Not all conferences, conventions, trade shows, corporate retreats, etc, are huge. Some are small-to-medium, and the Spring Mill Inn is the perfect spot for your not-so-huge gathering.

Located right in the middle of southern Indiana’s Spring Mill State Park, the Spring Mill Inn is quite well known for beauty: both its own and its surroundings!  Rustic on the outside and thoroughly modern on the inside, people are sometimes surprised to find every convenience, including high speed internet, at their disposal, for both personal and large group needs.

Contact information for the inn and the park are:
Spring Mill State Park
P.O. Box 68
Mitchell, IN, 47446
812-849-4081
Fax: 812-849-4647
Reservations:
877-LODGES-1
877-563-4371

For your group reservation, call 877 – 977 -7464 and ask for Group Sales.

The Spring Mill Inn is known for many things, all positive, and one of them is the view.  Every one of the group rooms has a spectacular view from windows that cover almost an entire wall.  The Inn is also known for its food; you’ll find none better anywhere you look.

Conferences are always better when the venue is also the hotel, and the Spring Mill Inn is both.  Conferences are also better when there is plenty to do in the evening or during free time.  Nobody is ever bored at Spring Mill State Park.  This is southern Indiana, remember, and the caves are everywhere.  Some caves here can be traveled on foot, but for others, you’ll have to use the boats.

The Pioneer Village isn’t merely a modern-fabricated imitation; each of the cabins, stores, workshops, barns, etc, is an authentic building.  You can walk around the Village for hours, going in and out of the homes, shops, etc, and learning while you gawk.

Need a swim?  The park pool is huge and inviting.  In fact, the entire venue and its surroundings are huge and inviting.  What your attendees will probably remember above everything, though is the Spring Mill itself.

It’s actually still run by spring water – see the big wheel? And I’d bet money, if I had any, that every single one of your conference attendees will go home with a sack of stone-ground cornmeal.  Yes.  They’ll watch it being ground and they’ll watch it being sacked and they’ll watch the man tie off the sacks and they’ll jostle to the front of the line and buy one.  Or two.  It makes the best corn bread they’ll ever taste.

People come to the Spring Mill Inn for all kinds of gathers, small to medium, every day, year-round, but if your conference, convention, trade show, retreat, etc, is in summer, be sure to make your arrangements as early as you can, in order to get exactly what you want.  You might not have heard of this venue today, but I guarantee that you’ll remember its name all the days of your lives.

It’s got everything.  Even blind prehistoric fish in the caves!

This picture does not begin to do justice to the classic “cool” of Bloomington, Indiana’s Monroe County Convention Center.

Located in the heart of downtown Bloomington, Indiana, the conference center is a perfect example of a combination of rennovation, history, and new structure.

What do I mean by history?  The original building was built by none other than Henry Ford!  Model T’s were manufactured here!

The newest part of the convention center is built on the site of the old Bloomington Blarney Stone, long-time symbol of Bloomington “silliness” but still mourned by those who remember it.

Physical address and contact information: 302 S. COLLEGE AVENUE – BLOOMINGTON, IN 47403 – 812.336.3681 – FAX 812.349.2981

Services such as internet, audio-visual equipment, etc, which cost extra at many convention centers are provided free of charge here.  Call this number for more information: 800 -800-0037.  Food services are available, and, get this, FREE PARKING.  How many convention centers have you been to that offer free parking?  Not very many, I betcha.

Bloomington, Indiana is the home of the Indiana Hoosiers, and many alumni groups meet regularly in the convention center.  There are numerous cultural events in Bloomington – many of them free – and, of course, there are the sports.  Indiana University also boasts the world’s most beautiful campus, and it’s true.  The IU campus is cross-crossed with streams, wooden bridges, huge old trees, flower beds, statues, and an atmosphere of olden days that is wonderful to behold and to see.  You can see a genuine dinosaur footprint, and gaze at the latitude/longitude marker near the old Rose Wellhouse.

The Monroe County Convention Center in Bloomington, Indiana, has over 24,000 squre feet of meeting facilities, and can accommodate up to a thousand people.  Free parking, on-site catering and audio-visual services, banquet facilities , large convention rooms and private rooms are all available.

You’ll never hold a convention in a more interesting locality, that’s for sure!

If you schedule your next conference/convention/trade show/reunion/retreat underneath the largest unsupported dome in the world, (except for the Astrodome) your attendees would never forget the experience!

Just ask Diane Sawyer, who summed up the West Baden Springs Hotel thusly:  “It’s so amazing!  Everyone in the country has to come and see this hotel!”

West Baden, Indiana, is a small town with a huge attraction: the famous West Baden Springs Hotel, known as the 8th Wonder of the World.  Seriously.

Its history is fascinating: the dome has been a monastery, a college, a ruin, and now a newly-restored piece of Americana with a background unlike and far more interesting than any other hotel/conference center you’ll ever encounter.

West Baden Springs Hotel

Address: 8670 WSR 56, West Baden
Phone: 812-936-9300

Extraordinary National Historic Landmark Hotel built in 1902 with a one-of-a-kind domed atrium spanning 200 feet and often called the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” Rooms rise six tiers around the dome and balcony rooms provide a panoramic view of the atrium. Restaurants, shopping, pools, golf, stables and full service spa.

The garden that the monks created has been restored, and is one of the most beautiful and romantic places in which to stroll that you’ll ever see.

My husband’s grandfather helped to tile the roof; the dome was so dangerous to climb around on that little pieces of scaffolding were nailed all over the dome, every few feet.  I went to a prom under the dome, more years ago than I’m likely to admit to any of you.

Your attendees will probably spend all of their free time just walking around this place, gawking and admiring and taking pictures of both the inside and outside of the dome and its grounds.

Golf?  Yes.  Spas?  Several.  Forget to pack something?  There are several retail outlets in the dome.

Huge conference/convention/trade show rooms and smaller meeting rooms available.

Vanderbilts, Astors, and Rockefellers have stayed here.   The Cubs, White Sox, Reds, and other major league baseball teams used to come here for spring training.  It’s been whispered that the famous local mineral water in West Baden might have had something to do with the Chicago Cubs’ World Series win that year!

PBS did a documentary about the West Baden Hotel’s restoration; if you order it and let your people watch it, you’ll all be convinced that this is the hotel for your next conference!!

Why don’t you plan to hold your next convention/conference/trade show/corporate retreat in scenic southern Indiana, at the West Baden Springs Hotel?

Don’t forget to bring your camera.

P.S.  Free high speed internet!

The historic French Lick Resort and Casino in southern Indiana is one of the most classically beautiful and genuinely unique conference centers in the world!

Its history is fascinating:  John Dillinger had his own suite here at one time.  FDR did, too, and in fact came here regularly to enjoy the Pluto Water Spas!  (Google it; it’s amazing!)

People come here for many reasons: the golf courses, the casinos, and frankly, just to stay in the hotel and gawk.

Gawk at what?  The sights, both in and out of the building.

You’ll find, at the French Lick Resort and Casino, fantastic catering, restaurants, bars, spas, golf, swimming, formal gardens, and  ballrooms, among other things.

Did I say “golf?”  I should have said “PGA Championship!”

Don’t let the vintage look fool you:  your conference/convention/getaway/reception/trade show will have access to the most modern, up-to-date facilities imaginable.

Take a walk around historic French Lick itself.  Pretty much any person you meet will have interesting tales to share about the town’s origins, it’s past (WOW!) and the present, which is a recreation of much of that past.

The hotel is also just a stone’s throw from the historic West Baden Dome, which will be a post in and of itself.

Take the train ride.  Drive down to Patoka Lake.

Your attendees will beg to come back again for next year’s function.

P.S.  Dry-land midwestern French Lick is in Indiana, and Indiana law states that no casino can exist here unless it’s floating on water, hence all the riverboat casinos in the vicinity.  However, the French Lick Resort and Casino got around that law, quite legally.  Come on down and see for yourself.  It’s really awesome.

Check out the tiled floors.

Nashville, Indiana is a former artists’ colony that has become the autumn haven for conferences, conventions, trade shows, reunions, retreats, meetings, and just plain shopping for people from all over the nation.  It’s open year-round, of course, but the fall is the prime season here.  This picture doesn’t begin to show the beauty of this place; it’s too breath-taking to be captured on film.  Or disc, as the case may be.

Nashville is the county seat of scenic Brown County, Indiana.  It’s nestled in the heart of the majestic Hoosier National Forest, and I defy any other place on earth to lay claim to being more lovely than this place!

Nashville, and Brown County in general, have many inns from which to choose for your conference. Whether you’re planning something for several hundred, several dozen, or just several, Brown County has the perfect venue for your function.  You can count on having the most modern, up-to-date facilities and technology at your disposal, even if you have chosen a venue that appears to be on the rustic side!

In your attendees’ free time, there are shops and sights the likes of which they’ll never find anywhere else: works of art, musical instruments made by hand, pottery, museums, galleries, studios, bakeries, glassware, furniture – even the kitchen (or bathroom) sink – all unique to Brown County.

When your employees or attendees find out that their convention, conference, or trade show, is being held in Brown County, Indiana, you can bet you’ll have fabulous attendance!

The Brown County Indiana Convention and Visitors Bureau, 10 North Van Buren Street, Nashville, IN 47448, can be reached by calling 1-800-753-3255.

For more information about group resources, check out the Brown County CVB website.

Be sure to put your camera in your briefcase before you leave your house.

The Indiana Memorial Union Biddle Hotel and Conference Center, located in the heart of Bloomington, Indiana, is one of the most beautiful pieces of architecture in the States, both inside and out.

Situated on the edge of the magnificent Indiana University campus, at 900 E. 7th Street, The Indiana Memorial Union Biddle Hotel and Conference Center is a landmark of vintage elegance and modern sophistication.

Outside, it has the look of a Gothic castle.  Inside, it contains any and every possible room, service, and amenity a visitor could possibly want or need.  Businesses from all over the world choose the Indiana Memorial Union Biddle Hotel and Conference Center as their convention location of choice!

From the building’s website, see for yourself:

When it comes to special events, meetings, or conferences, the numbers say it all. The Union’s Biddle Hotel and Conference Center has nearly 100 years of special event experience, about 50,000 square feet of meeting space, and hosts more than 15,000 functions every year.

Conferences and Meetings

We offer a variety of meeting spaces to suit every need, not to mention an experienced meetings and group services staff to help you along the way.

From Alumni Hall, with its 5,000 square feet, paneled walls, hardwood floors, and raised stage, to the intimate KP Williams room with its seating for 10 at an antique dining room table, you will have more than 20 options from which to choose. We even offer a Commemorative Garden, a piazza-style space featuring limestone walls bordering a beautiful garden filled with annuals, perennials, and mature trees.

All of our settings feature state-of-the-art audio and visual equipment services as well. For more information, contact Meeting and Group Services, (812) 855-8388.

Weddings

The Union is the perfect place to hold a wedding reception. We offer a variety of special services, including beautiful venues, world-class chefs, in-house bakery, pre-event tastings, full bar service, and specialty linens, designed to make your day perfect. Our certified wedding consultant has the expertise to plan many different types of receptions and is well versed in wedding etiquette.

In addition to wedding receptions, we also specialize in bridal luncheons and showers, engagement parties, rehearsal dinners, and farewell brunches.

For more information, contact Weddings and Special Events, (812) 855-8855.

Other Events

Consider the union for your next special event: reunions, banquets, informal gatherings, and more. Our staff will be happy to work with you. For more information, contact Indiana Memorial Meeting and Group Services, (812) 855-8388

From another part of the website comes this extremely useful information: 

Biddle Hotel and Conference Center

In addition to being the meeting place for our students, staff, and faculty, the Union is also an ideal spot for out-of-town guests. Nestled inside the building is the stately and elegant Biddle Hotel and Conference Center. With 189 overnight guest accommodations, we offer comfortably furnished and affordably priced single, double, and king rooms as well as premium rooms, luxury suites, and antique suites with upgraded amenities.

Whether you’re in town to drop off your freshman student, support Hoosier football, or for business, the Biddle Hotel offers amenities to satisfy guests traveling for business or pleasure, including:

• Complimentary on-campus parking
• Wireless Internet access in most rooms
• Fitness facilities
• 100% nonsmoking
• Bloomington Shuttle to Indianapolis International Airport
• Free local phone calls
• In-room movies
• Six on-site eateries and room service
• Bowling, billiards, and game center
• Easy walk to IU Art Museum, IU Auditorium, downtown
Bloomington, and the many amenities of university campus
• No matter where you’re coming from, the staff of the Biddle Hotel
strives to give you a great experience. Make your reservation
today!

For more hotel information:

Toll-free reservations: (800) 209-8145
Main IMU Switchboard: (812) 856-6381

Biddle Hotel and Conference Center
900 E. Seventh St.
Bloomington, IN 47405

Indianapolis is a beautiful city, and is often overlooked by businesses seeking a haven for trade shows, conventions, conferences,proms, graduations, and you name it! However, Indianapolis is full of surprises, and one of them might be its convention center!  People are familiar with the Colts’ Lucas Oil Stadium, but many do not realize that the stadium is directly attached to one of the finest convention centers int he world! If you have a large group, a larger group, a VERY large group, or even a group that just needs a room for a meeting, the Indianapolis Convention Center & Lucas Oil Stadium is happy to accommodate you.

Most people associate Lucas Oil Stadium with the Colts, and rightly so!  However, the stadium is also a haven and home for trade shows and conferences:

Known best as the home of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, Lucas Oil Stadium also is a major site for conventions, exhibitions, trade shows and NCAA basketball competition. The unique retractable roof makes it exceptionally flexible for both indoor and outdoor events. The roof can be opened or closed in approximately nine minutes.

Lucas Oil Stadium is a seven-level facility that seats 63,000 for football up to 70,000 for basketball, conventions and concerts. It covers 1.8 million square feet, features 137 corporate suites, two club lounges, meeting rooms, and two exhibit halls.

In short, if you’re coming to town for a special occasion at Lucas Oil Stadium, get ready for a breath-taking experience in a state-of-the-art facility that is already drawing rave reviews from critics all across the country.

It will be connected to the Indiana Convention Center via a climate-controlled walkway.

As for the convention center itself, well, let’s just say that if you thought it was fantastic now, just wait untl December, when the NEW convention center is scheduled to be finished and open for business!

I understand something called the “NCAA” will have its headquarters here.  Perhaps some of you may have heard of that. . . .  Also, the Indiana Convention Center is the first of only two convention centers in the country that directly connect to a domed stadium!

The Indiana Convention Center is currently undergoing its fourth expansion since opening in 1972.   After the demolition of the RCA Dome, the $275 million project was begun and will be housed on the area that the RCA Dome occupied.  The expansion is anticipated to be completed by late December 2010.

The project will add 254,000 square feet of exhibit space, 63,000 square feet of meeting rooms and 100,000 square feet of pre-function space.  An indoor, street level, climate controlled connector will link the convention center to Lucas Oil Stadium.

Once completed, the Indiana Convention Center will offer:

Exhibit Halls – 566,600 SF of contiguous space, 11 Exhibit Halls ranging from 36,300 SF to 88,900 SF

Meeting Rooms – 71 totaling 113,302 SF

Ballrooms – 3 various sized totaling 62,173 SF; largest is 33,335 SF

Docks – 48

Hotel Rooms – physically connected via skywalks to 12 hotels – 4,700 hotel rooms

Airport – 15-minutes drive to Indianapolis International Airport

Lucas Oil Stadium opened in August 2008 and features 182,500 SF of contiguous exhibit space including the stadium floor and exhibit halls.  It also has a variety of meeting options including  twelve meeting rooms, Lucas Oil Plaza, Quarterback Club and Bud Light Zone.

The Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium are managed by the Capital Improvement  Board.  The Indiana Stadium and Convention Building Authority is managing the project, Ratio Architects are the lead architects and Shiel Sexton/Powers and Sons are the construction managers.

Why not bring your trade show, conference, convention, meeting, ceremony, or seminar to Indianapolis, and experience the city and its awesome convention center? Indy is less than a one-day drive from most other large cities, and its airport is brand-new and easy to navigate.

Whatever your group’s needs might be, the Indiana Convention Center & Lucas Oil Stadium can accommodate you in any way, plus a lot of extras!