Capital cities are always a reliable choice for successful meetings. Whether you’re a government, association or corporate planner, you can count on these destinations to provide intellectual capital, a strong network of group-friendly hotels and a host of historic venues.
Springfield, Illinois, offers all of this and then some. The city is famous for its ties to President Abraham Lincoln and is within easy driving distance from many Midwest metros. On top of that, its affordability is a major plus compared to other Illinois meetings powerhouses like Chicago.
Taking a second look at Springfield? We worked with the Visit Springfield Illinois team to help you get acquainted with the hotels and venues that might be a perfect fit for your next gathering.
Springfield Hotels for Meetings and Events
There are four main hotels in Springfield that offer both the guest rooms and meeting space your group may require. These include:
- Crowne Plaza Springfield Convention Center: Conveniently located off I-55 in Springfield’s Southeast corridor, this full-service property with 288 guest rooms offers over 70,000 square feet of meeting space, featuring 32 flexible meeting rooms with the largest able to accommodate up to 2,000 guests.
- Wyndham Springfield City Centre: Located in the heart of Springfield’s downtown historic district, this hotel is within easy walking distance to many Lincoln historical sites, including Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and Lincoln’s Home and Old State Capitol, in addition to sitting across the street from BOS Center, Springfield’s convention center. The hotel encompasses over 50,000 square feet of meeting banquet space and has 365 guest rooms.
- President Abraham Lincoln–a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel: Directly connected to BOS Center and located in the heart of Springfield’s downtown historic district, this hotel is within easy walking distance to many Lincoln historical sites. The hotel sports 15,000 square feet of meeting space and offers 310 guest rooms.
- Northfield Inn, Suites & Conference Center: Located in the Northeast corridor directly off I-55, this hotel is just minutes away from Illinois State Fairgrounds. The hotel includes 13,000 square feet of meeting space and includes a complimentary breakfast each morning and free parking, and has 105 guest rooms.
[Related: Chicago Is Making a Comeback. How the City Is Set Up for Meetings and Events Success]
Venues for Your Next Meeting in Springfield
Outside of hotels, Springfield is also home to a convention center and a host of unique venues. Whether you want a business-forward venue or to add some of Springfield’s claims to fame like Lincoln history and Route 66 into your meeting, there’s something for every group.
- BOS Center: Located in the heart of Springfield’s historic district, the BOS Center, Springfield’s convention center, offers 72,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 40,000-square-foot column-free main hall. The center is conveniently adjacent to nearly 700 hotel rooms from President Abraham Lincoln-a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel and Wyndham Springfield City Centre.
- Erin’s Pavilion: Located in Southwind Park, an 80-acre park in Springfield that is known for its accessibility standards, the LEED Platinum-certified Erin’s Pavilion is a multi-purpose venue that commonly hosts banquets, business meetings, expos and other events, with 15,000 square feet of space.
- Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum: This facility is dedicated to the life of one of the nation’s most famous presidents and is ready-made for special events. The main plaza area can accommodate a sit-down dinner for 300 people or a reception for up to 450. Arrangements can be made for guests to experience the museum’s exhibits and theaters.
- Route 66 Motorheads, Bar, Grill, Museum & Entertainment Complex: Located on the iconic Route 66, this complex honors the classic American road trip with retro-inspired decor, vintage car displays and a fun atmosphere that often features live music and other entertainment. No stranger to events, the restaurant/bar/museum can host a variety of special gatherings.
[Related: Central Illinois Cities Along Route 66 With Historical Meetings Opportunities]
A Planner’s Perspective on Meeting in Springfield, Illinois
Sherry Ziebold, president for IL Association of Credit Specialists, Rural Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture, shares her recent experience meeting in Springfield.
Please describe your event.
This was a regional meeting for two USDA-RD employee organizations.
Why did you choose Springfield, Illinois? Anything that surprised you about the city?
Chosen for the richness in Abraham Lincoln History, and his tie to the USDA—Lincoln is credited with starting the United States Department of Agriculture. Also, the airport could accommodate our out-of-town speakers/visitors/attendees.
What did attendees enjoy most about Springfield and the event?
I heard many good comments about the host hotel (The Northfield Inn, Suites & Conference Center), and folks did appreciate the proximity to the plethora of Lincoln-related sites.
What advice do you have for other planners bringing a meeting to Springfield?
Work with Visit Springfield Illinois on the hotel selection, and take a serious look at the Northfield Inn, Suites & Conference Center. The sales office was a dream to work with, all of the hotel staff was excellent/very accommodating when asked for help. The catering was great, and the property is in really good condition. I couldn’t recommend them enough.
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