Many meetings destinations are playing what might be called a new value tune in these days of economic doldrums. But they’re only lining up behind the Milwaukee area, which continues to receive ovations for its long-standing combination of budget-friendly prices and quality group experiences.
Another bonus is Milwaukee’s sometimes surprising green side, which quickly dispels any images of a rust belt city ringed with smokestacks. Located right on Lake Michigan, the city’s 22 miles of shoreline are bordered by parks and other green spaces that refresh the spirit. Dedicated eco-friendly green practices by principal lodgings, attractions and venues testify to the city’s environmental commitment.
Milwaukee
Those who like to prove a destination’s value with statistics find plenty to talk about based on recent industry reports, according to Brent Foerster, vice president of sales and marketing for Visit Milwaukee.
“Runzheimer International looks at about 70 convention destinations in the country, and for meals and overnight stays, Milwaukee routinely falls right around 60 for affordability in its competitive set,” Foerster says. “Through 2008, the Runzheimer Meal and Lodging Index put us at $176.64 for average cost of first-class lodging and three meals.”
There’s other good news to talk about apart from the stats, Foerster adds.
“People who come here for meetings and events don’t sacrifice experiences that make for a good destination—like walkability, restaurant selection and attractions,” he says. “And that will not change in 2012. Everyone is offering meeting deals right now, just as they have during other periods of economic downturn, and you can certainly find great deals in first-tier destinations. But at the end of the day, we offer our customers ‘dependable value’ and will continue doing so even as the economy improves. As other destinations go back up on their prices, people will continue to find good budget-friendly reasons to come to Milwaukee.”
The city has also been named one of the top 10 “2008 Best Places for Value Vacations” on Hotwire.com’s Travel Value Index, an annual survey of the top 10 U.S. cities for traveler value and entertainment options.
Retail, culinary and arts scenes continue to expand and diversify, while new and improved venues are also coming on-line. Among Milwaukee’s new stars are the Harley-Davidson Museum, Iron Horse Hotel and Potawatomi Bingo Casino, which has tripled its size. The city’s major convention hotels—Hyatt Regency Milwaukee and Hilton Milwaukee City Center—are undergoing major renovations, while the The Pfister, a venerable favorite, was recently renovated.
Trendy lodging choices are also ratcheting up the value proposition. The Iron Horse Hotel made Conde Nast Traveler’s 2009 Hot Hotel List, with its design and amenities geared to motorcycle enthusiasts. It’s a 102-room property located across the river from the Harley-Davidson Museum, and it offers covered cycle parking and spa services. It was built inside a century-old warehouse, and much of the old architectural bones have been preserved, including exposed brick and fire doors.
Meanwhile, aloft Milwaukee will open at the end of this year in the city’s Park East Area, adjacent to the scenic RiverWalk area. The new lifestyle property will have 160 guest rooms and meeting space, along with its signature gourmet grab-and-go food choices.
Around town, groups have some engaging stops to discover in their quest for value. Examples include culinary demonstrations by a professional chef at the Milwaukee Public Market’s demonstration kitchen. The demonstrations take place year-round at this indoor marketplace that recalls those scattered about Europe. The market features specialty food vendors that focus on Wisconsin-grown products, as well as artisan and international produce, cheeses and organic items. Discovery World arranges sailing trips on the S/V Denis Sullivan, a 19th century, three-masted Great Lakes Schooner. And for unique views and experiences inside the city, groups can roll away on Segway of Milwaukee Tours for custom outings and events.
The famous MillerCoors Brewery tours that explore caves where Frederick J. Miller kept his products cool back in 1855 have a new starting point in a newly remodeled visitor center. The tours take visitors from the days of horse-drawn beer wagon deliveries to high-tech assembly lines, and of course, include free samples in the historic Bavarian-style Miller Inn or Miller Beer Garden.
A diverse arts scene also adds value to the Milwaukee experience. The city’s most visible icon is the Milwaukee Art Museum, with its famed winged design by architect Santiago Calatrava. And the 10-day annual Summerfest, held for more than 40 years, celebrates music of all kinds.
The summer months are also filled with ethnic festivals that occur almost every weekend to celebrate all things Irish, Italian, Greek, Polish and African. The city’s diverse neighborhoods have colorful piano bars and saloons, too, and the beat goes on.
Brookfield
Groups that gather in Milwaukee’s suburb of Brookfield enjoy the ultimate “out of office” meetings experience because of all there is to do before and after business. Located near Interstate 94, Brookfield has 13 hotels with flexible meeting space for up to 800 people. Included in the lodging lineup are the Sheraton Milwaukee Brookfield Hotel; Doubletree Hotel Milwaukee/Brookfield; Brookfield Suites Hotel and Convention Center; and Country Inn and Suites by Carlson Milwaukee West-Brookfield.
“We have the best of the area’s retail and restaurant experiences,” says Nancy Justman, executive director of the Brookfield CVB. “We are close to many Milwaukee amenities and attractions, and only 20 minutes from both downtown and the airport.”
Among Brookfield’s options are 250 retail outlets, including many national brands, and specialty and antique stores. Attendees can practice their golf swing at any of seven courses, and take in a professional baseball, basketball or soccer game. And there’s the roar at the Milwaukee Mile. Those with families enjoy many fun things to do like laser tag and rock climbing. Others stop at MillerCoors Brewery and the Harley-Davidson Museum.
Brookfield’s restaurant scene is well equipped for groups as well. Choices include Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar, Northstar American Bistro and Venice Club, which can host up to 300 for a private event.
Waukesha and Pewaukee
Located in southeast Wisconsin between Milwaukee and Madison, the communities of Waukesha and Pewaukee have more than 100,000 square feet of meeting space and 1,000 guest rooms.
Tammy Tritz, executive director of the Waukesha-Pewaukee CVB, says her destination is very convenient because of its location 15 minutes west of downtown Milwaukee.
“We position ourselves between Madison and Milwaukee, and both corporations and associations find us very well equipped for their needs.”
The newest lodging star on this area scene is The Clarke Hotel, a full-service luxury boutique in Waukesha with 20 guest rooms and meeting facilities that occupy a renovated historic building. Meeting space at The Clarke accommodates up to 150 people, Tritz says.
Among the area’s other meetings properties are Waukesha’s Country Springs Hotel Water Park-Conference Center, which Tritz says works well for groups of up to 700 people with its 40,000 square feet of meeting space; Milwaukee Marriott West in Waukesha, offering 14,000 square feet of meeting space; the Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired Radisson Milwaukee-Pewaukee, which has 119 guest rooms with 3,000 square feet of meeting space; and Pewaukee’s Comfort Suites Lake Country, with its Northwoods lodge decor, 94 suites and 1,800 square feet of meeting space.
Plenty of unique venue and tour options are on the area’s roster as well, according to Tritz.
“For example, there is Old World Wisconsin, a large outdoor living history museum, with its 576 acres and collection of over 60 historic structures,” Tritz says. “Interpreters at the various buildings tell visitors about local lifestyles from 1840 up to the early 1900s. And there is Ten Chimneys, the lovely former estate home of legendary Broadway actors Alfred Lunt and Joan Fontanne. Both sites have a variety of off-site venues for private events and offer private touring opportunities as well.”
For More Info
Brookfield CVB 262.789.0220 www.visitbrookfield.com
Visit Milwaukee 414.273.3950 www.visitmilwaukee.org
Waukesha and Pewaukee CVB 262.542.0330 www.visitwaukesha.org
