MADISON, Wis. (February 6, 2006) - Meeting planners are continually challenged to find destinations and properties that can accommodate their corporate function yet still offer leisure-time appeal to their attendees. Wisconsin's leading meeting and convention venues are designed to do just that. With million dollar expansions that combine sparkling new meeting facilities with waterparks, golf and lakefront recreation booming across the state, Wisconsin's meeting venues give businesspeople everything they need to build a family vacation, romantic getaway or unique personal retreat into their next business trip.
Convention Center & Water Park Resorts Mix Families With Business
At the indoor waterpark capital of the country, Wisconsin is home to a host of convention deluxe indoor waterpark resorts with convention facilities. A number of these facilities are cropping up all over the state in 2006 in the form of major expansions and brand new openings.
Big things are happening at Chula Vista Resort (1-800-388-4782; www.chulavistaresort.com) in Wisconsin Dells as they undergo a $200 million expansion. A 25,500 square-foot expansion that includes two new upscale ballrooms will open this summer pushing the resorts flexible meeting space up to 80,000 square feet. Featuring views of the scenic Upper Dells bluffs along the Wisconsin River, the expanded area allows Chula Vista to host groups of up to 2,000. Planners will definitely want to note that Chula Vista will break ground on a new 200,000 square-foot Expo Center expected to be complete in June 2007. Phase I of the expansion also features a new 80,000 square-foot indoor waterpark, a new upscale steakhouse and 122 new condominiums bringing the resort's total room equivalencies to 600.
If venturing back into the Wild West era sounds more intriguing, then head to the Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort (1-800-867-9453; www.wildernessresort.com) located in Wisconsin Dells. Their new $150 million project, set to open in July 2006 offers a 224-unit condominium resort, Glacier Canyon Lodge. Glacier Canyon boasts a 2500 square-foot banquet facility with indoor seating for 500 people and additional outdoor seating for 200 people. The expansion also includes a revolutionary Foil Tec enclosed waterpark and a new 18-hole championship golf course.
Waukesha's first indoor waterpark, Country Springs Hotel (1-800-247-6640; www.countryspringshotel.com), opened in 2005 with more than 40,000 square-feet of meeting space and 20 conference rooms, including the 7,200 square-foot Grand Ballroom. Guests at Country Springs are greeted with over 45,000 square feet of waterpark activities.
Great Wolf Lodge (1-800-559-WOLF; www.greatwolflodge.com) is taking on a three phase, $46 million expansion, set to open in March 2006. This massive expansion boasts a new 38,000 square-foot indoor waterpark, Bear Track Landing. This addition will double the resort's existing indoor waterpark, making it nearly 80,000 square feet.
In Stevens Point, the $107 million Aquaplex and Centre Lakes Development will emerge over the next two years with a 350-room hotel, indoor water park, 75,000 square-foot convention center and three man-made lakes designed to host major state, regional, national and international water skiing events. Also in Stevens Point, Country Springs Hotel has taken over the former Holiday Inn Hotel and Conference Center and has embarked on a renovation plans that includes upgrading the rooms, restaurant and improving technology capabilities in the existing meeting space.
Plans to redevelop the four-star Lake Lawn Resort on Lake Delavan include 150,000 square feet of meeting space. The addition of 1,000 new rooms, waterpark, spa, 165-slip marina, redesigned golf course and five new restaurants round out the leisure amenities. (www.lakelawnresort.com; 800/338-5253)
The Kalahari Resort & Convention Center (1-877-KALAHARI; www.kalahariresort.com) is Wisconsin's largest convention center resort and was named "Best Hotel for Business Meetings" by Corporate Report Wisconsin. Kalahari boasts more than 65,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, a total of 35 meeting rooms and two ballrooms. Kalahari's famed waterpark includes an uphill water roller coaster and numerous body slides, raft and tube rides, wave or lap pools and a children's play area.
Also in Wisconsin Dells is the RainTree Resort and Conference Center (1-888-253-4386; www.dellsraintree.com), which also houses Amazon Falls, the 22,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor waterpark fun for the whole family.
Green Bay is home to another conference center and waterpark resort, Tundra Lodge (1-877-TUNDRA-L; www.tundralodge.com). Tundra Lodge is located just blocks from Lambeau Field and features banquet and conference facilities for up to 350 people. A 30,000 square-foot indoor and outdoor waterpark and the Gold Rush Arcade keep kids entertained for days.
The Blue Harbor Resort & Conference Center (920/452-2900; www.blueharborresort.com) in Sheboygan opened a new meeting facility that hosts 29,000 square feet of meeting, banquet and ballroom space and will be able to accommodate 900 people. The hallmark attraction of the resort is the 40,000 square-foot nautical-themed indoor waterpark. In addition, an Aveda concept spa and on-site fine and casual dining are available.
Whether it's a corporate luncheon or a meeting of the board, Grand Geneva Resort & Spa's (1-888-392-8000; www.grandgeneva.com) 50,000 square feet of function space, accommodating 10 to 1,500 guests in style, makes this a popular destination for companies throughout the Midwest. Timber Ridge Lodge (1-866-636-4502; www.timberridgeresort.com) adjacent to Grand Geneva, offers travelers Moose Mountain Falls, a 50,000 square-foot indoor and outdoor waterpark, as well as two PGA-caliber golf courses and a deluxe spa and fitness center.
Urban Facilities Accommodate Large Meetings and Offer a Variety of Tourist Attractions
Wisconsin is home to three major metropolitan cities including Milwaukee, Madison and the Green Bay/Fox Valley region. All cities offer exceptional meeting and convention venues and have a wide variety of attractions and points of interest for families, couples or those in search of exciting outdoor activity.
A unique combination of urban sophistication and old-world charm, the greater Milwaukee area is home to the Midwest Airline Center (414/908-6001; www.midwestexpresscenter.com) with more than 265,000 square feet of exhibit and meeting space; as well as, the brand-new 200,000 square-foot Wisconsin State Fair Expo Center in West Allis. Travelers looking to add pleasure with business can choose from a world-renowned zoo, impressive art, history and children's museums, performing arts centers, historic mansions, breweries, gardens and lakefront parks. There is something for every age and interest to experience.
In Madison, the state's capital, the worlds of government and academia have cross-pollinated to create a cosmopolitan city filled with culture, energy and a university-town spirit. One of the centerpieces of Madison's downtown area is the new Monona Terrace Convention Center (608/261-4000; www.mononaterrace.com). Originally designed by native son Frank Lloyd Wright, Monona Terrace offers 250,000 square feet of meeting space and breathtaking views from its location above Lake Monona. The facility is within minutes of the airport and also close to shops, restaurants, museums, galleries, clubs and pubs, hotels, the university, dozens of great golf courses and Madison's five area lakes.
Other large scale meeting and convention facilities in the state include Green Bay's 46,000 square-foot KI Convention Center and the Resch Center, (1-888-867-3342; www.packercountry.com) which hosts hockey, basketball, concerts and trade shows in its 35,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space. The region is also home of the fabled NFL Green Bay Packers and attractions such as the Packer Hall of Fame, Heritage Hill Historical Park, the Oneida Casino and the Weidner Center for the Performing Arts.
Just 30 miles south of Green Bay is the Fox Cities region; comprised of 14 municipalities along the Fox River, the area boasts a popular minor league baseball team, the largest mall north of Milwaukee and the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center. Meeting facilities for groups of up to 2,000 are available, the largest of which is the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel in Appleton. (920/733-8000; www.radisson.com/appletonwi). Brand new to the Fox Cities, the Bridgewood Resort Hotel (800/514-5206; www.bridgewoodresorthotel.com) opened in 2005 with 17,000 square feet and capacity to seat 700 theater-style, or 500 for a banquet. Other amenities include their onsite Asanté Spa, a newly re-designed 9-hole golf course and an aquatic fun center.
Resorts Offer True Getaway Destinations
Corporate meeting and convention planners looking for sites to really get their group away from it all have plenty of choices throughout Wisconsin. In southern Wisconsin, Lake Geneva (1-800-345-1020; www.lakegenevawi.com) has more than 2,500 rooms and four major resorts with extensive meeting facilities, at Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, The Cove of Lake Geneva, Bella Vista Suites and Lake Lawn Resort. The area also boasts a number of historic lakeside mansions, several tour boats and 20 golf courses.
Golf is also a prime attraction in the Kohler/Sheboygan area. The American Club Hotel and Conference Center in Kohler (1-800-344-2838; www.destinationkohler.com) is not only one of the Midwest's few AAA-rated five diamond resorts, it is also home to two of the country's finest golf courses: Blackwolf Run and Whistling Straits. Also in Kohler is the Kohler Waters Spa, which features 13 treatment rooms and exclusive therapeutic water services. Nearby Sheboygan offers charter fishing, a nationally acclaimed art center and the Grand Old Sheboygan Theater, as well as 1,384 guest rooms and meeting facilities up to 7,500 square feet.
Set in beautiful Elkhart Lake, The Osthoff Resort (1-800-376-3399; www.osthoff.com) offers visitors 8,000 square feet of meeting space following a recent expansion. From ballrooms to boardrooms, the facility can accommodate groups of 10 to 300 persons. Guests of The Osthoff can also enjoy the new Aspira Spa or one of 48 new Spa Suites for a more private, relaxing experience. With the luxurious spa facilities and lakefront recreation, everything needed to mix business with pleasure is easily accessible on one property.
Pinehurst Inn (1-877-499-7651; www.pinehurstinn.com) in Bayfield is the perfect setting for small business gatherings with its beautiful natural surroundings and recreational adventures. The Pinehurst Inn Garden House contains the Gathering room, an adaptable space that can be used by up to14 people.
The business traveler is getting increased attention in northern Wisconsin, as well. Along the Lake Superior shoreline, Superior/Douglas County (715/394-7716; www.superiorwi.net) now offers meeting and exhibit facilities up to 22,000 square feet.
Surrounded by the scenic Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Lakewoods Resort (1-800-255-5937; www.lakewoodsresort.com) in Cable also offers a woods-and-waters retreat. Located in the northwestern part of the state, about 150 miles northeast of Minneapolis, Lakewoods can accommodate groups up to 300.
Overnight accommodations include lodge rooms, cottages and condominiums, many with lake views. An on-site restaurant and bar round out the resort's amenities. The Hayward/Cable area, famous for its fishing and cross-country skiing, is now gaining stature in meeting planning circles. It boasts 15 golf courses, more than 420 rooms and several "group-friendly" facilities, including the LCO Casino, Lodge and Convention Center (715-634-5643; www.lcocasino.com).
In north central Wisconsin, the Minocqua/Arbor Vitae/Woodruff area features one of the world's highest concentrations of freshwater lakes - as well as 9,500 square feet in meeting/exhibit facilities, the largest of which is the Pointe Waterfront Resort (1-866-666-6060; www.thepointeresort.com). Nestled on the shores of Lake Minocqua, The Pointe features 800 feet of lake frontage and has meeting and dining space for groups up to 200.
In north central Wisconsin, the Treehaven Education and Conference Center (715/453-4106; www.uwsp.edu/cnr/treehaven) is an ideal meeting spot for people looking for a picturesque, outdoor sanctuary free of distractions. Treehaven, the hub of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources in Tomahawk, is situated on 1,400 forested acres about 130 miles northwest of Green Bay. Meeting attendees appreciate the serenity of this Northwoods location for conducting business and recharging after an important session. The conference center offers modern yet modest overnight accommodations and full-service catering. The site's flexibility allows for intimate gatherings or meetings of up to 120 people. Used primarily by the University of Wisconsin from mid-May through mid-August, the center is available to other groups for the remainder of the year.
Located in the heart of Wisconsin's Northwoods, Lake of the Torches Resort Casino (1-800-25-TORCH; www.lakeofthetorches.com) in Lac du Flambeau provides a spectacular mix of convention amenities, entertainment and natural beauty for meetings and conventions. The Hall of Nations Convention Center can be configured to fit any meeting up to 750 people.
Meeting planners should visit www.thinkwisconsin.com to search for facilities, submit a request for proposal or to obtain more information about Wisconsin destinations. For more information about travel in Wisconsin, the public can visit travelwisconsin.com or call the Wisconsin Department of Tourism's, live-operated toll-free number, 1-800-432-TRIP/8747. Travelers can also obtain guides and information at the Wisconsin Welcome Centers, located in select state-border cities.
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