Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Photo credit: washington.org

Washington, DC offers a value-added approach for meetings and conventions, especially for organizations within the technology, biotech/pharmaceutical, education and medical spaces. By gaining unrivaled access to venture capitalists, government leaders, tech startups and cybersecurity experts, you can experience the DC difference.

The intellectual capital boasts 21 higher education institutions throughout the region and claims the most cybersecurity jobs—more than 27,000—in the country. According to the latest International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Statistics Report, DC is the #1 city in the USA for international association meetings and one of the top five in North America. DC is also the most educated city, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, ­­making its workforce qualified and innovative. These factors and more establish DC as a knowledge hub with access to robust assets unlike any other city, and one of the top destinations to host meetings.

“We invite planners to think about the nation’s capital differently, associating Washington, DC with a flourishing tech hub or as a leader in the biotech industry,” said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO, Destination DC. “In addition to its strong industries, DC’s new hotels, special events venues and $11.5 billion in development, such as The Wharf, are continuously adding to our city’s appeal.”

The one thing Washington, DC has that no other city will ever have is the federal government. Entrepreneurs and investors can learn more about regulations in their respective industries, make their voices heard on Capitol Hill and learn how to form better partnerships between their businesses and local and federal governments. With the access DC provides, meeting planners can support their delegate base and grow their sponsorship dollars and exhibitor footprint.

Attendees will also be wowed by DC’s Michelin-starred restaurant scene, captivating free museums and meeting spaces that provide unparalleled views of the city.

New and upcoming developments include:

  • Eaton Workshop 
Rendering of Eaton Workshop. Photo credit: Gachot Studios

Opening summer 2018 

A pilot project aimed at inspiring social change, the new global hotel brand will debut with a 209-room property downtown. Eaton Workshop boasts 10,000 sq. feet of event space, rotating art exhibits and a co-working club that can accommodate up to 370 members.

  • Hilton Washington DC National Mall 
Solarium rendering of Hilton Washington DC National Mall. Photo credit: Hilton Washington DC National Mall

Opening summer 2018 

Located at L’Enfant Plaza between The Wharf and the National Mall, this renovated property re-opens with 367 rooms, 23,000 sq. feet of meeting and event space and a grand ballroom that can accommodate over 600 guests.

  • International Spy Museum
International Spy Museum. Photo credit: washington.org

Re-opening spring 2019

One of the city’s most popular museums will move from Penn Quarter to L’Enfant Plaza, a short walk from the National Mall. The new location will be 140,000 sq. feet, more than double the original space, and will feature a lecture hall/theater and event space with great views.

  • The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Expansion
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Photo credit: washington.org

Opening 2019

The world-renowned DC venue will add 2,500 sq. feet of new performance space, 7,500 sq. feet of pre-function and event space, new art installations and digital advancements. Outside, utilize a new video wall, terrace for up to 1,600 people and a scenic walkway to the Potomac River and nearby monuments and memorials.

To learn more and submit an RFP, visit washington.org/meetings.

With the recent opening of the new Banc of California Stadium, Exposition Park in Downtown Los Angeles has been getting a lot of attention. But aside from the shiny new home of the Los Angeles Football Club, the area has long boasted a world-class collection of museums, sports facilities and recreational areas offering unique solutions for meeting planners in search of “wow” factor.

The California Science Center is the West Coast’s largest hands-on science center with five separate events paces, one of which includes the Instagram worthy Space Shuttle Endeavour. Housed in the Samuel Oschin Pavilion, the Endeavour is one of four orbiters to go on permanent display after the conclusion of the Space Shuttle program and it makes a stunning backdrop to any event.

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County houses more than 35 million objects, some as old as 4.5 billion years. An abundance of Instagram shots are available, including the 63-foot whale skeleton at the entrance. You can dine in Dinosaur Hall or celebrate in one of the other award-winning galleries. With over 24,000 square feet of space to choose from, the possibilities are endless.

Dating back to 1923, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is the temporary home stadium of the Los Angeles Rams. The stadium has hosted decades of historic sports and special events, including the 1959 World Series, Super Bowl I (1967), Super Bowl VII (1973), and two Olympic Games (1932 and 1984). While still in use, the stadium is currently undergoing a renovation that will modernize and restore the historic property in time for the 2019 season. With so much history and nearly 800,000 square feet, you can be sure that every event here is epic.

The legendary Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall has been the epicenter for some of L.A.’s most prestigious events for over 80 years. Built in 1926, this unique venue is the perfect blend of old school architecture and design with modern technology and functionality.

The Shrine Auditorium comprises the single largest proscenium style stage in North America with a free standing balcony, providing over 6,300 seats. With its state of the art sound and lighting capabilities, this space is ideal for presentations, seminars and more. The Shrine Expo Hall is directly adjacent to the auditorium, and the multi-use facility has 54,000 square feet split between two floors. The Shrine’s large parking lot also provides additional event space and easy load-ins for any event.

Each of these venues is a quick, easily accessible ride on the Metro from Downtown Los Angeles by taking the Expo Line just three stops from the Los Angeles Convention Center, making Exposition Park the best kept secret in Los Angeles special events. To learn more, visit meetla.com.

Huntsville, Alabama

Well, what are you waiting for?

In the land of southern hospitality and rib-sticking meals, there’s quite an adventure awaiting you. Historic landmarks like the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, with one of only three worldwide displays of an authentic Saturn V moon rocket, and the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park are top attractions.

To best enjoy the temperate climate, take a side-trip to one of several botanical gardens or Bellingrath Gardens and Home just outside Mobile where there’s something in bloom every day of the year. For a cultural outing, the collection of museums and galleries is breathtaking.

You can’t make a trip to Mobile without anticipating the possibility of a Mobile Bay jubilee, when floods of crab, shrimp, flounder and other demersal fish surge to the shallow coastal waters. These jubilees occur up to several times a year, usually on a summer morning before sunrise with a gentle easterly wind and last only a few hours. Locals flock to the oceanside with baskets to scoop enough for a feast!

Foodies will relish Alabama’s culinary scene with a number of James Beard Award nominees and winners creating delectable plates, big and small.  As the country’s leading food expert in his time, James Beard once said, “Food is our common ground, a universal experience.” Although he wasn’t a Southerner, he sure thought like one!

From soul food to seafood, Alabama tables are set with the fresh local fare, whether from the farm or the Gulf Coast. All pair well with great meetings and good times. You’ll probably want to wash it down with a big glass of sweet iced tea.

There’s plenty of upside to small gatherings. Streamlined itineraries and personal connection are two notable pros, but an abundance of choice may be their single biggest advantage. Meetings of 100 attendees or less carry modest space requirements, affording them access to intimate venues that planners have to pass over for larger events. Read on for more on three modern hotels poised to join the Small of Fame.

The January debut of Kimpton La Peer West Hollywood signaled the arrival of a stylish, swanky new destination for small meeting groups. Neutral decor, furnishings and accessories are skillfully layered to create an environment that simultaneously conveys richness and restraint. A 4,000-square-foot rooftop terrace showing off views of downtown Los Angeles and the Hollywood Hills accounts for the majority of the hotel’s event space. The petite Laurel Boardroom measures 529 sq. ft., perfectly scaled for gatherings of up to 16.

After a mere 14 months in business, The Darcy Washington D.C. wears its identity with ease. The 226-room luxury boutique hotel located on Scott Circle modernizes the classic America-meets-Europe motif of storied District haunts using streamlined design and thoughtful amenities. The Darcy’s 7,000 sq. ft. of meeting space includes impressive Ellington room, featuring a vaulted ceiling, stone fireplace and courtyard views. Courtesy bike and scooter loans, daily cocktail tastings and a dedicated caviar butler are available to enhance a group’s stay.

Fairlane Hotel Nashville, opened in early March, already embodies the type of hip hospitality that has made the Music City a must-visit destination. By combining mid-century inspiration with a modern sensibility, the 81-room hotel achieves a timeless, easygoing elegance. Groups of up to 16 can get down to business in one of three meetings rooms designed with creativity and collaboration in mind. In June, the hotel will open Ellington’s Mid Way Bar & Grill, a casual eatery offering retro-modern, all-American fare, to join the property’s existing New York-style Mile End Delicatessen.

Any meeting planner knows that attendees come to experience a city as much as they do the conference. Rather than focus on just convention districts and event facilities, destination developers are taking an approach with a much more consumer-savvy lens, focusing not only on space but also on retail and entertainment. Events DC is playing an integral role in helping Washington, DC become one of the most desirable event cities in the world by developing key retail partnerships and renewing the city’s historic neighborhoods.

This year, Events DC is collaborating with Apple to open the company’s first global flagship at DC’s iconic Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square. The store will be known as a global Apple flagship retail location, and one of the company’s largest restoration projects to-date.

“Events DC is excited to collaborate with Apple on this global flagship project in creating a larger convention and entertainment district within the heart of DC that links the Shaw neighborhood and the Convention Center area to the vibrant downtown corridor full of retail and restaurants for residents and visitors to enjoy,” said Gregory A. O’Dell, president and chief executive officer of Events DC.

Other retail partnerships include Compass Coffee, a “Made in DC” business, located inside the Convention Center and exterior tenants, Unconventional Diner, a high-end diner, Smoked & Stacked, a fast-casual sandwich shop by local top chef, Marjorie Meek-Bradley, Union Kitchen Grocery, Morris American Bar, Urban Athletic Club, Composition ID and a neighborhood barbershop.

Shaw: Growing Neighborhood for Foodies and Retail Shoppers Alike

Shaw is one of DC’s hippest enclaves, with craft cocktail bars, boutiques and trendy global restaurants. The historically African-American neighborhood is home to the Howard Theatre, where jazz greats like Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington once performed. Today the neighborhood hosts many events and feels intimate, despite the fact that it’s adjacent to the 2.3 million square-foot Walter E. Washington Convention Center. More than just a meeting facility, the Convention Center has become an anchor for this significant neighborhood.

Capitol Hill/Hill East: A Historic Neighborhood and Home to a Future Reimagined RFK Campus

The big story for the Capitol Hill/Hill East neighborhood is at the intersection of its past and future – most notably in the redevelopment of the RFK Stadium-Armory Campus. The RFK Campus redevelopment project is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reimagine the 190-acre iconic campus in a holistic shape that leverages the District’s waterfront, provides neighborhood serving amenities and connectivity with increased green space and flexible sports, entertainment and recreational fields for District residents and visitors to utilize and enjoy.

Congress Heights: Vibrant Cultural District Located on the Anacostia River

Brand new to Congress Heights is the opening of an Entertainment & Sports Arena that will host the WNBA Washington Mystics as well as NBA G-League’s Capital City Go-Go. The Arena will serve as the practice facility for the NBA’s Washington Wizards, and become the new home for esports, concerts, boxing and amateur sporting events. Also in Congress Heights, are Gateway DC, an innovative and versatile space featuring a covered and open-air pavilion in the center of a 1-acre park, as well as the R.I.S.E. (Relate, Innovate, Stimulate and Elevate) Demonstration Center, a technologically enhanced, flexible function space for events with less than 300 attendees on the St. Elizabeth’s East Campus. The R.I.S.E Center is a new key in the rebirth of the neighborhood, providing a venue for local gatherings and other community and cultural events.

Events DC Brings It All Together

Events DC brings together venues, meetings, sports and cultural events to keep the District’s economy running strong and help communities continue to thrive. Learn more about what makes Events DC happen at EventsDC.com/plan.

Let Hawaii set the scene for you next meeting.

With an expansive selection of hotels and renowned brands across Kauai, Oahu, Maui and the Big Island, Marriott International – Hawaii leaves no shortage of incredible locales for your meeting in paradise. Plus, when you book your meeting in Hawaii, you can earn perks with Marriott Rewards® and Starwood Preferred Guest®.

Kauai

Home to the Waimea Canyon, nicknamed the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” and the breathtaking Na Pali Coast, Kauai has no shortage of raw beauty. With resorts on the northern, eastern and southern shores of Kauai, your options abound when it comes to offering unforgettable experiences for your attendees.

St. Regis Princeville | Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu, Autograph Collection | Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas | Sheraton Kauai Resort | Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club

Oahu

The island of Oahu offers a true blend of metropolitan city and tropical island life, with Waikiki being the epi-center of it all. From the bustling streets of Waikiki to the vibrant bars and eateries in downtown Honolulu and Chinatown, to the laid back energy of the famed North Shore, and the incredible history of Pearl Harbor, Oahu offers a unique contrast between old and new Hawaii.

The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach | The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort | Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa | Sheraton Waikiki | Sheraton Princess Kailuani | Waikiki Beach Marriott | Courtyard Waikiki Beach

Maui

Known for its emerald valleys and stunning coastlines, Maui beckons visitors from near and far. With a variety of indoor, outdoor and oceanfront meeting space in Ka’anapali and Wailea, plus front row seats to incredible whale watching, world-class golf, dining and shopping, Maui will impress even your most discerning attendees.

The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua | Wailea Beach Resort – Marriott, Maui | Westin Maui Resort & Spa | Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas | Westin Nanea Ocean Villas | Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa | Residence Inn Maui – Wailea | Courtyard Maui Kahului Airport

Hawaii – The Big Island

Sheraton Kona Resort

With four incredible resorts on Hawaii island your options are endless when it comes to planning truly unique meetings, incentives or events. From Sheraton Kona’s Convention Center to the unmatched beauty of Anaeho’omalu Bay fronting Marriott Waikoloa Resort & Spa, to the newly renovated Hapuna Beach Resort, and the iconic Mauna Kea Beach Hotel perched above Kauna’oa Bay, you will find exactly what you need to wow your attendees.

Kimpton Brice Hotel, Savannah

If you’ve recently had to plan a meeting with a short lead time, say 60 days or less, you’re not alone. Booking windows are shrinking and even the most complicated meetings are expected to be delivered pronto and with rave reviews. But no need to panic. We’ve got a trio of strategies for navigating the chaos of eleventh-hour events.

1. Get the Details on the Table

Kimpton Cardinal Hotel, Winston-Salem

More information for venues upfront results in a more streamlined RFP process. Joey Iding, corporate events specialist for AF Group, relies on copious notes from past events to maximize efficiency.

“I have a blueprint encompassing guest preferences, details on A/V and breakout rooms and everything in between,” Iding says. “By including specific details in initial conversations, it helps eliminate time-consuming back and forth, and results in a proposal with everything we need built in.”

Lisa Hemphill values that kind of homework. As director of sales and marketing for Kimpton Brice Hotel in Savannah, GA, she doesn’t want a last minute group to miss out on all that Savannah has to offer.

“Why did they choose Savannah? What are they looking to experience while they’re here?” Armed with the answers upfront, Hemphill has time to contact local partners and craft an authentic Instagram-worthy experience.

2. Don’t Be Afraid to Flex

Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel, Charlotte

Flexibility on your part can lead to a refreshing new experience. When Kimpton Cardinal Hotel in Winston-Salem, NC, was approached by a local client to host a last-minute event for a group of 50, the traditional meeting rooms were spoken for. “The planner was willing to be creative, so we turned the indoor basketball court of our recreation space into a meeting room with a little staging. In the end the group was thrilled because they wanted the Cardinal experience, and we were still able to deliver on that,” said Liza Edgerton, Cardinal’s director of sales and marketing.

Rooftop revelry. In Charlotte, Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel got resourceful with a group that had booked inside 60 days and required meals to be held in a room nearby the meeting room. “When we proposed the rooftop lounge as the venue for their meals, the planner hesitated to stray from their usual plan,” says the hotel’s director of sales and marketing Giovanna Slaughter.  “It turned out that giving the group a change of scenery, especially with the views of the city from the 19th floor, was just what they needed. The feedback was all positive – they appreciated the experience.”

Bigger than Brice. Savannah’s Kimpton Brice Hotel can host up to 125 attendees. Rather than turn down larger groups who want to enjoy acclaimed Kimpton service and food and beverage concepts, the hotel has partnered with an off-site historic venue that hosts up to 250 guests. “Though it’s not the usual modern-chic Brice backdrop, our clients rave about the charming setting paired with the Brice experience they’ve come to rely on,” says Hemphill.

3. Pick a Partner Who Goes the Extra Mile

Kimpton Aertson Hotel, Nashville

A true partner will go above and beyond for you. AF Group’s Iding shared his experience planning an internal meeting for over 100 people in under four months at Kimpton Aertson Hotel in Nashville. Four weeks form the meeting, Iding’s group requested a specific entertainer whose act had very unique space requirements that the already finalized room setup couldn’t accommodate. “It was quite the production,” Iding says. “The team at Aertson reformatted the room and built an elaborate stage at the last minute, without a hitch. They were a true partner in this event with us.”

When you do your homework, bend a little and pick your venue wisely, even last-minute meetings can come off with flying colors.

To learn more about hosting your next event and earning a VIP weekend at one of our 4 hotels in Nashville, Charlotte, Savannah, and Winston-Salem, contact us at [email protected] or visit our website at www.kimptonhotels.com.

Meetings and events at the Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles are receiving an upgrade in efficiency with their latest addition – The Hub Conference Center. This 7,523 sq. ft., newly renovated and eco-friendly event space is a refreshingly refined offering that provides big group features for small group needs. Newly renovated and technically designed, The Hub Conference Center is located on the hotel’s second floor and joins the already impressive list of features for the hotel’s meeting and event space. Features including stadium seating, all-inclusive packages, and 17 executive conference rooms are just some of the incredibly beneficial offerings that are available at The Hub Conference Center.

A cost-effective alternative, The Hub Conference Center offers groups the chance to package their common spaces, used for morning and afternoon breaks, with the elegant lunch and dinner meal options at The Brasserie. This group offer gives planners the chance to save more money per person and allows for great networking opportunities in the shared common areas. And since the Sheraton Gateway calls L.A. home, they make sure to serve the highest-quality, best tasting food possible. Led by award-winning Executive Chef Collin Smelser, their dining delights range from locally sourced fresh seafood to buffet style feasts; all prepared with care and class.

Group events and meetings will revel in the revolutionary format of The Hub Conference Center. Complete with state-of-the-art, advanced audiovisual equipment, technology takes a front seat at this progressive event space. The innovative amenities and modular settings allow for a wide range of highly functional meeting options for groups. And with the close proximity to LAX, attendees are only a short ride to and from their travel arrangements – which the hotel provides for free. Simply put, The Hub Conference Center will offer clients premium accommodations that will elevate the expectations for their group meetings.

In a city known for our world-renowned celebrations, distinct music, art and delectable cuisine, Hyatt Regency New Orleans is the premier hotel destination hosting some of the Crescent City’s most prestigious meetings and events. Our award-winning culinary team and events specialists will work with you to fuse the best of New Orleans culture into your program.

Whether it’s spicing up your lunch with traditional creole cuisine, energizing your attendees with a second line celebration to the next function, or adding a three-piece Jazz Band to provide an authentic welcome experience.   Our state-of-the-art facility features advanced technology, newly launched high speed 2Gps internet and more than 200,000 square feet of flexible meeting space—including two 25,000 square foot ballrooms, 50,000 square feet of exhibition space, 70 meeting rooms and a variety of additional options to suit your professional needs.

Boasting more than 1,193 guestrooms and 95 suites, our sleek guestroom accommodations are perfect when blending the traditional style Big Easy with the modern conveniences of home. Connectivity to the Hyatt House via a 2nd Floor Bridge allows for efficient overflow options and an array of guestroom styles set to satisfy each of your conference attendees.

Hyatt Regency New Orleans is located Downtown within the Central Business and South Market District. With access to local attractions and events, conference attendees are able to think beyond the meeting room. The city of New Orleans, known for its traditional specialty dishes, is surrounded by more than 20 different restaurants in the surrounding blocks. The Loyola Avenue Streetcar, positioned directly in front of the hotel, offers a short ride to the Garden District or, attendees can take a stroll to the historic French Quarter, less than a mile away.

While planning your meeting, surprise your attendees by hosting an off-premise event of your choice at one of 30 off-premise venues within the city of New Orleans with our catering company, 1718 Catering & Events. 1718 assists with locating the perfect off-property venue and has the ability to touch every aspect of the event planning process – from venue selection, theme and menu development to décor, entertainment. Offered exclusively at Hyatt Regency New Orleans, meeting planners also have the ability to post their off-premise event to the group master account.

At Hyatt Regency New Orleans, we have your meeting in mind. Maximize your next meeting by contacting a sales manager today and mention special offer code: NOLAPERKS for huge savings. For more information, visit us at neworleans.hyatt.com or call 504 613 3900.

Just when you thought Cleveland’s Convention Center Campus couldn’t get better, we’ve enhanced our tech-features, and added new amenities, building additions, artwork, and more meeting and event space, making our campus more convenient than ever!

Meeting Space

Here at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland and Global Center for Health Innovation, planners can expand into a 225,000-square-foot exhibit hall which is divisible into three halls. Planners have access to more than 140,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space, 41 breakout rooms, a 32,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom divisible into three spaces, and an 11,000 square-foot Atrium Ballroom. Our campus is a convenient location to host anything from small executive meetings to large industry tradeshows!

New Building Additions

Recently we’ve welcomed numerous amenities and building additions that has enhanced the experience for planners, attendees, and exhibitors. Amenities include:

  • Starbucks Coffee
  • Au Bon Pain Café (expanded)
  • The UPS Store
  • The Huntington Park Garage
  • Cleveland Convention Art Gallery
  • 18,000 sq. ft. of Additional Meeting Space

Unconventional Technology Features

Among many of our unique building features is our unconventional technology. A gigabit rated center, the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland and Global Center for Health Innovation offers unique high-tech features that allow planners to flawlessly evolve with ever-changing event technology. Features include Cisco core network components, voice and video infrastructure, a high-tech conference center, unlimited IP address support (both public/private), high-density WIFI, holographic tour guides, and more! To assist with these needs is our expert in-house IT team, providing onsite support for your event. Contact us to discover how our unconventional tech features with elevate your event.

Convenient & Connected

Connected to the 600-room Hilton Cleveland Downtown, the Public Auditorium, the Huntington Park Garage, and within walking distance of 5,000 hotel rooms, Cleveland’s Convention Center Campus just got more connected and convenient. Being centrally located in Downtown Cleveland allows for a short walk to entertainment, restaurants, sports stadiums/arenas and the theater district. It just goes to show…it’s good to have connections!

Contact Information

To find out more, please contact us:
[email protected] or 216.928.1600
www.clevelandconventions.com/planners