Directory of locales where businesses, organizations and other groups can have conferences and conventions. Find meeting space for your next company event.
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Find Convention Venues & Get Help Planning Every Part of Your Program
Convention Space For Up To 3,000 Accessible, Innovative, World-Class
Tired Of Searching For Venues? Over 10,000 USA Conference Venues
Ensure your meeting is a success. Plan your Conference at Disneyland!
Hotels Convention Center operates a powerful convention center search engine that allows users to search for convention centers and locate hotels.
Forefront Meeting Facilities & Conference Center
This Massachusetts conference center in Waltham, MA, located 20 minutes from Boston, provides a great environment for your company conference.
Lancaster Convention Center and Lancaster Marriott Hotel
90,000 square feet of convention space for events and trade shows with 299 beautiful hotel guest rooms located in Downtown Lancaster.
Minnesota Conference Centers: St. Paul Meeting Center
The St. Paul Meeting Center is ideally located in downtown Saint Paul Minnesota near all of the entertainment and restaurants.
Quiet Cannon Banquet & Conference Center
With over 30,000 sq. ft. of private event space this Banquet Facility is the perfect venue for Weddings & Conferences in L.A.
The Stamford Plaza Hotel & Conference Center
A Stamford, CT hotel, conference center & wedding venue offering flexible event space, comfortable hotel rooms and suites, and hotel packages.
Virginia Resorts: Virginia Crossings Hotel Conference Center
Virginia Crossings Hotel Conference Center offers 23,000 square feet of meeting space, 183 guest rooms and world-class golf.
Fairgrounds and meeting site located in Hastings, Nebraska.
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Planning an Offsite Meeting
Rev up your staff with an out-of-the-office sessionBy Betty W. Stark, Business travel consultant and columnist Stark Consulting No matter how special your office is ---welcoming, professional, bright and airy, high-tech or high style---it’s still, well, “the office” to those who work there. In time, this familiar environment can become like a relationship that has lost its sizzle. And that can lead to the office blahs. This is not a good thing if what you want from your key staff is the “next big idea” or “the extra mile” or even occasional over-the-top enthusiasm. So why not pack up the team and head out the door to an exciting, energizing, memorable place that will tighten the bonds and turn up the volume? To do that, you’ll need to plan, and execute, with care.
1. Plan a budget that works and stick to it. Be realistic, whether your meeting will be just down the street or halfway around the world.
2. Have a goal and an agenda and make them clear to all who will participate.
3. Allow adequate time to fine-tune the details. Don’t rush the process.
4. Line up vendors and get everything in writing.
Set a budget and define meeting goals
To maximize the benefits from an offsite meeting, you’ll need a clear goal and a realistic budget. Define your expectations and limitations so those working to make the meeting happen AND those who will attend it are all on the same page.
Try: Know the key components of an offsite meeting and estimate costs early on. Review these tips for planning a successful retreat.
Tap meeting planning resources
You’ve agreed on your meeting destination, but now what? A good place to start is the local Convention and Visitors Bureau. They can generally help you select hotels, suggest activities, recommend ground transportation options and, depending on the size of their staff and the scope of your meeting, serve as a booking agency for hotel rooms.
Try: Check out the Official Travel Guide site for in depth planning information on destinations around the world. You’ll find a list of Convention and Visitor Bureaus here. Look to American Express for help with meeting planning services too. To make sure you’re not planning to hold your meeting when the biggest association on the planet is in town, check this calendar of events.
Ask hotels for meeting planning assistance
Hotels, especially the larger chains have Request for Proposal templates on their Web sites. Once submitted, you’ll likely be contacted by someone from the hotel sales department. Most meetings of any size are booked at least 12-18 months in advance, so don’t wait until the last minute to block rooms.
Try: Look into meeting services available from hotel groups like Marriott, Starwood, and Hilton.
Ask the airlines about discounts and meeting services
Most major airlines have a meeting planning desk to help you negotiate a discounted group contract which is typically available if your group size is 10-20 passengers or more.
Try: Look for meeting planning assistance at these airline Web sites. Specific information and services are usually listed under “Business Travel Services” or a similar heading.
Choose to cruise
A cruise ship can be a great place to hold a meeting, especially the newer ships that offer purpose-built meeting facilities. And you won’t have to worry about planning meals, entertainment or daily activities because they’re all part of the package.
Try: Look for planning help from Landry and Kling, World Wide Travel and Cruise, Cruise Meetings or any of the major cruise lines.
- Don’t neglect the tax issues that can come with holding a meeting. Ask your tax advisor for information on potential tax consequences for your company and attendees.
- There can be legal and insurance issues too. Be sure to seek appropriate advice.
- Pacing can be a make-or-break element of a meeting. Don’t try to cram too much into a day. Free time can pay big dividends.
- Plan events that are in keeping with your corporate culture.
- Read all vendor contracts carefully. Attrition clauses (applicable if you have to cancel part or all of any component) can be costly.
- Consider the issue of including or not including spouses or significant others.
- Plan a debriefing session after the meeting is over and ask for evaluations from all who attended.
Find Convention Venues & Get Help Planning Every Part of Your Program
Convention Space For Up To 3,000 Accessible, Innovative, World-Class
Tired Of Searching For Venues? Over 10,000 USA Conference Venues
Ensure your meeting is a success. Plan your Conference at Disneyland!
Event and conference venue in Western Australia.
American Airlines Training & Conference Center
Meeting facility in Fort Worth, Texas.
http://www.theconferencecenter.com/
Langley Centennial Museum and National Exhibition Centre
Located in Fort Langley, British Columbia, Canada.
Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center
A 180,000 square foot facility located in Mississippi's Gulf Coast.
http://www.mscoastcoliseum.com/
R. David Thomas Executive Conference Center
Conference facility at Duke University.
http://www.fuqua.duke.edu/admin/rdtc/
Tips & Advice to help you make your decision on Conference Centers
Conference centers are an essential resource to businesses who wish to host large industry events with members from the professional community. These facilities are fully equipped to service large quantities of people for extended events. These conferences serve several purposes. A large advantage present to the facilitators is the exposure garnered from their name being tied to the event which is being attended by several associates and potential clients.
A well prepared conference should hit on key points of interest to professionals who are influential in the business community. Gaining the attention of these patrons lays the framework for networking and education to support ... more
Conference centers are an essential resource to businesses who wish to host large industry events with members from the professional community. These facilities are fully equipped to service large quantities of people for extended events. These conferences serve several purposes. A large advantage present to the facilitators is the exposure garnered from their name being tied to the event which is being attended by several associates and potential clients.
A well prepared conference should hit on key points of interest to professionals who are influential in the business community. Gaining the attention of these patrons lays the framework for networking and education to support small businesses as they develop and promote large establishments that are currently flourishing.
Review the venue options available carefully before selecting the facilities in which to hold a large conference. Having the space for patrons, accessible lodging facilities and the amenities required for a comfortable and pleasant venture is key to a successful event. Having positive feedback and satisfied attendants paves the way for future events and expansion. Try to meet the needs of all patrons attending. If your business is considering the use of conference centers try clicking the links to the left to find further information.