What's New

The Midwest continues to grow as a meetings destination, with offerings from world-class resorts to convention centers. In particular, there is something of a boom in new and expanded convention centers.

Chicago is looking forward to the completion of the McCormick Place West Building in 2007. The facility will offer 470,000 square feet of exhibition space and 250,000 square feet of meeting room space. Occupancy is slated for 2008. Next door in Schaumburg, Ill., the long-awaited Schaumburg Convention Center is scheduled for completion in July 2006. The new facility will include a 100,000-square-foot exhibit hall, a 28,000-square-foot ballroom, 20,000 square feet of meeting space, and, in phase two, a 2,400-seat theater.

Also in suburban Chicago, the Rosemont Entertainment District will soon join the expanded Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill. The 840,000-square-foot convention center completed its 40,000-square-foot meeting space addition in 2004.

Cincinnati's Cinergy Center remains open during its $160 million renovation, which is on schedule for a mid-2006 completion. The 750,000-square-foot center will feature nearly 200,000 square feet of exhibition space and more than 100,000 square feet of meeting space — including a 40,000-square-foot ballroom.

The Kansas City Convention Center will complete a $74 million, 135,000-square-foot expansion and renovation by fall. The expansion will add a 40,000-square-foot ballroom and 35,000 square feet of pre-function space.

The Rock Financial Showplace in Novi, Mich., opened in 2005. The 320,000-square-foot convention and conference center has 214,000 square feet of exposition space, 25,000 square feet of pre-function space, and 40,000 square feet of meeting rooms.

Traveling to the Midwest has never been easier. Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport completed a runway expansion in fall 2005, and Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is finishing its $1.6 billion expansion. In Michigan, Lansing's Capital City Airport now has direct flights to Atlanta, Las Vegas, and Orlando, while Traverse City features seasonal nonstop flights to New York, Cincinnati and Dallas/Fort Worth.

Facility Update

Illinois

Chicago

• The 161-room, condominium-style HOTEL BLAKE is set to open this month. Buyers own rooms, but when not occupying the space, can place them in the hotel rental program and receive a percentage of the revenue their unit generates.

• The FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON CHICAGO DOWNTOWN MAGNIFICENT MILE opened June 2005. The 246-room facility boasts 3,000 square feet of meeting space.

• The 362-room all-suite RENAISSANCE CHICAGO O'HARE HOTEL opened in February 2005. The hotel has more than 21,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 5,000-square-foot ballroom.

• The CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL CHICAGO-METRO opened July 2005. Located in the West Loop near the Sears Tower, the 398-room facility features 7,204 square feet of meeting space.

Chicago Southland

• The HILTON GARDEN INN-TINLEY PARK opened in March 2005. The 137-room facility has 1,700 square feet of meeting space, including a 15-seat boardroom.

Suburban Chicago

• In spring 2005, the 312-room HYATT LISLE expanded its meeting space and now has 20 meeting rooms, a 4,140-square-foot ballroom, and a 2,100-square-foot outdoor pavilion.

• The 269-room HOTEL ORRINGTON in Evanston opened its new 12,000-square-foot conference center last January.

Indiana

Indianapolis

• The 243-room CONRAD HOTEL INDIANAPOLIS is scheduled for completion in April. The city's first five-star property, the Conrad will feature more than 10,000 square feet of meeting space, including six meeting rooms and two boardrooms. It will be connected to the Indiana Convention Center & RCA Dome.

Michigan

Detroit

• The 118-room INN AT ST. JOHN'S is scheduled to open this month in Plymouth. The facility will boast 25 meeting rooms, including a ballroom.

Grand Rapids

• The $220 million DEVOS PLACE convention center was completed in February 2005. Its 1 million square feet of space includes 35,000 square feet of subdividable meeting space and a 162,000-square-foot exhibition hall. A 40,000-square-foot ballroom seats 3,250 for banquets.

• Construction is under way on a 340-room JW MARRIOTT. Connected by skywalk to DeVos Place, the hotel will include a 13,000- to 15,000-square-foot ballroom. Completion is slated for 2007.

Traverse City

• In October, the GRAND BEACH and SUGAR BEACH RESORT HOTELS launched a $3.6 million renovation that will add 1,200 square feet of meeting space to the Grand Beach property. The project is scheduled for a March completion.

Minnesota

Minneapolis

• The 583-room MINNEAPOLIS MARRIOTT CITY CENTER is renovating its meeting space. The first phase, which is scheduled for completion this month, will add 2,400 square feet of reception and exhibit space. The facility has 33,000 square feet of meeting space.

• The CHAMBERS HOTEL MINNEAPOLIS will open summer 2006. The 53-room hotel will be a sister hotel to the New York City Chambers, a small luxury hotel.

• The 821-room HILTON MINNEAPOLIS completed a $2.1 million ballroom in October. The facility's total meeting space is 74,000 square feet.

• Ground has been broken on a 136-room IVY HOTEL + RESIDENCES near the Minneapolis Convention Center. Completion is set for spring 2007.

St. Paul

• Ten minutes east of downtown St. Paul, the 116-room HILTON GARDEN INN in Oakdale opened in 2005. The facility has 1,600 square feet of meeting space.

• The DORSEY-EWALD CONFERENCE CENTER AT UEL opened in September 2005. The facility, which is between Minneapolis and Saint Paul, accommodates 100 people theater-style and 76 classroom-style.

Missouri

St. Louis

• A 200-room FOUR SEASONS hotel and spa is scheduled for completion in 2007. It will connect to the Pinnacle casino on the Laclede's Landing entertainment district via elevated pedestrian walkway.

• This month, the 672-room ST. LOUIS MARRIOTT DOWNTOWN will become the HILTON ST. LOUIS AT THE BALLPARK. The $15 million renovation includes meeting space. The hotel overlooks the Cardinals ballpark — the new Busch Stadium — which will open in April.

• The 195-room HILTON ST. LOUIS DOWNTOWN opened in the 112-year-old Merchants-Laclede bank building in 2005. The property, which features 5,000 square feet of meeting space in 75 rooms, has been expanded and renovated.

Ohio

Cincinnati

• The 39-acre, 404-room GREAT WOLF LODGE resort is scheduled for completion in late 2006 north of Cincinnati in Mason. Features will include a 40,000-square-foot conference center, a 75,000-square-foot indoor waterpark, and a spa.

• The 256-room SHERATON CINCINNATI NORTH HOTEL opened in fall 2005 across from the Sharonville Convention Center. It features more than 18,000 square feet of meeting space, including a ballroom.

Cleveland

• The 295-room CLEVELAND MARRIOTT EAST was completed in fall 2005. The facility, has nearly 15,000 square feet of flexible meeting and convention space, including a 7,500-square-foot ballroom.

Sandusky

• In November 2005, the 596-room Kalahari Waterpark Resort-Sandusky broke ground on its meeting and convention facility. It is scheduled to open in 2006.

Wisconsin

Milwaukee

• The 64-room HOTEL METRO, a boutique art deco hotel, began construction of a spa and rooftop deck in August 2005. A new meeting room, which was completed in December 2005, is part of the $1.1 million project. The facility has three meeting rooms, including a ballroom that accommodates up to 150 people. The remainder of the addition will be complete by June 2006.

• The 135-room AMBASSADOR HOTEL reopened after an $11 million makeover. The art deco hotel has four conference rooms accommodating up to 220 people.

Delavan

• Located on 275 acres in Delavan (60 minutes from Milwaukee), LAKE LAWN RESORT launched a $390 million renovation in 2005 that will add 1,000 guest rooms, a water park, a marina, a spa, and restaurants. The 284-room resort has 31,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor conference space and 22 meeting rooms.

Fontana

• The 334-room ABBEY RESORT & FONTANA SPA completed a $40 million renovation in 2005. The 90-acre property has 40,000 square feet of meeting space. This includes the Geneva Lake Conference Center with nine meeting rooms and outdoor venues. A marina, the 33,000-square-foot Fontana Spa, tennis courts, and nature trails round out the facility.

Lake Geneva

• The 355-room GRAND GENEVA RESORT will add 12,000 square feet of meeting space by September 2006. The resort boasts more than 50,000 square feet of meeting space including 25 breakout rooms. Amenities include wireless Internet, two golf courses, and a spa.

Ask The CVB

Illinois

CHICAGO CONVENTION AND TOURISM BUREAU
(312) 567-8500; Fax: (312) 567-8533
www.choosechicago.com
Total Hotel Tax: 14.9%

CHICAGO SOUTHLAND CVB
(888) 895-8233; Fax: (708) 895-8288
www.visitchicagosouthland.com
Total Hotel Tax: Averages 10%

ROSEMONT CONVENTION BUREAU
(847) 823-2100; Fax: (847) 696-9700
www.rosemont.com
Total Hotel Tax: 12.5%

SPRINGFIELD CVB
(800) 545-7300; Fax: (217) 544-8711
www.visit-springfieldillinois.com
Total Hotel Tax: 10%

Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS CVA
(317) 639-4282; Fax: (317) 639-5273
www.indy.org
Total Hotel Tax: 15%

Michigan

DETROIT METRO CVB
(888) CALL-DTW; Fax: (313) 202-1808
www.visitdetroit.com
Total Hotel Tax: 13% to 15%

GRAND RAPIDS/KENT COUNTY CVB
(800) 678-9859; Fax: (616) 459-7291
www.meetgrandrapids.org
Total Hotel Tax: 13%

GREATER LANSING CVB
(800) 648-6630; Fax: (517) 487-5151
www.lansing.org
Total Hotel Tax: 10% to 11%

TRAVERSE CITY CVB
(800) 940-1120; Fax: (231) 947-2621
www.mytraversecity.com
Total Hotel Tax: 8%

Minnesota

GREATER MINNEAPOLIS CVA
(800) 445-7412; Fax: (612) 767-8001
www.minneapolismeetings.com
Total Hotel Tax: 13%

SAINT PAUL CVB
(800) 627-6101; Fax: (651) 265-4999
www.visitsaintpaul.com
Total Hotel Tax: 13%

Missouri

ST. LOUIS CONV. & VISITORS COMMISSION
(800) 597-8409; Fax: (314) 621-7729
www.explorestlouis.com
Total Hotel Tax: 14.8%

Ohio

GREATER CINCINNATI CVB
(800) 543-2613; Fax: (513) 621-2156
www.cincymeetings.com
Total Hotel Tax: 17%

CVB OF GREATER CLEVELAND
(800) 321-1001; Fax: (216) 621-5967
www.travelcleveland.com
Total Hotel Tax: 15.5%

EXPERIENCE COLUMBUS
(800) 354-COLS; Fax: (614) 221-5618
www.experiencecolumbus.com
Total Hotel Tax: 16.25%

Wisconsin

BROOKFIELD CVB
(800) 388-1835; Fax: (262) 789-0221
www.brookfieldcvb.com
Total Hotel Tax: 13.1%

VISIT MILWAUKEE
(800) 231-0903; Fax: (414) 273-5596
www.visitmilwaukee.org
Total Hotel Tax: 14.6%

Phantom Planner

• You can park downtown in Cincinnati for $1 — if you know where to look. The $1 rate is good for designated garages when you park after 5 p.m. on weekdays and weekends. Visit www.gototown.com for locations, or watch for $1 parking signs.

• Flying into Detroit? Before you board your plane, visit Checker Cab (www.checkersedan.com) or Metro Cars (www.metrocars.net) to arrange transportation from the airport in advance.

• In Indianapolis, visitors can explore downtown free via IndyGo's (public transportation) Blue Line Circulator. The route goes from White River State Park to the City Market. Attractions include the Indiana Convention Center & RCA Dome, Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, and Circle Centre mall.

• If you're driving into the Chicago metro area from the east, allow extra time. Work is still under way on the massive interstate reconstruction project at the Illinois/Indiana state line on Interstates 80/94.

• If you're staying in greater Chicago and using the Metra commuter line, make sure you arrange transportation to and from your suburban train station. Check with your hotel, which may offer a complimentary shuttle. Otherwise, you'll likely have to rely on taxi service.

Special Venues

• Looking for a private retreat setting? Look no further than the 20,000-square-foot SPIDER LAKE RETREAT in TRAVERSE CITY, MICH. Billed as “16 hotel rooms wrapped around a giant house,” the retreat is located on 450 feet of sandy frontage on secluded Spider Lake. Available exclusively for corporate retreats and meetings, it accommodates groups from 12 to 32 people. (It can ultimately house 64 people with four to a room). Amenities include a fully equipped kitchen and recreation room, upper deck with gas grills, a fitness room, and wireless Internet. (231) 935-0111; www.antonco.com

• The INDIANAPOLIS ART CENTER recently opened ARTSPARK, a 12-acre outdoor park along the White River. Here, guests can attend outdoor receptions under mature trees, take classes alongside the river in open-air studios, or view exhibitions against beautiful landscaped green space. Events and receptions in ARTSPARK can accommodate approximately 1,000 attendees, while the Indianapolis Art Center can hold as many as 2,500. (317) 255-2464; www.indplsartcenter.org

Special Venues

• Make a day of it at the PRESTWICK GOLF CLUB in WOODBURY, MINN., just 10 minutes from Saint Paul. The newly renovated and expanded clubhouse includes meeting and banquet facilities for up to 280. Additionally, $3 million in renovations have been made to the course, which Golf Digest ranks in the Top 10 public golf courses in Minnesota. (651) 731-4779; www.prestwick.com

• The EITELJORG MUSEUM OF AMERICAN INDIANS AND WESTERN ART in INDIANAPOLIS recently expanded, offering indoor and outdoor space for meetings, receptions, and other events. (The facility accommodates 350 people seated and 1,200 for receptions.) The museum is on the Central Canal, within walking distance of the Indiana Convention Center & RCA Dome. It also features a 90-seat café. (317) 636- 9378; www.eiteljorg.org

• At the INN AT 835 in SPRINGFIELD, ILL., guests stay in turn-of-the-century rooms with private baths and antique furnishings. They meet in the 5,000-square-foot conference, meeting, and corporate retreat center with high-speed DSL. The Inn's parlors can host up to 300 guests. (217) 523-4466; www.theinnat835.com

Feel the Need for Speed?

Indianapolis has a deal for you. Send your employees on a ride with a professional Indy Racing League driver around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway track. They'll ride in a real Indy car with a second seat carved behind the driver — and experience the same speeds and g-forces. Visit www.sindenracing.com for more information.