These days, conference and convention centers are stepping up the amenities they offer. Gone are the days of cavernous spaces and dull surroundings in remote locations. Now you can expect to find greater flexibility, superior technology options, more convenient locations, and sustainable practices that translate into cost savings for you. Whether you’re planning a large convention, a trade show, or a general meeting with small breakout sessions, look to these Wisconsin conference and convention centers to be the life of your party:
Location: The Conference Center is attached to Glacier Canyon Lodge in Wisconsin Dells. Known for its numerous theme parks and entertainment centers, the Dells is located on the Wisconsin River.
Event Space: 56,000 square foot conference center with banquet space for up to 1200 guests. Private breakout rooms are also available. Full-service catering onsite serves up plenty of delicious options for themed buffets, formal dinners, and snacks.
Accommodations: More than 1150 lodging options are available. Choose from cozy guest rooms, deluxe suites, lakeside condos, large cabins, and stunning villas that sleep up to 9 guests.
Amenities: Four-star dining, championship golf course, award-winning spa services, and 8 indoor and outdoor waterparks make downtime, fun time. Don’t forget to check out the go-kart trail, laser tag, laser maze, virtual arena, ropes course, bumper boats, and arcade while you’re there.
Location: Conveniently located on the picturesque University of Wisconsin Oshkosh campus, the Conference Center serves as the University’s new “front door,” welcoming guests to its modern space and providing ample free parking.
Event Space: Contemporary event space for groups as small as 5 or as large as 500, the latter in the ballroom that features floor-to-ceiling windows. A 36-person executive board room features state-of-the-art technology, while four breakout rooms offer meeting space for 40 in each. Outdoor function areas include a patio and gas fire pit. Free WiFi available.
Accommodations: There are many lodging facilities in the area, but two are particularly close to the Center--the Best Western Premier Waterfront Hotel offers beautifully appointed rooms, many of which overlook the scenic Fox River while the Gruenhagen Conference Center offers affordable dorm-style lodging and is located right on campus.
Amenities: Full-service catering options on site or choose from nearby Oshkosh’s menu of fine and casual dining options. Downtime can be spent at the EAA Aviation Museum, Paine Art Center and Gardens, Menominee Park, Oshkosh Farmers Markets, Oshkosh Public Museum, or the Grand Opera House.
Location: Located in the heart of downtown Milwaukee, the Wisconsin Center is an architecturally exhilarating and technologically robust convention facility.
Event Space: The Wisconsin Center has 188,695 square feet of state-of-the-art exhibit space and a 37,506 square-foot ballroom with capacity for 3,150 diners. An additional 39,364 square feet of meeting space can be partitioned into as many as 28 meeting and breakout rooms equipped for satellite links, video teleconferencing, data transmission, and other telecommunications and audio-visual technology.
Accommodations: Two major full-service convention hotels are both linked to the Wisconsin Center by skywalk, the Hilton Milwaukee with 729 rooms, and the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee with 481 rooms. Additionally, national hotel chains, upscale boutique hotels, historic hotels, and a luxury casino hotel are nearby.
Amenities: Bustling downtown Milwaukee is rich with an abundance of activities and sites to see including the Milwaukee Public Market in the historic Third Ward, The Milwaukee Art Museum, brew pubs, biking and hiking trails, 16 county golf courses, and nearby Miller Park, home to the Milwaukee Brewers.
Location: A full-service, upscale 90-acre resort located on the shores of Lake Geneva.
Event Space: Featuring 40,000 square feet of flexible and dynamic indoor and outdoor meeting spaces. From the eight-person Waterfront Board Room to the 10,000-square foot Harbor Ballroom, the Resort can accommodate meetings and events of most any size.
Accommodations: Charming Lake Geneva suites, guest rooms, and villas are luxurious and beautifully-appointed. Villas include private patio or balcony, access to the outdoor swimming pools, fully-equipped kitchens, and housekeeping services.
Amenities: Guests will enjoy strolling the beautifully manicured grounds, relaxing in the Avani Spa, getting in a day on the links at nearby award-winning golf courses, plus spend free time at the marina, biking and hiking trails, kayaking, ice skating, and more.
Location: Located in Trego, Wisconsin, Heartwood welcomes guests to a beautiful conference center and retreat nestled within 700 acres of serene, natural woodlands.
Event Space: There are no ordinary meetings here because the meeting spaces are extraordinary. Meeting rooms with lake views and natural light, AV equipment including high-speed internet, plus conference center with room for up to 157 guests.
Accommodations: The property offers guests many lodging choices from guest rooms to suites and jacuzzi suites. Duplex cabins can sleep up to 14 guests, while cottages house 6, and vacation rental homes accommodate 10.
Amenities: The resort encourages guests to take advantage of its many year-round amenities and activities including volleyball, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, tennis, swimming beach, boating, fishing, and much more.
Location: Tucked away on the shores of Green Lake, the Heidel House has been a popular year-round destination for over 60 years.
Event Space: Boasting multiple meeting and event spaces for up to 600 guests, the lodge features a stunning Carriage Tent and Patio with garden for as many as 400. The Sunroom with its scenic views, is perfect for small banquets, while Beyer’s Cove room and Lucas Bluff room work well for breakout sessions.
Accommodations: Guests staying lakeside can choose from first-class rooms and suites. A choice of vacation rentals accommodates larger groups and come equipped with fireplaces, whirlpools, and full kitchens.
Amenities: The resort invites golfers to swing on by one of four renowned golf courses, enjoy fine or casual dining, unwind in the Evensong Spa, or thrill to year-round activities including a water sports, yachting, biking and hiking, snowshoeing, skiing, sledding, or snowmobiling.
Location: Located just 2 miles from Mirror Lake State Park, the Safari-themed resort and convention center is just off I-90 in Baraboo, Wisconsin.
Event Space: The convention center will boast 212,000 square feet of meeting and convention space when the 112,000-square foot addition opens in September of 2019. (Including a 52,000-square foot ballroom.) Flexible space will include 10 new meeting rooms for a total of 45. The pre-function spaces, lounges, and outdoor patios add to the site’s appeal. Plenty of free parking.
Accommodations: A variety of lodging options welcome individuals and groups and include guest rooms and suites, 2-10-bedroom suites, and Lake Delton waterfront villas with private beach, unparalleled views, charcoal grills, and fire pits. All rooms include free water park passes.
Amenities: Indoor amenities abound with indoor/outdoor water parks, indoor theme park, relaxing spa, fitness and training center, game room, golf, and shopping. Multiple dining options from fine to casual cuisine means something for everyone’s taste.
Location: Conveniently located in the heart of Green Bay, the KI Convention Center is within walking distance of lodging, dining, and shopping.
Event Space: Features 80,000 square feet of flexible meeting/exhibit space including a 17,346-square foot Exhibit Hall. The 25,228-square foot ballroom can be divided into eight sections, with additional breakout rooms in two more ballrooms. Three Riverview Rooms overlook the Fox river. High speed Internet access in meeting rooms, plus wireless access in public areas and guest rooms.
Accommodations: The Hyatt Regency Green Bay is attached to the convention center and welcomes guests to it 241 all-suite hotel. Complimentary state-of-the-art health club and pool, along with full bar and restaurant onsite offer guests everything they could possibly want in one convenient place.
Amenities: The Bay Beach Amusement Park and the Wildlife Sanctuary are within five minutes of the convention center. And of course, no visit to Green Bay would be complete without a stop at Lambeau field, home of the Packers and one of the most historic and beloved sports stadiums in the country.
