Grand River Center
- The Grand River Center sits on the shores of the Mississippi River in Dubuque’s downtown, and its glass-framed River Room actually protrudes out of the building over Dubuque’s RiverWalk and overlooks the river itself. This makes for a unique setting, a comfortable atmosphere and a great learning location, although the River Room’s stunning view may vie for the attention of attendees! www.grandrivercenter.com
Hotel Julien Dubuque
- With its $30 million-plus renovation scheduled for a July 2009 completion, the historic Hotel Julien Dubuque offers groups a way to glimpse the past while enjoying all the pleasures the present offers. This 135-room beauty is set to reopen with a winning combination of state-of-the-art technology, great views of Dubuque’s bluffs and the Mississippi River, ornate architecture and furnishings, a spa, two ballrooms and seven cozy breakout rooms. www.hoteljuliendubuque.com
Riverboats
- Groups can get a taste of something different by holding a breakout meeting on a river-excursion vessel. Planners can try the Spirit of Dubuque paddlewheeler or Miss Dubuque power yacht, as well as the Dubuque American Lady power yacht. These vessels allow groups from five to 100 to head out onto the mighty Mississippi in comfort and style, creating a truly unique learning experience. www.spiritofdubuque.com ; www.americanladycruises.com
Four Mounds Ropes Course
- Four Mounds is an inn and conference center located just north of downtown, and one of its big draws is a challenge ropes course located in the pine and hardwood forest of the Four Mounds Reserve. Instructors help take groups through a series of activities designed to strengthen teams’ physical, mental and emotional skills, not to mention their ability to work together and trust one another. Groups should have a “reasonable willingness to try” and a willingness to spend some time outside their collective comfort zone—but the rewards include group and individual growth. www.fourmounds.org