Among the most scenic destinations in the East, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont allow planners to easily facilitate enjoyable activities outside the meeting room any time of year.
Keeping the agenda New England-inspired is also a snap. An afternoon of skiing or snowmobiling is perfectly punctuated with a cup of hot cocoa during the cold winter. A lobster bake is the perfect way to top off a hiking or sailing excursion in summer or a golf outing or zip-line adventure during spring. And after a day of leaf-peeping, a cup of hot cider hits the spot in autumn.
The options are endless for a memorable meeting that incorporates the great outdoors.
Waterborne Activities
Pristine lakes, idyllic ponds and beautiful beaches are scattered throughout New Hampshire and provide water sports and activities for groups visiting the state during summer, according to Michele Cota, spokesperson for New Hampshire Meetings, which is a program through the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development.
Groups can Jet Ski on Lake Winnipesaukee, take a boat tour via outfitters like Portsmouth Harbor Cruises, hike to a waterfall or just relax and enjoy water views, Cota says.
The Greater Portland region of Maine offers beautiful vistas, succulent lobster and stately lighthouses all within a 15-mile radius of the state's largest metropolitan area, says Holly Guy, spokesperson at the Greater Portland CVB.
One popular water endeavor in the area is a tour of Casco Bay via Lucky Catch Cruises, during which groups will experience a day in the life of Maine lobstermen, Guy says.
She adds that boat rides to Cow Island via Portland Schooner Company or Maine Sailing Adventures are always a hit with corporate groups. Once at Cow Island, a lobster bake can be arranged, or a team-building event with Rippleffect.
Leaf-Peeping
It's known the world over that New England is the hotspot for gorgeous fall foliage.
"What more can be said about the variety of color that Vermont has in the fall," says Ronda Berns, executive director of the Vermont Convention Bureau, suggesting planners ask about guided hiking tours throughout the state during autumn. "Our vast variety of maple trees and birch trees produce spectacular fall colors."
One of the main reasons New Hampshire is such a popular spot to visit in fall is the explosion of colors that bursts over the landscape, according to New Hampshire Meetings' Cota.
"Visitors can get help choosing where to go to see the leaves at their peak by reading the up-to-date foliage reports for each region of the state," she says.
Manchester, N.H. touts leaf-peeping in the city.
"It's not just for the mountains," says Charlene Courtemanche, spokesperson at the Greater Manchester COC. "Along with Restaurant Week, guests can eat at some of the top restaurants for a fixed rate and enjoy the beautiful colors of the foliage."
In Mt. Washington Valley, N.H., planners might look into a mobile meeting/leaf-peeping tour via North Conway-based Conway Scenic Railroad or a trek to the top of Mt. Washington via the Bretton Woods-based Cog Railway.
"At the top, groups can see into four states and Canada on a clear day," says Marti Mayne, spokesperson at the Mt. Washington Valley COC.
The venerable Omni Mount Washington Resort is a top retreat choice for groups gathering in the region. The property, which opened in 1902, takes full advantage of its beautiful natural setting.
Hit the Links
Scattered throughout Vermont are 19 championship golf courses, according to Vermont Convention Bureau's Berns. Many of them, like the 27-hole course at Stratton Mountain Ski Resort and the 36-hole course at Stowe Mountain Resort, are group-friendly and conveniently located adjacent to meeting facilities for pre-game breakfast functions or post-game award luncheons.
Bar Harbor, Maine, is home to several picturesque and meetings-equipped golf courses as well, including Kebo Valley Golf Club and Bar Harbor Golf Course, which sports water views.
In Portland, Maine, are Sugarloaf and Sunday River resorts, where golfers take to the links when their skis are tucked away for the warmer seasons.
Winter Wonderland
And during the winter, when the golf courses are blanketed in snow, groups convening in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont are welcome to go skiing and snowboarding.
"Meet outside on the patio of a Vermont resort and be inspired with the majestic Vermont mountains at your back and explore you group's full potential," says the Vermont Convention Bureau's Berns.
Joining the aforementioned Stratton and Stowe are other ski resort areas complete with meeting space and golf courses for play during the warmer months, including Warren-based Sugarbush, Jay Peak in Jay, Vt., and Killington Resort.
In New Hampshire, says New Hampshire Meetings' Cota, "there's nothing like our legendary big mountains to get alpine skiers and snowboarders excited."
Planners can investigate New Hampshire's alpine ski areas via the online portal Ski New Hampshire. They'll find, Cota says, a slope perfect for every skier regardless of ability.
The Mountain Club on Loon Resort & Spa is a favorite meetings-ready group retreat with easy access to adventures on Loon Mountain, including skiing.
Manchester, N.H.-based McIntyre Ski Area provides an urban ski experience, according to the Greater Manchester COC's Courtemanche.
"It's not a high mountain, but what a fun afternoon! You can tube or ski and at a reasonable cost," she says.
Horse-drawn sleigh rides from Kennebunkport, Maine's Rockin' Horse Stables, snowmobile tours in Killington, Okemo and Stowe, Vt., and everything in between are available to make a group's winter experience complete.
Berns, of the Vermont Convention Bureau, says many unique wintertime activities can be arranged for groups, including ice sculpture competitions and ice climbing with an outdoor adventure tour.
"Or meet in a restored historic round barn then snowshoe to a secluded cabin in the woods during the full moon for a gourmet dinner," she says, citing Round Barn Farm as a good host.
In Bangor, Maine, according to Jessica Donahue, spokesperson at the Greater Bangor CVB, the superior climate and spectacular scenic views mingle to offer some of the world's best snowmobiling trails.
"We have many trailside accommodations with rentals available within the region—there is nothing more beautiful than a freshly snow-covered forest in the early morning," she says. "Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing also provide that team-building aspect to any meeting."
In New Hampshire, Cota says, dog sledding is fun and gaining popularity.
"It is one of New Hampshire Grand's certified grand adventures," she says, adding that two outfitters, Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel in Jefferson, and White Mountain Sled Dog Adventures out of Whitefield, N.H., offer a variety of experiences, including getting to mush the dogs yourself.
Maple Sugaring
Throughout Vermont and New Hampshire, two of the country's leading purveyors of maple syrup, sugaring maple trees is a standby activity that occurs annually from around late February through mid-spring, according to state representatives Berns and Cota.
"During those weeks, the New Hampshire maple industry produces close to 90,000 gallons of maple syrup," Cota says, adding that each year New Hampshire Maple Producers holds an Open House Weekend during which many of the state's dozens of sugar houses participate, and groups are welcome to visit, much like a wine-tasting tour.
Among the participating sugar houses are Bethlehem-based Rocks Estate in the White Mountains, where tours and demonstrations are available.
Come Fly Away
The White Mountains region, according to Mikey Duprey, CTIS, group coordinator at White Mountains Attractions, is a spectacularly scenic four-season destination.
A fantastic way to take in the area's splendor is via a zip line or canopy tour adventure above it all.
Alpine Adventures in Lincoln, N.H., features tree-top canopy zip-lining excitement, and Bretton Woods Canopy Tours, operating from Mount Washington Resort, offers the longest zip line canopy tour in New England.
"A ride on a zip line is a fun and unique way to take in the mountain views of New Hampshire," says Cota, spokesperson for New Hampshire Meetings.
Vermont's first zip line canopy tour is located in Smugglers' Notch via outfitter ArborTrek Canopy Adventures.
On Foot
Hiking around New Hampshire, with thousands of miles of scenic trails, including 1,200 miles in the White Mountain National Forest and a section of the Appalachian Trail, and around the resort areas of Vermont, will be a satisfying pursuit for groups consisting of active folks during the spring, summer and fall.
Bangor, Maine, hiking options also encompass some of the Appalachian Trail.
And when meeting in Bar Harbor, Maine, there are many great activities that offer the opportunity to take a break from the boardroom, according to Chris Fogg, executive director of the Bar Harbor COC.
"Enjoy some of the breathtaking scenic vistas of Acadia National Park. Whether it is a group whale-watching adventure or simply a hike along one of the 42 miles of carriage roads in Acadia National Park, there is a great activity for any size group," he says, adding that groups might like to walk from town into Acadia along the Great Meadow Loop.
Outdoor Festivities
Winter solstice to summer solstice celebrations, seasonal farmers markets, music festivals and various other gatherings that shine a light on local heritage and offerings fill the event calendars in Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire.
Vermont is truly a four-season resort, according to the Vermont Convention Bureau's Berns, who suggests planners should consider the option of scheduling a meeting around an outdoor concert series like June's Burlington Discover Jazz Festival. The Reggae Maplesplash, a festival within the jazz festival, features about six hours of good vibes via roots rock reggae.
Manchester, N.H., is also filled with year-long festivities that visiting groups will enjoy, says the Greater Manchester COC's Courtemanche, citing Hispanic, Greek, Irish and French events throughout the summer, the World's Championship Chili Cookoff in the fall at Veterans Park downtown and various holiday parades.
"There are parades for Memorial Day, St. Patrick's Day and a December holiday parade," she says. "They all add to the fun of the downtown."
Carolyn Blackburn is a frequent contributor to Meetings Focus East.
