Smart Meetings | Latest Destinations

Sacramento, California (NEW REASONS TO RUSH)

2009-11-21T01:28:58Z

As it turned out, nine years after Sutter’s arrival, gold was discovered just 30 miles east of Sacramento—and that’s when the city made history.
Best known for its role during California’s Gold Rush, Sacramento was the resting place for thousands who fled west in search of their shiny fortune. Today, Sacramentans (460,000 of them within city limits) pride themselves on the capital’s rich past, and do a great job of keeping it intact with museums and preserved historic locales while mixing in a bit of contemporary California style.
“State parks like Old Sacramento, the California State Railroad Museum, the State Capitol Museum, the State Indian Museum and Sutter’s Fort [are] front and center as we promote our rich multicultural heritage,” says Steve Hammond, president and CEO of the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau (discovergold.org). On the other side of the coin, Sacramento looks to the future with the addition of hotels to their skyline, as well as new rapid transit options. “The mix creates a cosmopolitan, modern-day feel with 1849 Gold Rush history. It’s unlike any city in the Western U.S.,” Hammond says.
Also unlike other destinations, Sacramento holds onto prime real estate in Northern California just 90 miles northeast of San Francisco. “Sacramento is centrally located to some of the world’s most popular and iconic playgrounds,” Hammond says. “The Napa and Sonoma valleys are one hour to our west, San Francisco just a bit farther, Lake Tahoe is 90 minutes to our east and Yosemite National Park is three hours to the south.” All of which add to Sacramento’s appeal when it comes to adding pre- or post-meeting activities, while keeping within your budget.
Making access even easier is the city’s international airport, which lies just a 10-minute drive from downtown. “During that drive, visitors will see the famed Arco Arena, which is home to the NBA’s Sacramento Kings, the picturesque Sacramento River, two drawbridges and the ever-growing Sacramento skyline,” Hammond says. Currently undergoing a major $1.27-billion renovation project, the airport is adding a central terminal designed to accommodate 10 million passengers annually. Looking ahead, the new facility will also accommodate a light rail system, which is in its beginning stages of construction, and when completed in 2017, will whisk travelers from the airport to downtown.
For now, as you drive from the airport to the meetings-centric downtown, you’ll pass miles of agriculture out of your car window—something Sacramento is known for. “We are a leading grower of citrus, tomatoes, nuts and rice,” Hammond says. (Insider tip: on clear days you’ll also be able to catch a glimpse of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains to the east.)
Alongside the greening crops, you may also notice that the once gold-obsessed city of Sacramento has changed its color to green, as the destination and its CVB work diligently to ensure that the city is eco-friendly. So it’s no surprise that with 4.3 million sq. ft. of LEED-certified office space in its limits, Sacramento has been named the 14th greenest city in the country by SustainLane’s 2008 city rankings (which are based on 16 areas of urban sustainability). Eco-friendly buildings include the California EPA’s headquarters, which is the first LEED-Platinum office building in the U.S. (with features such as indoor bike parking, waterless urinals and worm composting for lunch scraps). For its residents, Sacramento also offers bike lanes throughout the city, along with more than 32 miles of trails stretching across the American River—further promoting outdoor activity.
Although this historic city has a firm place in the past, there’s no doubt that it’s also determined to make a difference for the future. And the forward-thinking capital has a handle on what’s important in the meetings and hospitality industry as well. “We have always realized the value of face-to-face meetings and their impact,” Hammond says. “Especially during these economic conditions, when individuals and organizations are making tough choices, Sacramento has been and always will be by their side to ensure affordable, successful and productive meetings.” Sounds like meeting planners just struck gold!
MAJOR MEETING VENUES q
Sacramento is not just ever-greening but is also ever-growing. Currently, Sacramento offers more than 2,100 guest rooms within walking distance of the convention center, including two major properties—the Sheraton Grand and the Hyatt Regency. In addition, and in spite of the down economy, the city has plans to add to its meetings offerings. With two new hotels on the drawing board, the city’s future looks promising, Hammond says. “Currently the developers are talking about a Marriott Courtyard with 165 rooms and a Marriott Renaissance with 409 rooms, both due to open in 2012.”

DOWNTOWN
At the core of it all is the Sacramento Convention Center (sacramentoconventioncenter.com), located across the street from the State Capitol building. Along with its great view of Governor Schwarzenegger’s office, the convention center has 31 meeting rooms, a 24,000-square-foot ballroom, the Grand Terrace for outdoor events, a 2,452-seat theater and the multipurpose Memorial Auditorium that can accommodate up to 3,800.
Adjacent to the convention center are both the Hyatt Regency Sacramento (sacramento.hyatt.com) and the Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel (starwoodhotels.com). Together, the properties provide more than 1,000 guest rooms, making them major players in the meeting scene. Separately, the Hyatt Regency has 503 guest rooms and more than 28,000 sq. ft. of indoor/outdoor meeting space. The Hyatt also showcases a rooftop venue with views of downtown and the Capitol building that can accommodate up to 120 guests. Located in the restored Public Market Building, the Sheraton Grand offers 503 guest rooms and 19 meeting rooms, including the 10,500-square-foot Grand Nave Ballroom.
Another option is the boutique Joie de Vivre property, The Citizen Hotel (citizenhotel.com), with 198 guest rooms and suites, as well as 11,000 sq. ft. of meeting and conference space. Indoors, attendees will be welcomed with upscale, historic chic décor, and outdoors, they can walk to the Capitol or the convention center, which are just a few blocks away.
Also downtown, you’ll find the Clarion Hotel Mansion Inn (clarionhotel.com) with 106 guest rooms and meeting space for up to 200 attendees, as well as the Embassy Suites Sacramento – Riverfront Promenade (hilton.com) that sits on the water across from Old Sacramento. Just two miles from the convention center, the 242 all-suite hotel also provides meeting space for as many as 350 guests.
OLD SACRAMENTO
Old Sacramento (oldsacramento.com) is truly a must-see for groups in the city as it takes attendees straight from the highway and onto the cobblestone streets of the past (literally and figuratively). “Visitors will step back in time in Old Sacramento, a 28-acre town of historic buildings, museums and monuments,” Hammond says. Just walking around the area is an experience as you pass old-time candy barrel stores, vintage photo shops and restaurants, museums and monuments—all constructed to replicate a waterfront Wild West. “With strong preservation efforts, the wooden sidewalks, horse-drawn carriages, Pony Express monuments and Mississippi-style riverboats reflect the nostalgic appeal of early American history,” he says.
To make this storied past come to life, groups can hold their meeting inside the Delta King (deltaking.com). The completely restored 1920s riverboat, and hotel, offers several meeting rooms for as many as 180 attendees, along with 44 floating guest rooms.

AROUND TOWN
Aside from old town and downtown, Sacramento also showcases large venues nearby. One such option is Cal Expo (calexpo.com), which has 18 meeting options across 350 acres for groups as small as 50 or as large as 98,000. Great for breakouts and groups that need multiple settings for one event, the on-site Expo Center totals more than 58,800 sq. ft. and encompasses eight buildings, all connected through an outdoor brick plaza.
A location fit for kings (the NBA’s Sacramento Kings, that is), Arco Arena (arcoarena.com), with more than 17,000 seats, is approximately 15 minutes from downtown and just six miles from the airport. The building hosts nearly 200 spectator events per year, but in the off-season (when the thunder of the fans subsides), it’s available for trade shows and meetings, and has multiple set-up options.
Also a home for sports, Raley Field (raleyfield.com) is where the AAA baseball team, the Sacramento River Cats, play ball. Planners can rent out the field’s Party Suite, which has 25 outdoor veranda seats and an indoor living area for as many as 50 guests in total. Other luxury suites are available, or the entire venue can be rented for major events or concerts for as many as 18,000. A plus for Raley Field: it’s within easy walking distance to several downtown hotels, and views from the stands show off the city skyline.
UNIQUE VENUES q
Making your event something spectacular isn’t a challenge at any of the museums or historic sites in Sacramento, as they provide a backdrop that’s sure to stop your attendees in their tracks.
Speaking of tracks, holding your event at the California State Railroad Museum (csrmf.org), means you’re on the right one. Located in Old Sacramento, the venue has been open to the public since 1976 and now offers more than 225,000 sq. ft. of exhibits. For group rental, there are several options, including an outdoor lawn (referred to as the 1849 Scene), which can accommodate thousands of people, and the Museum Roundhouse that is ideal for catered functions for up to 350 guests.
History comes to life at Sutter’s Fort (parks.ca.gov), a re-creation of the state of Sutter’s land as it was back in 1847. The Fort is open for audio tours as a group activity, as well as for events. (A plus for business travelers, the venue now has Wi-Fi Internet access.)
If you want a standing ovation, the Crest Theatre (thecrest.com) is the place to be. Having undergone numerous changes in both name and function over the years, the Crest Theatre still sits on its original site, as it has since 1912. The official opening of the Crest (under that name) was in October 1949, and it drew quite a crowd, Hollywood socialites and all. The theater was closed in 1979, but was reopened again in 1986 by a group of locals dedicated to its preservation. Today, the venue is not only back in business, but is available for private rental—or to simply see a show.
Step back into a land of imagination and make-believe at Fairytale Town (fairytaletown.org), which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. The 2.5-acre park has it all—from a crooked mile to childhood memories, including Cinderella’s carriage and the Dish & Spoon café (you know, the two that ran away together). The park is open for after-hours rental with group options that include Robin Hood’s Sherwood Forest, which offers a private wooded area with picnic-style seating, and King Arthur’s Castle—both with space for up to 30 kids-at-heart.
Another option is to show your attendees the wild side of their meeting at the Sacramento Zoo (saczoo.com). Up to 125 can be accommodated at the Kampala Center seated theater-style, and 80 for a sit-down dinner. Outdoors, thousands of guests can participate in an event, and up-close animal encounters can be arranged (that is, if your CEOs aren’t fierce enough for your crew).

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SACRAMENTO’S HISTORY: A TIMELINE

1808: The first Europeans enter Sacramento Valley and discover both the Sacramento and American rivers (which they named “Jesus Maria” and “Sacramento”)
1839: John Augustus Sutter arrives at his land grant on the American River to establish the colony of New Helvetia, or present-day Sacramento
1841: Sutter begins construction of Sutter’s Fort (where you can still hold a meeting or event today)
1846: The American flag is raised at Sutter’s Fort
1847: Sutter does the first census report of the Sacramento area, which comes up with a population of 22,657
1848: Gold is discovered 30 miles east of Sacramento
1849: The Gold Rush begins
1850: California becomes the 31st state in the Union
1854: Sacramento becomes California’s permanent state capital
1857: The Daily Bee (now known as The Sacramento Bee) publishes its first issue
1861: Service begins for the Sacramento Pioneers Railroad Company’s horse-drawn streetcars, and construction begins on the State Capitol building
1869: The Pacific Railroad begins regular service to Sacramento
1909: City Hall is constructed

Courtesy of the Center for Sacramento History; sacramentohistory.org

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DISCOVERING GOLD (COUNTRY)
If you have time to add an extra day to your meeting, the Gold Country (named after the mining towns created from the discovery of gold) is a great option for a day trip or group outing. On the western side of the Sierra Nevada mountains, the Gold Country slopes down to Sacramento Valley, and encompasses such regions as the Sierra foothills, the cities of Coloma (where gold was first discovered), Plymouth, Sutter Creek and the Shenandoah Valley, which is known for its vineyards. The following are some group activities and offerings in the Gold Country:
COLOMA
Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park (coloma.com): The park features a museum as well as both original and restored buildings from the Gold Rush era; you can also learn how to pan for gold here.
American River Recreation (arrafting.com): Base camp located on the South Fork of the American River; offering white-water rafting tours for more than 30 years.
SHENANDOAH VALLEY
Sobon Family Wines (sobonwine.com): A 32-year-old family-owned and operated vineyard and winery.
Bray Vineyards (brayvineyards.com): Established in 1996, it encompasses 50 acres and grows 18 varieties of grapes.
Villa Toscano (villatoscano.com): Grounds reminiscent of Tuscany; also has a sister winery in the area, Bella Piazza, and both offer meeting space.
SUTTER CREEK
Black Chasm Cavern (caverntours.com): Named a national natural landmark in 1976; cave tours available where you can mine for gemstones and see stalactites.
Sutter Gold Mine Tours (suttercreek.org): Underground hardhat tours available; groups can learn about mining and try panning for gold.

For more information on properties, venues and attractions in Sacramento, visit smartmeetings.com/showcases/sacramento-area.

San Jose, California (Cutting-Edge Meetings)

2009-10-21T00:28:27Z

Given the list of VIPs and an estimated 4,000 IT-related companies (the list just keeps on growing as it is also a hotbed for start-ups) that generate some $200 billion in revenue, it’s hard to imagine that this hub of technological innovation just 45 miles south of San Francisco was once a bucolic countryside.

Formally known as the Santa Clara Valley, the area is about 25 miles long and 10 miles wide, tucked between the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Diablo Mountain Range. It was initially settled by Native American tribes before the Spanish arrived and established the Mission Santa Clara de Asis, their eighth California mission, in 1777. Later, drawn to the promise of 300 days of sunshine a year (a promise that holds true today), wealthy San Franciscans bought second homes in the Santa Clara Valley to escape the city’s foggy weather. Farmers had already discovered that the land was fertile and the weather was well-suited for growing crops. But it turns out that another local product—technology—would be the region’s cash cow.

While the evolution from apricots and pears to Apple computers and Pentium processors may not seem like an obvious progression, many factors contributed to the Valley’s technological success—particularly the creative Stanford University and Moffett Field, with its military research and surrounding tech firms. With the invention of the semiconductor guided by the silicon chip, the pastoral valley quickly cemented its reputation as a technology innovator and was dubbed the “Silicon Valley.” The inventions did not stop there, and the Valley continued to be a breeding ground of ingenuity and novel concepts, catapulting it into international fame and eventually changing the way we do, well, everything.

Technology has undeniably shaped and facilitated the growth of the local area, but doesn’t exclusively define it. Do not expect to walk onto the set of the Revenge of the Nerds with pocket-protector sporting, socially awkward males talking to each other in code about the nuances of JavaScript. (If this is the experience you seek, you may want to leave your clip-on suspenders and chest-high tapered jeans at home.) The Valley is just as diverse as its technological offerings, and it has all of the amenities of any major metropolitan area. Groups can meet in state-of-the-art facilities, dine in top-notch restaurants, take in the ballet and even go wine tasting in the neighboring Santa Cruz Mountains—all without leaving the Valley’s temperate confines. The area additionally has a great mix of cultures, which contributes to its cosmopolitan atmosphere. The region is also getting noticed for its sustainability efforts; in fact, San Jose was named the greenest of 12 cities by Greentech Media, and Santa Clara was recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy for its eco-friendly energy. (These days, conservation and technology go hand-in-hand.)

More than a dozen cities make up the tech-savvy region, which encompasses both Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. The Valley is also almost synonymous with the South Bay (as locals refer to the Southern region of the San Francisco Bay). The majority of meeting venues and infrastructure reside in the neighboring cities of San Jose and Santa Clara, with hotels and smaller meeting venues sprinkled throughout. Not only does the area offer high-tech meeting spaces, unique venues and great local history right in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area, it serves as a convenient access point for San Francisco to the north and Santa Cruz and Monterey to the south. It has its own major international airport in downtown San Jose.

Silicon Valley is an affordable, second-tier destination without the stigma of excess—it gets down to business and that’s what it’s known for. “We have a world class destination in Northern California, paired with all its amenities, that is easily accessible and easy to navigate,” says Dan Fenton, CEO of Team San Jose and the new chair of DMAI. So take your groups to the source of the technological revolution and maybe they will have a revolutionary meeting of their own.

San Jose

What started out as California’s first town and first state capital in 1849, modern-day San Jose is the 10th largest city in the nation. Not only cosmopolitan, it’s one of the most diverse in the nation, and in recent years the city has gone through a transformation (due in large part to the San Jose Redevelopment Agency) making it a walkable, cultured and aesthetically pleasing destination that welcomes groups of all sizes. Since 1977, the agency has invested nearly $2 billion to improve downtown San Jose; these funds served to preserve historic structures, support local business, cultural facilities and meetings infrastructure.

This investment has not gone unnoticed. “San Jose has a lot more to offer than I think a lot of people realize,” says Wayne Lachman, president of Greenwich, Conn.-based Wayne Lachman Productions who planned a one-day Verizon developers conference in San Jose last July. In fact, he says, “I can’t wait to go back to San Jose. I look forward to any opportunity to do meetings in that part of California.”

Among the many reasons that Lachman was impressed with the city were its convenience, its compact, user-friendly and very safe downtown core, and the flexibility and customer service of his event partners. Their host property, The San Jose Fairmont, also had a great relationship with the local community, making it easy to get permits and accommodate his meeting’s special needs.

The city can host groups of 15,000 and 20,000 as well as groups of 50 people. To accommodate them, San Jose has 13,000 hotel rooms, 5,000 of which are within walking distance of the convention center, making the city convenient for citywides. Another enticement for planners is that Team San Jose manages seven of the city’s event venues and provides the services of a CVB all under one roof. “[Team San Jose] was really designed with the meeting planner in mind. They are talking to people that are in complete control of everything they need in San Jose, period,” Fenton says. They act as the planner’s local partners negotiating hotel contracts, helping them reach their target audience and much more. Many groups make use of the light rail, so there is no need to rent a car, and the airport is only a few minutes away (from downtown). To add to the ease of planning,

Team San Jose now offers their own in-house F&B department headed up by Executive Chef Vincent Lai.
The city and its hotels have also made significant sustainable investments. Properties such as the Hotel Valencia, Dolce Hayes Mansion and Hilton San Jose have made sustainable changes. Team San Jose implements recycling initiative from paper to furniture; composts food waste; utilizes biodegradable serviceware; and sources from local growers and producers across its portfolio of venues.

Major Meeting Venues

Downtown San Jose is centered around Plaza de Cesar Chavez—the city’s central park that plays host to popular events such as the AT&T San Jose Jazz Festival and the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Jose – Half Marathon. Many of the major meeting venues are within a few blocks of the park. The San Jose McEnery Convention Center is the flagship property of Team San Jose and offers 143,000 sq. ft. of column-free exhibit space in addition to 31 meeting rooms. Attached to the convention center is the 353-room Hilton San Jose, which also offers a dozen meeting rooms, including the 2,772-square-foot Almaden Ballroom. Also connected to the center is the neighboring 506-room San Jose Marriott Hotel, featuring 21,000 sq. ft. of event space.

Across the street from the park, and the largest hotel in the Valley, is the Four-Diamond Fairmont San Jose. The hotel located right on Plaza Cesar Chavez, offers 805 guest rooms and a total of 65,000 sq. ft. of event space. Their large stock of meeting space was ultimately the reason why Lachman selected the hotel for his 700-plus person event. He had a great experience with the hotel staff, which even helped coordinate a live webcast to all the Verizon offices, he says.

A block away, and celebrating its 83rd birthday, the 170-room Hotel Sainte Claire offers more than 10,000 sq. ft. of meeting space amid old-time luxury. Downtown also has two other historic venues, the 100-room Hotel De Anza, which can host events for up to 70, and the circa 1911 Hotel Montgomery, featuring 86 guest rooms and event space for up to 250 guests. Another historic hotel just outside of downtown is the 100-year-old Dolce Hayes Mansion. The Spanish Colonial Revival-style manor has 214 guest rooms and 33,000 sq. ft. of IACC-approved function space.

Unique Venues and Activities

Besides the convention center, the six other Team San Jose-managed venues offer space for large groups without the convention-center feel. One is the stunning circa 1927 California Theatre, which was recently renovated and offers 1,119 seats for opening sessions and large events. Another unique facility is the Center for the Performing Arts (which will welcome such acts as Avenue Q and Legally Blonde The Musical). Host a VIP dinner on the theater stage or make use of the 2,665 seats for a large meeting.

Next door to the Fairmont, the San Jose Art Museum is a convenient option for downtown groups. Housed in a historic building, the museum showcases 1,400 20th- and 21st-century works, including paintings, sculpture, installations, new media, photography and prints in addition to seasonal exhibitions. The Tech Museum of Innovation is also downtown and offers a perspective on the “local arts,” with exhibits on life tech, innovation and space exploration. Both museums offer group sales and private event spaces for meals and meetings with an inspiring backdrop.

Just off of Winchester Boulevard is the beautifully bizarre Winchester Mystery House. Listed on the National Registrar of Historic Places, the ever-expanding estate was the home of the superstitious, former gun-magnate Sarah L. Winchester. Take your groups on a tour of this “haunted house” and stay for a reception in the beautiful gardens or host a dinner on-site.

Across the street, Santana Row is San Jose’s hub of upscale fashion, dining and living. Shopping is big in the Valley and Santana Row is the place to see and be seen. Groups can wander the outdoor complex studded with unique art and meet at the 212-room Hotel Valencia Santana Row. The property has 4,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, including an open-air courtyard with views of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Santa Clara

San Jose’s next-door neighbor, the city of Santa Clara is easily accessible and offers unique attractions such as California’s Great America, Santa Clara University and its historic mission, the Intel Museum and more. “We feel that we are in the center of Silicon Valley, in the tech center of it all. HP, Cisco and Invidia are all surrounding our convention center and our city,” says Steve Van Dorn, president and CEO of the Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce & Convention-Visitors Bureau. The city offers many options for meetings and has a comprehensive group infrastructure. “The package that we are offer is unique, and we just added a new ballroom. Our space is very flexible, and the hotels have recently gone through upgrades and renovations. The product is the best that you could find,” he says.

The city’s ideal meeting size is 3,000, but they can host as many as 5,000 or 10,000 attendees—or intimate board meetings, Van Dorn says. Like San Jose, the hybrid chamber-CVB manages the convention center and has a great relationship with area hotels, allowing for ease of planning.

Santa Clara has been recognized for its green efforts, and the convention center has reduced its waste production by nearly 90 tons annually. The city of Santa Clara was named Green Power Program of the Year by the U.S. Department of Energy and has purchased more than 1.5 million kilowatt hours of clean energy. Van Dorn’s organization is also a member of the Green Meetings Industry Council.

Meeting Venues and Activities

In the heart of the city on Great America Parkway, you’ll find the Santa Clara Convention Center and a handful of meeting hotels. The center recently added a new 22,400-square-foot ballroom, plus lobby and prefunction area, that brings the facility up to 302,000 sq. ft. of event space. Connected to the Santa Clara Convention Center, the 501-room Hyatt Regency Santa Clara offers more than 60,000 sq. ft. of function space.

Adjacent to the convention center is the Network Meeting Center at TechMart, with meeting space for up to 300 and function space for up to 500. The tech-savvy day facility offers wired and wireless Internet, A/V and videoconferencing on-site. Across the street, you’ll find the 280-room Hilton Santa Clara, a Four-Diamond hotel that offers nearly 5,000 sq. ft. of indoor meeting space including the 2,835-square-foot Sierra Ballroom. The eco-friendly, 759-room Santa Clara Marriott is also a meetings-friendly property with 23,500 sq. ft. of space in 24 meeting rooms.

Located near the convention center, California’s Great America is a popular option for groups, both as a team-building activity and an off-site. The thrilling theme park has several large scale event spaces, such as the 15,000-square-foot Picnic Pavilion and the Redwood Amphitheater, seating up to 10,000 people. (For more on theme parks, read our feature).

The Intel Museum is also another fun group activity, featuring the Valley’s unique history and offering a sneak peek inside an ultra-clean, highly automated silicon chip fabrication facility. Groups can take in a little local culture and history at Santa Clara University. The university itself is delightful, Van Dorn says, and is home to the Mission Santa Clara de Asis and the de Saisset Museum, which features works dating from the Renaissance to the present day.

San Mateo County

Bordering San Francisco County, San Mateo is in the upper part of the Silicon Valley in an area also referred to as The Peninsula because of its location on the San Francisco Peninsula. This slice of Silicon Valley has nearly 60 miles of Pacific Ocean coastline and sprawling open spaces—roughly three-fourths of the land—making it a haven for recreation. “Our area has the beauty of a resort destination, with all of the amenities of a major city, plus fresh, world-class cuisine—all right next door to San Francisco and with the convenience of an airport in our midst,” says Anne LeClair, president and CEO of the San Mateo County/ Silicon Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We wish planners could see our beautiful area with their own eyes. Once they’ve been here, they want to bring others in to share it. The supreme compliment is that numerous planners have come here for vacations after seeing it. Likewise, they continue to book meetings here.”

In addition to wide open spaces, urban offerings and coastal beauty, San Mateo County, like its pioneering counterparts, is home to such tech names as Facebook, YouTube, Electronic Arts, Oracle and Salesforce.com, in addition to the prestigious Stanford University—the academic institution that started it all. For meetings, the area has 17,000 hotel rooms and welcomes groups of all sizes. “We have 16 properties with more than 10,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, and a total of 20 properties with over 5,000 sq. ft. of meeting space,” LeClair says. The CVB will work with planners to find the perfect venue, create sample itineraries, book dine-arounds, put transportation out to bid, set up wine or beer tastings—whatever the group needs, she says.

While there is no formal convention center, the San Mateo County Event Center serves as a large meetings headquarters. Located on 48 acres in the city of San Mateo, the seven-building complex offers more than 195,000 sq. ft. of event space, including a 104,900-square-foot exposition hall and the 6,500-square-foot Meeting Pavilion.

Home to Stanford, the city of Palo Alto has a handful of meeting hotels due to its central location. Adjacent to the university, the 346-room Sheraton Palo Alto Hotel has more than 13,000 sq. ft. of function space in 17 rooms. Nearby, the 184-room Westin Palo Alto has 8,457 sq. ft. of event space. The 200-room Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley at East Palo Alto is also a meetings-friendly option with a variety of event spaces including a 3,757-square-foot ballroom. And on the San Mateo coast, another meeting venue is The Beach House Half Moon Bay. The hotel features 54 loft suites, outdoor banquet facilities overlooking the Pacific Ocean and more than 1,800 sq. ft. of indoor function space.

For more information on properties, venues and attractions in Silicon Valley, visit smartmeetings.com/showcases/northern-california/showcases/greater-san-jose-silicon-valley.

Los Angeles, California (THE LOCAL SIDE OF L.A.)

2009-10-20T23:46:41Z

What most people don’t realize, however, is that L.A. is actually much more than slick convertibles and sunny skies (although we doubt your attendees will be complaining about the nearly year-round sunshine). As with most cities, there are hidden treasures in L.A. that are surprisingly not crowded with visitors or bustling with paparazzi. And as it turns out, a lot of these local spots can be found in L.A.’s South Bay and beach cities (Santa Monica, Marina del Rey, and Manhattan, Hermosa and Redondo Beaches). These locales also happen to come complete with major meeting spaces and an easily accessible location for both your drive market and national, or even international, attendees via the Los Angeles International Airport.

A huge benefit for L.A. as a whole, and an even larger draw for meetings in the South Bay, is LAX, which averages a total of more than 5 million passengers either arriving or departing the city each month. But aside from its busy flight schedule (and rather in tune with the L.A. image), LAX just so happens to be less than a mile from the nearest surfable wave. “The beach is on either side of the airport,” says Michael Krouse, senior vice president of sales and client services for L.A. Inc., The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau. “If you were facing the airport on Century Boulevard, you would be five minutes to Manhattan Beach, 10 minutes maximum to Marina del Rey, 10 minutes to Redondo Beach and 20 minutes to Santa Monica. It’s the best-selling feature,” he says.

With convenience and the reality of sand in between your toes just minutes away, planners also have a variety of meetings hotels to choose from, both near the airport and at the neighboring beach cities. If you choose an airport location, most of the properties offer a complimentary shuttle to and from Manhattan Beach. “In [the South Bay] you can go down to the beach on the shuttle, and yet you are staying at the airport,” he says. “No other city can do that.”

And if you’re not staying at the airport, L.A. (surprisingly) also has a subway, which is very group-friendly and easy to navigate, Krouse says. Although it’s more ideal for conventions held inland at the Los Angeles Convention Center, the subway does have a stop in Redondo Beach and can connect travelers to LAX, Hollywood and other famous spots (think day trip without the rush-hour traffic).

Another insider tip for groups on their way to L.A. is that, although a majority of people have heard of or seen the upscale beaches of Malibu in movies or on TV, most travelers don’t know that L.A. is home to miles upon miles of beaches (more specifically, the city has 33 public beaches in total and 75 miles of coastline). “People don’t think of L.A. as having beach cities and communities. Plus, a lot of the South Bay beaches are kind of a secret,” Krouse says. “It’s the kind of things that the locals know about, and the places the locals go.”

In addition, all of these beach cities are linked via The Strand, a concrete path that runs the length of the coastline between them (22 miles) and offers a place for recreational activities, including bike rides or walks—plus impressive views of the Pacific Ocean.

So, for the time being, put away your movie-screen ideas of what L.A. is made up of, and take a closer look at the lesser-known sandy beaches of the South Bay, with a beach boardwalk that screams California, meeting venues showcasing the nearby waves, sunny skies and the unparalleled level of convenience of having your flight just minutes away. All of which make up the region’s “it” factor, according to Krouse. With the airport and airline service, “It’s very easy to get to L.A., no matter where you are coming from. I challenge you to find a city that can offer you what L.A. can,” he says.

SANTA MONICA

The eight-square-mile city of Santa Monica is also just eight miles from LAX. As it has been for years, the city is a magnet for celebrities (and a great place for your attendees to catch a glimpse of a Hollywood star without all of the fuss of the more tourist-friendly places farther inland).

This year was a milestone for Santa Monica, as the iconic Santa Monica Pier, celebrated its 100th birthday in September, with a 100-foot-long cake to go with it, of course. Still offering a fun place to entertain groups with rides, street performers, food stands and a great waterfront view, the pier also spent $1.5 million on a new Ferris wheel, which puts on a light show at night. The wheel now features 160,000 LED lights and is solar powered—the only solar-powered Ferris wheel in the world, by the way. “You can’t dispute Santa Monica’s world-renowned pier and the new Ferris wheel,” Krouse says. “Santa Monica is a great spot for star spotting, and [meeting planners] can even do events there and shut down the whole pier,” he says.

Aside from the pier, which totals more than 400,000 sq. ft., providing ample opportunity for all group sizes, the city has 14 hotels that offer meeting space. One major property showcasing a great view of the new Ferris wheel light show is Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel. The 342-room property also features 17,000 sq. ft. of meeting space for up to 900 guests, as well as the eco-friendly Ocean Spa and Fitness Center.

Located on Santa Monica’s Ocean Avenue, the boutique, historic Georgian Hotel offers panoramic beach views and more than 2,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space. The property is a short 5-minute walk from the pier and has often been a hot spot for the rich and famous, who particularly frequent the property’s well-known ocean-view veranda.

Sitting above the shoreline, the 310-room Sheraton Delfina has 10,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space. Another option is Le Merigot – A JW Marriott Hotel & Spa, which is also a quick stroll from the ocean. For groups, the property offers more than 10,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. A bit farther from the sea is The Ambrose, with 77 guest rooms and a small meeting room for up to 15 attendees. The sustainable hotel was the first property in the U.S. to be LEED-EB certified, and it also offers organic catering for small groups, including vegan and vegetarian options.

On the bluffs of Santa Monica Beach, the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows has 300 guest rooms, including a 10-story Ocean Tower where all guest rooms look out over the Pacific. For your VIPs, the property also features 32 secluded bungalows with private patios amid tropical gardens. In addition, the hotel can accommodate a group of up to 900 in its more than 25,000 sq. ft. of meeting and conference space.

Where Events Soar

Upscale and contemporary, The Huntley Hotel has 209 guest rooms, including 20 suites. With more than 5,000 sq. ft. of total meeting space, the property’s place to be is the rooftop, which is officially dubbed The Penthouse. At 18 stories high, the venue has panoramic views that include the nearby Malibu Mountains and the Los Angeles city skyline. In total, The Penthouse includes three function spaces: the Twilight, the Skyline and the Sunset Room; however, all three are available for buyouts for a total of up to 300 guests.

If your group isn’t large enough to rent out the entire Santa Monica pier, take them down to the Trapeze School, which offers team-building workshops or, for the less adventurous, entertainment options include an aerial show with the flying trapeze. Group sizes and activities vary, but up to 25 trainers can facilitate a program (a note: they recommend that each chosen activity has a maximum of 10 people).

MARINA DEL REY

Heading south from Santa Monica and not too far down the coast, you’ll find Marina del Rey, which offers nearly 50,000 sq. ft. of total event space and more than 1,000 hotel rooms. “Marina del Rey is often forgotten,” Krouse says. “But you can’t forget it [as a meeting planner]. There are a lot of good hotels there, and lots of new dining options. It offers high-end products and competitive prices.”

Marina del Rey’s atmosphere is largely due to its marina and waterfront locale. Built around the largest manmade small-boat harbor in the United States (with 19 marinas and a capacity for 5,300 boats), the city lends itself to numerous outdoor group activities, including kayaking and onboard events.

One of the main meeting venues in the area is the Marina del Rey Marriott. The property has 395 guest rooms and suites, and completed a major redesign of its public areas and 18,000 sq. ft. of meeting space just two years ago. Also recently refreshed, The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey offers 30,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor meeting space, and 304 guest rooms and suites. Another recent addition is the property’s spa, which features eight treatment rooms.

Have Water, Will Meet

As the harbor is so easily accessible, your group can rent several boats in the marina, either to hold your meeting on, or for an evening reception for as many as 500 guests (see visitmarinadelrey.com for major charter rental information). Group team-building activities are also available with Marina Boat Rentals, which recently added jet skis to their inventory. The company can also organize custom-tailored water scavenger hunts for smaller groups.

Also, due to the hundreds of small, privately owned boats nearby, groups can take advantage of the yacht clubs in the area, most of which allow public meeting and event rental, although their membership is private. One such venue is Marina del Rey’s two-story waterfront California Yacht Club. Decorated in a nautical theme throughout, the facility offers banquet space, a patio and an outdoor lawn; the entire club can hold a maximum of 300 attendees.

Just a few shore breaks from Marina del Rey is Venice Beach, a great option for a group day trip and a don’t-miss, according to Krouse. “The Venice Beach boardwalk is kind of like a circus,” he says with affection. “It’s trendy and hip. A younger crowd [of attendees] would go crazy seeing it, and the older group needs to go experience it.”

Among street entertainers and swimsuit-wearing residents weaving around on skateboards and rollerblades, the beach boardwalk is full of tattoo parlors and piercing shops. (Tattoos are actually so prominent here that the Hotel Erwin, a Joie de Vivre property on Venice Beach, recently offered a deal to guests that promised $500 to anyone who got the property’s name tattooed on their body!)

LAX VICINITY

“Meeting planners are surprised by the variety of hotels [around LAX],” Krouse says. Aside from a great selection, groups staying near the airport have the added bonus of properties that don’t skimp on upscale amenities or accommodations. “What makes LAX unique is that the hotels are very large meetings hotels, and they are not like typical meeting properties.” Krouse also says that, other than the short ride from baggage claim to their guest room, attendees wouldn’t know they are staying at an airport property (which, as you know, have had to overcome the stigma that all airport properties are sterile and somewhat boring). “The airport hotels have resort-style pool areas and have transformed themselves into a meeting facility that just happens to be near an airport,” he says.

One major property near Los Angeles’ main transportation hub is the 985-room Los Angeles Airport Marriott. For groups, the upscale property features 29 meeting rooms and a total of 55,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. If your group doesn’t have time to make it to the beach, there’s a heated, tropical-style pool on-site, and group dining can be arranged at the property’s Latitude 33 restaurant.

Just a quarter mile from the airport is the Hilton Los Angeles Airport, which offers a complimentary shuttle to/from the terminals every 15 minutes. The large 1,234-room property also offers more than 55,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, including two boardrooms, 30 meeting rooms and a ballroom, accommodating up to 1,300 attendees.

Another group option is the Four Points by Sheraton Los Angeles International Airport, which recently completed a renovation to 150 of its 573 total guest rooms, as well as the pool area, meeting space and lobby.

The Westin Los Angeles Airport also recently wrapped up a renovation to its 45,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, and is planning to renovate its 740 guest rooms and suites at the end of this year. The Sheraton Gateway Hotel Los Angeles also joins the renovation pack with a $20-million upgrade under its belt. The 802-room property has 50,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, including a redesigned 11,400-square-foot ballroom.

Fly In, Fly Out

If your group doesn’t have time to leave the airport, or you need to squeeze in a quick meeting before your team flies back home, you can use the airport’s fairly new addition, the ReLAX lounge, located in the Tom Bradley International Terminal. This first pay-to-use public access lounge offers laptop stations, wireless Internet, faxing, photocopying and printing services, coffee, tea and snacks—all for an all-inclusive hourly price (you can also pay to use their services for the whole day if needed). Although the lounge is first-come, first-serve, there is plenty of space for your smaller group to convene and get some last-minute or pre-meeting business done.

MANHATTAN BEACH

One of the largest beach communities in the area, and just three miles from LAX, Manhattan Beach sprawls across more than two miles of beachfront and takes up 40 acres of recreational beach area in total. Along with 150-plus volleyball courts on the sand, the town is filled with shops and restaurants, and gives off a causal, flip-flop wearing vibe. A major attraction is the 928-foot-long Manhattan Beach Pier, which shoots out among the waves at the end of Manhattan Beach Boulevard. Also popular for the city and its visitors are street fairs, including a weekly farmer’s market, summer concerts in the park and fireworks festivals, among others.

When meeting in Manhattan Beach, groups can choose from a number of properties, including the Manhattan Beach Marriott, which sits on 26 acres just a couple of miles from the ocean. The 385-room property also features 21 meeting rooms and 25,000 sq. ft. of total space. Another option is The Belamar, which recently unveiled a $2.2-million renovation to its lobby, restaurant and meeting space. Adding five brand-new meeting rooms to the 127-room property, the hotel now offers a total of more than 7,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.

HERMOSA BEACH

Hermosa Beach is located between Manhattan and Redondo Beach, and is often described as the center of L.A.’s South Bay coastline (as the South Bay is usually defined as the three main beaches south of the airport). At 1.5 square miles, Hermosa Beach offers shopping, dining and nightlife in its very walkable and pedestrian-friendly city. Popular for recreation is The Strand, which connects Hermosa to its beachy neighbors, and is always open for skating, biking, walking, jogging or sightseeing.

Situated on The Strand and showcasing stunning views of the Pacific Ocean from 80% of its loft suites, the Beach House Hotel Hermosa Beach is a 96-suite property with more than 2,600 sq. ft. of meeting space. Great for groups, the property is close to all Hermosa Beach has to offer, including Pier Avenue, which is always hopping with activity and entertainment pre- or post-meeting.

REDONDO BEACH

Along with its sandy shores, harbor and pier, Redondo Beach comes packed with a lot of history. Back in the late 1800s, the city was quite the “place to be,” as it was the first port in Los Angeles County. Steamers from the Pacific Steamship Company stopped at Redondo four times a week as part of regular runs between San Francisco and San Diego, which made the city a major hub of activity.

Today, Redondo’s history is part of what makes it so special for groups, and although you won’t see too many steamships, Redondo still maintains the same welcoming presence it did more than 100 years ago. “Redondo Beach has a mix of history, art and architecture, and there’s always something going on,” says Deborah Shepard, CMP, CHSP, chair of the visitors bureau, which is part of the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau. (She is also director of sales and marketing for the Crowne Plaza Redondo Beach & Marina Hotel.)

Another plus for groups, Redondo has a small-town feel with the same convenience to LAX (just 7 miles away). “Your group is special in our city and to our shop owners because we are a smaller community,” she says. This, among other reasons, is also why Ann Riley, administrative director for Nemours Center for Medical Leadership, based in Delaware, has taken her group to Redondo annually for the past 10 years. “Our group has been returning to the Crowne Plaza Redondo due to their hospitality for our group and the ease in working with meeting staff,” Riley says. In addition, Redondo Beach doesn’t require a car, she says. “Walking distance to Redondo Pier, area restaurants and bars, and the beach are major attractions.”

As the largest meetings property in the area, the Crowne Plaza Redondo Beach & Marina Hotel is located just across the street from the water, and is within easy walking distance to restaurants and beachfront activity. For groups, the hotel has 339 guest rooms and 25,000 sq. ft. of meeting space in 15 rooms.

On the waterfront, and showcasing views of King Harbor, The Portofino Hotel & Yacht Club recently completed an $11-million renovation. The luxurious property has more than 8,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, including a freestanding meeting pavilion.

Sand & Sea

For inspiration and education that is sure to make waves (in the best possible way), take your group for a tour of the city’s SEA Lab, a hands-on coastal science center. Facility rentals are available in a classroom setting for up to 60 people, or at the tidepool (with use of the Tidepool Amphitheater) for up to 100 guests.

Unique not only to Redondo, but also to the entire South Bay, Seaside Ice, is exactly what its name implies—an ice skating rink on the sand. Located in King Harbor, the ice installation will allow your groups to put on ice skates as they hear the sound of waves crashing just steps away. The seasonal rink is open November 11–January 18, 2010, and is available for private group rental for a maximum of 200 guests.

For more information on properties, venues and attractions in LAX/Beach Cities, visit smartmeetings.com/showcases/lax-beach-cities.

Honolulu, Hawaii (BETTER THAN EVER )

2009-10-20T19:15:28Z

They’re the most isolated groupings of islands in the world—a fact that contributes to their magical mystique (see our Hawaii story in the September 2009 issue).

Among the six main islands of this tropical paradise are Oahu, the third largest in size (and first in population), and Kauai, the fourth largest and oldest, geologically speaking. The two have distinctly different personas, as evidenced by their nicknames: Oahu, The Gathering Place; and Kauai, The Garden Isle. Yet they complement each other with their unique Hawaiian essence as well as their proximity (it’s not uncommon for groups to start on one island and hop to the other).

Of course, both islands—like their visitor-friendly counterparts—have not gone unscathed by the economic challenges this past year. “Like all destinations, we saw a drop-off in business at the outset of the year as many groups and organizations took some time to figure out what to do in the current economy,” says Michael Murray, CMM, CMP, CASE, vice president, sales and marketing, corporate meetings & incentives for the Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau, which represents the entire state. But, he says, “We are again seeing great interest in Hawaii because planners recognize what a tremendous motivator [the state] is for incentives, and also how powerful Hawaii is for drawing attendance to meetings and conferences.”

Both Oahu and Kauai are playing an important role in this uptick. In addition to the motivational opportunities they provide for business groups, they’ve made a host of significant improvements to their meetings infrastructure and created new experiences for first-time and returning attendees.

They’ve also concentrated on the other lures that planners want, especially today. Many properties are offering lower guest room rates and added-value options, as well as special meeting packages. Some are unique to the venue, some are brand-wide. The end result? There’s never been a better time to revisit Oahu and Kauai—or to book them.

NEW AND RENOVATED PROPERTIES

It could be said that if you haven’t visited Oahu or Kauai recently, you haven’t been there. Oahu’s resort areas are enjoying a bounty of new and upgraded properties that have changed the meetings landscape, particularly in Waikiki.

Defined by its fabled beach, Waikiki has seen an unprecedented renaissance, led by the development of Waikiki Beach Walk. It led to the renovation or construction of new hotels such as the Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach Walk, the Ohana Islander and Outrigger Reef on the Beach. Trump International Hotel Waikiki Beach Walk with 462 hotel rooms is expected to open this month. The Royal Hawaiian reopened last December with 529 guest rooms and 77,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space, after a multimillion-dollar transformation. Convention hotels also completed upgrades, including the Sheraton Waikiki, which added an infinity pool with nightly entertainment, while the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa debuted the historic Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Lagoon after a $15-million restoration project.

In the upscale residential area of Kahala, The Kahala Hotel & Resort completed a multi-year, $52-million renovation that included its 338 guest rooms and 11,500 sq. ft. of meeting space. At the master-planned Ko’Olina Resort, construction is underway on a new Disney resort with 1,066 guest rooms and 63,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space (completion is scheduled for 2011). Nearby is the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort, featuring 387 guest rooms and 70,000 sq. ft. of function space. And on the North Shore, Turtle Bay Resort continues to enjoy an earlier renovation, with 375 guest rooms and 31,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.

Kauai is seeing its own renovation revival. The really big news is the reopening in October of the St. Regis Princeville Resort, after a $60-million makeover. It features 252 rooms and 13,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and joins the newly renovated Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club, which wrapped up its own $50-million renovation. The Marriott has 345 rooms and nearly 100,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor space, plus a 16,552-square-foot ballroom. The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, which completed a multimillion-dollar expansion and renovation of its spa, offers 602 rooms and 65,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.

STATE-OF-THE-ART CONVENTION CENTER

One of the most tech- and eco-friendly facilities in the nation, the Hawaii Convention Center on Oahu features 149,768 sq. ft. of meeting space, plus a 200,000-square-foot exhibition hall and 47 meeting rooms. Its strategic location is ideal not only for mainland groups, but also for those with delegates from Pacific Rim countries—a bonus for planners with corporate budgets to deal with or associations whose members foot the bill. For example, the American Dental Association’s 150th Annual Session last October drew an international attendance of 24,000, spurred in large part by Hawaii as the meeting site. According to Dr. Robert Skinner, 2009 chair of the Council on ADA Sessions, “Hawaii is a popular venue for our Annual Session attendees, and we [were thrilled] to return here again to experience its great warmth and hospitality.”

HELPFUL CVBS

In addition to the statewide Hawaii VCB, the Oahu chapter and Kauai chapter can help you access the islands’ full range of meetings services. Plus, “Planners can also take advantage of our Added Value Resource Center, which is located online at BusinessAloha.com,” Murray says. “We introduced this innovative program earlier this year, and it contains seven cost-saving and value-added initiatives that planners can utilize for their clients to make Hawaii an even more appealing and affordable experience.” The response to the program thus far has been fantastic, he says. “[Planners] appreciate the efforts we are taking to help them address the challenges of the current economy and stay within budget.”

SUN, SAND AND OTHER FUN ACTIVITIES

As we learned from Terri Breining, CMM, CMP, of the Breining Group, at our recent The Smart Meeting (see our October issue for the recap), fun and ROI are not mutually exclusive. Built into the Hawaii experience are a mild year-round climate and pristine blue waters, factors that promote a wide range of activities for off-sites and pre- and post-event adventures.

On Oahu, your groups will head like lemmings for the beach, where surfing and water sports reign supreme. Whether you give them free time (free to you, as well) or organize a planned event, the beach is an anticipated perk that satisfies attendees’ picture-postcard vision of Hawaii as a meeting destination.

On the much-less developed island of Kauai, there are 50 miles of white-sand beaches and the state’s only navigable river. You won’t want to miss sailing and snorkeling excursions along the dramatic, 16-mile Napali Coast (check out Capt. Andy’s Sailing Adventures & Raft Expeditions).

For those groups who thrive on adventure, both islands offer hiking, biking and ATVing—plus, on Kauai, there’s the option to zipline, with companies such as Just Live! and Princeville Ranch Adventures offering spectacular views along with an adrenaline rush.

And for those attendees who golf, there’s no better place to tee off than these islands. Oahu offers 29 courses easily accessible to visitors, including three resorts that host LPGA and Champions Tour events. Kauai has nine challenging courses at seven golf venues, including Princeville’s 45 holes at two locations (Prince and Makai).

A SENSE OF PLACE

Hawaii’s ancient traditions and multi-cultural heritage contribute to its allure with attractions like luaus and music and dance festivals. Traditional luaus can be found at the Polynesian Cultural Center, which offers the uniquely Hawaiian entertainment in addition to its showcase of Polynesian cultures, and the Grand Hyatt’s version on Kauai. Oahu also offers two new evening shows: the Aha Aina, a Royal Celebration, a dinner and show at The Royal Hawaiian; and the Rockin’ Hawaiian Rainbow Revue, a music-entertainment event at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

For more information on properties, venues and attractions on Oahu/Kauai, click here.

Dallas, Texas

2009-11-09T18:36:18Z

Once a republic within itself, the Lone Star State stretches 773 miles from the barren desert of West Texas’ Big Bend Country to the Piney Woods on the east side, and 801 miles from the northern Panhandle to the silt-filled shores of the Rio Grande—through verdant pastures, ranchlands, mountain ranges and scenic lake districts.

When it comes to planning a meeting, however, Texas’ sheer size is also reflected by its wide-ranging metropolitan areas, dominating central U.S. location and its lower cost of living—critical factors that help make a meeting planner’s job a bit easier. “Texas is a very affordable state,” says Debbie Farnum, a meeting planner with the Texas Association of School Boards in Austin, a group that holds its meetings only in Texas. “We have a diverse range of hotels, activities and cultures, and that makes Texas very attractive.”

Represented by Texas Tourism, three of the nation’s 10 most populated cities are in the state: Houston, Dallas and San Antonio. Each have rich cultural highlights—from performing arts in Dallas and Houston to Fort Worth’s cattle drives; or spicy Tex-Mex in San Antonio to Austin’s world-renowned music scene. “For meeting planners, our exciting cities feature world-class facilities, hotels, resorts, dining and entertainment where you can get the job done and also have fun,” says Aaron Demerson, executive director for the Texas Office of the Governor, Economic Development and Tourism Division. “Our focus on business has led Texas to be home to more Fortune 500 and 1000 headquarter companies than any other state.”

CVB staffs statewide are eagerly awaiting bookings with a Texas welcome. “I look for what fits at the right price,” Farnum says. “I use the CVBs in each of these locations. They know everything about the venues, so I don’t have to do all the legwork.”

GULF COAST

Flanked by the warm Gulf of Mexico waters, 624 miles of Texas’ sandy coastline stretch from Louisiana to Mexico. It’s where some of the state’s premier meeting facilities can be found within vibrant coastal area cities—Houston, Galveston and Corpus Christi, home to such attractions as Houston’s world-class cultural institutions, NASA’s Johnson Space Center and the Texas Aquarium.

Houston

Those who call Houston home—most of whom are from somewhere else—will tell you that their city is cosmopolitan, progressive and prosperous, and despite its being the nation’s fourth largest city, surprisingly friendly. When it comes to booking meetings in the Bayou City, accessibility and affordability are big draws as well.
“Smart meeting planners are bringing their meetings to Houston,” says Ken Middleton, vice president of sales at the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau. “You can get New York energy at an affordable price in Houston.”

Because Houston’s two airports provide direct flights to more than 125 cities, it’s easily accessible from either coast. “I can be in New York before noon,” he says, “and I can leave Houston and be in L.A. [on a] later morning flight.”

Houston has two of the country’s top 10 convention centers. The downtown George R. Brown Convention Center has 1.2 million sq. ft. of leasing space, including 639,000 sq. ft. of contiguous exhibit space on the ground level and an additional 223,000 of upper level exhibit space. There’s also 185,000 sq. ft. within 100 meeting rooms. The other convention facility is Reliant Center in Reliant Park, a complex spanning 350 acres that is ideal for sporting events and oversized trade shows. Reliant Center and three other venues, Reliant Astrodome (Houston Astrodome), Reliant Stadium and the Reliant Arena, offer a total of 1.6 million sq. ft. of exhibit space.

Available hotel rooms range upward of 5,000 downtown, 3,000 in the Reliant Park area and 6,000 in Uptown, with the landmark Williams Tower and Houston Galleria shopping complex. Leading the way is the city’s foremost convention hotel, the 1,200-room Hilton Americas-Houston. The Hilton connects to the GRB with skywalks and is directly across from Discovery Green, a recently opened park with shady trees, fountains, a putting green, stage and even a shallow lake for remote-controlled watercraft. “Discovery Green is Houston’s new front porch,” Middleton says. “When people come out of the convention center, they can walk there to take a ‘chill pill.’”

Close in size to the Hilton is the Sheraton Dallas Hotel, with 1,840 guest rooms. Only a few blocks from the convention center, the newly remodeled Sheraton offers 260,000 sq. ft. of ballrooms, boardrooms and entertainment suites.

Other Houston meetings options include the newly renovated Hyatt Regency Houston, which features 947 guest rooms and 71,300 sq. ft. of meeting space, including an on-site exhibition hall; the Omni Houston Hotel, with 378 rooms and 32,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and a new 10,000-square-foot ballroom; and The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa, with 289 rooms and 32,000 sq. ft. of function space, as well as a 17,000-square-foot spa.

Your group can relax by taking in a show at the nearby Theater District, also downtown, which includes the Wortham Center, home to Houston’s Ballet and Grand Opera, and the Jesse H. Jones Hall, where the Houston Symphony performs. A short distance away is the Museum District, with 18 museums, including the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, located near the Texas Medical Center, Rice University and Herman Park.

Galveston

A historic port city and weekend escape destination for Houstonians, Galveston’s sandy beaches are often a scenic backdrop for meetings and conventions. Despite taking a direct hit from Hurricane Ike in September 2008, the island city has made steady progress cleaning up and rebuilding after a massive storm surge flooded the Strand Historic District and washed away shoreline homes. “More than 90% of our tourism partners are up and running,” says Meg Winchester, director of the Galveston Island Convention and Visitors Bureau. “The resilience of both the hospitality community and residents has been remarkable.”

One of those partners is the 119-room Tremont House, a Wyndham historical hotel in the Strand District that reopened June 1. “The main message is that Galveston has done an amazing job of coming back after Ike,” says Patty Rouse, director of sales and marketing with the Tremont House and its sister properties, the Hotel Galvez and smaller inn-style Harbor House. Both the Tremont House and 224-room Hotel Galvez offer significant meeting space, 14,700 and 14,025 sq. ft., respectively. “We had a pretty fair summer all the way around,” Rouse adds, “but we’re starting to see the meeting and convention business come back to the island.”

Larger meetings and functions usually flock to the island’s two convention centers. The Galveston Island Convention Center at the San Luis Resort sits along bustling Seawall Boulevard and has 140,000 sq. ft. of total meeting space, including 43,100 sq. ft. in a column-free exhibition hall, 15,500 in the grand ballroom, 29,000 for prefunction space and 12,000 of breakout meeting space. There are more than 700 adjacent hotel rooms, 250 of which are in the San Luis Resort, Spa & Conference Center, which in itself has 23,540 sq. ft. of meeting space. Across the island, the Moody Gardens Hotel & Convention Center offers 428 guest rooms and 100,000 sq. ft. of combined meeting space, including 60,000 within a barrier-free ballroom.

Corpus Christi

Halfway between Houston and the Mexico border, Corpus Christi is refreshed by cooling gulf breezes. Its skyline consists of two prominent hotel towers—the Omni Corpus Christi Bayfront Tower and Omni Corpus Christi Marina Tower with 474 and 346 guest rooms, respectively. The Bayfront Tower has eight meeting rooms ranging from 455 sq. ft. to 10,050 sq. ft., while the Marina Tower offers more than 10,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space.

The city’s convention center, the American Bank Center has more than 500,000 sq. ft., with a 76,500-square-foot exhibit hall, 22 meeting rooms, a 20,000-square-foot ballroom and the 2,526-seat Selena Auditorium. Nearby is the Ortiz International Center, with a banquet hall and outdoor plaza, and meeting rooms ranging from 580 to 16,500 sq. ft.

Time spent between and after meetings can include trips to the Texas State Aquarium, the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History with its re-creations of Columbus’ ships, and the USS Lexington Museum, where the aircraft carrier’s hangar deck offers 40,000 sq. ft. of unique space for meetings, banquets and more.

PRAIRIES AND LAKES

Referred to as North Texas, this region of ranchlands and pastures includes the sprawling Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, Texas’ largest metropolitan area and the nation’s fourth largest. Separated by about 30 miles, Dallas’ urbane feel comfortably blends with Fort Worth’s Western heritage, although both cities have outstanding cultural venues and fine arts museums. Growing suburban cities within the Metroplex offer expansive meeting facilities of their own, providing a wide-ranging choice of venues and prices.

Dallas

The nation’s 9th largest city, the “Big D” as it’s called, exudes glitz and panache through its sparkling glass towers, vibrant entertainment districts and trendy restaurants. Coupled with its central location, this upscale image has made Dallas one of the state’s most popular meeting places.

Many conventioneers find themselves in the city’s premier venue, the Dallas Convention Center, located downtown near architect I.M. Pei’s angled City Hall design and the bronzed longhorn statues of Pioneer Plaza. With 203,000 sq. ft., the convention center is in the largest column-free exhibit hall in the country. It also has 726,700 sq. ft. of contiguous exhibit space, 96 meeting rooms, a theater seating 1,750 and a 9,800-seat arena. A venue popular for hosting car, boat and RV shows is Market Hall in the Dallas Market Center, a consumer exhibit hall with 200,000 sq. ft. of space.

The Metroplex also has its share of excellent stadiums. American Airlines Center is home to the Dallas Mavericks basketball team and has 840,000 sq. ft., with 20,000 seats for center-stage events and smaller meeting rooms holding 200, 100 and 50 seats. The legendary Cotton Bowl at Fair Park seats 68,000 and offers more than 500,000 sq. ft. of outdoor malls, plazas and festival areas for special events. The newly opened Dallas Cowboys Stadium and Rangers Ballpark are in Arlington.

There’s no shortage of spacious Dallas chain hotels, including such brands as Marriott, Westin and Hyatt, to name a few—starting off with the Grand Hyatt DFW, an elegant airport hotel integrated into International Terminal D. The hotel offers 298 guest rooms and 34,000 sq. ft. of function space, with 45 meeting rooms and 20 conference suites.

Other options are The Fairmont Dallas, located in the Dallas Arts District, which provides 545 guest rooms and 73,000 sq. ft. of space, including 27 meeting rooms, and The Adolphus, founded in 1912, which has 422 guest rooms and 24,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. For smaller functions in what may be the city’s most prestigious hotel, the 143-room Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek has 6,000 sq. ft. accommodating up to 300 people for meetings and 400 for events.

The city’s up-and-coming star is the newly opened, multivenue Dallas Center for the Performing Arts. With its opera house, theater and outdoor entertainment, it’s now one of the largest such complexes in the country. Other new developments include the 1,000-room Dallas Convention Center Hotel, scheduled to open in 2011 or 2012.

Fort Worth

Texas has several truly distinctive cities and Fort Worth, the nation’s 17th largest, is one of them. Known for its “unique blend of ‘cowboys and culture,’ Fort Worth offers an incredible mix of historic and cultural attractions,” says David DuBois, president and CEO of the Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau. “The city is easily accessible, too, with a central U.S. location and the convenience of many direct flights to DFW International Airport.”

That Western feel is reflected within some of the city’s historic areas and venues. The Stockyards National Historic District with gas-lit cobblestone streets, has retained its turn-of-the-20th-Century look, and it’s where the world’s only daily cattle drive takes place. Weekly rodeos are held in the 2,300-seat Cowtown Coliseum where the world’s first indoor rodeo was held in 1918. Home of the annual livestock show, the Will Rogers Memorial Center has 100,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, a livestock facility, coliseum, theater and equestrian center.

The city’s Western heritage, however, should not overshadow first-class meeting space and cultural institutions, including downtown’s Bass Performance Hall, which hosts the ballet, opera and symphony, and the Kimbell Art Museum in the Cultural District. The recently renovated Fort Worth Convention Center has more than 253,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space, 41 breakout rooms, a 28,000-square-foot ballroom and a 10,500-seat arena.

Hotels near the convention center include the 614-room Omni Fort Worth with nearly 68,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, and 22,000 sq. ft. in the 431-room Sheraton Fort Worth Hotel and Spa. “The number of guest rooms downtown has doubled thanks to new and renovated hotels, allowing the city to host larger meetings than ever before,” DuBois says.

Arlington/Irving

The big excitement in Arlington this fall has been the newly opened Dallas Cowboys Stadium, in which the Cowboys have played their games this season. The stadium, which seats 80,000 but can be expanded to 100,000, is expected to host Superbowl XLV in early 2011 (book early for this time period). Meeting planners intrigued with the team may want to plan their events in Cowboy Stadium’s two main concourse clubs accommodating up to 2,500 guests, or 700 guests in the two Silver Level clubs. Arlington is also home to Rangers Ballpark, where its Diamond Club has 17,000 sq. ft. and the Legends of the Game Museum has 24,000 sq. ft.

Centrally located in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, the Arlington Convention Center offers 48,600 sq. ft. of column-free space with 30,000 in its Grand Hall, more than 10,000 for indoor prefunction space, and 12 smaller meeting rooms with 8,500 sq. ft. Hotel meeting space includes 26,000 sq. ft. at the Sheraton, 11,000 at the Hilton and 5,300 at the Crowne Plaza.

Just southeast of DFW Airport, Irving is looking forward to the late-2010 opening of the new Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas, which will offer close to 100,000 sq. ft. of exhibit, conference and event space. Irving also has a dozen or so full-service meeting hotels—Four Seasons, Marriott, Hilton, Omni, Westin and Sheraton—offering a total of 200,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.

Grapevine

Also centrally located within the Metroplex, Grapevine may be the answer for meeting planners who want their events held in an airport’s backyard. This city, with its world-class facilities, is the home of DFW International Airport, one of the country’s largest central hubs. The Grapevine Convention Center is only a five-minute drive away and has 23,500 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space.

Larger conventions, however, should look into booking their functions at Grapevine hotels. The colossal Gaylord Texan Resort, with its spacious glass atriums, is surrounded by pastureland and overlooks shimmering Lake Grapevine. With 1,511 guest rooms, the Gaylord Texan offers more than 400,000 sq. ft. of meeting, prefunction and exhibition space in more than 80 rooms. The 811-room Hyatt Regency DFW has 92,000 sq. ft. of function space, including a 21,000-square-foot ballroom, an 18,000-square-foot exhibit hall and 70 meeting rooms.

Among things to do in between meetings include riding in early 20th century, Victorian-style coaches aboard the Grapevine Vintage Railroad, and visiting some of the local wineries.

Frisco

This suburban community is home to the Frisco Conference Center, the largest meeting facility in the growing northern Dallas area. The center houses the second largest ballroom in Texas and features 90,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space, 14 breakout rooms and a full-service business center. It’s connected to the 330-room Embassy Suites Dallas-Frisco/Hotel, Convention Center & Spa. Also nearby is The Westin Stonebriar, a 301-room hotel with 24,000 sq. ft. of meeting space of its own. Eight other hotels offering a range from standard to luxury accommodations bring the total room count to 1,500.

For a unique Frisco meeting experience, Pizza Hut Park Stadium Club sits within this suburban stadium that hosts soccer games, high school football and other functions. The Stadium Club has 6,500 sq. ft. with a view of the playing field. The newly renovated Dr Pepper Arena, formerly the Dr Pepper StarCenter, sits across from the Frisco Conference Center and is ideal for sporting events, trade shows, exhibitions and concerts, providing seating for up to 6,100.

HILL COUNTRY

Sparkling rivers and streams meander around gently sloping hills, draining into some of the state’s most impressive lakes in an area where springtime tints the countryside with the blue hues of Bluebonnets. The Texas Hill Country sits to the west and northwest of Austin and San Antonio, with many popular areas easily within an hour’s drive from both cities and their international airports.

Meeting planners opting for more of a rural experience in the heart of Texas—one offering treks into the outdoors—might opt to hold their meetings at a resort surrounded by the likes of golf courses, vineyards and waterways within forested areas that are ideal for canoeing, kayaking and hiking. Twenty miles north of downtown San Antonio and 12 miles from the airport, the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa is scheduled to open in early 2010. The sprawling hotel has 1,002 rooms and 140,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, including 40,500 sq. ft. in the ballroom and 12 meeting rooms, plus two TPC golf courses.

Closer to Austin, Horseshoe Bay Resort sits adjacent to peaceful Lake LBJ, close to an hour’s drive west-northwest of Austin’s airport. This complex includes 50 luxury lakefront condominiums, 117 suites and villas, and the 385-room Horseshoe Bay Resort Marriott Hotel, which features 50,000 sq. ft. of meeting space in 31 rooms. The Lakeway Resort and Spa overlooks scenic Lake Travis with 173 guest rooms and 24,000 sq. ft. of IACC-approved conference space, including 17 meeting rooms and four ballrooms, one of them a 5,200-square-foot glass-enclosed ballroom.

San Antonio

Walkable, historic and one-of-a-kind are words often used to describe the nation’s 7th largest city. Home of the stone-chipped Alamo, Tejano culture and festive River Walk, San Antonio offers a cultural experience like no other. “Ours is a very unique city and it’s not like going to a downtown location that looks like any other city,” points out Steve Clayton, vice president of sales with the San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We have great Mexican restaurants and those who come to visit love to try them.”

It’s an easy stroll from many of the upscale and boutique hotels along the tree-shrouded River Walk to the city’s main meeting venue, the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, adjacent to the landmark Tower of the Americas and the Institute of Texan Cultures museum. The convention center has more than 600,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, with 440,000 sq. ft. as a contiguous exhibition area, a 40,000-square-foot grand ballroom and the 2,521-seat Lila Cockrell Theatre for the Performing Arts.

San Antonio’s main convention hotels can also accommodate large groups. The 1,003-room Grand Hyatt San Antonio flanks the convention center and has more than 115,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, including two ballrooms, 29 breakout rooms and balcony space. Also with 1,001 rooms, the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter towers over the Rivercenter Mall and features 60,000 sq. ft. within 36 meeting rooms. For a contemporary setting with a mix of Old World palazzo and modern luxury, the 213-room Hotel Valencia Riverwalk is one of many River Walk hotels that are ideal for corporate meetings and smaller conferences. Its more than 7,000 sq. ft. of meeting space includes 975 sq. ft. in an open-air courtyard—a good way to enjoy San Antonio’s mild climate while working.

Austin

With one walk down club- and bar-studded Sixth Street on any given night, visitors to this youth-driven city will quickly realize why Austin has earned the title “Live Music Capital of the World.” Home to 200 live music venues and the city’s signature Austin City Limits performance show, it’s this vibrant music scene and an extraordinary environmental consciousness that give Austin its grassroots character.

“Some groups have heard about a Texas feel, but what they want is an Austin feel—the music scene, Austin City Limits, barbecue and (the popular music venue) Antone’s,” says Linda Atkins, director of convention services for the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau. “They like that it’s not a huge city, there’s still plenty to do, it’s compact and walkable, and there’s entertainment at their back door,” she says.

The city’s main meeting and conference venue, the Austin Convention Center, sits just a block or two from the shaded jogging and biking trails along Lady Bird Lake, and within walking distance to many of downtown’s 5,500 hotel rooms. The convention center offers 374,255 sq. ft. of meeting space—five exhibit halls with 246,097 sq. ft., including a 43,000-square-foot grand ballroom and 55,000 sq. ft. within meeting rooms and offices.

Across Lady Bird Lake is another large venue, the 131,000-square-foot, two-level Palmer Events Center, which features 70,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space and excellent views of downtown.
Austin’s newest meeting facility, the AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center, skirts the University of Texas campus just to the north of the State Capitol Building. It has 40,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and 297 guest rooms. Visits to the nearby Texas State History Museum and the Blanton Museum of Art is time well spent.

For hosting parties in some of Austin’s music hotspots, Stubbs BBQ is a roomy restaurant/music venue three blocks from Sixth Street that brings in national acts. Described as very “Sinatra,” The Belmont is nearby on West Sixth Street. Attracting an older, upscale crowd, it offers an upstairs and downstairs patio in addition to a small private dining room. And there’s Maggie Mae’s, a 25-year-old rockin’ institution that’s ideal for evening receptions, with 14,000 sq. ft. of event space.

BIG BEND COUNTRY

This is the birthplace of many a Texas legend: Wild West roots, arid desert plains, rocky mountain ranges and “big sky” as far as the eye can see. Stretching from the Rio Grande on the southern edge to the New Mexico border, highlights of this wide-open region include the jagged Chisos Mountains of Big Bend National Park, the mysterious Marfa Lights and Fort Davis, one of the best preserved old western frontier posts.

El Paso

The Big Bend region’s largest city, El Paso is in fact the nation’s 21st largest, and often considered the gateway to the area. In the heart of downtown, the Judson F. Williams Convention Center accommodates the city’s largest groups and conventions with 80,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space—14,900 sq. ft. within its 17 meeting rooms, and banquet seating for up to 5,300. Two adjacent theaters offer facilities for presentations and entertainment: the 2,500-seat Abraham Chavez Theater and the 2,000-seat Plaza Theater. In addition, the McKelligon Canyon Amphitheater holds 1,500.

Post-meeting sightseeing should include visits to the area’s three historic missions along the Mission Trail. Or take your group on the Wyler Aerial Tramway, which ascends the 5,632-foot-high Ranger Peak in the Franklin Mountains, where dramatic views stretch into bordering Mexico and New Mexico.

Midland/Odessa

Once home to both Presidents Bush (41st and 43rd) as they developed the family’s oil business, the Bush family roots come to life with George W. Bush’s Childhood Home in Midland and Odessa’s Presidential Museum and Bush Home. The Midland-Odessa Metroplex sits within the Permian Basin Oil Field, one of the world’s largest.

For exhibitions and meetings, the Midland Center features the 12,500-square-foot Exhibit Hall, accommodating up to 900 people for banquets and 1,200 for seminars or concerts. The Clarion Hotel & Conference Center is situated between the downtown and the airport, with 25,300 total sq. ft. within ballrooms, boardrooms and the 15,000-square-foot Villa Convention Center. Odessa’s meeting venues include the Ector County Coliseum with 158,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, horse arena area and theater that seats up to 7,000. The West Texas Event Center offers a total of 20,000 sq. ft. in nine meeting rooms.

PANHANDLE PLAINS

Twenty-first Century cowboys and Indians still ride the plains of the Texas Panhandle, nestled between New Mexico to the west and Oklahoma to the north and east. Meeting planners visiting the region’s largest cities, Lubbock and Amarillo, will find not only venues for meetings and conventions, but also livestock and rodeo arenas indicative of the region’s western themes.

Lubbock

Birthplace of legendary ’50s rocker Buddy Holly, Lubbock is home to the Buddy Holly Center, a cultural arts center highlighting the life of one of West Texas’ favorite sons. Its central location is not far from downtown’s Lubbock Memorial Civic Center, ideal for conventions, trade shows and large meetings. The civic center has 300,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, including 40,000 with its exhibit hall, 12 meeting rooms and a 14,105-square-foot banquet hall. The 15-story, 303-room Overton Hotel and Conference Center has nearly 20,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space, which encompasses a 11,250-square-foot, column-free ballroom, the largest in Lubbock.

Other popular meeting venues are within the city’s most noted institution, Texas Tech University. The 15,000-seat United Spirit Arena hosts Texas Tech basketball games, exhibitions, concerts and meetings, with 81,000 sq. ft. within its concourse and 31,900 on the arena floor. Its meeting facilities include the City Bank Conference Center, which divides into four 1,300-square-foot meeting rooms. Texas Tech’s football games are held at the Jones AT&T Stadium, with meeting space available at its Stadium Club and Suite Level I Lounge, accommodating up to 600 and 400 people respectively.

Amarillo

Cows and steers graze all over the Lone Star State, but the largest city in the Texas Panhandle city is a major cattle town with, likely, the world’s largest private cattle auction. Following along its true Western heritage, the Tri-State Expo Complex holds many farming and ranching events. The facility can seat up to 10,000 people within its 160,000-square-foot event center, which includes exhibit buildings, stalls and a 54,000-square-foot covered livestock/all-purpose building.

Conventions are held in the 340,000-square-foot Civic Center, housing a coliseum, two exhibit halls, two auditoriums and ballrooms for banquets and meetings. Hotels include the Holiday Inn Amarillo with 248 guest rooms and nearly 4,900 sq. ft. of meeting space. The Ambassador Hotel has 265 guest rooms and eight meeting rooms totaling 8,500 sq. ft.

Richard Varr is a Houston-based freelance writer and has traveled extensively throughout the state of Texas. He is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers.

For more information on properties, venues and attractions in Texas, visit smartmeetings.com/showcases/texas.

Portland, Oregon (OREGON, EVER GREEN)

2009-11-09T21:42:15Z

And while acres of available land may have spurred them on, the new state of Oregon must have seemed a paradise when they finally arrived, with its vastly varied landscape of high-desert mountain areas, endless stretches of evergreen forests and rugged coastline, not to mention the verdant Willamette Valley that has since turned to gold for the many vintners in the region.

For groups visiting Oregon today, they may feel they’ve reached their own slice of Eden in a state that has led the charge in the green movement, besides offering a range of venues and amenities. From the urban convention centers of Portland, to the college-town feel of Eugene and remote lodges in one of several national parks, Oregon has something for all types of meetings groups. And with a local spirit that’s both independent-minded and decidedly laid-back, Oregon can be a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the typical big-city convention and meeting scene.

The state, like its Pacific Northwest neighbor to the north in Washington, is roughly divided into three main geographic zones running the length of the state from north to south, with each easily drivable from downtown Portland (and Portland International Airport in 90 minutes (or less)). The western shoreline of Oregon is a wet and largely undeveloped (and uncrowded) zone of wild beauty and smaller towns, ideal for small-group retreats. The middle section of the state—from Portland south along Interstate 5 and encompassing the cities of Salem, Albany, Eugene and Medford—is a verdant valley of rivers and forests and the most populated region (Oregon’s population is nearly 3.8 million). The area also includes the Willamette Valley, which is known for its wineries that produce some of the best pinot noirs in the world. The valley begins just southwest of Portland in Washington County and extends south of Salem, and is also a major hops grower—evident in the many microbreweries found in Portland and elsewhere in the state.

To the west of Interstate-5 is the Cascade Mountain Range that runs like a spine through the center of Oregon and includes several notable peaks, such as Mt. Hood near Portland and Mt. Jefferson to the south. The high desert spans out just to the west of the range and covers much of the rest of the state, with Bend the most important city in the area for meetings, as well as numerous resorts for skiing, golf and other outdoor activities. The drier and mild weather in the region, with warm days and cold nights, along with snowy peaks during the winter, make for an alternative to the wetter and more temperate climate to the west.

Portland

With the Willamette River slicing through the city’s center, the often-visible Mt. Hood hovering in the distance and the evergreen forests that encroach on the city from all sides, Portland definitely has one foot in the boundless Pacific Northwest nature that seems to sprawl out every backdoor. But besides towering fir trees, the state’s largest city and economic center also has many cultivated gardens, and is known as The City of Roses for the numerous varieties that thrive here. The annual Portland Rose Festival takes place in the International Rose Test Garden, which dates back to 1917 when the city had 20 miles of rose-lined streets. The garden can also be used for private events (along with other city parks).

But lest one think that Portland is all trees and flowers, the city has its other foot placed firmly in the modern, high-tech world, with more than 1,200 technology companies located in the region, including computer behemoth Intel. And it’s a foot that could easily be laced up in a Nike or Adidas running shoe, with both sportswear giants headquartered in the area. The combination of a high-tech setting and active outdoor lifestyle is the yin and yang of the city, and the image of young techies packing away their laptops as they head for the hills (with mountain bikes and kayaks in tow) is a common one. For visiting groups, this means that Portland is well endowed with all the high-tech infrastructure any meeting would need, while having easy access to outside attractions and adventures for those free hours in the agenda.

In a nod to its high-tech lifestyle, Travel Portland recently opened what it calls the Twisitor Center, a cyber-twist on the traditional walk-in information booth that lets visitors tweet questions on where to go or what to do in the city, while informed locals (or anyone else) can retweet suggestions. “[The administrator] finds them and sends you an official response,” says Deborah Wakefield, APR, vice president of communications and public relations at Travel Portland, on tweets to #inpdx. “And anyone who sees that on Twitter can jump in and answer.”

Whether you tweet for your dinner or not, the city also offers plenty for attendees who would rather stay put and prefer a destination where attractions are close at hand. Another moniker for Portland is Bridgetown, for the 12 bridges that cross both the Willamette and Columbia Rivers, each with a unique architectural style. And it’s a big reason the city is so accessible and walkable, with many hotels, venues and attractions easily reached by foot. Another reason is the MAX light rail system, with its blue, red, yellow and recently opened green lines, which runs through all quadrants of the city, including a stop directly to and from Portland International Airport.

“We chose Portland because of the unique downtown—it’s a beautiful city—and the rate package for us was very important,” says Tina Haran, convention and meetings director for the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks - Grand Lodge, whose annual meeting brought 4,000 room nights (on peak) to the city in July. “We look at activities in the city for attendees as well as spouses—for the remainder of the day out in the city, going shopping or to restaurants—and we need to have a lot for them to do.”

According to Haran, some of their attendees came early or stayed after the official event, and sailed out of Seattle on cruises bound for Alaska, although the city and surrounding area also offered plenty of options for them. “I loved the convenience of the walkable downtown, where you could walk down the block and hit several restaurants. The MAX rail really connected you to everything. I wish there were more cities that had that transportation system available, to get around without having to provide transportation for everyone,” she says. “It really allowed our attendees to socialize, going from one hotel to the next—a really big plus for Portland.”

Major Meetings Venues

For hotels and meetings, Portland has three main regions where meeting venues tend to be clustered, starting with the area around the 20,630-seat Rose Garden Arena and Oregon Convention Center, which has 255,000 sq. ft. of event space. The center is also LEED-EB Silver certified, and has a sustainability coordinator on staff to assist groups interested in green meetings. Nearby is the 476-room Doubletree Hotel & Executive Meeting Center Portland - Lloyd Center, which has 46,500 sq. ft. of meeting space, including its new 8,500-square-foot Executive Meeting Center.

Just east across the Willamette River is the downtown area with the city’s largest hotel in the Hilton Portland & Executive Tower, offering 782 guest rooms and 66,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. Other options include The Benson Hotel, with 287 guest rooms and 16,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, and The Nines, housed in an old Macy’s department store building and offering 331 guest rooms and 13,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. The third primary hotel zone is north of downtown in the Jantzen Beach area along the Columbia River, and just across from Vancouver, Wash. Red Lion Hotel on the River - Jantzen Beach is the largest property here with 320 guest rooms and 34,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.

Unique Venues and Attractions

As one of the greenest cities in the U.S. (in both the actual and eco-friendly sense), it’s little wonder that Portland has numerous parks in and around downtown, totaling 10,000 acres, with many available for private groups. The International Rose Test Garden is the most well known of the city parks, and sits inside the 400-acre Washington Park, which also includes the 5.5-acre Portland Japanese Garden and the Hoyt Arboretum. The World Forestry Center is also found here, and includes tree farms, the World Forest Institute and the 20,000-square-foot Discovery Museum, with the museum and the center’s several large rooms available for meetings and events.

Other unique venues in Portland include the iconic, 590-seat Bagdad Theater & Pub, originally opened in 1927. And the Bridgeport Brewpub + Bakery is a fine example of the many microbreweries found in the city. Housed in the historic Landmark Building, the brewpub is available for private events and comes with the latest A/V equipment and high-speed Internet.

Washington County

Directly to the southwest of Portland and part of the metro area is Washington County, home to Beaverton, the official headquarters of Nike and numerous technology companies, including the Linux Foundation. The county also spreads out into the rural northern section of the Willamette Valley, which means a number of wineries are found within its borders, and a wine tour can easily be organized by the Washington County CVB. Such an itinerary might include the scenic David Hill Winery and Vineyard, which feels as though it’s far from the maddening crowds of downtown Portland despite the close proximity. The winery can accommodate private groups of up to 50.

To take advantage of some of the great golfing offered in the county and enjoy some world-class wine, the Reserve Vineyards & Golf Club has 36 holes of PGA-worthy golf; its Vintage Room restaurant is available for private events. For groups that want a more unique venue, McMenamins Grand Lodge, built in 1922, has 77 guest rooms and 17 meeting and event spaces for groups as large as 150 indoors and 500 outdoors.

Eugene

Less than a two-hour drive south from Portland is Eugene, Oregon’s second-largest city. It’s home to the University of Oregon and at the center of Lane County, which stretches from the Cascade Range to the coast. The county’s diverse geography is reflected in Travel Lane County’s new brand name: Eugene, Cascades & Coast. “We’re going to that more defined organization name, but really establishing a brand name that’s more recognizable, by putting Eugene in the forefront,” says Lisa Lawton, director of community relations for Travel Lane County. “The coast and Cascades also define our Lane County landscape. The second part of our rebranding—real adventures real close—sets us apart with the destination, afforded by our diverse landscape. If you’re in Eugene and you want to go to the coast, it’s about an hour away, and if you want to go to the mountains, they’re also about an hour away.”

The largest venue in the area is the Hilton Eugene & Conference Center, located downtown near the university campus, and offering 269 guest rooms and 30,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. Another option is the Valley River Inn, located on the banks of the Willamette River, with 257 guest rooms and 15,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.

Salem

Oregon’s capital city, Salem is an hour’s drive south of Portland along the I-5 corridor in the heart of the Willamette Valley, with a quaint downtown featuring a number of boutique shops and restaurants. Planners should take note that the native Kalapuyan tribe referred to the area as Chemeketa (meeting or resting place), which means meetings have been taking place here for centuries.

For meetings, the Salem Conference Center, the largest venue in the area, offers 30,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space with stunning modern architecture and an abundance of natural light. Adjacent to the center is the 193-room Phoenix Grand Hotel, with 29,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. Alternative venues include the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Gordon House, available for private functions for groups up to 80, and the Willamette Valley Vineyards, with event space for up to 350.

Albany

Another city conveniently located along I-5, between Salem and Eugene, the town of Albany is known for its plethora of historic buildings (nearly 800), with many open for tours through the CVB and some available for private events. Two such venues are The Venetian Theater, which dates from 1913 and can accommodate groups up to 650, and the 200-seat Pix Theatre, which was built in 1892 as a livery stable. For large events, the Linn County Fair and Expo Center offers 201,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space.

Bend

Due east of Eugene across the Cascade Range is the high-desert city of Bend. Represented by the Central Oregon Visitors Association, the region is a popular meetings destination with several resorts and a range of outdoor activities, including skiing, mountain biking and kayaking. But just because the area is classified as desert doesn’t mean there’s no precipitation, proven by all the snow dusting the nearby mountains during the winter months. Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort is popular for skiing and other outdoor sports, and the nearby Mount Bachelor Village Resort offers groups the 5,400-square-foot Oregon Conference Center, while the Seventh Mountain Resort has 170 guest rooms and 15,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.

For larger events the Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center in nearby Redmond has several venues, the largest of which is the Hooker Creek Event Center with 279,000 sq. ft. of total event space, seating up to 7,500 concert-style. Just south of Bend is Sunriver Resort with 375 guest rooms in multiple configurations, from cabins to lodge suites, and 36,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.

The Coast

The 350-mile long and lightly developed Oregon coast is a nature-lover’s dream, especially for groups who like their beaches wild and untamed (and wet and wind-swept in winter). Planners can learn more about venue options from the Oregon Coast Visitors Association, but a sure bet for groups is the Salishan Spa & Golf Resort directly west of Salem and less than two hours from Portland, offering 205 guest rooms and 16,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. Also nearby is the oceanside Inn at Cape Kiwanda, with 35 guest rooms and 2,750 sq. ft. of meeting space.

Closer to the southern end of the coast is Coos Bay-North Bend, a destination that offers several parks including the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and Shore Acres State Park, as well as the Southwest Oregon Regional Airport with direct flights from Portland and San Francisco. Groups can meet and stay at The Mill Casino, offering 200 guest rooms and 14,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, or choose a more natural setting at the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, with numerous trails and boardwalks throughout, plus meeting space for up to 50.

Ashland/Medford

The farther south you go in Oregon, the wilder and less populated the landscape becomes, and where you’ll find the towns of Ashland and Medford. Ashland has become famous for its annual Oregon Shakespeare Festival, which offers 780 performances each year, drawing some 400,000 people over the season. The historic Ashland Springs Hotel is one of the higher-end properties in the area, with 70 guest rooms and 5,700 sq. ft. of meeting space.

A short distance north of Ashland along I-5, Medford is the largest city in southern Oregon and is a popular destination for outdoor activities such as white-water rafting and fishing along the Rogue River. For meetings and events, the Eden Valley Orchards and Winery has both indoor and outdoor venues (besides award-winning wines) that can accommodate groups up to 1,000. Meetings hotels include the Rogue Regency Inn & Suites, offering 203 guest rooms and 1,820 sq. ft. of meeting space, and the Red Lion Hotel Medford, with 185 guest rooms and 9,552 sq. ft. of meeting space.

For more information on properties, venues and attractions in Oregon, visit smartmeetings.com/showcases/oregon.

Napa, California

2009-10-01T19:27:04Z

The region’s notoriety has certainly spread internationally, and its bottles have been filling up wine cellars from Hawaii to Japan to London. In spite of its fame, however, the region still retains its bucolic charm complete with undulating hillsides adorned with uniform columns of green vines, wide-open spaces and national parks that happily coexist with fine restaurants, chic hotels and internationally recognized wineries—even the occasional taco truck vending its salsa-laced concoctions along the major thoroughfares.

Fine dining is also a huge draw of Wine Country. With all the great, local produce and gourmet chefs, there’s probably more fine dining restaurants here than in any other destination of its size. Since good food is such a large part of the local culture, you may want to plan an evening or a dinner off-site.

In addition to gourmet meals and 90-point wines, California’s Wine Country is a perfect fit for small- to mid-size meetings, retreats and incentive trips (see page 51 for more on incentives). Meeting venues range from upscale boutique hotels to expansive underground wine cellars, and from vine-covered courtyards to large ballrooms. This slice of countryside has long been a favorite destination of Northern California residents and an easily accessible locale for Bay Area drive meetings—many Wine Country hotels report a thriving local market. (It’s just far enough away from the office—at about an hour’s drive from San Francisco and within an easy day trip of many Bay Area cities.) It is also a popular destination for out-of-state and international visitors, and may just spur more attendance to your meetings. Mark Crabb, director of sales for the Sonoma County Tourism Bureau, says that many of his groups plan their meetings near a weekend to allow for easy pre- and post-meeting excursions.

So whether you select Napa Valley or Sonoma County (or a combination of both), Wine Country is fertile grounds for productive meetings.

Napa Valley

Home to more than 400 wine labels, Napa Valley is long and narrow, spanning 35 miles in length and an average of four miles wide. The city of Napa is the main hub and is found on the southern tip of the Valley just north of American Canyon—the gateway to Napa Valley. Traveling north along Highway 29, the main ribbon winding its way through the valley, you will find the towns of Yountville, Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena and Calistoga. Each has unique offerings, hotels, wineries and even appellations for planners to select from.

“There is a tremendous opportunity here because we have the most prestigious wine destination in the New World, if not the world,” says Clay Gregory, the newly named CEO of the Napa Valley Destination Council. “From an international perspective, when you travel overseas and you talk about California wine, Napa is often the only region they are aware of.”

Groups of 300 or less will fit comfortably in the region, which has no large meeting hotels nor a convention center. But the hotels (which they do have) are very cooperative with each other and will work with another hotel to accommodate overflow, Gregory says. “The rising tide lifting all boats—it’s that kind of mentality that is part of the Napa Valley culture. We have a good community spirit.”

Napa

The big news in the city of Napa is the revitalization of the Riverfront district. This area along the Napa River was long underdeveloped and prone to water damage because of the frequent flooding of the river. With a flood plan in motion, the area in downtown has been converted into a pedestrian, mixed-used district dubbed Riverfront. The construction phase is complete, a few restaurants are scheduled to move in and commercial space is available for retailers.

Located a few blocks away in downtown is the brand-new 141-room Avia Napa. Built from the ground up, the Avia is the tallest building in Napa and offers its guests complimentary evening wine tastings. Built to resemble a chic, contemporary living room, the hotel features 8,795 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor meeting space, and its ideal meeting size ranges from 40 to 60 attendees.

On the other side of the riverbank, you’ll find the new Westin Verasa, Napa. Resembling a rustic wooden lodge, the hotel features 180 guest rooms, including suites with full kitchens. The property’s ideal meeting size is 90 to 100 attendees, and it offers 12,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space. The Westin also features a “secret” bocce ball court overlooking the Napa River that is available for events, the cuisine of award-wining chef Ken Frank in La Toque restaurant and a host of team-building activities.

Adjacent to The Westin, the Napa Valley Wine Train offers groups a journey through the Valley in vintage rail cars while guests dine on the local, seasonal cuisine of Executive Chef Kelly Macdonald. Groups of up to 300 can buy out whole train cars and create custom stops at wineries along the way. The Wine Train also offers upstairs meeting space in the main facility, which is available as a VIP boarding station. For eco-conscious groups, the Wine Train converted one of its locomotives to run on compressed natural gas.

Around the corner from the train is the Oxbow Public Market. Modeled after San Francisco’s Ferry Building, the market is a central meeting place for the city, offering local eats, wine and much more. Adjacent to Oxbow is the former home of COPIA, the Center for Wine, Food and the Arts. The organization shut its doors last November due to bankruptcy, and there is talk of converting the building into conference space. No definite plans have been made, and the CVB’s Gregory says the city is not seeking a huge conference center, just additional meeting space, while still keeping the feel of the destination.

Just a few streets away from Oxbow is the Embassy Suites Napa Valley. The 205-suite hotel wasn’t built to resemble the brand standard, but rather a more Mediterranean estate with open courtyards and a pond with swans. The property offers more than 7,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, which is primarily located in one wing of the hotel.

Across town is the Napa Valley Marriott. The 274-room property offers 20,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor meeting space, which surrounds the poolside courtyard. The hotel will be soon undergoing a multimillion-dollar renovation that will update guest rooms and the lobby.

Near the Napa Valley College, which is working on the construction of a new performing arts
center, is The Meritage Resort at Napa. Resembling a Tuscan winemaker’s estate, this three-year-old hotel, set off in earth tones offers a unique, all-encompassing Wine Country experience. The property has 158 guest rooms, an on-site tasting room and vineyards, in addition to a cave with a full-service spa and Estate Cave venue accommodating up to 240 seated guests. It also features more than 20,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor function space and the largest ballroom in the Napa Valley (10,500 sq. ft., accommodating more than 1,000 guests).

Located on 1,200 acres, Silverado Napa Valley is a sprawling resort offering two 18-hole golf courses, two on-site restaurants, a full-service spa and 280 suites. The property also has a dedicated, two-level conference center featuring 15,000 sq. ft. of meeting space in 15 meeting rooms, and beautiful outdoor meeting space, such as the 4,290-square-foot Fairway Deck with mountain and golf-course views. For access to off-sites and winery visits, Silverado has an in-house destination management company. The resort also has a strong eco-focus that includes energy conservation, sustainably sourced seafood and an aggressive waste-reduction program.

Located on the Sonoma Highway (in the cross-valley Carneros Region), The Carneros Inn has 86 cottages and features a handful of meeting spaces, including the 3,276-square foot Napa Ballroom. Just south of Napa in American Canyon is the eco-friendly Gaia Napa Valley. Gaia, Greek for “mother earth,” was the first hotel in the country to earn the Gold-LEED certification. The property offers 132 guest rooms and a total of 6,841 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space.

Yountville

Yountville is a small, walkable town centered around Washington Street, which is flanked by brick buildings, shops and, of course, restaurants. (Visitors might think that Yountville has more restaurants than people.) The town is also affectionately nicknamed Kellerville for the presence of many Thomas Keller restaurants, and is home to the most Michelin stars per capita in the world.

The newest hotel addition to Yountville is the Bardessono. Formerly the estate of the Bardessono family, this eco-chic property has waterfall stone sculptures à la Stonehenge with the zen-like aesthetic of Japanese architecture; it used construction leftovers to create its restaurant’s tables. The property offers 62 guest rooms and more than 6,500 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor event space.

Nearby, Vintage Estate, which encompasses more than 23 acres, features the V Marketplace shopping center and two Four-Diamond hotels: the 112-room Villagio Inn & Spa and the 80-room Vintage Inn. Event space within the estate includes The Pavillon, offering 16,000 sq. ft. of outdoor event space, and the 2,700-square-foot historic barrel room, which was part of the original 1870 Groezinger Winery.

Other venues in the area include the 55-room Napa Valley Lodge and
the 50-room Yountville Inn that can accommodate meeting groups of up to 50 and 30 respectively. Also an intimate meeting venue, the 50-suite Auberge du Soleil is located in a 33-acre olive grove north of Yountville in Rutherford. The property affords sweeping views of the valley and features more than 2,300 sq. ft. of indoor meeting space plus outdoor pre-function space.

St. Helena

Vine-covered buildings, acclaimed restaurants and eclectic shopping is what you’ll find farther north along Highway 29 in St. Helena. The town has a dozen B&Bs, but the refined 85-suite Meadowood Napa Valley is better suited for groups and meetings. The resort and golf course, located on 250 acres, offers 4,225 sq. ft. of meeting space in five rooms.

Located in a historic landmark building (formerly the Christian Brothers Winery), Culinary Institute of America at Greystone offers meeting space and creative (and hands-on) food and beverage options. Culinary-themed meeting spaces include the state-of-the-art Ecolab Theatre and the Williams Center for Flavor Discovery, accommodating attendees of up to 125 and 40 respectively.

Calistoga

Known for its hot springs and rejuvenating spa treatments, Calistoga offers a handful of meeting venues. The city evokes an Old West charm, particularly downtown. While you won’t find tumbleweed here, the Western-style facades may lead you to believe that at high noon there will be a showdown.

Opened in 2007, and recently ranked No. 11 in the best resorts in the continental U.S. and Canada by Travel + Leisure magazine, the 89-room Solage Calistoga is just outside of downtown. The property features 15,000 sq. ft. of flexible indoor/outdoor function space and offers “zero-footprint meetings” with carbon-filtered water, 100-percent recycled paper products and sustainably farmed meals. Its sister property, Calistoga Ranch, is another local option featuring 46 guest lodges. The property is well-suited for retreats and has more than 11,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor function space, including the 1,600-square-foot Creekside Clubhouse with two boardrooms.

Located in the hills of Calistoga, Mayacamas Ranch can accommodate groups of up to 200. This conference center has hosted corporations from Gap, Inc. to Genentech and offers 25 guest rooms and a variety of meeting space, from a 2,000-square-foot conference room in the Chapparal Lodge to the 700-square-foot Rock Rose Center.

Sonoma County

Bordering the Napa Valley to the east, Sonoma County is an oasis of sprawling vineyards, farms and ranches. More laid-back and spread out than its neighboring valley, Sonoma County is roughly the size of Rhode Island, encompassing around 1,600 square miles of land, and is home to more than 250 wineries and 63,825 acres of grapes. It spans all the way west out to the Pacific Ocean and offers visitors everything from small coastal villages and towering redwoods to vineyards and rivers. For meetings and events, the region provides roughly 2,500 full-service guest rooms.

“It is country living out here. It’s that reconnect with nature,” says Mark Crabb, FCDME (Fellow, Certified Destination Management Executive), director of sales for the Sonoma County Tourism Bureau. It’s that reconnect (and removal from the office) that yields productive meetings, and Sonoma County has as many options for meetings as its grape varietals (72, in case you are wondering). Regarding ideal meeting size, “We are best at doing meetings of 200 and under,” Crabb says. The bulk of the major meeting venues are concentrated in and around the city of Sonoma, Sonoma Valley and Santa Rosa.

Sonoma and Sonoma Valley

The city of Sonoma is the main hub of the Sonoma Valley, and all the action goes down in the central Sonoma Square. The square is where you will find the historic Mission San Francisco de Solano, which was founded in 1823, as well as chic boutiques, tasting rooms, restaurants and art galleries.

A few minutes away from the square, the 182-room Lodge at Sonoma, A Renaissance Resort & Spa has more than 22,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor event space. Also nearby is the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn. Dating back to the turn of the 20th century, the California Mission-style hotel offers 226 guest rooms and 11,000 sq. ft. of indoor function space and 10,000 sq. ft. of outdoor function space, including a 4,500-square-foot tent. The property also features the Four-Diamond, Four-Star Santé, which features Wine Country cuisine crafted from local ingredients, and a 40,000-square-foot spa with swimming pools fed by mineral water from underground springs—which originally put the area on the map.

Drive along Highway 12 passing winery after winery, until you arrive at the Kenwood Inn and Spa, built to resemble a Mediterranean villa. The boutique hotel property offers 29 guest rooms and a 700-square-foot meeting room.

Santa Rosa

The largest city in the area and the county seat, Santa Rosa is in the heart of county and offers a host of major meeting venues. Located nearby Santa Rosa’s historic Railroad Square, and fresh from a major overhaul, Hyatt Vineyard Creek Hotel and Spa is one meetings-friendly property. Reimagined with a Tuscan theme, the hotel features 155 guest rooms and more than 15,000 sq. ft. of indoor meeting space. It also has more than 22,000 sq. ft. of outdoor meeting space, including a lawn with an 80-foot long waterfall. Nearby is the 138-room Marriott Courtyard Santa Rosa, with 1,924 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space.

Another large meeting venue is the Hilton Sonoma Wine Country. The 246-room hotel features 10,000 sq. ft. of indoor function space and outdoor venues for groups as large as 350. The hotel offers carbon offsets for its guests and has been implementing eco-friendly initiatives such as utilizing recycled material to-go containers and Energy Star appliances. Downhill from the Hilton is the 145-room Fountain Grove Inn, which has more than 7,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor meeting space.

Also a historic venue is the 170-room Flamingo Conference Resort and Spa, which offers 13,000 sq. ft. of event space in 13 rooms, including a 6,300-square-foot ballroom and two boardrooms. Smaller groups will feel welcome at the 44-room Vintners Inn, which features more than 10,000 sq. ft. of indoor meeting space in nine rooms (many of which have private terraces) and the acclaimed farm-to-table restaurant John Ash & Co.

Playing host to a variety of talent, the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts can also play host to your events. The venue has a variety of event spaces for larger gatherings, with three conference rooms, the 400-seat Merlo Theater (with removable desks) and the 9,000-square-foot Atrium, which can accommodate up to 67 exhibit booths.

Just south of Santa Rosa, along Highway 101 (Sonoma County’s main freeway) in Rohnert Park, is the Four-Diamond Doubletree Hotel Sonoma Wine Country. Bordering two 18-hole championship golf courses, this Tuscan-themed hotel features 245 spacious guest rooms plus 18,000 sq. ft. of indoor meeting space and 32,000 sq. ft. of outdoor event space.

An affordable meeting option in Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University welcomes meetings and events during the summer. The university offers 537 residential suites and a variety of education-focused event space—not to mention that this is a great opportunity to find local, affordable speakers. It is in the process of opening a state-of-the-art performing arts venue that will also be available for events.

Fun, Wine-Free Activities

Group activities, team buildings, golf and pre- and post-trips span beyond the vine in both Napa Valley and Sonoma County. For groups that are looking for wine-free events, activities, meeting venues and more, Wine Country delivers.

The Napa Valley is teeming with recreational opportunities, and the Napa River provides the opportunity for kayaking, boat tours and walks along the river path—a popular site for staging scavenger team-building activities. Hot-air balloons are a popular way to take in the Napa Valley, with points of embarkation throughout. At the southern end of the valley in the Carneros Region, groups can take in one-of-a-kind art at the di Rosa Preserve. This 217-acre preserve offers customized tours for groups, as well as site rentals for meals and corporate events.

Located in downtown Napa, the circa-1879 Napa Valley Opera House puts on productions of all genres from comedians to men’s a capella groups. The historic venue is also available for private events in spaces like the 500-seat Margrit Biever Mondavi Theatre.

Sonoma County’s vast outdoor spaces make it friendly for hiking, biking, kayaking and other recreational pursuits. Sonoma has 18 public golf courses, approximately 50 spas and more parks than you can shake a walking stick at. One popular park in Glen Ellen is the Jack London State Historic Park, the former home and grave site of the prolific author.

CornerStone Sonoma is a nine-acre complex with unique garden art installations, shops, cafes and more. It is a unique stop along highway 121 and also offers space for private events.

Racing buffs and thrill seekers will enjoy the Audi Sportscar Experience. A driving school with a 2.52 mile road course and Audi’s highest performing vehicles, it is located at Infineon Raceway, home to many major races such as the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma.

In Santa Rosa, the Charles M. Schulz Museum offers group tours and classroom space for up to 30 people for groups to learn about cartooning. Also in Santa Rosa, Safari West is a slice of Africa in Wine Country. The wildlife preserve houses 600-plus wild animals and safari tours, as well as overnight stays in 31 tent cabins housing up to five people. It has event space for up to 200 people—great for retreats on the wild side.

Next time you can’t get your groups motivated about a meeting, bring them to California’s Wine Country—where group gatherings mature into unforgettable and productive meetings.

Vineyard Venues

Napa Valley

Andretti Winery, Napa, known for pinot grigio, chardonnay and merlot; can accommodate groups from 10 to 250.
Peju, Napa, known for many wines, including cabernet varietals, merlot, syrah and sauvignon blanc; a variety of event spaces such as the 1,600-square-foot Tower.
Sterling Vineyards, Calistoga, known for cabernet sauvignon, merlot, chardonnay and sauvignon blanc; tram with views of the valley and private tours and tastings.
V. Sattui, St. Helena, known for a variety of wines; can accommodate groups of 15 or more for tours, tastings and meals.

Sonoma County

Cline Cellars, Sonoma, known for Rhône-style wines and zinfandel; multiple indoor and outdoor venues accommodating groups of up to 1,000.
Lambert Bridge, Healdsburg, known for a variety of wines especially Bordeaux blends; picnic area for groups of eight or more as well as meeting rooms and cooking classes.
Stryker, Geyserville, known for cabernet varietals, zinfandel and chardonnay; 1,000 sq. ft. of event space.
Viansa Winery, Sonoma, known for Italian varietals such as sangiovese and pinot grigio; can accommodate groups from 10 to 300.

Aspen, Colorado (ASPEN & SNOWMASS, COLO.)

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Even better, there are complimentary shuttles to take your group from mountain to mountain and town to town once they’ve arrived.

Aside from Aspen’s well-known reputation as an upscale skiing locale, it’s also filled with a deep history. “We are not a contrived ski resort,” says Joanna Eisler, national sales manager for Aspen Groups. “We are a historic, authentic western Colorado mining town, and when you look at the destination we stand out in a rich cultural identity and a rich arts community.” But the town also provides a great value for groups. “We don’t have resort fees, we are walkable and [meeting planners] are often surprised by the value of the destination,” she says.

Snowmass, just a short shuttle ride away, also provides groups with value as nearly all of the properties have ski-in/ski-out access and upscale, resort-style amenities. However, even if your attendees aren’t exactly snow bunnies, there is still plenty to do within steps of each hotel and resort. With the accessibility of Snowmass Village, the town’s center, groups can enjoy 29 restaurants and numerous shops and boutiques. Although lesser-known and generally more laid-back, Snowmass actually has a smaller year-round population (approximately 2,300) than Aspen (6,000-plus residents), and it’s meetings-friendly, as it’s home to the 25,000-square-foot Snowmass Conference Center—ideal for larger groups.

Together, Aspen and Snowmass offer outdoor activities no matter the season, on what they refer to as “the power of four,” which refers to the four mountains (Snowmass, Aspen, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk) that surround both towns and lend themselves to adventurous open-air options. Although each has its own different and distinct attitude, both provide visitors with the convenience of the nearby Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, just 3 miles from Aspen and 6 miles from Snowmass.

With their convenient partnership, Aspen and Snowmass have something for every attendee, every day of the year. Summer and winter are the busiest times for both towns, as summer is filled with numerous music and art festivals, and winter is the ideal time for skiers and snow sports enthusiasts. It’s not that you can’t hold a meeting here during busy months, but be aware that your meeting venue and property options will be a bit more limited. “Spring and fall are often overlooked,” Eisler says. But they shouldn’t be, as Aspen and Snowmass have natural beauty and a unique location with plenty of offerings for groups. “There are amazing wildflowers in spring, and we’re known for Aspen leaves that turn a golden yellow from mid-September through October, and [both are] absolutely stunning,” she says. (A hint before you start booking: “Spring and fall weather span a wide spectrum with temperatures [generally] between 60 and 70 degrees during the day. The daytime usually offers sunshine, but you’ll definitely need to bring a jacket for evenings,” Eisler says.)

MAJOR MEETING VENUES

In Aspen, a major meetings property is the all-suite Aspen Meadows Resort, which stretches across a 40-acre meadow. The resort features 98 suites and 20,000 sq. ft. of function space, including 15 meeting rooms. Another option is the St. Regis Aspen, with 179 guest rooms and more than 20,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space.

Smaller in size, but no less impressive, is Kimpton’s 90-room Sky Hotel, with 3,300 sq. ft. of meeting space, including the 1,200-square-foot Aspen Mountain Room, which features a balcony that overlooks Aspen Mountain. A great small- to mid-size group option is Aspen’s only ski-in/ski-out access property, The Little Nell, which features 92 guest rooms and nine different meeting spaces.

In the 25-square-mile town of Snowmass, most meeting space is offered within the scenic Snowmass Village. With 95 percent of the properties featuring slope-side accommodations, Snowmass lodging offers more than 75,000 sq. ft. of total meeting space and over 6,800 guest rooms.

Adding to the village is the brand-new 173-room Viceroy Snowmass, which is scheduled to open this November. Along with 9,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, the property will also feature an outdoor terrace.

UNIQUE VENUES

In Aspen you can literally take your meeting higher at the 22,000-square-foot Sundeck, at an elevation of 11,212 feet at the top of Aspen Mountain. With access from The Little Nell via gondola, the deck has space for up to 500 attendees, and features breathtaking views that are definitely worth the ride.

Another high-rise option is Sam’s Smokehouse, which is a new $9-million restaurant atop Snowmass Mountain. The restaurant seats up to 160 indoors and 50 outdoors on the deck. The venue is accessible by the Top of the Village Express lift and showcases a wall of windows on its west side with spectacular views of Garret’s Peak and the surrounding backcountry.

FUN ACTIVITIES

In addition to the area’s well-known snow sports (which take place on 5,303 acres of skiable mountains), Aspen and Snowmass offer numerous recreation options at several parks and on miles of trails, great for long hikes or easy walks in between meetings (for more info, visit aspenrecreation.com).

Take your group on one of many activities with Blazing Adventures, a family-owned company that offers tours and team building in the area. A new program offered by the company is their photography tour of Aspen and Snowmass, which takes groups to popular scenic spots and teaches them how to get a great photo. As every participant is armed with a camera, your entire group not only gets an area tour, but they also have personal mementos to keep when they leave.

Of course, if it’s the classic slope-side adventures you’d like to do, Aspen Skiing Company can help with group lessons or serve as a guide for your attendees. In addition, most hotels in the area have a ski concierge on staff to help guests with lessons, rental equipment and storage/warming of equipment once off the hill.

Phoenix, Arizona (Super Sun, Brilliant Business)

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Take the city of Phoenix, for instance. Over the past two years, Phoenix has undergone a massive transformation with direct applications to the meetings market, as well as benefits to residents. Count among them the opening of a greatly expanded convention center (state-of-the-art and state-of-green, by the way), a new 1,000-room headquarters hotel, a new light-rail system that connects with Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and newly opened downtown Arizona State University buildings, all of which put feet on the now-vibrant street.

Scottsdale is another case in point. With more “diamonds” than a winning poker hand, this destination has undergone its own metamorphosis. Downtown has seen a $3.3-billion redevelopment that has put a “there” there, with both sides of the Arizona Canal the beneficiary, along with meeting groups looking for dining, entertainment and shopping options. New resorts have risen from the ground up, and existing properties have renovated and expanded their offerings, all with meeting facilities as major elements.

These meetings-centric improvements aren’t the standard five-year shave-and-a-haircut hotel touch-ups; they’re huge investments in the present and the future. And they add to a natural setting in thousands of acres of Sonoran Desert, a vibrant Native American culture and 320 days of sunshine a year.

Sweetening the meetings-value and affordability angle are two programs of interest to planners (and their bosses) who now may want to give these destinations another look. The Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau recently launched a Guilt-Free Meetings promotion, good now through December 31, 2009, in which a number of hotels offer “pick your perks,” discounts or other options. The Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau has debuted the Scottsdale Room Rate Challenge, in which the bureau will work with any planner’s RFP from a competitor and one of their 40 participating properties to meet or beat the room rate, dates, meeting facility space and room night requirements (some restrictions apply, but all meetings must be booked and actualized in Scottsdale through March 31, 2010).

Don’t have short-term business? No worries. You’ll find that the Greater Phoenix area is primed for your meeting with a huge variety of venues, attractions and prices that will make you re-think the Valley of the Sun as more than a resort destination.

PHOENIX

Although this capital city has one foot in the past, when the Hohokam Indians created their community here, it’s right in step with the present—not to mention a future that will see the expansion of the Metro light-rail. It has long served as the area’s cultural hub, with museums like the Heard Museum of Native Cultures and Art, which focuses on the Native American history and cultures of the American Southwest, and the Phoenix Art Museum, a world-class showcase for early and contemporary art. (Both museums can host groups for private events.)

It’s also a sports hub, with the downtown Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks Major League Baseball team. The air-conditioned field also has a pool and retractable roof, and is available for groups.

Major Meetings Venues

First and foremost of Phoenix’s meetings venues is the Phoenix Convention Center, which welcomed its first meeting group in January 2009. The $600-million renovation and expansion sparkles with dramatic architecture across three campuses, décor that reflects its surroundings, up-to-the-minute technology and dozens of eco-friendly elements, like solar paneling and a water-harvesting garden. Its 900,000 sq. ft. tripled the size of the original, the culmination of a five-year project.

The center was the site, last February, of the fan-friendly NBA All-Star Jam Session, when 100,000 basketball fans poured through the doors, and the NRA convention with 60,000 delegates last May. More recently, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, together with the Ladies Auxiliary, brought 10,000 people to the city, highlighted by an appearance by President Barack Obama (see sidebar, page 93, for details).

Also new on the meetings scene is the Sheraton Downtown Phoenix, a $350-million project that added 1,000 rooms to the city’s guest-room inventory and 80,000 sq. ft. of flexible space. The hotel, only a block from the convention center, is the largest in the entire state, but loses none of its contemporary, art-filled ambience as a convention headquarters.

Two other nearby hotels have significant meeting space: the recently renovated Wyndham Phoenix, with 520 guest rooms and 60,000 sq. ft. of meeting space; and the Hyatt Regency Phoenix, with 712 guest rooms and 48,000 sq. ft. of function space.

Unique Venues and Activities

Phoenix offers the full spectrum of off-site venues and attractions for groups. The historic Orpheum Theatre, fresh from a dazzling, $14-million restoration, features a 1,400-seat auditorium ideal for awards ceremonies and product launches. Spreading across 145 acres, the Desert Botanical Garden has more than 50,000 plants on display, plus numerous indoor and outdoor venues for small and large group events.

In addition to more than 200 golf courses in the metro area, outdoor recreation opportunities can take your attendees on off-road nature and historical tours, barbecues and other Southwestern activities. Arizona’s Desert Events offers a variety of guided programs for small groups, or custom programs for 20 or more (think half-day or full-day activities, topped by an evening of cowboy games and a cowboy cook-out). In nearby Laveen, Corona Ranch can host up to 3,000 for a Mexican and Western Rodeo (audience participation!), complete with a Mexican fiesta and Western steak fry.

SCOTTSDALE

Downtown Scottsdale definitely has a buzz ($3.3 billion in new development tends to create that type of reaction). As the city settles into its chic, urban persona, it has seen the creation of several districts that draw visitors and locals alike. The $250-million Waterfront, along the north side of the Arizona Canal, sprawls 1.1 million sq. ft. and features luxury condominiums among the restaurants, boutiques and shops. There’s also an outdoor amphitheater and recreation paths on the canal. Along the south side of the canal is Southbridge, another retail, dining and cultural center. And, not to be missed, is the Entertainment District, the happening nightlife center of town. Several new, hip hotels have also carved their identities into downtown, including the Hotel Valley Ho with 156 signature guest rooms and more than 10,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, and the 224-room W Scottsdale that has 10,000 sq. ft. of function space.

MEETING SPACES

Scottsdale is well-known for its resorts, and for good reason. Not only are these oasis-like properties a retreat for groups, they’re jam-packed with amenities that keep attendees on-property and focused. As many properties have expanded their meeting space, they’re often able to attract larger—and different—groups than in the past.

Among these is Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch, which completed the third and final phase of its $50-million transformation last December, renovating not only its 492 guest rooms but also redesigning its Vaquero Ballroom and adding the new Executive Boardroom. Also a $50-million project was the renewal of the Camelback Inn, A JW Marriott Resort & Spa. Among other features was the addition of a new 20,000-square-foot ballroom.

Newly opened is the $325-million InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa, a luxurious, Andalusian-inspired property with 253 guest rooms, 27,000 sq. ft. of indoor meeting space and an additional 74,000 sq. ft. of outdoor event space.

Unique Venues and Activities

For something a little different, Sassi of Scottsdale is a 20,000-square-foot private meeting and event space in an Italian villa setting at the base of Pinnacle Peak. This venue features private dining rooms, including a wine cellar, and indoor and outdoor space for up to 150 guests. Taliesin West, the winter home and school of renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright, is not only open for tours, it’s also possible to hold private events there as well. And there’s the Crown P Corral at The Fairmont Scottsdale, an on-property, 26,000-square-foot out- door arena with Western town facades, picnic tables, a dance floor, covered bandstand, built-in bars and firepits. It can seat up to 1,000 guests for a real hoe-down.

The lure of the Sonoran Desert is strong here—this spectacular landscape is unlike any other, and it entices visitors to explore and experience it in many different ways. Fort McDowell Adventures offers City Slicker cattle drives through the desert, where groups of 12 or more can participate in a two-hour round-up pushing cattle back to the stables. Or try a barbecue dinner at La Puesta del Sol, which can accommodate up to 1,600 guests.

Another option is to hop on one of Stellar Adventures’ H1 Hummers, M1009 4x4s or ATVs for tours where you explore ghost towns, Native American ruins and the Four Peaks and Bradshaw Mountain ranges.

If you’re looking for team-building opportunities, Scottsdale has them. Similar to the top-rated TV show, Arizona Outback Adventures’ pits teams against each other (and against time) with a series of clues and tasks. Arizona Cowboy College will teach participants authentic cowboy skills such as riding, roping, cutting, herding and branding, all the while stressing team-building and cooperation—great for groups from merging companies or departments.

MESA

The third-largest city in Arizona, Mesa, is well-known as an affordable destination that’s only 12 miles from Sky Harbor Airport and now even more accessible via the new Metro light-rail line. Planners, particularly in this economy, are looking at the Mesa Convention Center, which provides 40,000 sq. ft. of exhibit and meeting space. It’s complemented by the adjacent Phoenix Marriott Mesa, which has 275 guest rooms and a total of 52,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space. The Mesa Arts Center, the largest art center in Arizona, with a new state-of-the-art campus also offers four theaters as well as exhibition space, studios and outdoor venues.

Other hotel options include the recently opened, 150-room Hyatt Place, with 1,100 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space and an on-site putting green, and the 246-room Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, which just completed a $10-million renovation that included its 10,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, lobby, restaurant and lounge.

Residents and planners have been awaiting construction of Gaylord Entertainment’s planned anchor resort and convention hotel. According to a report filed in August with the SEC, Gaylord said its Mesa project is still on the books and design work continues; however, there is no set date to break ground.

TEMPE

Also linked to Phoenix’s fast, inexpensive light-rail system is the city of Tempe. Home of the main campus of Arizona State University, it also features the 2,000-acre Papago Park and Tempe Town Lake, a manmade lake on the Salt River, and the well-used park along its shores.

Six full-service conference hotels attract meeting groups, among them the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel, in the heart of the popular Mill Avenue District. This IACC-certified property has 303 newly redecorated guest rooms and 30,000 sq. ft. of multifunctional space. Also, there’s the Sheraton Phoenix Airport Hotel, which recently underwent a $7-million renovation, with nearly 10,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and 210 guest rooms, and the Embassy Suites Phoenix-Tempe, with 224 two-room guest suites and 10,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.

For a resort experience, there’s The Buttes, A Marriott Resort, with 345 guest rooms and 40,000 sq. ft. of meeting space—the largest in the area.

Additional options include the new Tempe Center for the Arts, which overlooks Tempe Town Lake and encompasses a 600-seat theater, a 200-seat studio theater and a 3,500-square-foot gallery, and the university’s Grady Gammage Auditorium, with seating for more than 3,000 attendees.

CHANDLER

Located in the southeastern portion of the Valley of the Sun, Chandler has a historic downtown district with award-winning restaurants, galleries and even a winery. It also has a burgeoning appetite for both giant tech companies and retail complexes, creating a hip, vibrant community. Nearby is the Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort and Conference Center, a landmark since its 1912 debut. Arizona’s original golf resort, it features 295 guest rooms and 35,000 sq. ft. of meeting and banquet facilities on its 123 beautifully landscaped acres.

Located on the ancient Gila Indian River Community, the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa delivers a sense of place along with its 500 culturally-inspired guest rooms and 70,000 sq. ft. of conference facilities. A few months ago the resort debuted a new 15,000-square-foot ballroom, two additional 1,000-square-foot meeting rooms and an 8,884-square-foot prefunction foyer. There’s also a 17,500-square-foot spa, 36 holes of Troon-managed golf and an equestrian center.

Also on the Gila Indian River Community is the new location of Rawhide, a replica of an 1880s Western town with staged gun battles, steak dinners and cowboy music, among other
entertainments. Plans are to divide up the main street to include private areas for parties and corporate events.

CASE STUDY

Planner: Vanessa Kane, Manager of Meetings and Events, Veterans of Foreign Wars of
the United States, Kansas City, Mo.
Event: 110th Annual Convention; 96th Convention of Ladies Auxiliary
Location: Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix, Ariz.
Number of attendees: Between 8,000 to 10,000 in the city; the hall was set up for 5,700
Guest Speaker: President Barack Obama

Q: Do you have in-house staff to help plan such a large event?
A: I’m a department of one right now, but the convention center was great; there’s a good event manger and all the vendors were really good. I had several good hotels to work with, and their directors of sales and marketing—those folks become an extension of yourself. It’s like you have a 5–6 person staff when working with them.

Q: What hotels did you use?
A: The Hyatt Regency Phoenix, the new Sheraton and the Wyndham. We like to do our housing assignments by state, so certain states were booked in certain hotels, which is a little unusual, but [the attendees] all like to be together. We assign rooms based on their history.

Q: It’s traditional for the President of the U.S. to make an appearance. What were the challenges?
A: The Secret Service is great to work with. Last year was an election year and the candidates used their own backdrops. This year, we worked with one set of everything—it was VFW backdrops, so it was a good savings for us. The President’s advance team was easy to work with.

Q: What about security?
A: The Secret Service has to make the location safe, and the convention center had an exceptional security vendor. Everyone worked together to make it all happen. Attendees have to go through hoops every year (can’t go into the hall yet, have to have a badge, doors open at such and such a time), but they’re used to it. It went smoothly this year.

Q: What advice would you give to other planners involved with an event of this magnitude?
A: Most planners would do the same things I do—I have a multipage resume document with what I need, when I need it, how I need it. People say, “Wow, you’re so organized.” That amazes me. I’ve been in the industry for 30 years, and I’m surprised how many planners don’t do a resume, don’t provide information in a timely fashion, which opens up all kinds of possibilities for error. They do themselves and the location a disservice if they don’t do this. You need to treat these [vendors] like they’re an extension of your staff. You can’t expect them to do something if they don’t know what to do. You have to make sure your communication is very good.

San Louis Obispo, California

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The Central Coast follows the same pattern, lined with rocky cliffs to one side and soft, sandy stretches of beach on the other. Defined as the span of shoreline between San Francisco and Los Angeles, it’s where a curvy coastline meets the Pacific Ocean, and where seven counties of the Golden State call home. For planners, the Central Coast is also where attendees can find a balance between getting business done and taking some much-needed time to breathe.

“It’s away from the hustle and bustle of larger cities and has an untouched quality,” says Millie Matz, president of the California Central Coast Tourism Council. The Central Coast isn’t packed with tourists or residents, and it enjoys a laid-back way of life, Matz says. Its secluded beauty also plays an important role in the area’s sense of place and makes it a stand-alone among the many meeting destinations. “There’s a sense of authenticity,” she says. “There’s a lot of small-town charm, yet [the Central Coast] has all of the amenities you’d find in a big city,” she says.

More specifically, the Central Coast stretches nearly 300 miles from Monterey to Ventura County, and offers more than 14,000 square miles of naturally beautiful and widely varied California landscape. For outdoor enthusiasts, the region also encompasses six mountain ranges, making it ideal for recreation in all seasons.

Indoors, the state continues to shine, particularly on your attendees’ plates. “We are the salad bowl of the U.S.,” says Bruce Skidmore, director of sales for the Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We grow so much produce, such as spinach, artichokes, garlic, cherries, tomatoes, strawberries and lettuce,” he says. But the list doesn’t stop there. The region is also the main producer of grapes (due to its temperate climate), and ships its product all over the state. “The Central Coast’s close proximity to the ocean and to fertile land makes it ideal for fresh seafood, combined with organic produce and award-winning wines,” Matz says. “It’s a foodie’s paradise.”

Both indoors and out, the Central Coast offers a combination that is unparalleled. A destination known for great cuisine, great scenery and great meeting venues leaves little for a planner not to like. “It’s a rich environment, both on land and sea,” Matz says.

MONTEREY

Seaside, as well as incredible seafood, is the name of the game in the city of Monterey. With cool ocean breezes and blue skies (and blue water) as far as the eye can see, Monterey is not only charming, but also filled with intriguing meeting venues for groups of any size. “We are a great getaway,” Skidmore of the Monterey CVB says. “You always want the yin and the yang. You can get out of the city, and you can come here to a timeless destination.”

Aside from the panoramic beauty that surrounds visitors, Monterey also gives off a certain charisma, still present from its days as a bustling fishing town. “Unlike a lot of California where the growth has been so strong, [Monterey] still keeps its charm,” Skidmore says.

For meetings, the Monterey Conference Center is a major group venue, complete with a 19,600-square-foot exhibit hall and a 490-seat theater. In historic downtown Monterey, the center is also very eco-friendly and offers recycling options, sustainable catering and biodegradable utensils and plates. As a part of the Monterey Meeting Connection, the center is joined by the Monterey Marriott, the Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay and the Hotel Pacific, for a combined total of 61,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space and 800-plus guest rooms.

The Monterey Marriott is connected to the conference center via footbridge and provides 319 guest rooms and more than 50,000 sq. ft. of combined meeting space. Nearby is the 369-room Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay. The property offers 25 separate function rooms including the 19,600-square-foot Serra Ballroom, the 11,000-square-foot De Anza Ballroom and the 500-seat amphitheater.

Another option is the boutique Hotel Pacific with 105 suites and meeting space for up to 40 attendees. The Spanish adobe-style property keeps guests refreshed and relaxed with in-room fireplaces, complimentary continental breakfast and afternoon refreshments.

With many guest rooms that feature fireplaces and balconies, the new InterContinental The Clement Monterey also showcases more than 15,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor meeting space. For those who really want to take advantage of the location, the property’s Ocean Terrace Ballroom is ideal for up to 250 guests and shows off panoramic ocean views.

Living up to its soothing-sounding name, The Sanctuary Beach Resort sits on the coast of the Pacific about 10 minutes north of Monterey, and is a wonderful option for retreats and smaller meetings. With meeting space for up to 80 attendees, the property also features the Serenity Spa, which offers everything from the traditional massage to one with hot foaming mud (used to stimulate circulation and promote detoxification).

Just around the bend from Monterey Bay, and most known for its out-of-this-world golf courses, Pebble Beach provides several top-tier meeting venues and scenic locales. Also famous in the area is the scenic 17-Mile Drive, where you will see landmarks such as the Lone Cypress, the Seal and Bird Rocks, Fanshell Beach, Point Joe and plenty of marine life—including those adorable California sea otters and harbor seals.

Just steps from the sand at the top of the Monterey Bay crescent, the Seascape Beach Resort is located approximately 10 miles from the popular beach town of Santa Cruz (and its famed boardwalk). For groups, the resort offers 285 guest rooms and 17,000 sq. ft. of indoor conference space. A plus for those looking to be inspired by the ebb and flow of the nearby tide, the property also has 13 ocean-view meeting rooms.

UNIQUE VENUES

For a taste of true Monterey, take your group to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which is home to such marine life as jellyfish, seahorses and otters. The aquarium can host meetings as small as 30 guests or as large as 3,000 in venues including the Ocean’s Edge Wing, which gives your attendees an up-close look at a kelp forest. Other options allow groups to explore the coastal wetlands, rocky shores or the kaleidoscope of creatures in the water.

Situated along the shoreline of the Monterey Peninsula, Asilomar Conference Grounds can accommodate groups of up to 1,000. With 38 private meeting rooms and the 850-seat Merrill Hall, the complex has plenty of venues to choose from, along with 312 guest rooms that are spread throughout the sprawling property. Great for smaller groups, many buildings also feature a common area or living room for impromptu planning or smaller meetings.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

As you wind down the coast along scenic Highway 1, you make your way to San Luis Obispo County—or SLO, as its called locally. Home to the famous Hearst Castle, San Luis Obispo is also known for wineries, rolling hills and miles of beaches. More importantly, the county is the halfway point between the larger cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles—making it the heart of Central California (not to mention its convenience for attendees from all over the state).

Approximately 250,000 people reside in San Luis Obispo County, which is made up of about a dozen towns, including the city of San Luis Obispo, plus Avila Beach, Morro Bay, Pismo Beach and San Miguel. A draw in the area is the beautiful and well-landscaped Cal Poly San Luis Obispo campus, which welcomes about 18,000 students. Also popular for visitors is the world-renowned wine country of Paso Robles, which is more inland and is a large agricultural area said to resemble the Tuscan wine country.

MEETING VENUES

A plus for San Luis Obispo County, and all of its small towns and cities, is that a large number of meeting venues are both unique and close to the ocean. Here, it is almost hard not to find a view of the sea, either from your guest room or conference room. In Pismo Beach, one oceanfront venue is the new Mission Inn of Pismo Beach. With 120 guest rooms and 1,660 sq. ft. of meeting space, the property also offers amenities that include an outdoor pool and spa, and a complimentary breakfast buffet.

With stunning views, The Cliffs Resort is located on the bluffs above the sands of Pismo Beach, and provides groups with 10,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor meeting space for up to 500 attendees. The resort also recently completed a multimillion-dollar renovation to all 160 guest rooms and suites, which now feature private patios, Italian marble baths and incredible ocean, coastal or mountain views.

For a meeting in the midst of miles upon miles of vineyards, Paso Robles offers a stunning landscape a bit farther inland. The region has 26,000 vineyard acres and produces more than 40 wine grape varieties, which all make for stunning scenery both on the drive in (or just to and from the nearby SLO County Regional Airport), as well as out of the windows of your boardroom.

Although there are plenty of wineries to choose from, one option is Cass Winery, which has meeting venues for up to 75 attendees, including the private Wine Library room for up to 25. On sunny days (which are almost guaranteed) you can also take advantage of the outdoor picnic area that looks out over the sprawling grapevines. After a day in the vines, groups can stay at the Courtyard Paso Robles with 130 guest rooms and meeting space for up to 120 attendees.

Perched on a hillside, the opulent Hearst Castle, in the city of San Simeon, can also host private events for up to 250. Striking both indoors and out, with classic Mediterranean architecture, the castle features countless works of art and treasures, including rare oriental rugs, ancient Greek vases, paintings and sculptures.

SANTA BARBARA

Often described as calming (which may have something to do with the sound of waves crashing against nearby shores), the city of Santa Barbara is approximately 90 miles north of Los Angeles, and is ideal for small groups. “Santa Barbara can be seen as a boutique-style meetings destination,” says Catherine Puccino, director of sales for the Santa Barbara Conference and Visitors Bureau and Film Commission. “It’s a city of white-washed buildings with red-tile roofs tucked between the mountains and the sea.” But it’s not just the natural beauty of the landscape and architecture that make the area a perfect choice for meeting planners, she says.

“Planners enjoy the manageable size of our destination and the diversity of venues and activities that can be worked into programs.”

When your group isn’t enjoying the outdoor activities and artistic culture of Santa Barbara, they can enjoy the indoors at places such as the Bacara Resort & Spa. The Mission-style architecture is nicely paired here with the 360 guest rooms and suites, and 25,500 sq. ft. of meeting space. A plus for your group is that is spreads across 78 beachfront acres.

Another major venue in the area is the Five-Diamond Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara, which is located on Butterfly Beach in the upscale town of Montecito. The resort features 207 guest rooms and 10,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.

Well-suited for smaller groups, the Canary Hotel, located just one block from downtown Santa Barbara’s State Street (which has numerous shopping and dining options) offers 97 guest rooms and 5,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. Another option is the 73-room Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort, which is situated in the Santa Ynez Valley and the renowned Santa Barbara County wine country. The resort features 6,800 sq. ft. of meeting and event space.

Also in the wine country, the new boutique Hotel Corque offers 128 guest rooms and meeting space for up to 400 attendees. Owned by the Santa Ynez band of Chumash Indians, who also run the nearby Chumash Casino Resort, the property is home to the restaurant’s Root 246 Patio and the Fountain Courtyard for outdoor group functions.

UNIQUE VENUES & ACTIVITIES

Although Santa Barbara’s major venues are unique in their own right, there are several other group options that don’t necessarily fit the “meeting mold,” which Puccino says is something you can count on in Santa Barbara. “You get superior quality and style without the sense of mass market, generic or cookie cutter,” she says.

Give your attendees an unparalleled experience at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, which, founded in 1916, is the oldest museum in the area. Situated near the serene Mission Creek, the venue can accommodate groups of all sizes both indoors and out, and features 11 exhibit halls that educate groups on natural history, including bird species, mammals, marine life and paleontology.

For the self-proclaimed best views in the area, take your meeting to the Santa Barbara Zoo, which can accommodate groups up to 300. Meeting options include an up-close animal encounter, or a tour to see the more than 500 animals that call the zoo home.

For eco-friendly groups, Santa Barbara can also provide a day of sustainable wine touring with the help of the team at Sustainable Vine Wine Tours. This one-of-a-kind wine experience takes you from the Santa Ynez Valley to the Santa Rita Hills, showing off the beautiful countryside as well as wineries and winemakers that produce award-winning wines while also engaging in sustainable agriculture.

VENTURA COUNTY

The last stop along the Central California coastline is approximately 30 minutes from Santa Barbara and an hour’s drive from Los Angeles and Hollywood. Seemingly a world way, however, the County of Ventura is framed by abundant agriculture and is made up of a large, thriving cultural and arts community. As artists seem to be inspired here, you can walk around downtown Ventura and see everything from painters and sculptors, partake in numerous outdoor festivals, or simply be entertained by street performers.

Another defining aspect of Ventura is its beaches, which stretch from Surfer’s Point to Ventura Harbor. The area includes a historic pier and walkable promenade, San Buenaventura State Beach, the Seaward Avenue Beach District, numerous parks and bike paths and, of course, a booming marina.

Ventura plays host to numerous meetings properties. Overlooking the harbor, the recently renovated Four Points by Sheraton Ventura Harbor sits on 10 acres and features 106 guest rooms as well as 12 meeting rooms, including the Grand Ballroom for as many as 350 attendees.

With a prime beachfront location, the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach is walking distance to Ventura’s historic downtown and adjacent to the harbor. The 258-room property features 11 meeting rooms with a total of more than 19,000 sq. ft. of space. A specialty for groups is the Top of the Harbor Ballroom that showcases panoramic views of the ocean and the city, and the newly added Aqua Beachfront Bar.

Located just one block from the historic Ventura Pier, the Ventura Beach Marriott is a great option for larger groups as it offers 258 guest rooms and 19 meeting rooms for a total of 16,276 sq. ft. of meeting and conference space. Here, the largest space is the Costa De Oro room, which can accommodate up to 1,000 guests.

And for something really different, the historic Pierpont Inn is a revamped Spanish Mission. Today, the property offers more than 10,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space and 77 guest rooms.