Montana is home to a vast lineup of unique venues that host off-site gatherings. Billings features a historic railroad depot and an independent movie theater, while elsewhere in the state planners will find event spaces that range from a ranch to a science center or a music venue to an art gallery. 

It’s been a big year for Hawaii’s largest island. Following three months of unprecedented seismic activity at Kilauea volcano that began in May 2018, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the island’s top attraction, reopened Sept. 22, 2018, after it was confirmed the lava flow had stopped. While sadly, the black lava that flowed over 10 square miles prompted evacuations and destroyed 700 homes, the Island of Hawaii’s tourism infrastructure was unaffected. Today, Island of Hawaii tourism officials are sending a clear message to planners, attendees and travelers: It’s business as usual in the destination, it’s safe, and all is open for visitors to enjoy.

From new boutique hotels to renovated resorts that can host over 2,000 for a meeting or event, the diverse offerings along Orange County’s 42 miles of coastline are more welcoming to groups than ever. 

Oregon has long been a magnet for makers and artisans of many kinds. Among them are chocolatiers, cheesemakers, specialty fruit and nut growers and manufacturers of everything from colorful blankets to organic flour. Many of these makers open their doors to visitors, providing insightful behind-the-scenes tours and opportunities for tasting and learning how the products are made.

Renowned for its gorgeous desert setting, as well as its confluence of cultures—Mexican, Spanish American, Native American and cowboy—Tucson, a Southwestern hot spot, is buzzing with a continuously new and engaging vibe yet forever treasuring its rich heritage.

For California, the past year has been a time of both upward momentum and daunting challenges.

Few regions are blessed with as many world-class options for meetings as Southern California. Its major urban hubs of Los Angeles, San Diego and Anaheim are first-tier convention destinations constantly staying on top of a competitive game with ever-improving venues, entertainment and more.

With spectacular settings ranging from alpine peaks to desert oases and coastal bluffs, California offers an amazing array of resort meeting destinations just beyond the urban hubs.

Keeping attendees engaged in an era of digital distraction is no small challenge, but innovative California companies make it easy to include interactive experiences at meetings that yield personal growth as well as enjoyment.

Always at the forefront of food trends, California is the place to experience an exciting spin on the way event fare is prepared and presented. Here’s a look at a few culinary experiences and food-centric venues around the state, some of them in unexpected places.