Convention Insider (Conventions.net)

If you are looking for a conference center, convention center, or trade show location that is paradise, inside the building and out – especially out – look no further than the Ramada Plaza on Nag’s Head Beach.

Nag’s Head, North Carolina, is part of the breathtakingly beautiful Outer Banks, home of the planet’s loveliest beaches.  Some of the most famous lighthouses of our time are here, along with much of our country’s pirate history.  That’s right:  I said PIRATE.  Ocracoke Island, also part of Nags Head, was home to the notorous Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard. 

The Ramada Plaza itself is a place of comfort, convenience, and plenty of room for whatever function you are planning, be it a reunion, party, reception, retreat, wedding, conference, convention, or trade show – of almost any size, too.  Small?  Medium?  Large?  Extra Large?  the Nag’s Head Beach Ramada Plaza can accommodate your every need.

Just look at that view from this conference room!

All of this can be found at the Ramade Plaza Nags Head Beach Hotel, 1701 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Kill Devil HIlls/Nags Head, NC 27948

Contact information: Phone: 252-441-2151    FAX:  252-441-1830

E-mail:  info@ramadainnnagshead.com

After your meetings, dinners, etc. are over, your attendees can step out of the hotel onto the beach, and experience the wonder that is the Outer Banks. There are many historic places within a short drive from the hotel, too. The Lost Colony of Roanoke and Kill Devil Hills (where the Wright Brothers flew that first airplane) are two of many fascinating places to visit.  Drive a little south onto the ferry at the southern tip of the islands, and your car and you will be on your way to Ocracoke Island, where you can eat at the famous Howard’s Pub, visit the British Cemetary, and explore the pirate museum, among other things.

The Conference Center at NorthPointe is located just 10 minutes from Columbus, Ohio. Nestled in a village-like setting of Georgian architecture and cobblestone streets, our full service IACC approved meeting center features 40 meeting and breakout rooms, an elegant 6,000 square foot ballroom, 120 hotel rooms, the latest in advanced audiovisual technology and professional conference services, a private conference dining room and an on-site pub. Purpose designed and constructed, The Conference Center at NorthPointe was built based on extensive input from meeting professionals and conforms to the high standards of the International Association of Conference Centers.

Our meeting and breakout rooms will suit your every need from business meetings, to corporate training sessions, to board retreats. NorthPointe Conference Center dining options are as diverse as they are outstanding in taste and presentation. Each of our hotel guest rooms and suites feature pillow-top beds and high speed Internet access. For the active set, guests may enjoy our fitness center, full size gymnasium and outdoor swimming pool, all located on meticulously landscaped grounds overlooking a picturesque two-acre pond.

9243 Columbus Pike
Lewis Center, Oh 43035

TEL: 866.233.9393
FAX: 614.880.4167
Email
Directions

Directly from the Sodexo website:

Chicago’s Navy Pier is a fabulous convention center, mall, carnival, theater, riverfront, and you name it.  One thing it is not is a hotel, but there are many fine hotels within walking distance of the Pier.

From the Navy Pier website, here are its handy FAQ:

Frequently Asked Questions about Event Planning

6. Where do buses stage at Navy Pier?
There is no staging at Navy Pier. Our marshalling yard is located 31st Parking Lot (one block west of Lake Shore Drive. As an alternative, buses can stage on Elston Avenue between Potomac Avenue and LeMoyne Street.
Additional locations:

• 1200 South Canal Street (except Sundays) – parking available only on the east side of
  Canal Street, south of Roosevelt Road
• 420 South Franklin Street
• Clybourn Avenue at Division Street
• McCormick Place Marshalling Yard
  Click here for Motorcoach information.
  
  7. What are the height restrictions for the East and West Garages?
  The West garage is 6ft. 3 in., and East garage is 7ft. 9in.

  8. Where can I park when I drive to Navy Pier?
  Navy Pier’s on-site parking garages accommodate 1,740 vehicles. Please click here Parking, for detailed information on Navy Pier garages and prices.

  9. Where can I get a taxi?
  There is a taxi line formed throughout the day at the front of the Pier. There are cab phones available at Entrance 1 and 2.
  
  10. How do I get to Navy Pier?
  Click here for information about “Getting Here!”

  11. I have an event in Festival Hall or the Grand Ballroom, where should I be dropped off?
  Once you have arrived to Navy Pier, there is only one road leading you toward the East End, proceed down the North Dock to Entrance 2, which is the farthest drop off point at Navy Pier.
  
  12. If I wanted to buy Pier Park tickets in conjunction with my event, who do I need to speak to?
  Your Sales or Event Manager will gladly assist you in securing group tickets for Pier Park.

  13. Does the trolley service run all year long?
  Yes. Trolley hours vary based on time of year or events held at Navy Pier. Please click here to view current hours.

  14. How do I report or claim lost property?
  Click here to complete the claim form. We will contact you within 48 hours during the standard business work week (Monday through Friday).

  15. Is there a general information number for Navy Pier?
  Our general number is 312-595-PIER or 1-800-595-PIER.
  
  16. Where is the food court?
  Located at the front of the Pier in the Family Pavilion.

There are many different venues within the Navy Pier.

The beautiful Walter E. Washington Convention Center is brand new as far as the usual D.C. building is concerned, but its history is long and interesting.

The city’s first convention center was built in 1874, and a second floor was added in 1893.  This conference hall served D.C. for a little over fifty years!  The present Washington Convention Center opened in 2003.

Click here to see the center’s interactive map.

There are many conference/trade show venues that are off the beaten track of large cities, and the Black Bear Inn Conference Center is one of them!  You can follow the Black Bear Inn Conference Center and Suits on Twitter, and on Facebook.

Black Bear Inn Conference Center & Suites ~ 4 Godfrey Drive~ Orono, Maine 04473 ~ (207) 866-7120

From its own website, here is more information and some stats, to help you make up your mind as to where to hold your trade show or convention:

Meeting Rooms and Banquet Facilities

Spacious Conference Rooms – the Black Bear Inn Conference Center & Suites features 7,560 square feet of modern meeting space along with 68 deluxe overnight rooms. Over the past several years the Black Bear Inn has handled hundreds of conferences, receptions, corporate meetings and group tour meals. Meeting planners from the University of Maine regularly use the Black Bear Inn for conferences and meetings.We are one of the state’s ADA approved hotels, and all areas of the hotel are accessible for the physically disabled. The hotel owns or has access to all of the most modern audiovisual equipment that you will need to make your presentation a success.

Whether you are planning a function for 30 or 300 the Black Bear Inn Conference Center & Suites is the perfect location for your next event.
Let us take the worry out of your next meeting.

Please download the Banquet Menu HERE

Conference Services

• Menu planning assistance Audiovisual assistance
• Off-site activity coordination
• Business services including computer access, photocopying and fax services
• Catering assistance
• Spacious Meeting Rooms

Meeting Rooms

Our Pink Room located on our main level has 3,600 square feet of meeting space when completely opened. The Pink Room can accommodate up to 275 people comfortably for a banquet. The room can also be divided into three smaller rooms if necessary. This feature offers great breakout space for corporate meetings and conventions.

Our Blue Room located on our lower level has 3,960 square feet of meeting space and has a built-in dance floor for weddings and social functions.

In addition to the above meeting space the Black Bear Inn also has several rooms that can be used for meetings of 10-12 people.

Meeting Room Layouts

Below are some of our many Amenities …

• Black Bear Café
• Complimentary Wine Reception from 5 pm to 6 pm
  Monday – Thursday
• Complimentary Continental Breakfast
• Free WI-FI throughout the property (Check out our upgraded system)
• Free local newspaper available Monday through Friday
• Meeting and banquet facilities, 7,560 sq ft
• Front desk open 24 hours
• Children under 12 free with adult   
• Elevator
• Guest laundry
• Exercise facility
• Sauna
• Fax and photocopy service
• Safe deposit box
• Ice machines
• Vending machines
• RV or truck parking
• Free parking
• Handicap Accessible

According to the St. Louis Business Journal, the St. Charles Convention Center brought in $4.6M in 2009:

The Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center, at 104 Conservation Drive, Roscommon, MI 48653, is a lovely change from the usual traffic-heavy downtown convention center!  Contact Mark Buchinger at 989-821-6200 for a visit or tour, brochures, and any other information.

Set on the northern shores of Higgins Lake, the Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center continues its mission to provide a quiet, relaxing atmosphere the natural way for a variety of organizations. Originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the RAM Center is a tranquil setting that allows groups to get away from the hustle and bustle of more urban counterparts to focus on the group’s specific needs. Whether those needs be educational, team building, training, retreat or other purposes, you’ll find the ideal environment for your organization.

The RAM Center serves:

• Environmental and Conservation Education Groups
• Government Agencies
• Education Institutions
• Nonprofit Organizations
• Community Service Clubs
• Groups of Persons with Disabilities
• Organizations with a natural resources or conservation focus

The conference center offers modern facilities with an up-north atmosphere. The meeting rooms can accommodate groups as small as 10 and as large as 135. Six lodges house overnight guests in comfortable twin-bed rooms. Warm pine walls, cedar furniture, vaulted cathedral ceilings and massive stone fireplaces are a few of our amenities. Meeting rooms are equipped with multi-media projectors, VCRs, large screens, slide and overhead projectors.

The RAM Center’s meals are legendary, with ample portions and food cooked to perfection. The menu features a variety of savory dinners, fresh baked breads and rolls, hearty breakfasts, and delectable lunches. Vegetarian and special dietary needs are well accommodated. During the warmer months, cookouts on the shores of pristine Higgins Lake are popular alternatives to the dining room. The atmosphere is relaxed and casual clothing is encouraged.

Michigan’s abundant natural resources are close at hand and available for everyone to enjoy and appreciate at the RAM Center.  Whether it’s canoeing, hiking, cross-country skiing, swimming or fishing, they’re all available to enjoy when the work is over for the day. Golfing, museums and movie theaters are nearby.

Sounds expensive right? Perhaps the best part of the RAM Center is its reasonable costs. Overnight rates range from $78.25 to $89.25 per person and includes three meals, audio-visual equipment, lodging, coffee service and more.

To reserve your dates or to get more information on the RAM Center, please call us at 989-821-6200 or via e-mail at buchingerm@michigan.gov. We would be happy to send you an information packet and a compact disk to view for yourself. Better yet, you are invited to stop by for an impromptu visit or arrange a tour. We are conveniently located at 104 Conservation Drive, Roscommon, MI 48653, in central northern Michigan, 1.5 miles east of US 27 and five miles west of I-75.

We give you that personal touch that will have you re-booking for your next conference before you leave.

High-speed wireless internet available!