Anchored by Notre Dame and other prestigious college towns, the northern portion of Indiana also sports an attractive proximity to Chicago, waterborne activities on Lake Michigan and rivers including the St. Joseph, as well as competitive group pricing and accessibility via area airports and interstates.
Planners in search of a Midwest destination for their next event should look into the communities that comprise Northern Indiana,
including South Bend, Fort Wayne, Muncie and Lafayette, as they are all consistently spiffing up their meetings portfolios with new properties and attractions to draw group gatherings.
South Bend/Mishawaka
South Bend, world-renowned as the home of the University of Notre Dame, is a friendly community complete with golf courses as well as rafting and fishing opportunities on the St. Joseph River. In addition to being only 90 minutes from Chicago O’Hare International and Midway airports, the South Bend Regional Airport is served by six airlines offering direct flights to nine major hub cities.
“We’re a midsize city with big-city meeting services, including outstanding facilities and hotels, and unique national attractions, and we’re so easy to get to,” says Carolyne Wallace, director of sales at the South Bend/Mishawaka CVB.
One such outstanding facility, the Century Center, with more than 75,000 square feet of flexible meeting space on the banks of the St. Joseph River, anchors a revitalized downtown convention district boasting shopping, dining, arts and entertainment, all within walking distance. Century City is connected via skywalk to the South Bend Marriott Riverfront Hotel and is situated less than two blocks from the Holiday Inn Downtown South Bend.
South Bend’s newest meeting facility, the Gillespie Conference and Special Event Center, opened in 2008 with more than 15,000 square feet of flexible space adjacent to the beautiful campus of Saint Mary’s College.
Two more of South Bend’s standby hotels are the Hilton Garden Inn and the Inn at Saint Mary’s, and in neighboring Mishawaka is the recently opened Hyatt Place South Bend/Mishawaka as well as a Comfort Suites property.
Also connected via skywalk to Century Center is the College Football Hall of Fame, which is often used for off-site events—its outdoor Gridiron Plaza is a perfect spot for themed “tailgate” receptions for as many as 1,000 guests.
According to Wallace, the atrium of the Studebaker National Museum accommodates groups of up to 250 for seated banquet meals. After dinner or during prefunction cocktails, attendees can wander the three levels of this 80,000-square-foot museum that retells Studebaker automobile history.
While there’s much to do and see in the South Bend area, probably the most popular group activity in town is a guided tour of Notre Dame.
“It’s a must for any group visiting South Bend, and dining and shopping are available on campus,” Wallace says.
For a more removed meetings setting, planners might check out nearby Swan Lake Resort in Plymouth.
Upper Northwest
The aptly named South Shore, comprising about 20 towns, is situated only 25 miles from downtown Chicago along the southern shores of Lake Michigan in Northwest Indiana and, according to Kate Hurey, convention sales manager at the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority (formerly the Lake County CVB), groups should take advantage of the area’s low prices.
“From here, groups can enjoy the Windy City, Indiana Dunes [National Lakeshore] and other attractions,” she says, citing the Shrine of Christ’s Passion in St. John, Albanese Confectionery in Merrillville, Fair Oaks Farms in Fair Oaks, the Community Veterans Memorial in Munster and the South Shore Arts hub, also in Munster, where groups might take in a show at the Theatre at the Center.
Among South Shore’s group-friendly facilities are The Venue, a new 90,000-square-foot facility at the Horseshoe Hammond Casino, the Calumet Conference Center at Purdue University, with more than 7,000 square feet of meeting space, the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza, the Hilton Garden Inn Merrillville, Hammond’s Ramada Inn & Conference Center and Best Western Northwest Indiana Inn.
The Barn at County Line Orchard in Hobart, Hurey adds, provides a unique setting for special events from November through July. The facility offers on-site catering and accommodates up to 225 guests.
Recently named in Forbes magazine’s top 100 list of Best Small Places for Business and Careers, and No. 1 for culture and leisure activities, LaPorte County boasts scenic beauty, fabulous shopping and group-equipped facilities, according to Leslie A. Schroeder, sales and marketing manager at the LaPorte County CVB.
“LaPorte County is probably most well-known for our beaches and sand dunes,” she says. “We have the only functional lighthouse in Indiana.”
The area’s newest property is the Blue Chip Casino & Hotel in Michigan City. In January, Blue Chip unveiled a 23-story hotel, spa and convention center. Also catering to group business are the Best Western LaPorte Hotel & Conference Center, which was completely renovated in late 2008, and the Clarion Inn Michigan City.
Nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan, LaPorte County is also recognized as one of the Coho salmon capitals of the world.
“We have a great charter boat association that welcomes all groups at fantastic rates,” Schroeder says. “The most popular is a half-day trip with a seasoned captain who will take the group to all the popular hot spots. After a day of charter fishing, the group can take their catch to the Michigan City Harbor Grill, where the chefs will clean and prepare the fresh fish.”
Fort Wayne/Allen County
The appealing aspects of booking an event in Fort Wayne, home to Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW), says Betsy Perry Patton, communications manager at the Fort Wayne/Allen County CVB, are easy access, affordability and Hoosier hospitality.
Plus, Fort Wayne features state-of-the-art meeting facilities and unique off-site venues, Perry Patton adds.
The largest “marquee” meeting venues are the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, situated across the street from the new Holiday Inn IPFW at Memorial Coliseum, and the Grand Wayne Convention Center, situated downtown and attached to the Hilton Fort Wayne.
Additionally, the Fort Wayne Marriott, which recently underwent a renovation, and Don Hall’s Guesthouse are popular hotels for groups.
For off-site gatherings, Fort Wayne sports many options. Among them are the Arts United Center, a Louis Kahn building; the Allen County Courthouse, a National Historic Landmark; the Historic Embassy Theatre; and the Botanical Conservatory.
Catching a TinCaps baseball game at the brand-new Parkview Field in downtown Fort Wayne is a fun off-session group activity. The field also has several facilities for group events.
About 40 miles north of Fort Wayne is Potawatomi Inn Resort & Conference Center in Angola.
Kosciusko County
With a setting punctuated by more than 100 lakes, Kosciusko County, located west of Fort Wayne, is a natural for groups wishing to enjoy the great outdoors, yet the region is also home to plenty of other diversions.
Exploring nature trails, bicycling, ballooning and boating are among the many fresh-air activities available, and one of the most popular options for groups is a private event aboard the 70-foot Dixie paddle wheeler on Webster Lake.
On the shores of Winona Lake is another popular attraction: the Village at Winona, a thriving arts community that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The village features shops, restaurants, museums, galleries, studios and an amphitheater, in addition to numerous events throughout the year.
The arts and culture scene in Kosciusko County is also complemented by lures such as the Symphony of the Lakes concerts at Winona Lake and performances at the Wagon Wheel Theatre at the Ramada Complex in Warsaw.
Among the region’s best-equipped properties for meetings is the Ramada Plaza Hotel in Warsaw and Brook Pointe Inn in Syracuse.
West Lafayette/Lafayette
Located between Indianapolis and Chicago, the West Lafayette/Lafayette area is home to Purdue University, a variety of architectural gems, historic neighborhoods and ample meetings amenities, according to Ashley Simpson, group tours and meetings manager at the Lafayette-West Lafayette CVB.
“Purdue University has any kind of function space you could think of,” Simpson says, citing Elliott Hall of Music, a theater that seats more than 6,000 people, various classroom-style spaces and Purdue Memorial Union, which has two ballrooms that accommodate banquets, receptions or trade shows.
Meetings-friendly properties in West Lafayette include University Plaza Hotel, while Lafayette is home to Homewood Suites by Hilton, Courtyard by Marriott, Holiday Inn City Centre and Best Western Executive Plaza & Conference Center.
Popular off-site venues for group events include Historic Prophetstown Barn, which is located within Prophetstown State Park and is available for evening dances and receptions; the restored Lafayette Theatre, which accommodates meal functions plus a movie or other entertainment; Long Center for the Performing Arts’ St. John Pavilion; and Lafayette Brewing Co., which has a second floor that is used for live entertainment and parties.
According to Simpson, several downtown galleries are available to work together in hosting a progressive dinner/art crawl for groups.
Muncie
Affordable pricing is a trademark of the Muncie community when it comes to hosting meetings and events, says Shonda L. Kane, convention & marketing sales manager at the Muncie Visitors Bureau.
“We pride ourselves on offering big-city services at small-town prices,” she says, adding that the Muncie community is well-known for its hospitality. “Courteous, friendly and helpful people who are willing to meet your every need has become a signature part of what we have to offer.”
Muncie also features several meetings-equipped facilities, including the Horizon Convention Center, with 47,000 feet of meeting space; the Cornerstone Center for the Arts, formerly a Masonic Temple boasting a grand ballroom and ornate auditorium; and several hotels with meeting space, including the Signature Inn, Lee’s Inn, Comfort Inn & Suites and Hampton Inn & Suites.
Among Muncie’s favored off-site event spaces are the Academy of Model Aeronautics, home of the National Model Aviation Museum, featuring the largest collection of model aircraft in the U.S., and Minnetrista, which boasts beautiful gardens, a historic home, a nature area, sculptures and shops.
“Groups also love our many artistic options, such as the Artist Within, which lets attendees explore their artistic side with a paint-your-own pottery studio, bead bar and jewelry making, gift shop and gallery,” Kane says, adding that at Abby Candles, attendees experience the process of candle-making before visiting the gift shop, where they are offered a discount.
Muncie is home to Ball State University and the Ball Corporation, famous for glass jars, and groups can enjoy visits to the E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center, a Muncie landmark since it was completed in 1907.
“For years, ‘Nebosham,’ as the house was originally named, was the family home of Mr. and Mrs. Ball and their children,” Kane says. “Tours of the home and wonderful architecture are often followed by a catered lunch in the home.”
For More Info
Fort Wayne/Allen County CVB 260.424.3700 www.visitfortwayne.com
Lafayette/West Lafayette CVB 765.447.9999 www.homeofpurdue.com
South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority 219.989.7770 www.southshorecva.com
Kosciusko County Visitors Bureau 574.269.6090 www.koscvb.org
LaPorte County CVB 219.872.5055 www.visitlaportecounty.com
Muncie Visitors Bureau 765.284.2700 www.munciecvb.org
Northern Indiana Lakes Country 260.665.5386 www.lakes101.org
South Bend/Mishawaka CVB 574.232.0231 www.exploresouthbend.org
