Association Manager
Ruggles Service Corporation
Richmond, Va.
Describe your event.
We held the annual conference for the Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners at the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center last March. We had about 370 attendees for the three-day meeting.
Why did you decide to host the meeting in Roanoke?
We had researched several locations, and we found the service and quality of the Hotel Roanoke to be exceptional. It is within walking distance to restaurants, shopping, etc., and costs were competitive.
What did your attendees seem to enjoy the most?
Probably the hotel. The staff bent over backwards to do whatever we asked.
Was anybody particularly helpful?
Really, everyone we worked with in Roanoke was simply excellent, from the Roanoke Valley CVB staff to the audiovisual person at the hotel. Vicki Itson and Becky Walker from convention services and sales at Hotel Roanoke were wonderful, and Michael Mansfield, the hotel’s audiovisual manager, worked so hard for us—I don’t think he slept!
What were some of the unique off-site venues that you used?
We had a reception one night at the O. Winston Link Museum that is just right down the street from the Hotel Roanoke. Our people really enjoyed seeing the exhibits of Link’s photos that highlight the historic Norfolk & Western Railway during the steam era. Link was a photographer who was ahead of his time with technique, so much so that Vanity Fair said he was one of the major photographers of the 20th century. He captured a way of life for railroad communities that have nearly vanished from America. The museum is housed in a circa-1905 station that’s been restored, and our people really enjoyed seeing it.
How does Roanoke compare to other cities where you have hosted meetings?
Rates are competitive when compared to Reston or Norfolk, Va., and the hotel service was probably the best we’ve ever had.
Do you have any advice for other planners who might bring a meeting to Roanoke?
Go and do a site inspection; you’ll be happy to learn about all there is to do in Roanoke. And most of it is within walking distance of Hotel Roanoke.