Innovative restaurants and event venues in Downtown L.A., Mid-City and West Hollywood are shaking up the group dining scene with diverse and adventurous menu options.

Away from the heat of politics, Washington, D.C., offers distinct advantages for business travelers and meetings and convention attendees. From streamlined connections with industry-specific speakers to a vibrant dining, hospitality and cultural scene, D.C. is a leading bleisure destination.

Set in southwest Michigan, Grand Rapids’ affinity for art creatives and admirers goes back to the 1800s when the city was known as "Furniture City.” Today, varied works of art fill the city, from public spaces to museums. Learn how your group meeting in Grand Rapids can explore the scene.

When meeting in South Texas, get the group away from the conference room and outside for teambuilding activities. There are many ideas, from bird watching outings to fishing excursions, for varying budgets that will entertain attendees throughout the region.

Idaho’s food and beverage options for groups span from an eatery at 7,700 feet to a small winery in the north to a public market in Boise. Restaurants and caterers across the Northwest state have a bounty of wild game, fish and of course, the potato, to use and highlight in dishes.

The cities in North Carolina’s Triangle region—Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill—are home to a wealth of cultural venues and experiences for groups, from storied performing arts theaters to renovated industrial spaces.

“We now have 135 permitted festivals each year, which equates to a festival every two-and-a-half days,” said Rachel Avery, director of convention services and events for the city’s CVB, New Orleans & Company. “We have festivals large and small that appeal to anyone and everyone. If it crawls, swims and you can dance to it, you can have a festival around it.”

Historic venues in the Detroit Metro area are available to accommodate group events away from the host hotel. An opera house, a world-class art museum, an old bank and an outdoor living history museum are among the facilities groups can book for memorable offsite events.

From hilltop castles to high-rise hotels, Westchester stands tall in the regional group marketplace.

Together with flamenco dancers and Mickey Mouse, Thomas Mazloum, senior vice president, resorts at Walt Disney World, kicked off the grand opening of the 16-story Gran Destino Tower.