Why here?
America's Midwest offers a wide range of meeting destinations, from Cleveland's revitalized downtown to the idyllic escapes of Missouri's Ozark Mountains. In Chicago's urban center (pictured), planners will find multimillion-dollar investments in hotel infrastructure ready for groups.
Indy News
• In 2017, the Old City Hall (built in 1905) will be transformed into the 21c Museum Hotel. The $55 million project will result in 150 guest rooms, a conference center and more.
• Next year, the Indy 500 celebrates 100 years running at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which is spending $30 million on upgrades. For a high-octane team-building experience, check out the Miles Ahead Performance Motoring School.
Soothing Sojourn
Enjoy some R&R at the Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale, Mo., in the Ozarks. The property sports a new 18,000-square-foot spa offering fireside massage treatments, an indoor grotto pool and more.
For Early Risers
"Sun-Up Sessions" at the Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island, Mich., has groups watching the sunrise over Lake Huron before enjoying a morning picnic and an optional yoga session.
CHICAGO
Local Update
• The 40-story Marriott Marquis Chicago is expected to open in 2017 as a new headquarters hotel for the nearby McCormick Place Convention Center. Plans call for 1,200 guest rooms and a 350-seat restaurant.
• The Renaissance Chicago Downtown has completed a $22 million renovation of its lobby, club lounge, Staytion Market and Bar, and more. The 560-room property has nearly 35,000 square feet of function space.
• The 250-room Virgin Hotel Chicago, Virgin's first entry in the U.S., opened in January with a spa, a rooftop bar and lounge, and three meeting spaces, the largest of which can host up to 120.
Meeting Hotels: For a full listing of area and other properties, and to send RFPs, visit mcvenues.com.
Convention Center: McCormick Place; exhibit space, approximately 2.6 million square feet; meeting space, 600,000 square feet; number of meeting rooms, 173; (312) 791-7000
Airport Transit: O'Hare International Airport, 18 miles from downtown Chicago. Transfer cost by taxi, $40-45
Midway International Airport, about 13 miles south of downtown. Transfer cost by taxi, $35-40
Taxes: Room tax, 16.4%; sales tax, 9.5%; total tax on hotel rooms, 16.4%
Group Venue: The 1,544-room Hilton Chicago remains open, even while in the midst of undergoing a renovation to the tune of $150 million, which includes a guest-room revamp. The hotel has approximately 234,000 square feet of function space, along with the ability to close down part of adjoining 8th Street, overlooking leafy Grant Park, to throw a colorful block-party-style event. (312) 922-4400
Contact: Choose Chicago, (312) 567-8481
Lakeside luxe
The Chateau on the Lake Resort, Spa & Convention Center in Branson, Mo., completed a renovation of all 301 guest rooms and some of its meeting facilities in January. The resort also added a 684-square-foot executive boardroom with state-of-the-art A/V. The property has 43,500 square feet of function space in all.
CLEVELAND
Local Update
• The new Hilton Cleveland Downtown is set to open in June 2016 in the former Cuyahoga County Administration Building. The 600-room hotel will include a variety of shops, a rooftop bar and 55,000 square feet of meeting space. The $272 million property will connect via underground passageway to the Cleveland Convention Center and the Global Center for Health Innovation.
• Last August, the 100-room Hotel Indigo opened in Cleveland's Beachwood neighborhood. The property offers a bar and restaurant, an outdoor courtyard, a 24-hour fitness center and 7,500 square feet of meeting space. Beachwood itself is a charming enclave with nature trails and verdant gardens.
• The Cleveland Convention Center was awarded LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council last October. The center was built below the city's downtown mall, 12.5 acres of which serve as the facility's green roof. Other sustainable features include efficient water use and extensive windows that reduce the center's reliance on artificial lighting. The attached Global Center for Health Innovation also was granted LEED Gold status.
• Metropolitan at the 9, a luxury resort in downtown, opened last September in the former Ameritrust tower with its historic Cleveland Trust Rotunda. The 156-room resort includes various fine-dining outlets, a yoga studio and a lounge that opened this past May. For meetings and events, the property has 14,000 square feet of space, including a 68-seat theater, plus three private dining rooms in the on-site Adega restaurant.
Meeting Hotels: For an extensive listing of Cleveland area properties, as well as to find and compare other hotels and send RFPs, visit mcvenues.com.
Convention Centers: International Exposition Center (aka I-X Center); exhibit space, approximately 280,000 square feet; number of meeting rooms, 26; (216) 676-6000
Cleveland Convention Center; exhibit space, approximately 230,000 square feet; number of meeting rooms, 16; (216) 920-1430
Airport Transit: Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, about a 15-20 minute drive from the downtown district. Transfer cost by taxi, up to $50; by shuttle, about $20
Taxes: Sales tax, 7.75%; county bed tax, 5.5%; city bed tax, 3%; total tax on hotel rooms, 16.25%
Contact: Positively Cleveland, (216) 875-6600 or (800) 321-1001
What's Up In Wichita, Kan.
Wichita Eisenhower National Airport's new terminal A new $200 million terminal at Wichita Eisenhower National Airport opened in June, featuring a spacious ticketing area with self-check kiosks, complimentary Wi-Fi, and 786 outlets and USB ports embedded among seating areas for charging mobile devices.
The 121-room SpringHill Suites by Marriott Wichita Airport opened in May with approximately 2,349 square feet of meeting space across two meeting rooms. The hotel offers complimentary breakfast, an indoor pool and a fitness center.
The Holiday Inn East I-35 recently completed a renovation of its public spaces and 10,317 square feet of meeting space. The hotel is now finishing a renovation of its 199 guest rooms.