From the roar of Packers fans in Green Bay to the roar of waves being ridden by freshwater surfers in Sheboygan, excitement is plentiful in the heart of Wisconsin.
Thanks to the Fox River, Lake Michigan and Lake Winnebago, outdoors is the main place to be, whether it’s by a bonfire at a Door County fish boil or sailing and fishing along the coast in the Fox Cities region. Throw in some irresistible museums, maritime history and shopping, and planners have an ideal agenda for a fun-filled, productive meeting.
Green Bay
The city of Green Bay may be geographically divided by the Fox River, but it is united by the force of nature known as the Green Bay Packers. While football-related venues are a top pick among planners, history and culture receive their due as well.
One of the most sought-after off-site venues is the Lambeau Field Atrium, a space added during the last stadium renovation. The atrium features restaurants, a gift shop, meeting or event space for up to 1,600 and the Packers Hall of Fame Museum.
"The atrium is very popular with groups," says Beth Ropson, director of sales for the Green Bay CVB. "Events can include receptions, dinners, museum tours, even a tailgate party or a behind-the-scenes stadium tour of areas the public doesn’t usually see."
For a dash of Native American culture, the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin offers both traditional and contemporary experiences for attendees. The Oneida Nation Museum provides insight into tribal history and life, while a tour through the organic farm illustrates self-sustaining practices while respecting the environment. Planners can also contact tribal representatives and bring drummers and dancers to an off-site reception or event. Afterward, visitors can unwind at Oneida Bingo and Casino, located next to the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center Green Bay.
Other meetings properties in Green Bay include the Tundra Lodge Resort and Waterpark and the Comfort Suites Hotel and Rock Garden Conference Center, while the KI Convention Center is the city’s primary venue for large events. In nearby Mishicot, Fox Hills Resort offers golf, a spa and 15,000 square feet of meeting space.
Door County
Filled with history and maritime culture, Door County is popular with small groups because the area offers a vast number of downtime and off-site venues. Door County is less than an hour from Green Bay, and its unique location on a peninsula means there are ample outdoor activities.
"There are many places to just meet, but a meeting destination should attract you as a leisure traveler as well," says Mary Denis, director of marketing and sales for the Door County CVB. "Door County is a small meetings market, but it’s a gem."
One activity has become a cherished tradition in Door County: the fish boil, an outdoor culinary experience unique to the area involving a blazing bonfire, an iron kettle and lots of fresh fish and tasty veggies. The CVB can help planners to arrange a fish boil reception or dinner. Special group tours are also available through the CVB, from itineraries spotlighting historic lighthouses to area wineries. There’s even a trolley-bound ghost tour, perfect for chilly fall nights. Outdoor activities include sailing and fishing charters and kayak tours.
One of the largest meetings properties in the area is Landmark Resort in Egg Harbor, with more than 10,000 square feet of space. Other facilities include Wagon Trail Resort in Ellison Bay and Gordon Lodge in Baileys Harbor.
Lake Winnebago
Along the shores of Lake Winnebago are several distinct cities providing great options for groups, from Appleton and Neenah, known as the Fox Cities, to Oshkosh and Fond du Lac.
The Fox Cities is the perfect site for attendees in need of some retail therapy. The area boasts the largest shopping area in Wisconsin. At the center of the shopping district is the Fox River Mall, surrounded by a mix of boutiques, mom-and-pop stores and national chains. In addition to the mall, shopping is also available in downtown Appleton and the historic district of Neenah. Special shopping getaways can be arranged for attendees or spouses, and such outings are very popular with groups in spite of the current economy, according to Lynn Peters, executive director of the Fox Cities CVB.
"They may spend less per person, but they still want the experience of shopping and friendship," she says.
Meetings hotels include the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel, the Best Western Bridgewood Resort Hotel and Conference Center, the Holiday Inn Neenah Riverwalk and the Hilton Garden Inn in nearby Kimberly.
In Oshkosh, high-flying attractions and historic venues await groups, from the EAA AirVenture Museum to the Grand Opera House, a restored theater built in 1883. Other off-site possibilities include the Paine Art Center and Gardens, hosting exhibitions from artists such as Norman Rockwell and Frederic Remington, and The Waters, a 1901 waterfront mansion restored as a yacht club and event venue.
Meetings properties include the Oshkosh City Center Hotel, the Sunnyview Expo Center and the Gruenhagen Conference Center.
Near Oshkosh is Fond du Lac, a town with diverse attractions like the Siberian Outpost, which illustrates the history of dog-sleds along with demonstrations and tours.
More outdoor fun can be had in Kettle Moraine State Forest and Hobbs Woods Nature Study Area, while Lake Winnebago offers sailing, fishing and boat tours.
Area facilities include the Ramada Plaza Hotel and the Holiday Inn Fond du Lac.
Nearby in Green Lake, Heidel House Resort & Spa features meeting and event space for up to 400 as well as a spa and charter yacht.
Sheboygan County
Located between Lake Michigan and the Kettle Moraine State Forest, Sheboygan County is a wonderland of outdoor activities, from nature trails to sailing and kayaking, and the area is known as the freshwater surfing capital of the world. There are also numerous opportunities for corporate fishing tournaments, including angling for trout or salmon in Lake Michigan or any of the area’s 72 inland lakes.
Sheboygan County is recognized as a top golf destination as well, and hosted the 2010 PGA Championship. The competition was held at Kohler’s Whistling Straits, which boasts several of the top public courses in the country, according to Golf Digest magazine.
Other team-building activities include the Cookin’ for Hunger program at the Kohler Experiential Center. A different type of culinary experience awaits attendees at the L’ecole de la Maison Cooking School, located along Elkhart Lake at the Osthoff Resort. The resort has funtion space for up to 1,000 attendees.
Other area facilities include the 183-room Blue Harbor Resort and Conference Center and Destination Kohler’s American Club Resort and Inn on Woodlake. The American Club features several meeting rooms, and the Inn on Woodlake has 3,000 square feet of function space.
Beth Bartlett is a frequent contributor to Meetings MidAmerica.
