Popcorn, anyone?

Meetings & Conventions: Short Cuts September 2001 Current Issue
September 2001
Short Cuts:Popcorn, anyone?

Looking for an alternative to the typical meeting room? How about taking a group to the movies? Many theaters are available for rent in daytime hours, when the reels aren’t rolling. Among the pluses, most feature stadium-style seating, allowing even smaller-statured attendees clear sight lines to the front of the room.

Dedham, Mass.-based National Amusements (781-461-1600, ext. 301; www.national-amusements.com), parent company to 100 movie theaters in 17 states, will let groups of 100 to 500 take over a theater for private presentations or even movie screenings. Besides the typical concession-stand fare, some of the theaters offer full meals, ranging from pizza and pasta dishes to hamburgers. In addition, some lobbies can be booked for pre- or post-event receptions. National’s 100-plus theaters are concentrated in the Northeast and Midwest.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Muvico (954-564-6550, ext. 263; www.muvico.com) offers similar amenities. The chain’s 12 locations, most in Florida, can be booked for groups of 100 to 300. Muvico’s Boca Raton, Fla., location also offers four meeting rooms within a 20-screen complex. The rooms seat from 15 to 30 people each or can be combined to seat up to 100 conference-style. In addition, a full-service bistro-style restaurant accommodates up to 175 people for meals.

Other theater chains, such as New York City-based Loews Cineplex (212-833-6225; www.loewscineplex.com) and Kansas City, Mo.-based AMC Theatres (816-221-4000; www.amctheatres.com), both of which operate cinemas around the county, offer group theater rentals and other spaces for private functions.

• Martha Cooke