Atlanta Event

3 Aquarium Venues for Memorable Private Events

Friday, June 26, 2009 by Sarah Larkins

Aquariums were always one of my favorite attractions as a kid. Who wouldn't love a chance to see nature's marine life—the beautiful, the odd, and the frightening—up-close? I don't think the wonder of the underwater world diminishes as we get older, which is why adults and children alike find an afternoon at the aquarium exciting.

For meeting planners, the aquarium's unique allure makes it a great event venue. You'll not only elicit excitement from attendees who'll jump at the chance to visit, but you'll also find an unmatched backdrop of corals, jelly fish, sting rays and more that you just can't find at your average venue.

Here are a few great aquariums that can serve as event venues:

Georgia Aquarium

With over eight million gallons of fresh and marine water, the Georgia Aquarium is home to a massive collection of marine life. The two full-grown whale sharks, the largest fish species in the world, are popular with guests, as is Nandi, the only Manta ray to be displayed in a U.S. aquarium ever.

The aquarium has several spaces available for corporate events in Atlanta. From the 16,400-square-foot Oceans Ballroom to a full aquarium buyout for 5,000 people, the venue is perfect for receptions, galas, banquets and more.

National Aquarium

Located in Baltimore, the National Aquarium is home to about 16,500 animals within its uniquely designed glass pyramid building. In addition to its underwater life, the aquarium also houses a range of interesting exhibits on reptiles such as the Giant Amazon river turtle and amphibians such as the Blue poison dart frog.

The National Aquarium can accommodate groups as small as 10 people or as large as 2,500 people. Catering is provided by Baltimore's premier catering company, the Classic Catering People.

Aquarium of the Pacific

This Southern California venue has over 12,500 ocean animals representing about 500 species that call the Pacific Ocean home. With 19 major habitats, the aquarium takes guests on a journey through the waters of Southern California and Baja, the Northern Pacific, and the Tropical Pacific.

The Aquarium of the Pacific can accommodate private functions in spaces such as the captivating Great Hall and outdoor Harbor Terrace. It also offers two special event package pricing and menus: the Scuba Package for 50 to 150 guests features three food stations or custom plated meals on the second level of the aquarium; and the Coral Reef Package offers access to the first floor for up to 3,000 guests.

To find an aquarium venue in your city, make sure to check the Cvent Supplier Network.

Top 10 Corporate Event Venues in Atlanta

Tuesday, April 21, 2009 by Caroline Gordon

That Atlanta area has grown exponentially in the last ten years and with this growth has come an array of new and refurbished corporate event venues. Check out our top ten list to make sure you stay informed on what's new and hot for corporate events in Atlanta.

Best Corporate Event Venues in Atlanta

1. The Georgia Aquarium
Invite guests to come face-to-face with sea creatures from around the globe at the largest Aquarium in the world. Recently named the meeting venue of the year by the Atlanta Chapter of Meeting Planners International, the Georgia Aquarium can accommodate corporate groups of 100 to 2,000. Catering provided by the acclaimed Wolfgang Puck is the perfect complement to this unique and unforgettable setting.

2. The World of Coca-Cola
Designated as a venue only available for corporate event rentals, the World of Coca-Cola is a vibrant, colorful and modern event space. Entertain up to 200 guests in the museum's lobby, adorned with life-sized Coca-Cola Folk-art Bottles or host a more intimate seated dinner for 150 in the Tasting Room where guests can sample different Coca-Cola products from all over the world. Interested in outdoor space? The World of Coca-Cola also offers 160,000 square feet of flexible event space just outside the museum that can be tented for year-round use.

3. The Atlanta History Center
Immerse guests in the Old South at any number of the venues maintained by the Atlanta Historical Society. Host a formal outdoor affair for up to 750 on the spectacular grounds of the Swan House, an Italian and English classical-styled mansion or host an informal barbeque amongst the rustic buildings and historic gardens of the 1860s Tullie Smith Farm. McElreath Hall offers a more traditional and formal setting for up to 400 guests with crystal chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the History Center's Asian-American Gardens.

4. 103 West
Managed by one of Atlanta's most established and well-known restaurant groups, the Buckhead Life Group, 103 West is one of Atlanta's most acclaimed private dining facilities. This classic yet modern establishment is defined by contemporary decor that is paired with a neutral backdrop and accented with vibrant colors to create an inviting and striking corporate event setting. The facility's Buckhead Ballroom can accommodate up to 250 for a seated dinner or as many as 300 for a reception when used in conjunction with other rooms. For a more intimate gathering, 103 West offers the Club Room with seating for no more than 40 guests.

5. Atlanta Event Center at Opera
Built in the 1920's, this recently renovated corporate event site originally served as the home of the Atlanta Women's Club performance theatre. Located in the heart of midtown near many of the city’s newest attractions, the Atlanta Event Center at Opera is ideal for cocktail receptions and product launches. The space features a private bar, stage, glamorous lounges in the form of Opera Boxes and comes fully outfitted with state-of-the-art sound and lighting equipment. The Atlanta Event Center at Opera can accommodate as many as 450 for a reception.

6. The Piedmont Room at the Park Tavern
Overlooking Piedmont Park, the Piedmont Room at the Park Tavern affords some of the most spectacular views of the Midtown skyline in the entire city. Featuring an iron-gated entrance, 12-foot floor-to-ceiling windows and a beautiful wooden dance floor, this space is the epitome of elegance. As the sun sets, the neutral colored room is washed with hues of gold and red creating a serene and warm ambience for guests. Gold chavari chairs, ivory linens and tea candles are included in the event rental. This 5,500-square-foot space can hold up to 200 guests.

7. The Atlanta Botanical Gardens
This blossoming Atlanta venue offers a variety of event spaces. With a capacity of 300 for a seated dinner, the Day Hall features floor to ceiling windows, modern lighting, grand ceilings, earth tones and doors opening to an outdoor terrace. For smaller gatherings of no more than 90, the classical-style Mershon Hall can be rented providing guests access to the award-winning Parterre Garden which overflows with brightly colored flowers year round. In the Fuqua Orchid Center, guests can take in the sweet aroma of blooming flowers from around the globe. Included in the rental of the Fuqua Orchid Center is the Robinson Gazebo, a roofed outdoor space overlooking the skyline of Atlanta. The Atlanta Botanical Gardens also offers rentals of several of its smaller gardens.

8. Rhodes Hall
Rhodes Hall is one of the most recognized landmarks on Peachtree Street. Dating back to 1904, the historic mansion is built out of Stone Mountain granite in the Romanesque Revival style. Featuring a grand mahogany staircase, stained-glass windows, magnificent woodwork, and beautiful murals and wall paintings, Rhodes Hall is nothing short of exquisite. As the headquarters of the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, the facility has undergone significant renovations and is one of the best maintained historical sites in the city. Rhodes Hall can accommodate up to 175 people for a cocktail-style reception on its first floor. The outdoor lawn and porch may also be rented.

9. The High Museum of Art
Showcasing remarkable art exhibits from around the world, the High Museum of Art is an ideal backdrop for corporate events of all sizes. The High Museum of Art can accommodate groups of 50 to 1800. Host a dinner dance under the fan-shaped glass ceiling of the Robinson Atrium, featuring an eye-catching ramp providing access to the museum's galleries. Entertain up to 650 guests in the Grand Lobby designed by architect Renzo Piano overlooking the piazza and Midtown Atlanta. The Grand Lobby is defined by eighteen-foot coffered ceilings and hardwood floors. The Hill Auditorium is the perfect venue for a product launch or media event with capacity for 220 guests theater-style and built-in audio visual equipment.

10. The Trolley Barn
Located in Inman Park amongst a neighborhood of elegant restored Victorian mansions, the Trolley Barn is a reminder of Atlanta's past. First opened in 1889, the Trolley Barn originally served as a storage facility for the first electric street car in Atlanta. During the middle of the 20th century, the barn as well as the surrounding area of Inman Park was forgotten. Today, the Trolley Barn has been restored to its original glory and can accommodate up to 250 for a reception or 200 for a seated dinner. Thirty-foot ceilings, mesquite wood floors, exposed wooden beams, and mini lights create a quaint and classic environment for an event. A 40x60-foot brick patio is also available for use and may be tented upon request.

Want to learn more about these venues and other similiar corporate event facilities in Atlanta? Visit the Cvent Supplier Network and the Atlanta Destination Guide.

Event Venues in Chicago Hope to Host 2016 Olympic Games

Monday, March 30, 2009 by Sarah Larkins

The current state of the economy is keeping everyone pretty focused on the year ahead, especially in the meetings market. But as one of four finalists in the running to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, the city of Chicago certainly has a good reason to look much farther into the future.

Competing against other finalists Tokyo, Madrid and Rio de Janeiro, Chicago has a lot to gain if selected this fall by the International Olympic Committee. In December, Chicago 2016, Chicago's Olympic committee, announced that the Games are expected to stimulate $22.5 billion of incremental economic activity in Illinois through 2011 to 2021. Activity in Chicago alone is expected to account for $13.7 billion.

The Games would also create 315,000 new job-years. Job-years are estimated by calculating the total hours of jobs created—full-time, part-time, permanent and temporary—into the equivalent of full-time jobs.

Spurgeon Richardson, former president and CEO of the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, believes that hosting the Olympic games can also positively affects a city's reputation for meetings and events.

"From a meetings and conventions standpoint, the Olympics really put Atlanta on the map worldwide," Richardson told MeetingNews. "It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that really strengthened our ability to go out and attract major conventions from around the world."

Chicago has proposed to use many of its existing venues to create an Olympic Park along its lakefront. McCormick Place, for example, will host 11 Olympic disciplines as well as the International Broadcast Center and Main Press Center. Rowing and canoe-kayak/flatwater events can take place in the city's harbor by Grant Park.

To explore more of the venues the city of Chicago has to offer to the Olympic Games, visit the Cvent Supplier Network. To learn more about Chicago's candidacy, check out Chicago 2016.

Romantic Restaurant Venues Across the Country

Monday, February 9, 2009 by Cvent Staff

With Valentine's Day less than a week away, we thought it'd be appropriate to review some of the country's most romantic restaurants. Though couples find them idyllic spots for candlelit dinners for two, meeting and event planners can also make the most of the unmatched elegance and top-notch cuisine at these venues, each sure to impress groups of all sizes.

Take a look at some of Mobil Travel Guide's top picks:

Fleur de Lys

After a 10-month renovation following a devastating kitchen fire, this San Francisco landmark emerged with an luxurious redesign featuring 800 yards of custom-designed fabric, Limoges and Rosenthal china, and fragrant floral blooms. Host an event in style at the restaurant's Salon Room, with room for up to 25 guests, or private Wine Room, with room for up to 16 guests. The entire restaurant is also available for functions of up to 105 people.

Les Nomades

Groups of up to 44 guests can enjoy the intimacy and fine French cuisine offered at Les Nomades in Chicago. With wood-burning fireplaces and original artwork, this former private club serves up classics with a twist such as roasted venison loin with sherry brown butter sauce and Angus beef fillet with sunchoke potato gratin.

One if by Land, Two if by Sea

Thanks to the soft piano music, flickering candles, and vases stocked with fresh flowers, the ambiance of New York City's well-reputed One if by land, Two if by Sea is commonly known as one of the most romantic in the country. Among exposed brick, fireplaces and shimmering chandeliers, guests to NYC events can settle into a night of pure elegance as they enjoy the restaurant's Mediterranean fare.

The Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta

One of only 16 restaurants in the country to receive the Mobil Five Star Award, The Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton is the perfect spot for private events in Atlanta. A la carte and tasting menus of French cuisine are complemented by an impressive 600-bottle wine cellar at the restaurant. The chef's table offers a great view of the display kitchen to up to 10 guests, but the adjacent salon is an ideal venue for up to 20 attendees to enjoy an intimate, private meeting.

Atlanta Airport Gets Connected with New Automated People Mover

Tuesday, December 16, 2008 by Cvent Staff

We recently posted some tips on how meeting and event planners can cut back on ground transportation costs. Obviously eliminating the need for ground transportation is the most effective way to cut this spend area, but is it a reality in large cities? It will be in Atlanta, Georgia.

Schedule to open November 2009, the Automated People Mover (APM) at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport will provide enhanced connectivity to air travelers looking to get around the city. This extension will travel between the passenger terminal at the airport and the new Consolidated Rental Car facility. At 1.5 miles in length, the APM will also have a stop at the Georgia International Convention Center. A round trip on the people mover will last about 10 minutes.

This one-of-a-kind connection will make it easier than ever for attendees of Atlanta events to get to and from the airport at no cost. The updated APM is just one of the many projects involved in the airport's $6.2 billion, 10-year Capital Improvement Program. Among the other projects are a new Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal and a fifth runway.

Go Wild with Events at Zoo Atlanta!

Friday, December 12, 2008 by Cvent Staff

There's never been a better time to host an event at the popular Zoo Atlanta. After all, its four-month-old giant panda cub, recently named Xi Lan (translation: Atlanta's Joy), and three six-month-old lion cubs Christos, Mikalos and Athanaisi are garnering attention from all over. These lovable animals join the over 800 animals at Zoo Atlanta waiting to make your next Atlanta event a wild one.

A great space for day or night events, the zoo can host groups ranging in size from 20 to 5,000 people. Mingle with the zoo's newest addition at the Chinese Plaza and Panda Veranda, an open-air space that offers a private viewing of the pandas for up to 200 guests. Or, stay indoors with a seated dinner at the 2,000-square-foot Ford Conservation Room and Eco Hall or presentation at the 257-seat Coca Cola World Studio.

This Atlanta venue has a number of entertainment options available to liven up your meetings and events. Schedule an orangutan or elephant feeding, or have jugglers, DJs, or other entertainers delight your attendees.

The zoo's corporate escape package is also a great option for corporate outings, offering free admission, free parking, table linens, audio-visual services, a scavenger hunt and breakfast and lunch for 20 or more guests.

View more information on Zoo Atlanta

Authentic Pizzerias for Your Next Catered Event

Friday, November 14, 2008 by Cvent Staff

Think pizza places are all about greasy food and overactive children? Think again. Gone are the days when pizza joints were all about greasy slices and arcade games. A new crop of upscale pizzerias is gaining popularity, offering a posh atmosphere and top-notch cuisine. So how can you be sure to book a quality pizza venue for your event? You could start by looking for the Verace Pizza Napoletana seal of approval.

Founded in Naples, Italy, in 1984, the Associazione della Vera Pizza Napoletana aims to promote the culinary tradition of Neopolitan pizza. The Verace Pizza Napoletana, the American chapter, certifies pizzerias across the country based on strict standards, looking at, among other items, the dough and ingredients used, the oven in which pizzas are cooked, and the appearance of the pizzeria as a whole. There are over 20 VPN-certified pizzerias in the United States, and lucky for meeting planners, many of them welcome group functions.

A 16

Events in San Francisco can enjoy authentic pizzas such as the Bianca (mozzarella, green olives and basil) or the Salsiccia (fennel sausage and red onions) at A 16. An award-winning list of over 500 bottles, 60 percent of which are Italian, also makes this Chestnut Street institution a winner for cocktail receptions and post-meeting happy hour events.

Named after a highway that runs from Naples to Canosa, Puglia, A-16 hosts large parties of nine to 20 people in its spacious Atrium.

Fritti

Looking for venues for your next Atlanta event? Fritti adds a dose of classic Italian charm to this Southern city. With 22 varieties of Neapolitan pizza, all cooked to perfection on two visible wood burning ovens, Fritti has a total capacity of 120 guests seated and 200 guests for receptions.

From the private dining loft for up to 40 guests to the outdoor patio for up to 80 guests, any space in Fritti is a good one for inviting guests to convene and network while enjoying its namesake fried appetizers including eggplant and red pepper croquettes and fried mushrooms.

Naples 45

Great pizza and New York City certainly go hand-in-hand, but your event attendees need not resort to overcrowded bars or street vendors for their fix. Host your NYC events at Naples 45. With wood burning ovens, a 75-foot-long wine bar and tiled walls, the Main Dining Room is perfect for events of 200 to 400 guests. The open air patio can easily accommodate up to 150 people for receptions. Best of all, your attendees will enjoy authentic Neapolitan pies and a number of fine wines or domestic and imported beers.

Got Culture? Atlanta Event Venues Do

Wednesday, October 22, 2008 by Cvent Staff

Anybody interested in planning an event in Atlanta should not have any problem locating a venue. From intimate restaurants to large convention centers, Atlanta has it all. If you want to bring a touch of class to your next meeting, check out some of the many cultural venues that have made hosting events in Atlanta such a popular decision.

Atlanta History Center

No matter your tastes, it is safe to say that the Atlanta History Center will be perfect for any meeting. In addition to 6,400 square feet of meeting space, this Atlanta venue also offers an on-site restaurant, many business services and several transportation options.

The Fox Theatre

When it comes to live entertainment in Atlanta, it doesn't get any better than the Fox Theatre. Lucky for meeting planners, this venue is also available for corporate meetings, tradeshows and wedding receptions. Exquisite architectural elements combined with an elegant decor make this venue a must-consider for any event planner.

Woodruff Arts Center

Thanks to 35,000 square feet of meeting space and 17 distinct meeting rooms, meeting planners can host virtually any kind of conference or seminar at the Woodruff Arts Center. In addition to its size, this venue also offers added benefits of on-site catering and business services.

A+ Events in Atlanta

Tuesday, October 21, 2008 by Cvent Staff

Now that your interest is piqued for university and college meeting facilities, it's time to explore some top-notch options.

Consider the following for your next Atlanta conference.

Georgia Tech Global Learning Center

Conveniently located in midtown Atlanta, the Georgia Tech Global Learning Center invites conferences, seminars and meetings of all kinds to its 32,000-square-foot facility. Whether you need a large theater (the center has five) or a small computer room (its labs have up to 20 student PCs each), the GLC is the place to find it.

Additional amenities such as the "BuzzBreak," a continuous food and beverage break service, are sure to keep any attendee happy. Premium audio-visual packages and a full-time event staff round out the center's first-class offerings.

Emory Conference Center Hotel

Over 23,000 square feet of space. The largest amphitheater in the Southeast. A spacious ballroom for up to 240 people. An on-site spa and two nearby 18-hole golf courses. Who ever said that school was boring? Certainly not the Emory Conference Hotel, where an astounding set of flexible spaces and luxurious amenities guarantee guests that this is a meeting they won't want to skip.

From the Dogwood Meeting Room to the Lullwater Ballroom to the Garden Courtyard, every space in the facility is enhanced by a friendly, amenable staff. One more notable benefit: the 198 well-appointed guest rooms, which make it a perfect meeting location for overnight guests.

Georgia Tech Research Institute Conference Center

Available for a wide range of events, including those for non-profit organizations and professional societies, the GTRI Conference Center features 10,000 square feet of meeting space. Giving a large presentation? Up to 220 guests can view it at the center's auditorium. Looking for a smaller space for a quarterly board meeting? Then the 1,000-square-foot executive boardroom is ideal.

Equipped with the latest in technology, the center offers state-of-the-art amenities including LCD projectors, webcasting capabilities, wireless connections and more. Not surprisingly, the center's flexible facilities host over 300 events each year.

Clearly the buzz about universities and colleges as meeting spaces is well-deserved. So don't just read about them! Consider one of the above or research the many more out there when planning your future Atlanta events.