Wouldn’t you like to hold your meeting in the number one tourist destination in the world?  Times Square.  Imagine the flurry of traffic and tourists hustling below while you meet above it all at the AMA New York Conference Center. Imagine how quickly your guests can become a part of this pedestrian-friendly zone when the meeting is over each day.  They will have great restaurants, shopping and Broadways shows at their fingertips. This is the experience the AMA New York Conference Center can offer the guests at your next meeting.

Tags: AMA New York Conference Center, Conference Centers, Events, meeting venue, meetings, new york, special events

How refreshing would it be to have a venue tell you upfront, “We’re not for everyone….We’re not even a venue for most weddings.” You may be surprised to learn that’s the premise behind Osprey Point Retreat & Conference Center’s new Wedding Package.

Osprey Point openly acknowledges that it is not a venue for “most” weddings. However, if “the” wedding of your dreams is an intimate gathering with a close group of family and friends at a small – yet spectacular — waterfront destination, then Osprey Point’s new wedding package can make those dreams come true!

Picture this: A manor-like house, located on the waters of the Chesapeake Bay. A private, tranquil location for outdoor ceremonies and breathtakingly beautiful photos. An intimate setting for up to 60 guests. Outstanding, creative cuisine and superb wines. Bridal and groom party area activities – including boating, golf, local day spas and more. All to get you relaxed and ready for the big day!

Tags: all-inclusive wedding package, Maryland, Maryland wedding venue, Osprey Point, Osprey Point Retreat & Conference Center, Wedding, wedding ceremony, wedding package, Wedding Reception, wedding venue

The AMA Atlanta Executive Conference Center has a new look.  A million dollar renovation project, completed March 8,2012, features new honey maple wood wall panels, polished black ceramic tile, tangiers basket weave wall coverings and new carpeting throughout. The new design concept creates a welcoming environment for any meeting.

AMA Executive Conference Centers understand the aesthetics as well as the functionality of a great meeting.  The amenities at the newly renovated AMA Atlanta Center  can’t be beat.  The AMA Atlanta Center has new easy to use Crestron touch screen AV controls in all ten meeting rooms, a warm but professional work environment and ample lounge space.  For those long meetings, ergonomic chairs and plenty of natural light will keep your attendee’s minds sharp.

AMA Atlanta is located in Atlanta’s midtown cultural arts and business district, just steps away from major hotels, restaurants, and shopping to round out the experience of the newly renovated meeting space.  Rest assured that guests will enjoy their time here – both for business and pleasure.

Tags: Atlanta, business, Conference, Conference Centers, facilities, meeting, meeting facilities, Unique Venues

Chitown.  The Windy City.  The Second City.  No matter what you call it, Chicago is a happening place for business these days.

The third largest city in the United States, Chicago still manages to feel small, even among its 2.8 million residents.

If business brings you to Chicago, we hope you’re spending some time at the AMA Chicago Executive Conference Center.  With 19 comfortable meeting rooms that range in size from 400 to 3000 square feet, there’s hardly a group that their unique venue can’t accommodate.

If you’re flying into Chitown, simplify your logistics.  A free shuttle provided by the hotel that AMA Chicago is connected to eliminates the need for a taxi or a rental car and should you need an overnight stay keeps you out of the elements.  The Conference Center notes that a lot of international businesses are taking advantage of this ease-of-use.

For your meeting you won’t have to worry about being confronted with outrageous terms, either. AMA Chicago has no service charges, no set-up charges, no sleeping room commitments, and validates day parking. On this basis alone, booking your conference or meeting at AMA beats any Chicago hotel hands down.

Conducive to keeping your planning simple is built-in a/v equipment as well as fully stocked beverage bars offering unlimited sodas, juices, and coffee. A team of “meeting planners” are capable of anticipating and satisfying your needs. Décor provides a calm environment and for comfort each room is appointed with fully adjustable and ergonomically correct conference chairs and conference tables.

An important part of any meeting, their catering will suit your tastes as well as your wallet.   Noting a wave of healthier requests, AMA Chicago can provide healthy foods, like salads and fruits while staying within your budget.

And when it’s time for a break, your attendees will lose themselves in the possibilities.   AMA Chicago houses the largest business bookstore in the Midwest, with more than 3,000 business and professional books and CDs.

Keep AMA Chicago Executive Conference Center in mind for your next meeting or conference. Learn more about them.

Tags: business, Chicago, Conference, Conference Centers, meeting, meeting facilities

A special thanks goes out to CollaborateMeetings.com, who highlighted us as one of 10 Useful Sites for meeting planners, saying,

“uniquevenues.com: If a planner wants to go beyond the standard hotel or convention center, this website lists a number of sites and conference center off the beaten path, including camps and retreat centers, colleges and universities, and culture venues.

We truly enjoy representing the unique in the meetings marketplace and pairing planners with meeting spaces that turn tradition on its head.

Click here to read the full story.

A wise man once said that a satisfied customer is the best business strategy of all.  Working towards that goal was on attendees’ minds at The Canadian University and College Conference Organizers Association (CUCCOA) Central Region Winter Meeting this past January.

“The Sky is the Limit” themed conference urged CUCCOA members to rethink several of their strategies when working with event planners.

“We’re pulling in trends from across the hospitality industry, like offering registration services for events planners holding events on our campuses,” said Lori Johnston, Central Region Director for CUCCOA.  “A lot of our members need to get creative to stretch their budgets, so things like online booking options and techniques to help when there’s not a full-time sales coordinator on staff were also hot topics.”

Because CUCCOA is comprised of college and university meeting and event centers, they also concentrated on how they can add value to the jobs they offer students.  “We had a wonderfully entertaining session with Tony Conte of Ryerson University. It reminded each of us how lucky and unique we are to be able to work closely with students and to provide them with learning out comes that can carry forward into future goals.”

Attendance at the January Winter meeting was higher than previous years, and plans are already underway for next year’s conference, hosted by Queen’s University in February 2013.

To learn more about CUCCOA Central and the incredible variety of College and  University campuses it includes, visit their page on uniquevenues.ca and cuccoa.org.

Royal Caribbean International Launches New Website Specifically for Meeting Planners

Royal Caribbean International is truly a leader in the meeting industry, with its spectacular fleet of ships that offer meeting and event planners a dazzling array of amenities that go above and beyond. With a host of unforgettable features to amaze your attendees, it’s no wonder Royal Caribbean’s been named “Top Cruise Line” for the eighth year in a row.

Make no mistake: while these ships are enjoyable for vacations, they’re also built for business. This premier-level cruise line understands the needs of the Meeting and Incentives industry, and is focused on providing planners with exceptional service. Each ship contains a dedicated conference center complete with all the necessities for a successful meeting or event, including meeting space, AV equipment and everything else you’d want to have on hand.

One great example of Royal Caribbean’s dedication to the industry is its comprehensive new website, royalcaribbeanincentives.com. This easy to navigate site has everything you could imagine for planning or customizing a cruise event, including the industry’s only Meeting & Incentives Planning Guide. Planners can search Royal Caribbean’s database to find the perfect venue, then submit a RFP right on the site.

Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas – Royal Caribbean’s two newest ships – offer particularly unique event venues and “neighborhoods” that stand alone in the industry from a customization standpoint.  Ever wanted to rent out Central Park? Make that dream a reality onboard Oasis or Allure by renting out their ship’s rendition of Central Park – an intimate space perfect for a pre-dinner reception amidst the lush surroundings of 15,000 trees and shrubs. Reserve the Solarium at the front of the ship for an unforgettable post-dinner dessert event under the stars. Other unique venues abound, from the Boardwalk neighborhood with the industry’s first “Aqua Theater” to the cruise industry’s only ice skating rink/stadium seating up to 900+ guests.

The possibilities are endless and the service is exceptional when you transform your next event into an unforgettable Royal Caribbean experience!

Start planning your Royal Caribbean meeting or event today at uniquevenues.com/royalcaribbean.