Branson

Booming Midwestern Destination Beckons Groups

A popular destination, Branson is now rolling out the red carpet for meeting and convention groups. A new, state-of-the-art 220,000-square-foot convention center opened a few months ago; the crown jewel of the city's meeting package is located a block away from beautiful Lake Taneycomo and is the final component of Branson Landing, a $420 million shopping and entertainment district.

It's no wonder Branson is considered the live entertainment capital of the world. During peak season, guests can choose from among 110 live shows per day in 53 theaters. And there's a performance to please every guest: In addition to well-known country music, these shows include pop, rock, blues, Motown, swing, Broadway, Irish step dancing, tribute performances, comedy, magic and illusion, and variety shows. Entertainers in Branson interact with and involve audiences … often lingering long after the performance is finished to sign autographs, pose for photos, and speak with fans.

Transportation to and within Branson is easier than ever. A new commercial airport is under construction, offering another convenient option for Branson-bound travelers starting in May of 2009.

With three pristine lakes and more than 1,250 miles of shoreline, Branson's lakes are perfect settings for fishing, swimming, boating, sailing, skiing, wave runners, scuba, snorkeling, and parasailing. Outdoor enthusiasts can also enjoy hiking, biking, horseback riding, birding, and breathtaking scenery. What's more, Branson is quickly becoming known as a top golf destination, with several of the highest rated courses in the Midwest.

As the destination evolves to welcome more meeting groups, attendees are still wowed by Branson's traditional charms, including world-class live entertainment, award-winning theme parks, and abundant shopping. Branson's relaxed, small-town atmosphere creates a surprisingly personal experience. Family-friendly, casual, safe and affordable, Branson is the one-of-a-kind destination your group will remember for years to come. 

At a Glance
Branson Lakes Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
Vienna L. Bowling, CMP
Director of Meeting and Convention Sales
P.O. Box 1897 269 State Highway 248
Branson, MO 65615
Phone: (417) 334-4084, ext. 306 or (800) 935-1199, ext. 306
Sales Office Fax: (417) 348-0649
Web site: www.MeetInBranson.net
E-mail: vbowling@bransoncvb.com

Branson Convention Center

• Opened in August 2007 u 47,000-square-foot exhibit hall, divisible into two sections
• 27,000-square-foot banquet hall with performing "bird" lights
• Spacious pre-con and lobby areas
• 20 breakout rooms of various sizes
• Connected to new Hilton Convention Center Hotel and parking garage
• Located in Branson Landing shopping and dining district, along the shores of lovely Lake Taneycomo

Branson, Mo. by the Numbers

• Guest rooms: 18,578
• Lodging properties: 207
• Theaters: 53
• Restaurants: 440
• Pristine lakes: 3
• Miles of shoreline: 1,250
• Theme parks: 3
• Live shows/day: 110
• Holes of championship golf: 200+
• Museums/exhibits: 14
• Retail shops: 300+
• Scenic railroad: 1
• Visitors a year: 8 million
• Population: 7,800 

Rosemont

Pedestrian Skybridge Links the Center With Three Hotels

The busiest convention venue in the Midwest, Rosemont's Donald E. Stephens Convention and Conference Center hosts approximately one million visitors annually to 100-plus trade and consumer shows. The convention center hosts every type of show in its 840,000 square feet of exhibition space. From the larger industry trade shows, such as Private Label, the combined Assembly Technology/ Quality Expo/National Manufacturing Week/Electronics Assembly show, Label Expo, and Pet Industry Trade Show, to consumer shows. The conference center's largest level opens onto the Stephens Ballroom, which holds up to 4,000 delegates theater-style or 3,000 banquet-style. An enclosed, climate-controlled pedestrian Skybridge Network links the facility with three hotels and an 8,000-car garage. The 18,500-seat Allstate Arena and the 4,400-seat Rosemont Theatre also offer meeting space. Nearby restaurants include Gibson's, Carlucci's, Morton's of Chicago, Harry Caray's, Nick's Fishmarket, The Rosewood, and The Ram Restaurant.

Just across the street from the Stephens Center, new developments are beginning to take shape. Already opened is the 18-screen themed movie megaplex by Muvico, including a children's playroom, stadium seating, a VIP entrance, and valet parking. In July the 254-room "ALOFT" Hotel opens, part of the W chain of hotels. In August, the luxury Intercontinental Hotel, with 555 rooms, with a McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant, The Capital Grille, Osteria di Tramonto by Cenitary Restaurants, and Rick Tramonto of TRU debuts. Details will be announced soon on the new Entertainment District, expected to be completed by 2010.

At a Glance
Rosemont Convention and Visitors Bureau
9301 W. Bryn Mawr
Rosemont, IL 60018
Phone: (847) 823-2100
Fax: (847) 696-9700
Web site: www.rosemont.com

Convention Facilities
Donald E. Stephens Convention and Conference Center
Total Event Space: 960,000 sq. ft.
Total Exhibit Space: 840,000 sq. ft.
Ballrooms: Three flexible spaces: 30,000 sq. ft., 22,000 sq. ft., 17,360 sq. ft.
Total Meeting Rooms: 50 encompassing 92,000 sq. ft. of space
Number of Rooms Within Walking Distance: 4,000 Number of Rooms Within Area: 10,000
Additional Meeting Facilities

• Allstate Arena Seating capacity: 8,500 seats in the round, 16,500 in 270°, 14,500 with the stage at one end
• Rosemont Theatre Seating capacity: 4,400 (2,240 main floor; 2,080 balcony; 90 pit)
• Number of Properties: 16 Largest Hotels
• Hyatt Regency O'Hare, 1,100 rooms
• The Westin O'Hare, 525 rooms
• Crowne Plaza, 503 rooms
• Intercontinental, 555 rooms (opening Aug. 2008)
• Attractions
• Chicago Wolves at the Allstate Arena (AHL hockey)
• Chicago Rush at the Allstate Arena (arena football champions)
• DePaul Blue Demons at the Allstate Arena (Division 1 NCAA basketball)
• Chicagoland Pops Orchestra at the Rosemont Theatre
• Radio City Rockettes at the Rosemont Theatre (Christmas Spectacular)
• Donald E. Stephens Museum of Hummels and Village Gift Shop
• All the museums, professional sports teams, and events available in Chicago
• Air Transportation
• O'Hare International Airport is five minutes from Rosemont;
• Midway Airport is approximately 40 minutes away.

Wisconsin Dells

Where Waterparks Are the Solution

The notice arrives in your "in" basket. It's the annual convention, or quarterly board meeting, or corporate retreat, presence mandatory. You can picture it already - you'll be immersed in important meetings all day, with your family calling you each evening to say how much they miss you. While the waterparks in Wisconsin Dells were built with the vacationer in mind, they've evolved to take on an even nobler cause - providing business travelers with an energized setting while turning them into heroes with their kids.

The success of waterpark development in Wisconsin Dells -"The Waterpark Capital of the World!" - led to a new opportunity to become a destination for meetings and conventions. This proved itself an astute strategy, given how time-stretched working Americans have become, struggling to find a balance between work and family life, never taking all their allotted vacation days. The waterpark resorts strategically expanded, with conference and convention space, world-class spas, championship golf courses, luxury condominiums and larger-than-most suites, and great restaurants.

Today, Wisconsin Dells annually hosts more than 5,600 meetings and conventions, anywhere from a small meeting of 10 to a conference of more than 1,000. The Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau even has staff dedicated to meeting travel.

The Wilderness Resort and Chula Vista Resort, two of the largest waterpark resorts in the area, have seen such success in hosting conferences that they're both adding to their meeting space this year. Glacier Canyon Lodge Banquet and Conference Center at the Wilderness will grow by more than 31,000 square feet with the addition of more breakout space, a business center, and an outdoor banquet area, to be completed in July. Chula Vista Resort is adding 15,000 more square feet of conference and flexible meeting space, to be completed by the fall. As they say in Wisconsin Dells, see you at the bottom of the waterslide.

At a Glance
Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau
P.O. Box 390 701 Superior Street Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
Phone: (608) 254-4636 or (800) 223-3557 Fax: (608) 254-4293
E-mail: groups@wisdells.com
Web site: MeetInTheDells.com

ACCOMMODATIONS: More than 8,000 lodging rooms in motels, hotels, waterpark resorts, luxury condos, and vacation rental homes.

MAJOR CONVENTION PROPERTIES

• Chula Vista Resort (620 rooms; 200,000 sq. ft. combined meeting space)
• Great Wolf Lodge (436 rooms; 11,131 sq. ft. combined meeting space)
• Kalahari Waterpark Resort Convention Center (750 rooms; 100,000 sq. ft. combined meeting space)
• Wilderness Territory (1,180 rooms)
• Copa Cabana Resort Hotel & Suites (130 rooms; 1,060 sq. ft. combined meeting space)
• Ho-Chunk Casino, Hotel & Conference Center (315 rooms; 4,299 sq. ft. combined meeting space)
• Wintergreen Resort & Conference Center (110 Rooms & 14,125 sq. ft. combined meeting space)
• Hilton Garden Inn - Wisconsin Dells (128 Rooms; 1,134 sq. ft. combined meeting space)

Attractions
More than 80 attractions and activities:

• Dells Boat Tours
• Original Wisconsin Ducks
• H.H. Bennett Studio
• Noah's Ark Waterpark
• Tanger Outlet Center
• Tommy Bartlett Ski Show
• Spas
• Championship Golf Courses

AIR TRANSPORTATION
Dane County Regional Airport is just a 40-minute ride to and from Wisconsin Dells.

Greater Hartford

'Happening as We Speak,' With Natural Beauty, Culture, and History

Accessible to more than 23 million people within a two-hour drive, Greater Hartford offers ease and affordability, the spectacular 540,000-square-foot Connecticut Convention Center, and new hotels and meeting facilities in a scenic, historic setting. Ranking among the top 6 percent of North American metropolitan areas for its abundance of art and culture, Hartford features dining, entertainment, and leisure activities for every taste. The Capitol Region teems with excitement: dynamic performances at the Tony Award-winning Hartford Stage and the intimate Off-Broadway style of TheaterWorks; classic collections and special exhibitions at the renowned Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art; innovative films and galleries at Real Art Ways; spectacular golfing and hot air ballooning; and breathtaking river cruises. Cultural heritage lovers can explore centuries of well-preserved architecture and landscapes. One of Hartford's most popular attractions is Mark Twain's own Victorian mansion, where he wrote The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Right next door, visit the gardened home of Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of the anti-slavery classic Uncle Tom's Cabin. With more than 30 three- and four-star restaurants, Hartford offers every ethnic cuisine at any budget. At night, the city sizzles as downtown bars and clubs serve up some of the best jazz, blues, and rock in Southern New England. All this, less than 60 minutes from the sparkling Long Island Sound, breathtaking Berkshire Mountains, and two of the world's largest casinos.

At a Glance
Greater Hartford Convention and Visitors Bureau
31 Pratt St., 4th Floor Hartford, CT 06103
Phone: (800) 446-7811
Web site: www.enjoyhartford.com

Connecticut Convention Center
Total Size: 1.6 million sq. ft.,
Parking Meeting/Exhibit Space: 540,000 sq. ft.
Exhibit Space: Two exhibit halls totaling 140,000 sq. ft.; accommodates 800 10' x 10' booths
19 Total Meeting Rooms: totaling 25,000 sq. ft., from 1,300 to 7,200 sq. ft.
Ballroom: 40,000 sq. ft.
Group Meal Capacity: 3,000
Reception Capacity: 5,000
Loading Docks: 20;
Drive-in Bays: 2
Other facilities

• XL Center (formerly Hartford Civic Center)
• Veterans Memorial Coliseum: 16,000+ seats; 68,000 sq. ft. exhibit space
• Connecticut Expo Center: 88,000 sq. ft. exhibit space; 3,800 sq. ft. meeting space
• Rentschler Field: The Club at Rentschler Field: 635 seats; 325-seat function room; 38 luxury suites

HOTELS

Downtown Properties: 10
Rooms in Greater Hartford: More than 6,000

DOWNTOWN HARTFORD
Crowne Plaza Hartford Downtown (350 rooms)
The Goodwin Hotel (124 rooms)
Hartford Marriott Downtown (409 rooms)
Hilton Hartford Hotel (393 rooms)
Holiday Inn Express (96 rooms)
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites/Convention Center (129 rooms)
Homewood Suites (116 suites)
Residence Inn (120 rooms)
Sheraton Hartford Hotel (215 rooms)

ATTRACTIONS
Mark Twain House & Museum
Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art
Old State House
Historic Bushnell Park Carousel
Cabela's World's Foremost Outfitter
Connecticut Science Center - to open late 2008

AIR TRANSPORTATION
Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, less than 20 minutes from downtown, is served by 15 carriers offering 250+ daily flights to major U.S. markets, and non-stop European service. Brainard Field, five minutes away, caters to small private aircraft and charter services.

Providence

The Perfect Location for Your Next Event

Providence, R.I., is known for its rich history, arts and culture, and stunning architecture. The Rhode Island Convention Center Complex is located in the heart of this extremely walkable city, within blocks of great restaurants and elegant hotels. The Rhode Island Convention Center Complex, includes the Rhode Island Convention Center (RICC) and the Dunkin' Donuts Center (DDC) arena. With a 100,000 contiguous square-foot exhibition hall, a 20,000-square-foot ballroom, the beautiful Rotunda Room, 23 meeting rooms, and two adjacent garages, the RICC is committed to providing an exceptional event experience. The 13,000-seat DDC arena is undergoing a three-year phased renovation, which will be completed in the fall. The project includes a new pedestrian skywalk to the RICC, 20 new luxury suites, and renovated meeting and hospitality space. The DDC offers 31,000 square feet of arena space with a ceiling height of 86', a 25,000-square-foot concourse, a new 9,000-square-foot lobby, and five additional meeting/hospitality rooms. Providence is easily accessible for event attendees, with about 25 percent of the U.S. population living within 500 miles of the city. The Amtrak train station is within walking distance of the RICC complex and offers rail service throughout the Northeast Corridor. For those flying into Providence, Warwick's T.F. Green Airport is just a 10-minute drive from downtown. Recognized as one of the nation's hottest culinary destinations, Providence is home to the acclaimed culinary school, Johnson & Wales University. Many of the university's chefs stay in Providence after graduation, which is reflected in the city's dining scene. Named one of the "Top Ten Up-and-Coming Travel Destinations in the World" by The Wall Street Journal, Providence is the perfect location for your next event.

At a Glance Providence
Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau
Neil Schriever Vice President of Sales & Services
144 Westminster Street Providence, RI 02903
Phone: (401) 456-0200
E-mail: Meetings@pwcvb.com
Web Site: www.GoProvidence.com

Rhode Island Convention Center
Total Event Space: 167,000 sq. ft.
Total Exhibit Space: 100,000 sq. ft.
Ballroom: 20,000 sq. ft.
Total Meeting Space: 37,000 sq. ft.
Max. No. of Breakout Rooms: 23
Reg./Prefunction Space: 30,000 sq. ft.

No. of Rooms in Walking Distance:
2,200 committable hotel rooms within one mile of RI Convention Center
1,000 committable hotel rooms attached/adjacent to RI Convention Center

Additional Meeting Facilities
Dunkin' Donuts Center
Veterans Memorial Auditorium Arts and Cultural Center

HOTELS
Number of Properties: 35+
Number of Rooms: 5,500 Largest:
Westin Hotel Providence (564 rooms)
Marriott Providence (351 rooms)
Providence Biltmore Hotel (292 rooms)
Hilton Providence Downtown (274 rooms)
Renaissance Providence Hotel (272 rooms)
Courtyard by Marriott Providence Downtown (216 rooms)

ATTRACTIONS
Aldrich Mansion
Culinary Arts Museum at Johnson & Wales University
Providence Black Repertory Company
WaterFire Providence

AIR TRANSPORTATION
Only 10 minutes from downtown Providence, Warwick's T.F. Green Airport is accessible to Boston, Cape Cod, and Southeastern New England, and is a popular alternative to Boston's Logan Airport.