In America’s first centuries, transportation links helped shape the new nation, including its lifestyles and economy. First it was rivers, then dirt roads and long-haul and urban rails that kept the young nation connected.
When the airplane and the automobile debuted in the early 20th century, everything really took off. The open highway represented independence and freedom, spawning a love affair between Americans and their cars.
Groups can step inside the country’s enthralling transportation history in a variety of museums and other venues, places offering dedicated spaces for meetings, team-building activities and gala events.
Up, Up and Away
The fascinating chronicles of American space travel are traced at the two locations of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum (NASM).
The main museum is located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is in suburban Virginia adjacent to Washington Dulles International Airport. Both offer multiple venues and exhibition galleries for off-site events, tours, team building and more.
"A conference kickoff reception at the main museum after-hours is just pure excitement," says Linda Hicks, director of special events for NASM. "You have the use of the IMAX Theater, the planetarium and simulator galleries. And docents are available to explain the artifacts.
"At the Virginia site, we can accommodate up to 7,000 people total, but there are small venues throughout the facility like the observation tower that holds up to 200 for a reception," she adds.
Because both NASM sites are large, planners often put receptions and dinners in separate areas. At the Hazy Center, an evening might start with cocktails beneath the nose of the Enterprise space shuttle, then progress to dinner by the dramatic SR71 Blackbird.
At the Washington location, groups can have cocktails beneath Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis and then enjoy dinner in the rockets hall. While there are options such as putting executives in space or alien suits, Hicks says the permanent "bells and whistles" in the museum are more than adequate for a dramatic event.
Group activities at the two NASM sites range from scavenger hunts at after-hours events to team-building exercises in flight simulators. According to Hicks, summer and winter provides more available dates than spring and fall.
In Huntsville, Ala., unique team-building activities and gala events for up to 4,000 people are available at The U.S. Space & Rocket Center, otherwise known as "Space Camp."
"We do after-hours events for hundreds and custom team-building programs that last from a few hours to five days," says Ed Stewart, corporate program manager. "Almost every business sector you can think of has been here for something. We have high and low ropes courses, and team building on flight simulators is very popular."
On-site meeting spaces encourage a mix of business with fun at the center, he adds.
On the Road
America’s romance with the automobile is the subject of two museums in Pennsylvania and Kentucky.
The National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Ky., located one hour from Nashville, Tenn., is devoted to the legendary Corvette sports car. And because it’s located across the road from the Corvette assembly plant, group tours of the plant are often included with museum events.
The museum, which is owned by a private foundation, includes a conference center with high-tech amenities. Seated dinners for up to 500 are accommodated.
Roc Linkov, events manager at the museum, says exhibits include at least 75 cars covering every model year since 1953.
"We have both collector cars and the latest models, and groups enjoy our interactive aspects," he says, adding that a pit crew game and driving simulators are both educational and useful for team building.
The Antique Auto Museum in Hershey, Pa., is one of Chocolatetown’s attractions, offering event space among collections of cars, motorcycles, scooters and buses.
"We’re a great off-site choice away from the hotel ballroom," says Michael Patterson, manager of sales and events.
There is a boardroom seating 25, while the entire museum accommodates up to 2,000. Live bands and scavenger hunts among the artifacts are among the popular event options.
Riding the Rails
In the 19th century, railroads opened up towns and cities to unprecedented commerce and new lifestyles. In the latter part of the century, Americans began moving from farms to cities for manufacturing and office jobs. Though many walked to work, trolleys offered commuters another option.
The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, a state museum, and The Strasburg Rail Road (www.strasburgrail
road.com), a private attraction, are located across from one another near group meeting facilities in scenic Lancaster County, Pa.
According to Traci Ray, a guide at the state museum, groups can use the two sites in tandem.
"Our collection is one of the most complete collections of vintage engines and passenger cars, from steam to diesel and electric which no longer move," she says. "Strasburg is one of the country’s oldest short lines that has been operating for over 125 years. It’s a working train ride on which groups can ride and dine.
"In our museum, the impressive Rolling Stock Hall is a unique venue for up to 400, and we also have a multipurpose room for up to 40 people with food service, or 50 without," she continues.
Another major repository of vintage railroading is in Baltimore at the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum. Its 1884 Baldwin Roundhouse is a popular facility for many types of private events, according to Kathy Hargest, director of events and corporate sponsorships.
"We are 10 blocks from Inner Harbor, and we do lots of after-hours receptions," she says. "We can handle nearly 3,000 for a standing event or 450 for seated ones. Everyone wants to be on the center space turntable, but we can accommodate more people by using the bays that surround it."
Other possibilities include team-building scavenger hunts and daytime meetings in a multipurpose room followed by after-hours events either indoors or outdoors in a pavilion.
The O. Winston Link Museum is a popular venue for groups meeting in Virginia’s Roanoke Valley. The museum celebrates the artistic photography of Link, who focused on the Norfolk and Western Railway as he captured the romance of railroading and social history of his day.
The museum has a theater that seats 75 for meetings, while the adjacent Trackside Lobby space is a popular reception site.
At the Connecticut Trolley Museum near Hartford and Springfield, groups can ride the rails, dine onboard and convene for business near urban rail cars that had their heyday in the mid-20th century.
"We have a theater for up to 90, and groups generally ride the cars for about 20 to 25 minutes to get a historical narration," says Manager Carol Zenczak, adding that receptions in the visitor center are also popular.
