From Old World urban districts to quintessential seaside havens, Hartford and southeastern Connecticut are one-of-a-kind New England destinations with plenty of meetings appeal.
Hartford itself is historical, culturally rich and intensely focused on meetings-friendly downtown development. “Mystic Country” in southeastern Connecticut is a treasure trove of attractions surrounded by splendid countryside, small towns and pretty seashore.
Hartford
Billed as “New England’s Rising Star,” Hartford is proving a promising new destination for science-oriented groups. Connecticut’s capital city is celebrating the launch of an innovative new downtown science museum that the Greater Hartford CVB (GHCVB) hopes will attract more meetings related to technology and research. It doesn’t take an astronomer to see that Hartford’s star is still very much on the rise.
“With the opening of the new Connecticut Science Center, our CVB is focusing on the science and technology meeting markets that show great interest in Hartford,” says H. Scott Phelps, president of the GHCVB. “For example, Hartford hosted the prestigious Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit organized by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, SAE International and American Society for Engineering Education, and we are building upon the success of that as we work to book future conventions.”
The science center, scheduled to open this month, is a long-anticipated component of downtown Hartford’s exciting $775 million Adriaen’s Landing development. Located across the street from Connecticut Convention Center, the riverfront development offers restaurants, shopping, nightlife and hotels. Connecticut Science Center was designed by Cesar Pelli and is expected to receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for its eco-friendly aspects. The 144,000-square-foot facility overlooks the Connecticut River and will present interactive galleries and laboratories and a 200-seat 3D theater. The final component of Adriaen’s Landing, an entertainment and retail complex construction along Front Street, is scheduled for completion in 2010.
Aside from exciting new developments, Hartford’s location is another top selling point.
“Hartford’s convenient access to more than 23.5 million people within a two-and-one-half-hour drive is a major selling point for conventions, trade shows and special events,” Phelps says. “Not only is it convenient to travel to Hartford, but once you are here, it is easy to find your way around.”
The Connecticut Convention Center itself is only 300 yards from the intersection of interstates 91 and 84, and Bradley International Airport is just a 15-minute drive from downtown Hartford. Amtrak and major bus lines stop at Hartford’s historic Union Station.
Once in town, attendees can ride the free Hartford Star Shuttle on its loop throughout downtown Hartford.
Connecticut Convention Center is the brightest star in Hartford’s meetings crown. Opened in 2005, the 540,000-square-foot facility offers 140,000 square feet of exhibition space, 16 meeting rooms and 25,000 square feet of prefunction space. The center is connected to Hartford Marriott Downtown, also built in 2005, which offers 13,500 square feet of meeting space.
Other large-scale venues in the area include XL Center, with 68,000 square feet of exhibition space and more than 21,000 square feet of meeting space; the Connecticut Expo Center, with 88,000 square feet of exhibit space; and the 40,000-seat Rentschler Field arena in East Hartford.
Hilton Hartford is connected to the XL Center and offers 15,000 square feet of meeting space, and Crowne Plaza Downtown has more than 7,000 square feet of meeting space.
Outside the city, the suburbs offer full-service meetings hotels in quieter surroundings, including Hartford Marriott Farmington, Crowne Plaza Southbury and The Heritage Hotel in Southbury.
In the Bradley International Airport area, options include the Sheraton Bradley Airport Hotel and the Doubletree Hotel Bradley International Airport.
For a city with a population of under 130,000, Hartford boasts an impressive number and variety of attractions and group-friendly activities.
“Hartford is ranked in the top 6 percent of North American metropolitan areas for its abundance of art and culture,” Phelps says. “From Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art (the oldest public art museum in the U.S.) to relaxing sunset cruises on the Connecticut River, there is something for everyone here. Our region is within an hour’s drive to all of Connecticut, the beaches of the Long Island Sound, ski slopes and hiking in the Berkshire Mountains, two of the world’s largest casinos and dozens of quaint village greens.”
Many of these attractions serve as prime off-site venues, including Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts and Connecticut’s Old State House.
At New England Air Museum at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, a banquet of 300 can dine in a historic aircraft hangar beneath the shadows of vintage aircraft.
Riverfront Recapture Park offers both outdoor and indoor meeting space right on the Connecticut River and steps from the new riverfront Lincoln Financial Sculpture Walk, where 15 sculptures celebrate the life of Abraham Lincoln.
The river can also be enjoyed with a chartered cruise aboard the 49-passenger Hartford Belle.
Other unique venues for gatherings include Real Art Ways in Hartford, an eclectic performing arts center, and the historic Mark Twain House and Museum, a stunning 19-room Victorian Gothic house where the famous author lived for 17 years.
As the economy contracts and budgets tighten, businesses are looking for new ways to capitalize on every tie and make the most out of each networking opportunity, and the GHCVB is no exception. Its “Bring It Home” campaign encourages Connecticut residents from all walks of life to open channels of communication with any associations they have membership in, and work with the GHCVB to bring those organizations’ meetings to Hartford.
“Relationships in professional associations are key to helping us leverage our visibility on the national level,” Phelps says. “Local residents’ involvement with an organization or association brings Hartford and our sales message right into a boardroom or site selection committee meeting where we otherwise would not have entry.”
Possibly Hartford’s greatest asset is the fact that once a group has experienced Hartford, it’s usually eager to return.
“One of our strengths is our high rate of booking repeat business,” Phelps says. “Meeting planners are satisfied with their experience here and they tell us that we provide the kind of personalized attention and care that bigger cities may not be able to deliver.”
Southeastern Connecticut
Known as “Mystic Country,” the southeastern region of Connecticut is home to 50 communities and a wealth of year-round attractions, ranging from seaside lures such as lighthouses, historic boats and aquariums to two large casinos. Although much of the 1,800-square-mile area is small towns and picturesque countryside that includes more than 30 state parks and public beaches, its meetings portfolio contains 9,000 guest rooms and 280,000 square feet of meeting space.
“‘Mystic Country’ is one of the most unique and diverse destinations in the Northeast,” says Janice Putnam, director of sales at the Mystic Coast and Country Travel Industry Association. “Eastern Connecticut combines natural beauty, New England maritime history, gaming and entertainment. The coastline, countryside and casinos connecting both offer planners endless possibilities within a relatively small geographic area. New England jewels such as the Mystic Seaport and Mystic Aquarium are a draw year-round and set the scene for a truly New England experience.”
The casinos are ideal for larger meetings. Mohegan Sun in Uncasville boasts 1,200 luxury guest rooms, 100,000 square feet of meeting space, 300,000 square feet of gaming action, 30 restaurants, three entertainment venues and a 20,000-square-foot spa.
MGM Grand at Foxwoods opened in 2008 to offer 825 guest rooms and 115,000 square feet of meeting space, as well as a 4,000-seat theater and a 21,000-square-foot spa, not to mention celebrity chef restaurants, shopping and a 50,000-square-foot gaming floor.
Beyond the casino properties, top meetings choices include the Mystic Marriott Hotel and Spa, which is undergoing a renovation; the recently renovated Hilton Mystic at the Aquarium; the Spa at Norwich Inn; and the Hyatt Place Mystic.
Mystic Seaport, which showcases New England’s maritime heritage, and Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, dedicated to researching, preserving and displaying the wonder of the ocean’s creatures, make excellent off-site venues as well as being two of the area’s most popular attractions.
Putnam says overall, the region represents the best of all worlds.
“The smaller market region of ‘Mystic Country’ is convenient and affordable yet can also be considered by larger groups because of the capacity of the casino resorts,” Putnam says. “I believe planners are looking for meeting locations that are multifaceted and can offer personalized service. We hear from planners that properties [in the region] are extremely accommodating and creative in responding to each planner’s unique requirements.”
For More Info
Greater Hartford CVB 860.728.6789 www.enjoyhartford.com
Mystic Coast and Country Travel Industry Association 860.536.0578 www.mysticcountry.com
