Northern Ohio’s attractions that double as off-site options for group gatherings capture so much of what makes this country great and fun-filled. From an internationally recognized hall of fame showcasing professional football and a museum highlighting carousel animals, to performance venues spotlighting local and national talent and a train chugging through one of our national parks, the region brims with memorable venues.
Following are a dozen standout options.
Severance Hall, Cleveland
www.clevelandorchestra.com
Located in University Circle, Severance Hall is a historic landmark and home to the Cleveland Orchestra from September through May.
According to Jackie Spencer, communications coordinator, meetings and conventions at Positively Cleveland CVB, the venue is hailed as one of the country’s most beautiful concert halls.
“Severance Hall remains a classic and stunning venue to host a conference or event, providing groups with a unique ambience that includes intimate meeting rooms, exclusive catering and a theater capacity of 2,000,” she says.
In addition to the 2,000-seat concert hall, the venue’s gathering facilities include the 400-seat Reinberger Chamber Hall, a grand foyer and several meeting rooms and lobbies.
Spencer adds that the historic landmark is centrally located in Cleveland’s arts and culture neighborhood, which means attendees will have plenty to see and do before or after the event via world-class museums and great restaurants.
Pickwick & Frolic Restaurant and Club, Cleveland
www.pickwickandfrolic.com
The Pickwick & Frolic Restaurant and Club, inspired by the humorous adventures of the eccentric characters in The Pickwick Papers, the first novel by Charles Dickens, is a 27,000-square-foot entertainment venue and restaurant located in Cleveland’s historic downtown Gateway District.
“It’s one of Cleveland’s most unique dining and entertainment venues, featuring plenty of space to host a large or small group for their next gathering,” Spencer says.
After the meeting is over, Spencer adds, attendees can enjoy a live comedic performance at Hilarities Night Club or party at the Champagne Bar.
“This three-in-one venue is a favorite spot for meeting planners with a flair for the unique,” she says. PageBreak
House of Blues Cleveland
www.houseofblues.com
The House of Blues Cleveland, a powerhouse venue with a cool and hip atmosphere, accommodates both a calendar of live entertainment as well as meetings and conferences, according to the Positively Cleveland CVB’s Spencer.
“Speakers will easily grab the attention of attendees when addressing the crowd from center stage,” she says. “For a more laid-back vibe, the House of Blues offers meeting planners the options of using two unique rooms, including the cozy Cambridge Room for smaller gatherings.”
The House of Blues, which accommodates up to 2,500 people for a reception, is conveniently located in downtown Cleveland, six blocks from the convention center and near several hotels.
Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, Akron
www.stanhywet.org
The Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, former estate of Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. founder Frank Seiberling, is a National Historic Landmark and prominent Akron attraction, as well as a unique event venue.
What is inspiring about the Tudor Revival manor house and surrounding estate is that it embodies the pivotal and influential role Seiberling played on the international stage pursuant to the industrial revolution, according to Jim Mahon, spokesman for the Akron/Summit CVB.
“More than that, the walls of this great estate still echo the innovative spirit of its inhabitants and the amazing honor roll of business, political and celebrity figures who were welcomed through its doors,” he says, adding that the venue encourages creativity and innovation, making it perfectly suited for meetings, retreats and intimate business gatherings.
Group-friendly spaces here include the Manor House and Carriage House auditoriums, and several outdoor banquet locations on the lovely grounds.
Akron Art Museum, Akron
www.akronartmuseum.org
The Akron Art Museum began in 1899 as Akron’s main post office. In recent years, a new design integrated approximately 21,000 square feet of the historic building with a new 63,300-square-foot building.
“The juxtaposition of the museum’s brick, glass and steel is breathtaking and inspiring,” Mahon says.
He adds that the building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is an outstanding example of the Italian Renaissance Revival style.
“Meeting attendees have an incredible palette upon which to paint their event goals and objectives,” he says.
The museum’s collection includes works by Ohio artists, photography, paintings and pop art, and its meeting spaces include the grand lobby, auditorium, conference room and boardroom. PageBreak
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, Peninsula
(north of downtown Akron)
www.cvsr.com
Running through the heart of Ohio’s only national park, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, is the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. It is a one-of-a-kind off-site venue, according to the Akron/Summit CVB’s Mahon.
“Several of the train’s specialty cars provide intimate spaces for people to gather, socialize and get down to business,” he says. “Each group has the ability to customize their ride along the rails.”
Along the way, groups will be thrilled with the spectacular views that only a national park can provide. Among the highlights here are meadows alive with wildlife, the Cuyahoga River and the Pinery Narrow, which was named for its white pine trees and is the site of several great blue heron breeding colonies.
Pro Football Hall of Fame, Canton
www.profootballhof.com
The Pro Football Hall of Fame will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this year as well as the completion of a $28 million renovation, according to Mary Vlahos, convention sales manager at the Canton Stark County CVB.
“It’s a one-of-a-kind experience for groups that you can’t get anywhere else,” she says. “This will be a state-of-the-art, interactive museum with both indoor and outdoor meeting space [seasonal tent and patio].”
She adds that the flow of an event can easily go from indoors to outdoors and that groups will enjoy built-in entertainment, including interactive displays and hands-on games.
The Hall of Fame is available day and night for events ranging from banquets to product launches, and meeting spaces include an event center and conference room.
“Many great events to celebrate the 50-year anniversary will be open to the public, with packages for groups,” Vlahos says.
Gervasi Vineyard, Canton
www.gervasivineyard.com
Gervasi Vineyard is a 55-acre winery with a full-service Italian bistro and an event center featuring two ballrooms, an executive boardroom and a lobby.
“It’s like stepping into a Tuscan Villa with over-the-top luxury,” Vlahos says.
The winery is scheduled to complete an upgrade in 2013 that, according to Vlahos, will include the addition of a casual eatery, a wine-tasting area and more wine-producing capacity.
Hands-on cooking classes with world-class chefs are available and prove popular team-building events for visiting groups, she adds. PageBreak
Merry-Go-Round Museum, Sandusky
www.merrygoroundmuseum.org
Located in the Lake Erie shores and islands region is the Merry-Go-Round Museum, situated on the edge of the historic waterfront in downtown Sandusky.
According to Ryan Whaley, spokesman for Lake Erie Shores & Islands, the main attraction of this museum is the working and fully restored 1939 Allan Herschell Carousel.
“Although this iconic vintage carousel came without any of the original animals, it has been repopulated with figures from the museum’s collection as well as loans from private collectors,” he says, explaining that the lead horse on the carousel is the “Stargazer,” which dates to 1915.
The Merry-Go-Round Museum also maintains an active program of restoring antique carousel figures and related items, Whaley adds.
“So while visitors are on a tour they might see staff working to bring these beautiful pieces of art and history back to life,” he says.
The museum is available after 5 p.m. for museum-wide group events.
Valentine Theatre, Toledo
www.valentinetheatre.com
The completely restored Victorian-themed Valentine Theatre has a 900-seat auditorium with state-of-the-art sound and lighting equipment. Events here include everything from performances by the Toledo Opera to Second City comedy shows and film screenings.
The grand lobby, featuring a two-story window wall and one-of-a-kind hand-painted mural, Backstage at the Valentine, is the perfect setting for formal and casual dinners and receptions of up to 450 people, according to Sherri Hudson, convention services manager for the Destination Toledo CVB.
“The Valentine is one of Toledo’s premier performing arts venues, which makes it the perfect location when your group is looking for an entertainment option following dinner,” she adds.
Glass Pavilion, Toledo
www.toledomuseum.org/glass-pavilion
The Glass Pavilion at the Toledo Museum of Art houses a world-renowned glass collection featuring more than 5,000 works of art from ancient to modern times, according to Hudson.
“There is also a glass studio with resident glass artists where your group can view glass-blowing demonstrations,” she says.
With its curved glass walls, the GlasSalon is a unique meeting space inside the Glass Pavilion that can accommodate up to 300 people for a variety of events ranging from meetings to banquets, Hudson adds.
“The GlasSalon can be reserved on its own for smaller gatherings or along with the Crystal Corridor when you are planning a larger formal evening reception and dinner,” she says.
Clazel Theatre, Bowling Green
www.clazel.net
Clazel Theatre, which was built in 1926 and is Ohio’s oldest single-screen movie theater, is a treasure of downtown Bowling Green.
The theater underwent a restoration in recent years and today is utilized as a multipurpose entertainment venue that accommodates, among other events, film screenings, live music performances and group gatherings.
Featuring two balcony lounges that overlook a dance floor, seating for up to 250 people and audiovisual equipment including a 23-foot-high projection screen, the venue is a popular choice for corporate parties, fundraisers, cocktail receptions and banquets.
Carolyn Blackburn is a frequent contributor to Meetings Focus East.