Smart Meetings

Lewis and Clark blazed across the state in their epic journey of discovery in the early 1800s, and 200 years later, much of that area remains as they found it: natural and untamed.

As a state of mind, think “outdoor playground.” Idaho is home to a succession of 80 mountain ranges, 11 national forests and several distinct climate zones. It has more than 3,000 miles of white-water rivers, more than any other state. There are also countless glacier lakes, many bearing their historic French legacy (Coeur d’Alene and Pend Oreille, among the most notable).

The state’s northernmost tip, on the panhandle, touches the Canadian border, and the rugged, deeply forested terrain segues south to the high desert plains and east to the Rockies. In between are cities such as Boise, its vibrant capital, and several magnificent resorts that also lure planners who crave a destination that not only works for meetings but also for outdoor experiences—year-round. Here are some ideas to jump-start your research (also see the Idaho Travel Council Web site,  visitidaho.org).

BOISE
Located in the southwest corner, is the state’s hub: Framed by the foothills of the Boise Front and the Owyhee Mountains, its domed capitol stands out as an iconic landmark. The city’s leisurely pace belies the fact that major businesses such as Boise Cascade, Washington Group International, Micron Technology and Hewlett-Packard can be found here.

Boise owes its name to those French fur traders, who dubbed it Les Boises, or the woods. And from spring through fall, thousands of trees put on a showy, shady display. The Boise River flows gently through town, fringed by willows and hugged by the 25-mile Greenbelt, a popular path for walking, jogging and bicycling.

Boise’s downtown is thriving. The temperate climate is conducive to being outdoors, particularly with less than 12 inches of rain a year and only 22 inches of snow. And, now there’s even more reason to gather downtown, with BoDo, the new Boise entertainment district. Formerly a warehouse area, it features restored brick buildings housing boutiques, cafes and restaurants; professional sporting events; and entertainment.

Contributing to Boise’s ranking as one of the best places to live by Money Magazine in 2006 is an arts and culture scene that features Opera Idaho (operaidaho.org), Ballet Idaho (balletidaho.org) and the Boise Philharmonic (boisephilharmonic.stores.yahoo.net). In summer, there’s the Idaho Shakespeare Festival (idahoshakespeare.org), performed in an amphitheater along the river, and free Wednesday night outdoor concerts on the Grove. Julia Davis Park, set on 86 acres, harbors several museums, a rose garden and a zoo.
   
MEETINGS VENUES

The city’s magnet for medium to large meetings is Boise Centre On The Grove (boisecentre.com), encompassing more than 50,000 sq. ft. of function space. There are 5,800 hotel rooms available citywide, and the center is within walking distance of about 800.

Step outside the center, and you’re within minutes of BoDo’s restaurants, cafes and The Grove, the city’s public plaza. Interestingly, The Grove—with brick-paved “spokes” radiating from a central fountain—can be rented for outdoor receptions or dining.

“Groups feel special here, they feel important,” says Laurie McConnell, communications manager for the Boise Convention & Visitors Bureau (boise.org). “They don’t get lost.”

Ruth Brueggemann, aviation training specialist with the U.S. Dept. of Interior’s Aviation Management recently returned to Boise with a seminar for 195 attendees. It was the first time she’d utilized the convention center—previously they’d met in a hotel—and she found the experience favorable. “The meeting space is excellent,” she says. “Hotels have meeting space, but there’s always an issue with them, like a pillar in the middle of a room. The support people at the center were excellent. As soon as I’d radio them, it was done. They were aware of our needs and responsive to them.”

Keeping pace with the burgeoning hotel scene, there’s new meeting space to come. Adjacent to the new 250-room Marriott (marriott.com) to be developed by John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts (jqhhotels.com) is a new exhibition facility to be leased and managed by the Greater Boise Auditorium District. Construction is expected to begin next March, with an anticipated opening of both the hotel and center by summer 2009.

Also downtown is Qwest Arena (qwestarenaidaho.com), a professional sports arena that hosts hockey, basketball, arena football and other major sporting events. The arena has bowl seating for 5,000 and up to 6,000 for concerts and special events, plus 36 corporate viewing suites. It’s attached to the Grove Hotel—a unique combo.
Easily accessible from downtown are two other options, located on the campus of Boise State University. The Velma V. Morrison Center for the Performing Arts (mc.boisestate.edu), a prestigious performance complex, has a 2,000-seat theater and a smaller Founders Room for 20–60. The Taco Bell Arena (tacobellarena.com) is a 13,000-seat multipurpose event center seating from 2,500 to 13,000 and an exhibition area of 17,472 sq. ft.

UNIQUE VENUES AND ACTIVITIES

If you’re in the market for off-site events, Boise delivers the spectrum. Perfect for evening receptions and dinners is the Boise Art Museum (boiseartmuseum.org), a contemporary jewel for up to 600 guests.
Boise’s colorful Basque heritage—with the largest community outside of northern Spain—can be re-created just for your group. The “Basque block,” including the Basque Museum and Cultural Center (basquemuseum.org), can be roped off from traffic for a street party—tented or not—with Basque food, music and a performance by Basque dancers. Arrange your event for 200–500 through the museum.

Or, for something entirely different, try the Old Idaho Penitentiary (idahohistory.net/oldpen.html), a former territorial prison dating back to the 1870s. Its historic sandstone buildings are in contrast to its well-tended rose gardens. Dine al fresco on the former sports court for a really unique experience.

A little farther afield is Boise’s wine country, in the Sunny Slope region (idahowine.org), only about 40 minutes from downtown. Ste. Chapelle (stechapelle.com), in Caldwell, is Idaho’s largest and oldest winery. The upstairs banquet room can host up to 80 guests, while the 2.5-acre park can accommodate up to 1,200.

Boise also has boundless recreation possibilities within minutes. Principally, more than a dozen golf courses are nearby, as is skiing (you can golf by day and ski by night in the spring, McConnell says). Or do a half-day float or a full-day whitewater excursion on the Payette River with Cascade Raft & Kayak (cascaderaft.com), which can cater a picnic lunch or dinner along the riverbanks or at their center on the riverfront.

SUN VALLEY
Sun Valley’s history as a deluxe resort (sunvalley.com) dates back to its inception, in 1936. East of Boise, it was created at the behest of Averell Harriman, then chairman of the Union Pacific Railroad, to become the first resort in the United States to match the caliber of its European rivals.

But that doesn’t mean that the resort rests on its laurels today. According to Jack Sibbach, director of sales, marketing and public relations, “Every year we keep upgrading and addings things.”

And what’s currently happening is plenty, from golf and ski improvements to entertainment and guest-room renovations. For instance, nine new holes of golf plus a new 54,000-square-foot clubhouse are set to open next spring. They also hope to start on another nine holes, for a total of 36, by 2010.

As for skiing, two new quad lifts are going up on Dollar Mountain this summer, plus—if they get the Forest Service approval in time—Sun Valley will add snowmaking to Baldy and a little more to Dollar in the fall.

MEETINGS VENUES
Sun Valley’s conference space and ballrooms total 26,000 sq. ft., including 18 meeting rooms and outdoor function space. The newly renovated Sun Valley Inn Convention Center has more than 12,000 sq. ft. of space.

OUTDOOR FUN
This grande dame offers year-round recreation opportunities. In winter, you can slalom down the 2,045 ski-able acres on Dollar and Mt. Baldy. You can practice your double lutz—or make lazy-8s—on the ice rink. Or for a unique experience, take a sleigh ride to Trail Creek Cabin for dinner.

Although skiing was its original raison d’etre, Sun Valley has also become a summer destination—so much so, that summer is the resort’s busiest season, as guests are drawn by the great weather (75–85 degrees during the day, cooling to 45–55 at night) and numerous outdoor activities, from tennis to biking to golf. Surprisingly, this peak season sees the most group business.

In summer, Olympic gold-medal skates flock to the ice rink—one of only two year-round uncovered rinks in the country. A favorite group activity is to watch the skaters under the stars, but book well in advance for the show and the Terrace Buffet, Sibbach recommends.

This summer, the resort is opening the Trail Creek Cabin for dinner (65 guests); this is in addition to the Trail Creek grounds, where you can have a western barbecue with all the fixin’s for 300–400 (or more) and arrive via hayride.

Sun Valley’s Symphony Concert Series, a free, notable four-week summer concert series, is usually held in a tent, but in August 2008, the symphony will perform in a brand new outdoor pavilion, constructed to the tune of $10 million, Sibbach says.

COEUR D’ALENE
About 390 miles to the north of Boise—on the panhandle and easily accessible from Spokane International Airport—is the resort town of Coeur d’Alene. This charming, growing town is situated on Lake Coeur d’Alene, a 25-mile-long lake with 135 miles of shoreline. It’s jam-packed with recreational activities for most of the year, including sailing, fishing, water skiing, jet skiing, parasailing and sightseeing cruises. You even boat across the lake to the Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course for a round a golf. “You’re only limited by your imagination,” says J.J. Jaeger, director of sales and marketing for The Coeur d’Alene Resort.

The walkable downtown features an array of restaurants, cafes, live entertainment, numerous fine art galleries and antique shops. In the warmer months, outdoor dining resumes on sidewalk patios and baskets of flowers hang prettily from the lampposts. On the second Friday of each month, in season, there’s an art walk; in summer, the Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre entertains with top notch productions.

MEETINGS VENUES
Located in downtown Coeur d’Alene—and its anchor—is The Coeur d’Alene Resort (cdaresort.com), a recently renovated property that offers the largest space on the lake. The 18-story resort, with 328 guest rooms, has a dedicated conference center, plus a host of world-class amenities, including an elegant two-story spa with an exclusive $100,000 SilverTag shower. There’s also Beverly’s, a Five-Diamond restaurant singled out for excellence by Wine Spectator magazine, and the world’s longest floating boardwalk, colorfully accented by the resort’s signature red geraniums.

The marina houses six motor yachts that can be chartered by groups. Additionally, five of the company’s six sightseeing boats are available for charters (individually or as a fleet).

You know you chose the right meeting destination when your attendees clamor to return the next year—even if it may be out of the rotation. This was the recent experience of Natley Farris, team coordinator for ServiceMaster Clean in Denver, who booked Coeur D’Alene for a regional conference of 120 franchise owners. “The resort had a special attraction for us because of its location, the natural lighting and the pretty lake setting,” she says. “The conference was for two days, so some [attendees] added pre- and post-days. Almost all brought their families.”
The group—which grew from 75 to 120 in the last few days prior—met in the resort’s conference center, utilizing one main meeting room, two breakout rooms and another area for product and equipment displays. “The [resort staff] were so accommodating and really easy to work with, especially with the last-minute changing around,” she says.

OUTDOOR FUN
The marina at Coeur d’Alene is also where you’ll hop aboard a speed boat for the quick run to The Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course, where 18 of the most scenic holes of golf you’ve ever played are located. Among them is the renowned 14th green—the only floating, movable green in the world—which will give your group serious bragging rights. Special events can be hosted in spacious lakeside tents,  on the grassy lawn or even on the beach. 
In addition to the myriad water activities, there’s hiking at Tubbs Hill, adjacent to the hotel, and biking along the Centennial Trail, a 1,200-mile trail that spans the length of Idaho. Float plane excursions can be arranged, as can fly-fishing instruction. Less than an hour from downtown are two popular ski resorts: Silver Mountain (silvermt.com) in Kellogg offers your skiers 2,200 vertical feet on 1,600 acres, while Schweitzer Mountain  (schweitzer.com) in Sandpoint has 2,500 ski-able acres.
   
TAMARACK RESORT
When Tamarack Resort (tamarackidaho.com) opened in December 2004, it was not only the newest luxury resort in Idaho, but also the first all-season resort to open in the U.S. in more than two decades. Located about 90 miles north of Boise, near the town of Donnelly, it combines three destination elements that draw meetings out west: 7,700-foot Tamarack Mountain; Osprey Meadows at Tamarack Resort, a Robert Trent Jones Jr. signature golf course; and Lake Cascade, a 21-mile-long lake with 86 miles of shoreline.

Another of the resort’s great appeals is its pedestrian-friendly layout, where you are within easy reach of activities and amenities, including Discovery Square (recreation central), the spa and, currently under construction, the Village Plaza, a $91-million European-style village with restaurants, cafes, boutiques and galleries.    

Resort accommodations range from The Lodge at Osprey Meadows, a boutique hotel, to privately owned cottages, chalets and townhomes. Altogether, there are 140+ lodging units available—that is, until 2010, when Fairmont Tamarack, a condo-hotel developed by Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf and managed by Fairmont Hotels, opens. Ground-breaking on the new property is slated for this fall.

MEETINGS VENUES
Tamarack’s meeting facilities, dubbed Arling Center (tamarackidaho.com), are clustered together to form their own village-within-a-village. Offering a total of 15,000 sq. ft. are the Chapel, the Grange and the Schoolhouse. These historic buildings retain their old-Idaho architectural charm, but have been outfitted with Internet capability and state-of-the-industry A/V. The ideal meeting size is 150–200, but they can host up to 250.

OUTDOOR FUN
With mountain, meadow and lake in such close proximity, you could actually ski, golf and swim in the same day, says Jessica Flynn, spokesperson for the resort.

As a multiseason resort, Tamarack Mountain provides 2,800 feet of vertical terrain for skiers, hikers and mountain bikers. Think downhill and snowboarding in winter, lift-accessed hiking and biking in summer. And you can arrange guided backcountry skiing as well.

Your golfers will want to get on the greens at the 18-hole Osprey Meadows course. Opened only last summer, it has already been ranked as America’s best new upscale public course by Golf Digest. There’s also a Jack Nicklaus Academy of Golf, for personal instruction.

Then there’s the lake, which will entice your group onto the water with kayaks, pontoons, wakeboards and waterskiing. You can also arrange dinner or sunset wine cruises.

And for some really adventurous team-building, this summer the resort is adding Zipline Adventure, an adrenaline booster that traverses across canyons, streams and over the treetops. The guided trips take about four hours, with a limit of six people per guide. 

So much has happened since our opening, says Flynn. “Momentum breeds momentum. We’re pushing ahead and adding new things.”

MCCALL
McCall, Idaho is a lively mountain town north of Boise on the shores of Payette Lake, a pristine glacier lake near the center of the Payette National Forest. Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2008, McCall bustles with restaurants, shops and festivals, including the famous McCall Winter Carnival and musical festivals in summer. It’s the jumping off point for spectacular skiing in winter, and for summer activities on the lake and in the adjoining, 2.4-million-acre Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness.

If you’re looking for a resort destination with the ambience of a secluded retreat, look no further than Whitetail Club & Resort (whitetailclub.com). McCall’s premier meeting facility, Whitetail resembles a European sporting lodge. It’s situated on 1,300 acres in the midst of a dense forest on the sandy banks of Payette Lake.

MEETINGS VENUES
Whitetail’s meeting space totals 13,000 flexible square feet, accommodating up to 300 people. There are two expansive pavilions, the largest of which offers 5,500 sq. ft. on the lakefront. There are two boardrooms, multiple outdoor decks and patios, a private dining room and even an executive theater.

OUTDOOR FUN
Payette Lake and the forest are Whitetail’s playgrounds. Water enthusiasts can hop aboard ski boats and wave runners; four stocked fishing ponds allow even novices to brag about their catch. On-site, there’s tennis (two outdoor courts, with a new indoor facility and a full-time tennis pro), volleyball and basketball, plus hiking and biking on nearby trails.

Off-site activities cover the range: river rafting and kayaking, fly-fishing and horseback riding in summer; skiing, snowmobiling, ice skating and snowboarding in winter.

And, as befits a resort of this caliber, the 280-acre, 18-hole golf course, designed by Andy North, has lush fairways and expansive rolling greens. Return for refreshments at the 10,000-square-foot clubhouse.
 

Getting There

• Boise: Boise Airport (boise-airport.com) is 4 miles from downtown; all hotels have shuttle service. There is nonstop service from 24 cities.
• Tamarack and Whitetail: Boise Airport (boise-airport.com). Tamarack operates a shuttle service from the airport.
• Coeur d’Alene: Spokane International Airport (spokaneairports.net) has nonstop service from 12 cities. The airport is 40 minutes from Coeur d’Alene; limo vans are available by reservation. 
• Sun Valley: Friedman Memorial Airport (flysunairport.com) is 12 miles south of Sun Valley in Hailey. It is served by two commuter airlines, Horizon Air (Alaska Airlines) and SkyWest (delta Airlines). There is nonstop service from Los Angeles, Oakland, Salt Lake City and Seattle. Or you can connect through Boise. Sun Valley Resort meets all guests at no charge.
  

Not To Be Missed

• A stroll on the Greenbel
• BoDo’s vibrant cafe scene
• Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial
• World Center for Birds of Prey
  

• Sun Valley’s golf course
• A western barbecue at the Trail Creek Cabin
• A sleigh ride to the Trail Creek Cabin
• The Saturday Night Ice Show
  

• Golf at The Coeur d’Alene Golf Course (home of the floating 14th hole)
• A sightseeing cruise on Lake Coeur d’Alene
• Fly-fishing for Idaho trout
• A downtown stroll
  

• Guided backcountry skiing
• A treetop tour on Zipline Adventure
• Golf at Osprey Meadows
• White-water rafting on the Payette River
  

McCALL/WHITETAIL

• McCall Winter Carnival
• Water skiing on Payette Lake
• Golf on the Andy North-designed course
• Hiking in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness