Meetings magnet Lake Geneva draws high attendance with a perfect blend of wonderful accommodations and meeting spaces, such as The Abbey Resort and Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, plenty of entertaining activities and ample options for off-site receptions and meal functions.
“What makes meeting in Lake Geneva so special is the amazing variety of places for your group after the meeting ends,” says Susan Smolarek, manager of group business for VISIT Lake Geneva. “You can go for a group cruise on the lake, have cocktails at a historic mansion—the choices go on and on.”
Following are eight great ideas for planners to consider for a fun off-site event.
Lake Geneva Cruise Line
“The main attraction in Lake Geneva is the beautiful lake itself, and the amazing estates that line the shore,” says Clare Mulcahy, charter sales manager for Lake Geneva Cruise Line. “The only way to truly experience Lake Geneva is via one of our classic boats.”
She adds private charters easily fit into any agenda and budget, and waterborne excursions include board meetings, teambuilding activities and welcoming receptions.
“Most boats have glass-enclosed and climate-controlled decks, which are versatile and can easily be changed from meeting-style to cocktail reception, dinner or casino games and dancing,” Mulcahy says. “Groups larger than 225 may utilize two boats that will cruise alongside one another.”
A bonus for planners, she adds, is that several area resorts cater aboard the boats. So if the group is contracted to spend a certain amount of food dollars on property, it can be extended to a lunch or dinner cruise.
Studio Winery
Studio Winery, the only winery in Lake Geneva, combines love of wine, art and music in a new and unique way, according to Owner/Winemaker Doug Jackson.
“Our most group-friendly amenity is our wine-tasting and tour,” he says. “It’s a one-hour event where everyone gets a bottle of their favorite wine to take home.”
The winery also offers a sip-and-paint class, during which participants create a painting to take home. Wine-tasting and live music or karaoke is available to groups during a class.
“We have found that we are getting a lot of our groups as an alternative to golfing,” Jackson says. “Our painting event takes about three hours, which is about the same time as 18 holes, so we see a lot of corporations offer this in the same time slot.”
Among the other events that can be accommodated here are corporate product launches, administrative meetings and group dinners.
Maxwell Mansion
Maxwell Mansion, which is spread across two acres of scenic perennial gardens, offers indoor and outdoor meeting space for up to 150 attendees.
“Meeting planners continually receive rave reviews from their clients for the memorable and personalized service our venue offers,” says Bethany Souza, creator and co-owner of Historic Hotels of Lake Geneva.
Standout features of the circa-1856 mansion include a croquet lawn and fountain, a fire-lit receiving room, a crystal ballroom, a speakeasy and an apothecary bar that is adjoined by outdoor cabanas and a wraparound deck, among other highlights.
“Our sales team offers full food-and-beverage options,” Souza adds. “There are also creative in-house teambuilding events such as scavenger hunts, interactive murder mystery dinners, whiskey-tasting in the speakeasy and mixology classes in the apothecary.”
Conference Center at George Williams College
The historic George Williams College campus offers a peaceful retreat for year-round meetings and events, according to Yvette Somerville, director of conferencing and events.
She says the Conference Center at George Williams College features comfortable guest rooms with lake views and 12,000 square feet of meeting space.
Among the conference center’s many group-friendly facilities, which can accommodate anywhere from 10 to 250 people, are Ferro Pavilion, Winston Paul Educational Center and the Mabel Cratty Building, which has a wraparound porch that sports lake views.
“Outside, more than 100 acres of wooded landscapes and nearly 900 feet of Geneva Lake shoreline, including a private pier and beach, provide a variety of activities,” Somerville adds.
Horticultural Hall
Horticultural Hall, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and is easily accessible by walking just a few blocks from many downtown Lake Geneva hotels, offers a historic setting with modern amenities for groups of all sizes.
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“The building is meticulously kept up both indoors and out, and is not your ‘normal’ meeting space,” says Executive Director Beth Gallagher. “The hall has a beautiful private garden that hosts many events in the spring, summer and fall seasons.”
The hall also houses a historical library that can host small groups of 15 to 20 people, a spacious room with a full screen and projector for up to 175 seated attendees, and an area called the loggia that overlooks the private garden and accommodates 100-plus guests.
Teambuilding activities may be arranged outside, Gallagher adds, and she says local caterers will work with planners to keep costs down.
Gordy’s Boat House Restaurant
Gordy’s Boat House Restaurant and the Cobalt Lounge, located upstairs at Gordy’s, are well-suited for small receptions, meal functions and company meetings, according to Kelley Lynne, the Fontana, Wis.-based eatery’s brand manager/event coordinator.
“Our restaurant is on the water, with quick access to boat parking and tons of outdoor fun; get a table by the window or sit outside and enjoy the lakefront hustle and bustle,” she says. “Our Cobalt Lounge sits above our main dining area and features a large-screen TV for presentations, a private bar and a large tented deck to enjoy the outside.”
Gordy’s offers an extensive banquet menu but will also customize menus for themed events as requested.
“In addition to dining, we also have a fleet of rental boats and paddleboards to allow for teambuilding activities at our lakefront location next door,” Lynne explains.
Staller Estate Winery
Located in Delavan in the picturesque countryside of Walworth County about 25 minutes from Lake Geneva is Staller Estate Winery.
The winery offers a panoramic view of vineyards from many locations of its facility as well as wine-and-food pairings/tastings and guided vineyard and winery tours for groups that wish to learn about the wine-making process.
According to Owner Joe Staller, the winery welcomes small or large groups of up to 100 people, and offers various food-and-beverage services, including a full five-course wine-pairing dinner.
“We can accommodate any group that wants to meet in a relaxing vineyard setting,” he says. “We are very flexible and can tailor your event around your budget and schedule.”
Rosewood
Rosewood, also located nearby Lake Geneva in Delavan, delivers entertainment, farm-to-table cuisine and shopping all on one property, at a reasonable price point, according to owner Gretch Hladish.
“Rosewood, which was designed with group sales in mind, is an event-driven space of old-world charm in a modern, yet rustic environment,” she says.
The campus covers 7.5 acres of rural Wisconsin countryside and features charming pathways, dual gazebos with plenty of seating and panoramic views under a canopy of trees, and a state-of-the art theater.
“Rosewood offers 12 unique cabaret-style 70- to 90-minute shows in a package where any group planner with 35 attendees can select their date, their time and their farm-to-table menu,” Hladish says.
Rosewood also accommodates corporate gatherings that call for audiovisual capabilities.
