From Hershey, the “Sweetest Place on Earth,” to the Poconos Mountains Visitors Bureau’s brand pillars of “ease, authenticity and refreshment,” Pennsylvania's historic destinations leverage strategic messaging—and defining venues and experiences—as strong calls to action for memorable meetings and events.

Like the chocolate wrapped in the middle of a croissant, the culinary scene in Central Illinois is surprising and delicious. In this decidedly tasty region, including Springfield, Bloomington-Normal, Peoria and Champaign County, visiting groups are encouraged to include a fun experience featuring local food and beverage sometime during the meeting.

The Inland Empire, nestled in the center of Southern California, is surrounded by mountains and vineyards, and olive and orange groves fill the valleys. Combine this bounty with its spas, resorts and cuisine that highlights this local produce, and there is a bumper crop of wellness options that can be harvested by groups.

Florida’s rooftop bars let attendees drink in the view.

A Few Minutes with Harris Rosen. A Florida hotel icon shares his motivations and secrets of success

Three Florida chefs talk culinary trends, from fermented foods and Asian bowls to exotic spices.

A multitude of entertaining nightlife experiences await groups meeting in Ohio when time doesn’t allow for a fun add-on event during business hours. At the end of a day filled with back-to-back meetings, groups can tap into everything from local craft brew scenes to team-bonding activities such as axe-throwing and shuffleboard. In addition, many popular attractions that double as off-site venues for receptions.

It’s certainly easy to find adventure in the rugged open spaces of Michigan, but there’s plenty to explore in the towns and cities as well. From group scooter outings in Detroit and brew tours in Grand Rapids and Traverse City to shooting sports in Lansing and a historic escape room in Muskegon, the state offers up unique thrills and teambuilding experiences for any group.

Charlotte has a diverse array of art venues, museums, public exhibitions and galleries. These institutions strive to celebrate local and international artists and provide an ideal backdrop for events. In the Uptown neighborhood, the Levine Center for the Arts is a cultural campus home to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts & Culture, the Mint Museum Uptown and the Knight Theater. Following are four standout museums that double as off-site event venues.

The Madison area’s 200 parks, 13 beaches, five lakes and 200 miles of biking and hiking trails make it easy for groups to get outdoors. With both land and lake activities abounding in its wealth of dedicated open-space, taking advantage of the Wisconsin capital’s year-round offerings are a way to truly experience Madison like a local.