Why Frank Lloyd Wright’s ‘Dream Civic Center’ Should Be Your Next Event Venue

A Sponsored Message from Destination Madison


Filled with natural light and surrounded by lakefront views, this Madison landmark lends a stylish slant to every meeting it hosts.

Frank Lloyd Wright had a vision for his hometown. He wanted to create a public gathering place that linked the shore of Lake Monona with the nearby State Capitol; a place that served its community and played off the natural beauty that surrounds downtown Madison. The result? Monona Terrace® Community & Convention Center.

Initially proposed in 1938, the famous architect’s labor of love would not open its doors until 1997. But aside from some updates to the interior design—including state-of-the-art technological and AV capabilities, free WiFi throughout, and LEED Gold certification—the organic, curvilinear exterior remains exactly as Wright envisioned it.

A 68,000-square-foot rooftop garden, with panoramic views of Capitol Square on one side and the sparkling waters of Lake Monona on the other, makes for a stunning venue for one-of-a-kind receptions and cocktail parties. Host intimate meetings in one of the convention center’s formal board rooms or invite up to 3,300 attendees to a conference in the flexible 37,000-square-foot exhibition hall. Whatever space you choose, one perk your attendees will be thankful for is the excellent coffee served at every event. At under $40 per gallon, your budget will be happy with it, too.

Given the convention center’s central location, your attendees won’t have to venture far to get to where they need to go. There are 1,147 hotel rooms located in safe, walkable distance, with another 823 just a few blocks away. An enclosed walkway connects the convention center directly to the Hilton Madison Monona Terrace, while a pedestrian plaza leads straight to the tree-lined Capitol Square filled with plenty of shops and restaurants for off-the-clock pursuits.

Wright called it his “dream civic center.” And we couldn’t agree more.

Good design never fails to impress. Let Destination Madison help you create your next event at Monona Terrace.

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