking trail recommendations and unbelievable views of waterfalls - and if your visit becomes an overnight stay, National Park Inn and Paradise Inn are cozy retreats to relax and unwind.
Nearby, at Crystal Mountain Resort, your attendees can take to the slopes or ride the Mt. Rainier Gondola to reach the summit and the Summit House Restaurant, where you’ll find one of the most breathtaking views in the world.
Located in the heart of Tacoma’s thriving arts and culture district, the Greater Tacoma Convention Center is perfectly placed in one of America’s most walkable cities. Just 18 miles from Sea-Tac International Airport, the artfully modern 119,000-sq.-ft. facility presents the ideal metropolitan setting, surrounded by natural Northwest beauty. Offering unparalleled convenience to your attendees, the Center is adjacent to multiple premium hotels, free light rail service throughout the city, and incredible dining, shopping, day spas, and attractions at every turn. What’s more, the facility’s team of professionals will collaborate with you on every aspect of your planning - from ticketing and technology to catering and safety.
CONFERENCE/MEETING SPACES: 17
DIMENSIONS: 600-50,000 SQ. FT CAPACITIES: 16-4,250 PERSONS
The all-new, four-star Marriott Tacoma Downtown offers 22 stories of stylish décor, comfortable accommodations, and modern amenities. Attached to the Greater Tacoma Convention Center, you’ll have easy access to not just one convention site, but the hotel’s own 20,000-sq.-ft. event space, the 10,000-sq.-ft. ballroom, and multiple more intimate meeting and breakout rooms.
From the moment you walk through the grand entrance, you’ll experience the height of comfort and convenience. Plush Marriott linens in every room and suite. An extensively equipped onsite fitness center offering digital on-demand classes. A rooftop pool with spectacular views of the waterfront and Mt. Rainier. A mere-minutes walk to the Museum District and a wide array of restaurants. The link light rail just outside the door. And when you upgrade to a concierge-level suite, exclusive perks in the M Club lounge will elevate your stay.
CONFERENCE/MEETING SPACES: 16
DIMENSIONS: 579-10,571 SQ. FT CAPACITIES: 15-1,322 PERSONS
| benchmarkbypyramid.com
Part of the renowned Provenance Hotels collection, Hotel Murano is an artful downtown hotel, just steps from the Greater Tacoma Convention Center and only a few blocks from the city’s best museums and restaurants. In a salute to the local glass art movement, Hotel Murano pairs luxurious guest rooms and well-appointed event space with a museum-worthy showcase of glass art from around the world.
With more than 28,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and a spacious formal ballroom, a state-of-the-art fitness center, an exquisite day spa, and a 24/7 business center, you’ll see why Hotel Murano has been voted as one of the “Best Hotels in the Northwest” by Condé Nast readers. It’s the perfect choice for your next Tacoma meeting.
CONFERENCE/MEETING SPACES: 15 DIMENSIONS: 537-14,351 SQ. FT CAPACITIES: 16-1,800 PERSONS
Beautifully appointed with contemporary design and inviting gathering places, The Courtyard by Marriott Tacoma Downtown is located directly across the street from the Greater Tacoma Convention Center and on the link light rail line.
When convenience is of utmost importance, Courtyard Marriott is just the ticket, with event spaces to accommodate up to 350 people, the Cascade Ballroom which opens up to an urban park, and breakout rooms for smaller gatherings. What’s more, you’ll have the help you need, with a professional planning staff to assist you at every turn, from room set-up to selecting the perfect menu.
CONFERENCE/MEETING SPACES: 5 DIMENSIONS: 754-4,356 SQ. FT CAPACITIES: 30-350 PERSONS
CONFERENCE/MEETING SPACES: 1
DIMENSIONS: 600 SQ. FT
CAPACITIES: 16 PERSONS
Located in Tacoma’s Old Town community, the Silver Cloud Inn Tacoma Waterfront is conveniently located just two miles north of downtown. Each guest room has waterfront views with 55-inch highdefinition TVs and complimentary high-speed Internet, while its 7,000 sq. ft. of perfectly appointed meeting space sits alongside state-of-the-art business and fitness centers to make your stay complete.
The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tacoma Downtown is exquisitely designed and appointed, and conveniently located just off I-5 in the heart of downtown. Here, you’ll find business travel made easy, with comfy rooms and complimentary amenities, including a breakfast buffet, covered parking, a business center, and an indoor heated pool. Meeting rooms are available for up to 80 attendees and you’ll earn IHG Rewards while you plan, stay, work, and play.
CONFERENCE/MEETING SPACES: 1
DIMENSIONS: 1,300 SQ. FT CAPACITIES: UP TO 80 PERSONS
The only luxury hotel and spa along the Tacoma shoreline, Silver Cloud Point Ruston will delight your attendees with extraordinary views of Puget Sound and the Olympic and Cascade Mountains. Set in the heart of a thriving urban village, Point Ruston features upscale dining, inspired boutiques, waterfront walking trails, and exciting entertainment.
Hotel amenities include Silver Cloud’s signature rooftop pool, extravagant dining, a 3,000-sq.-ft. state-of-the-art fitness center, and the luxurious treatments of Spa Serein. And for your planning needs, you’ll find extensive conference facilities, including a 5,400-sq.-ft. grand ballroom, an outdoor terrace, and professional valet services.
CONFERENCE/MEETING SPACES: 11 DIMENSIONS: 430-5,400 SQ. FT CAPACITIES: 16-530 PERSONS
QUIRKY AND COOL
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the 1916 Elks Temple has been restored and reimagined into a vibrant gathering place for out-of-town conference-goers and locals alike. It’s part hotel, part entertainment venue, and all cool. Its seven floors are more than a place to stay and celebrate - they’re a journey of discovery, from the antique chandeliers of McMenamins Pub, to the handcrafted ales, ciders, and spirits, to the expressive community artwork that adorns the walls, ceilings, floors, and doors.
It’s also the ideal locale to cut loose and toast a successful week of meetings with friends and colleagues, with entertainment around every corner (and sometimes behind a hidden door). The Old Hangout evokes tropical excursions with a fire pit, waterfall, and bamboo decor. The Vault recalls the speakeasies of the prohibition era. Doc’s Bar offers up pinball, shuffleboard, and pool. And the Spanish Ballroom presents live music and comedy throughout the week. Whatever your style of revelry, you’ll find it here.
1425 E 27th Street | 253.383.0146 | wyndhamhotels.com
La Quinta Inn & Suites and Conference Center offers upscale, full-service amenities for meetings, conferences, banquets, and special events. The professional, friendly staff will help you with every detail and provide a welcoming environment for guests to learn, network, and create. Amenities include complimentary wireless Internet, large built-in screens, staging, on-site catering, and complimentary parking.
CONFERENCE/MEETING SPACES: 5
DIMENSIONS: 702 - 3,600 SQ. FT
CAPACITIES: 30-400 PERSONS
CONFERENCE/MEETING SPACES: 3
DIMENSIONS: 5,000 SQ. FT
CAPACITIES: UP TO 240 PERSONS
Comfort Inn & Suites at the Tacoma Dome will provide you with all the essentials to be ready for your most important meetings. Guest rooms give you the space you need to work and relax and include microwaves, refrigerators, flat-screen TVs, and more. You’ll be just steps away from the superstar shows of the Tacoma Dome and the speedy supercars of LeMay - America’s Car Museum. And you’ll start your day with a free breakfast and a workout in the on-site fitness center. 2611 East E Street | 253.272.7737 | choicehotels.com
The newly expanded Tacoma Art Museum, conveniently located just across the street from the Greater Tacoma Convention Center, presents a spectacular combination of sparkling views, award-winning architecture, and stunning works of art. An unforgettable venue for your gathering, TAM can accommodate events ranging from intimate 25-person meetings to 500-plus-guest cocktail receptions, and offers a variety of spaces that can be customized to suit your needs.
Whether your event is all business or planned for pleasure, TAM’s professional staff is at the ready to guide you to a resounding success that reflects your unique vision, taste, and budget - all within a backdrop of astounding artistry.
CONFERENCE/MEETING SPACES: 7 DIMENSIONS: 800-11,250 SQ. FT CAPACITIES: 25-530 PERSONS
1801 Dock St. | 253.284.4750 | museumofglass.org
In a city known worldwide for its glass art, the Museum of Glass is the heart of Tacoma’s creative circle. From its iconic architecture to the take-your-breath-away views of Mt. Rainier, the Museum offers multiple indoor and outdoor spaces to host your attendees, plus private access to its incredible galleries, creating an ideal setting for a most memorable event.
What’s more, you can treat guests to a personal and interactive experience with a docent-led tour or watch contemporary glass history in the making as the Hot Shop Team demonstrates the fascinating process of making art from molten glass. It’s a great team-building excursion or a wonderful way to wind down after a day of meetings.
CONFERENCE/MEETING SPACES: 6
DIMENSIONS: 3,900-6,900 SQ. FT CAPACITIES: 30-500 PERSONS
Get your motor running when you book your event at LeMayAmerica’s Car Museum, located just minutes from downtown and adjacent to the Tacoma Dome. This 165,000-sq.-ft. facility is an architectural wonder, with panoramic views of the city and waterfront, but it’s the cars that really steal the show.
From the earliest horseless carriages to the latest - and fastest - supercars on the road today, your attendees will mix and mingle among hundreds of historic automobiles. Rooms can be configured to fit your needs, whether your group is 10 or 600 people, and there’s even an outdoor showfield for bigger occasions. It’s the ideal setting for whatever your event.
CONFERENCE/MEETING SPACES: 5 DIMENSIONS: 1,697-10,591 SQ. FT CAPACITIES: 10-600 PERSONS
Enjoy the extraordinary, one-of-a-kind beauty of this century-old one-time trading destination for square-rigged ships and steamers that frequented the port in the early years of Tacoma’s history. With its dramatic glass wall and intricate bridge-truss-style ceilings soaring to 55 feet above the exhibit hall floor, it’s a spectacular venue for your gathering. The Museum can accommodate intimate meetings of 10 in the Bamford Chart Room as well as 500 invitees for cocktail receptions, weddings, and more throughout the museum. Convenient access to guest moorage and the connecting Thea Foss Park and beach make Foss Waterway Seaport among the most popular sites in the city.
CONFERENCE/MEETING SPACES: 2 DIMENSIONS: 500-10,000 SQ. FT CAPACITIES: 10-500 PERSONS
Getting around downtown Tacoma is simple with Tacoma Link light rail, transporting you and your attendees between twelve stops: the Tacoma Dome, South 25th Street, Union Station, Greater Tacoma Convention Center, South 11th Street, and the Theater District, Old City Hall, S. 4th St., Stadium District, Tacoma General, 6th Ave., Hilltop District and St. Joseph. Tacoma Link light rail operates in the downtown corridor 365 days a year and parking is free in the six-story Tacoma Link light rail garage located next to the Tacoma Dome Station. It takes approximately 23 minutes to travel from one end of the line to the other.
Two bus systems, Sound Transit and Pierce Transit, service Pierce County. The Sound Transit bus routes travel through Bonney Lake, DuPont, Gig Harbor, Lakewood, Puyallup, SeaTac, Sumner, Tacoma, and University Place. The Sounder train runs between Lakewood and Seattle, stopping in Puyallup, Tacoma, Sumner, and other cities during weekday morning and afternoon commutes and for special weekend events.
For routes, fares, and more information, visit soundtransit.org and piercetransit.org.
Car rental companies offer 24/7 shuttle service between the airport and off-site car rental facilities. Shuttles pick up passengers outside of baggage claim at the north and south ends of the main terminal. Taxis and ride sharing with companies like Uber and Lyft can be found on the third floor of the airport parking garage.
While Tacoma has less annual rainfall than cities like Chicago, New York, and Orlando, there’s no shortage of green spaces for you to find some fresh air. You’re looking to hold a company picnic in the park? Planning an active outing for clients and colleagues? Loosening up your swing for a few holes with the boss? It’s time for Tacoma.
There’s no better way to impress your golf-obsessed guests than on one of the world’s most acclaimed courses. Home to the 2015 U.S. Open, Chambers Bay is a public course designed by Robert Trent Jones, where you can watch the ships sail by while playing in the footsteps of Woods, Mickelson, and Spieth.
It’d be easier to tell you what Point Defiance doesn’t have. The 760-acre park is home to Owen Beach where you’ll take to the water for kayaking and paddleboarding. Rose and dahlia gardens and a Japanese Garden - complete with an authentic pagoda - make for a floral background. The Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium lets you get up close to animals of land and sea. And the old-growth forestland provides cover for deer, foxes, and other fauna.
Just 20 minutes from the Greater Tacoma Convention Center, The Home Course in DuPont was built on the site of Washington’s first golf course, built in the 1830s. Easily walkable and with panoramic views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, it’s the ideal loop for a relaxing day on the fairways.
You don’t have to go far to toast your attendees in style. From ribeyes to ramen, sushi to just-plucked-from-the-water steelhead, there’re endless decadent dining options to delight your guests and many are just a short walk from your hotel.
Try the award-winning Chowder Sampler at Duke’s Seafood or the Grilled Idaho Trout at Wildfin American Grill. Bite into the Poutine Burger at Stack 571 or the Dungeness Crab Mac & Cheese at The Fish Peddler. Take in the best view of the city while you dine on Almond Crusted Sea Scallops at Stanley & Seafort’s.And whatever you do, don’t miss out on the exquisite dishes at Indita Mia, where they use only high-quality ingredients and exclusively Waygu beef - just a short walk from the Convention Center, right on the Thea Foss Waterway.
Looking for a quick bite? You’re in luck. Take a few minutes’ walk north of the Convention Center and you’ll find pizza, poke, cupcakes, coffee, sushi, and sandwiches (including insanely good grinders at Abella Pizzeria), or head south for Italian, Mexican, and Thai.
When dinner’s done and you want to sit back and celebrate, stop in at 7 Seas Brewery and Taproom, Doyle’s Public House, or Rock the Dock Bar & Grill. And be sure to put Tiki bars with phenomenal cocktails on your agenda and make your way to one of the best - Devil’s Reef
For more extraordinary options, scan this code and visit our website.
Looking for gifts for guests, a trinket to take home, or maybe a little something-something for yourself? Downtown Tacoma offers plenty of places where you can find just about anything you seek.
Directly across from the Greater Tacoma Convention Center, the Tacoma Art Museum and Museum of Glass each sport gift shops with locally made souvenirs and keepsakes. Down the street, funky and cool unique-to-Tacoma gifts and clothing are to be had at Stocklist Goods & Gifts, while the weird, wonderful, and used are found at Tinkertopia. And you can stop by Little Sister for your hard-to-find beauty and wellness products.
If antiques are more up your alley, take a trip to Tacoma’s Antique Row and its collection of odd and unusual shops filled with memories of yesteryear. Treasures of all kinds can be found in the dozen or so stores, but be sure to save some time to get lost among the art and antiquities of Sanford & Son Antiques. A three-story maze of more than 20 small shops showcasing vintage collectibles, clothing, furniture, and books, it alone is worth the trip.
Need something new? Whether you’ve forgotten to pack your belt, want something nice for a surprise dinner, or need an extra accessory, Tacoma Mall - one of the Northwest’s largest shopping destinations - is just 10 minutes away.
tacomaconventioncenter.org