Situated in the heart of the Midwest, Central Illinois brims with charming communities that provide affordable meetings options.
Draws include the historical and cultural riches of Springfield; meetings-friendly hotspots such as Peoria’s downtown, which has major changes on its horizon; strong performing arts and culinary offerings, including those in the university communities of Champaign-Urbana and Bloomington-Normal; and unique attractions, such as the Chevrolet Hall of Fame in Decatur.
Springfield
Springfield is the capital of Illinois and an ideal convention and meeting destination offering a unique balance of business and pleasure, according to Gina Gemberling, director of sales at the Springfield CVB (SCVB). Plus, its central location bodes well for attendance, and the SCVB is available to help planners every step of the way.
“Planning the perfect event takes more than finding the right venue,” she says. “Your Springfield ‘Go To’ team specialist understands the scope of planning both large and small events and will offer you a menu of complimentary services that can help you plan even the most complex event with ease.”
Springfield boasts more than 4,000 hotel rooms in three distinctive convention areas.
The historic downtown Springfield area is home to the Prairie Capital Convention Center, which is connected to the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel & Conference Center and adjacent to the Hilton Springfield. The Crowne Plaza Springfield resides in the Lake Springfield area. And at the Illinois State Fairgrounds are the Expo Building and other facilities that accommodate everything from exhibits to presentations and lectures.
Gemberling adds that Springfield offers meeting planners truly unique opportunities for special off-site gatherings.
“Many of our historic sites and visitor attractions are available for private functions,” she says, citing Frank Lloyd Wright’s Dana-Thomas House, various Route 66 sites and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum complex. “Genealogical research is a unique option for planners to consider, and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library is one of the premier genealogical research facilities in the country. The library also contains a world-class Civil War collection.”
Considering Springfield’s size, its theater scene is exceptional, Gemberling adds, explaining that groups might enjoy a nationally touring Broadway show or musical performance at Sangamon Auditorium or Hoogland Center for the Arts. PageBreak
Peoria
Peoria is poised for some big changes. On the horizon, according to Jill M. Gleason, director of sales at the Peoria Area CVB, is a new downtown featuring the Peoria Riverfront Museum and the Caterpillar Visitors Center, both set to open in October.
Additionally, a downtown hotel project will add two new Marriott properties, attached via skywalk, to the Peoria Civic Center. The Hotel Pere Marquette by Marriott is scheduled to open sometime in 2013, and a Marriott by Courtyard will debut in 2014.
The two Marriotts will join Peoria’s existing lineup of group-friendly properties, including Four Points by Sheraton, Embassy Suites and Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino.
The area is also home to several sports facilities that double as off-site venues for group gatherings.
Among the options are Avanti’s Dome Events & Sports Center in nearby Pekin, Ill., which features four ball diamonds and a banquet facility with an attached beer garden, and O’Brien Field, which is the home of the Peoria Chiefs and offers private dining and business meeting spaces.
After the meeting, groups can visit Wildlife Prairie State Park, a 2,000-acre zoological habitat boasting more than 50 different species of animals that are native to Illinois.
In addition to bison and elk sightings, attendees can enjoy 14 miles of walking trails, 20 miles of mountain biking trails, four fishing lakes and a narrow-gauge train ride at the park, which also features banquet facilities and conference rooms.
Bloomington-Normal
The Bloomington-Normal area is another easily accessible Illinois locale for conference attendees.
“We find that clients often tell us their attendance increases when they host meetings in our area because of the convenience in traveling to Bloomington-Normal,” says Megan Rolfs, conventions marketing manager at the Bloomington-Normal Area CVB, adding that affordability is another key factor in attracting (and booking repeat) group business.
“Because the economy has not completely recovered and clients are still looking for some great deals, we are really selling our affordability,” she says. “We can offer the same great meeting facilities at very affordable rates.”
Among the dozen different group-friendly venues in the Bloomington-Normal area are the Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, Doubletree by Hilton, The Chateau Hotel and Conference Center and Illinois State University, featuring venues that can accommodate groups of up to 10,000 people. Joining the portfolio in 2013 is the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center Normal.
“Bloomington-Normal also offers some great attractions that appeal to everyone, from the historic David Davis Mansion to the picturesque White Oak Vineyards,” Rolfs says. “Additionally, the US Cellular Coliseum has become the premier venue for entertainment, hosting a variety of sporting events, concerts and shows throughout the year.”
Some attractions can also be used for off-site gatherings, including the recently renovated Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts, a historic landmark that sits as the centerpiece of the city’s cultural district and can host groups of up to 1,200 people.
The Ewing Cultural Center, including the Theatre at Ewing, host of the annual Illinois Shakespeare Festival, and the historic 395-seat Normal Theater are two other options.
“The Normal Theater has been completely restored to its original Art Deco design,” Rolfs says. “It is attached to the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, offering added convenience as an off-site venue for conference attendees.”
Bloomington-Normal , Rolfs adds, has been ranked by Golf Digest as No. 5 in its “Best American Cities for Golf” list, so golf outings here are quite popular with groups. PageBreak
Champaign-Urbana
Home to the University of Illinois, which straddles the “twin cities” community of Champaign and Urbana, and situated in the crossroads of the Midwest with three major interstates passing through, Champaign County is a micro-urban oasis that offers the amenities of a downtown market with the value of a small town, including free parking at all hotels, according to Cory Hatfield, sales and sports director at the Champaign County CVB (CCCVB).
“When you combine top researchers, a premier engineering school and the most fertile farm land in the United States, you can expect a large draw from agriculture and engineering-related groups,” he says. “Champaign County has experienced tremendous growth in both the agricultural and engineering industries due to the world-class facilities at the University of Illinois. These facilities attract groups not only from the U.S., but also international groups anxious to learn about the successes discovered in Illinois.”
Among the area’s group-friendly properties are the Hilton Garden Inn, the Hawthorne Suites and the I Hotel & Conference Center. The three have a total of 322 hotel rooms and more than 48,000 square feet of meeting space.
After the meeting, groups can check out Champaign County’s Savor the Flavor program, which has partnered the CCCVB and historic downtown Champaign businesses to offer a tasteful tour of Champaign’s finest beverages and treats.
“Delegates receive transportation to and from the hotel and two tickets to be redeemed at any of the participating locations,” he says. “Previous meeting planners are already planning on taking advantage of this program when they return to the area.”
Aside from good eats, Champaign County is home to 11 museums, including the Krannert Art Museum and the Chanute Air Museum; Alto Vineyards; six public golf courses; and outdoor pursuits like hiking and fishing.
“Or experience something entirely different at Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch,” Hatfield says. “In addition to seeing Santa’s reindeer, visitors can take their time finding their way through the six-acre Cornfusion maze and finish up at the Western-style banquet facility for a barbecue or outdoor weenie roast.”
Decatur
Decatur’s greatest appeal beyond its central location between Chicago, St. Louis and Indianapolis is affordability, according to Jeff Hendricks, executive director of the Decatur Area CVB.
“Costs for rooms, golf and even food are very competitive,” he says.
Top group properties include the Decatur Civic Center; the Decatur Conference Center and Hotel, which completed a remodeling project earlier this year; the new Mt. Zion Village East Convention Center; and Homewood Suites by Hilton, Holiday Inn Express, Baymont Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Fairfield Inn and Comfort Inn properties.
Decatur also offers unique attractions and activities for visiting groups, including the Chevrolet Hall of Fame Museum, Richland Community College, which Hendricks says has cooking classes for groups, and Rock Springs Environmental Center, which features the Trust Course for team building.
“In addition, the Decatur CVB offers customized activities ranging from hayrides and cookouts to lectures and performing clowns,” Hendricks says.
Carolyn Blackburn is a frequent contributor to Meetings Focus MidAmerica.
