As the growing economy drives up the cost and bookings in larger cities, planners are rediscovering Wisconsin Dells.
“In the last 18 months, nationally, it’s shifted back to a sellers’ market,” says Tifani Jones, director of sales at the Wisconsin Dells Visitor and Convention Bureau. “First-tier destinations are full, so it’s an opportunity to look at second-tier cities.”
As second choices go, the Dells have a lot to offer meeting planners. More than two dozen resorts combine meeting space and leisure enjoyment in one convenient and affordable package. Both Wisconsin Dells Center at Chula Vista Resort and Kalahari Waterpark Resort Convention Center offer 110,000 square feet of event space. Other meeting-friendly resorts include Wilderness Hotel and Golf Resort, Glacier Canyon Lodge and Ho-Chunk Hotel and Convention Center.
New-and-improved venues include Ambers Resort and Conference Center, which recently completed renovations, and the freshly expanded Woodside Sports Complex. Chula Vista boasts a new aerial teambuilding attraction and golf course clubhouse.
Apart from the draw of its resorts, Wisconsin Dells has benefited from a new trend toward meetings that bring minds and spirits together, as well as bodies. Whether groups are gliding over forests and cliffs on a zipline, paddling or cruising on the Wisconsin River, or exploring the area’s three state parks, the Dells can cure cases of “nature deficit disorder.”
“Connecting with nature is something we’ve started to look at in the last two months,” Jones says. “People are interested in a mind-body-spirit focus in their learning environment, and this is a beautiful area. That connection with nature is something we find people lack today, and you’re not going to find that in other locations.”
Thanks to close ties with its local tribal community, the Wisconsin Dells VCB was recently able to help facilitate a unique spiritual experience for a visiting group of medical professionals. Last year, a conference of holistic medicine nurses invited a Ho-Chunk medicine man to perform a healing ceremony as part of its events.
Groups can learn about the history of the Ho-Chunk tribe at the H.H. Bennett Studio. This year marks 150 years since the renowned photographer founded the studio where he developed his iconic photos of the Dells and its native people. There is one meeting room above the historic galleries.
Among the most unique and scenic venues in the Dells, Cold Water Canyon Pavilion is surrounded by natural beauty and accessible only by boat. The 800-square-foot pavilion is perfect for intimate retreats. Dells Boat Tours, which operates the venue, also offers sunset cruises and ghostly boat tours into a haunted canyon by dark.
Another of Wisconsin Dells’ biggest draws lies in its attractiveness to families. The plethora of waterparks can turn any meeting into a memorable vacation with the kids. Both waterparks and theme parks come in indoor and outdoor varieties. There are go-karts, horseback riding stables, a new trampoline park, and Branson-style live music and magic shows.
No family trip to the Dells should skip a visit to Circus World. The one-of-a-kind attraction, located in Baraboo, showcases the history of the traveling circus. Visitors can explore more than 200 hand-painted circus wagons, watch live performances, ride camels or elephants, and tour the former winter quarters of the Ringling Brothers performers and animals. Circus World offers discounted tickets for groups of 20 or more.
For those who prefer cabernet to cotton candy, consider a wine, beer or spirits outing. The winemaking industry is expanding in the state, and Wisconsin wines are winning national awards. Thanks to a recent legal change, craft distilleries are beginning to pop up in the Dells.
Wollersheim Winery, located in Prairie du Sac, is set to open a new 25,000-square-foot brandy distillery this summer. Although wine grapes have been grown at Wollersheim for 150 years, Prohibition put an end to distilling activities. In 2009, Wisconsin changed its law to allow the manufacture of spirits once again. Non-drinkers will enjoy the house-made sparkling grape juice. Wollersheim offers private tours for groups of 20 to 60.
Driftless Glen Distillery offers group tours, tastings and a new restaurant in Baraboo, located along the Wisconsin River near Circus World. There are 200 seats inside the restaurant, and outdoor seating for 55. This year, the distillery is producing gin, vodka, cream spirits and moonshine. The restaurant creatively incorporates the spirits into the menu. In one appetizer, mussels are served in vodka cream broth.
The Dells also offer two breweries: Port Huron Brewing Company and Moosejaw Pizza and Dells Brewing Co. Port Huron’s Engine House Tap Room can welcome 36 for tastings. At Moosejaw, the Rathskellar Room can host 120 for banquets, the brewery is suitable for 50 and the Fireplace Room can accommodate 20. Non-drinkers are not left out of the libations; both breweries produce a selection of gourmet sodas.
It’s hardly trendy, but the Friday night fish fry is a Dells tradition groups can sink their teeth into. River’s Edge Pub and Grub and Sarento’s Italian Restaurant are widely held to be two of the best fish fries in town. River’s Edge can host groups as large as 50 in its wood-paneled dining rooms, presided over by a 4,000-gallon aquarium and a massive oak tree. Sarento’s offers nightly live music and several private dining options, including a 30-seat wine cellar.
New in live entertainment for the Dells, the 800-seat Palace Theater will complete its first full year in 2015. Shows include nationally touring Broadway musicals, Disney hits and well-known musical acts. Groups of 15 or more are eligible for discounted pricing on tickets, which include dinner.
