Audio Visual Services

The end of the year is quickly approaching and many of us are simply worn out. Companies nationwide are trying to get the most out of their employees while they're in the office, meaning most of the employees are worn out by the time they get home. Why not treat the team to some fun activities to celebrate the year's end? Consider some alternative Atlanta venues that will not only boast employees' spirits but also awaken their inner child.

Atlanta is the perfect destination to rejuvenate your staff. Dave & Buster's is a great Atlanta special event venue where your guests can eat, drink and play. Complete with arcade games, billiards and a main dining room, there is definitely something here for everyone to enjoy.

The Atlanta restaurant gladly welcomes large groups in spaces such as the small party room for intimate events or even the entire 70,000-square-foot special event facility, depending on your needs. The showroom is a happy medium for those mid-sized Atlanta events, and it includes audio-visual equipment.

For those that have a need for speed, consider booking Andretti Indoor Karting & Games. These aren't your carnival bumper cars—your racing fee comes with helmet, race car driver jumpsuit and a once-in-a-lifetime race car experience. Andretti has two professional style tracks, pool tables, a 30-foot rock climbing wall, high ropes course and arcade games. It isn't all play and no work, of course, as Atlanta conference rooms are on-site as well. The Grand Prix Suite offers 4,200 square feet of special event space including tables, seating and audio-visual equipment.

For more information about these and other Atlanta special event facilities, visit the Cvent Supplier Network.

Home to popular art and cultural events, a well respected branch of the University of Texas school system, and several large IT and Telecom firms, Richardson is a quaint, yet urban, North Dallas community. Located about 20 minutes north of downtown and perfectly situated in the center of it all is the Hyatt Regency North Dallas, a massive red brick structure with a distinctly pointed roof.

This large, luxury Dallas hotel has recently undergone a multimillion dollar renovation and now boasts 15,000 square feet of sophisticated Dallas meeting space. So whether you're looking for full-scale Dallas conference facilities or have large meetings requiring several breakouts, the Hyatt Regency North Dallas offers a multitude of options to suit your needs.

The hotel itself is gorgeous. Upon entering, guests are greeted by an elegant foyer lined with four-story windows and adorned with rich drapery. There are 342 remodeled guest rooms complete with high-speed wireless Internet, flat panel televisions with digital video-on-demand and cable services, huge work desks with comfortable chairs, and an iHome alarm clock perfect for iPods. As with any full-service luxury hotel, guests are met with all the amenities one would expect, such as in-room dining, laundry and dry cleaning services, turndown, and a multilingual staff.

Moving on to the meetings side, Dallas event planners won't be disappointed. There is an incredible 7,800-square-foot ballroom that can be broken into seven different sections, as well as a 2,700-square-foot junior ballroom that is divisible into four areas. In addition, there are six extra breakout rooms, 4,000 square feet of prefunction space, and two "lounge" areas to consider as well. The icing on the cake: The Hyatt Regency offers complimentary parking and shuttle service within a five-mile radius of the hotel.

With delicious catering options from their in-house, full-service restaurant, experienced sales and event managers, and on-site audio-visual techs ready to handle any request, there's no excuse not to consider the Hyatt Regency North Dallas as an excellent, and economical, option for hard-to-please clients while in Dallas.

View more information about Hyatt Regency North Dallas on the Cvent Supplier Network

Sheraton has been in the midst of a multibillion dollar global revitalization effort, renovating almost half of its North American profile. One of the newest on the scene is the Sheraton Dallas.

Following a $90 million transformation, the downtown Dallas hotel boasts 1,840 redesigned guest rooms and over 230,000 square feet of flexible meeting rooms and banquet spaces—some of the largest in the state of Texas. Whether in the 40,800-square-foot Lone Star Ballroom or 750-square-foot Executive Boardroom, Dallas events at the hotel enjoy expert in-house catering, audio-visual, floral and convention service departments.

Outside the boardroom, the Sheraton Dallas' new dining options, The Kitchen Table restaurant and Draft Media Sports Lounge, provide a place to kick back with a drink or dinner. The new lobby, complete with complimentary work stations and flat-screen televisions, is also a chic spot to rest after a day of work.

Located in the Arts and Financial District, the Sheraton Dallas hotel is extremely convenient for out-of-town meeting guests. The hotel itself is a stop on Dallas' light rail system and connected to the shopping complex Plaza of the Americas. Booking these Dallas accommodations also places attendees just minutes from the Dallas Convention Center, American Airlines Center and historic 6th Floor Museum.

View more information about Sheraton Dallas on the Cvent Supplier Network

You want big? Want trendy? Want everything at your fingertips? How about the Angelika Theater at Mockingbird Station in Dallas?

A theater, you ask? A theater. But not just any theater. The Angelika is one of Dallas's most beloved, most stylish film centers and is notorious for showing under the radar, Oscar-worthy films. Celebrities have been known to frequent the venue for premieres and hardened movie critics come for the atmosphere alone. This place is new world hip, with old world charm.

It's also perfect for any Dallas event! Whether you're looking for something different for the company meeting or you're planning a sassy soiree, the Angelika has the Dallas meeting space and expertise to make any event a success. From the wall-to-wall screens in the auditoriums with Dolby Digital Surround Sound, to the sophisticated lobby and cafe space with traditional movie snacks, to the endless catering options, this unique Dallas venue is sure to please even the pickiest client!

Aside from the obvious theater space, this Dallas hotspot sits atop one of the trendiest rail stops in the city where everything is, literally, a hop, skip, and a jump away. The luxurious Palomar Hotel is right across the street. Numerous restaurants and bars are within walking distance, such as Trinity Hall, an upscale Irish restaurant and bar where you can see everything from A-list celebs to World Cup Soccer matches to local Irish bands performances. It also offers easy, easy highway and airport access to Dallas Love Field.

Additionally, some of Dallas's biggest companies are within five miles in any direction of The Angelika. And one of Dallas's, and the country's, most prestigious law, business, and art schools, Southern Methodist University, is less than a quarter of a mile away.

This place has it all! Here is a list of notable features:

• 8 auditoriums with a variety of seating
• Available lobby and/or cafe reception space
• State-of-the-art audio-visual equipment including 35mm, 16mm, or digital projection
• Outside catering (bonus!)
• Personal attention from an Event Director
• Courteous and professional staff

Are you in need of a quick getaway for a group of employees? Need a fun, easy, inexpensive option for a team outing? Or maybe you're simply looking for something a little different than the norm for your next Dallas business meeting? Consider Group Dynamix in Addison! If you've not yet discovered this excellent Dallas event venue, now's the time.

Owner and "Head Coach" Stephen Mackintosh, aka Coach Mack, has turned his love of team spirit and supportive play into one of the largest, most popular indoor team building centers in the country. His team focuses on group performance and reflection through unique and fun-filled activities that encourage 100 percent participation, 100 percent of the time.

When it comes to interactive team building in Dallas, these guys are pros. They will customize and facilitate events to your company's desired theme, timing, and scale. Whether you have 15 IT guys for half a day or 100 PR reps for an all-day rally, they have the space and means to keep any group entertained. Considering a group upwards of 500 people? No worries. There is 18,000 square feet of usable Dallas event space complete with a ropes course, laser tag, or beach balls ready to pump up and motivate even the most passive participant.

Located in the heart of Addison, close to one of Dallas' most notorious shopping, dining, and entertainment districts, Group Dynamix is easily accessible to several well known full-service and select-service hotels. The facility can accommodate simple team outings or full-fledged corporate events with packages that include use of on-site audio-visual equipment, including wireless microphone, video capabilities with screen (check out the 20-foot-by-20-foot movie wall!), and much more. Snacks and beverages can be provided, but outside catering is allowed and encouraged, so you to work within your budget with any Dallas caterer or restaurant—a rare find for Dallas venues these days.

When creating an electronic Request for Proposal (RFP) using the Cvent Supplier Network, a planner can easily create an extensive agenda in a short amount of time. A best practice tip that we recommend when building the agenda for an RFP is to "copy' agenda items, which you can do onto the same day as well as onto other days.

Often times your event agenda might include four simultaneous breakout sessions on a particular day. It's time-consuming and mundane task to manually enter in the details for each session, so using Cvent, planners can simply copy that session over onto the same day by using the Copy button.

This is particularly useful when creating extensive agendas that have the same or very similar schedules for each  day of the event. In this case, meeting planners can input all of the agenda items for the first day of the event and then simply copy all of the agenda items for that day over one time for the remaining event days:



Other features included with the agenda building process that can help save planners time are the Notes field and the Space Calculator. Using the Notes field, planners can add any additional comments that would be specific for one agenda item, such as what audio-visual equipment is necessary for that session. Meanwhile, the Space Calculator can help planners determine how much meeting space they need for a particular agenda item based on the setup type that is needed. Try out these features the next time you create an RFP and see how much time you save!

Starwood Hotels is announcing yet another hotel opening in downtown Chicago: Aloft Chicago Millennium Park is set to open on September 6, 2012. The new Chicago development will include 13 floors of hotel space, five floors of offices, and 5,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space. Located on the corner of Balbo and Wabash in Chicago's south loop, Aloft Millennium Park is just three blocks from Chicago's central business district and one block from Chicago attractions Grant Park, Millennium Park and Museum Campus.

The bold-loft inspired design is one of the few newly stylized Chicago hotels. The Aloft rooms feature the brand's signature style bed, an over-sized spa shower, amenities by Bliss Spa and some electronic enhancements to mix work and play on the 42-inch LCD televisions.  This brand of hotel is modeled after sister brand W Hotels. Aloft combines the ambiance of the W, at a more affordable price point for business or short weekend travelers.

Aloft Chicago's meeting space is outfitted with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment including 50-inch flat-screen televisions. This 165-guest room facility will house one Chicago meeting space of 700 square feet.

Starwood seems to be taking a step in the right direction. They are slowing turning over their branded hotels and giving them their own identity and style. Aloft Millennium Park will be a great fit in the downtown Chicago accommodations scene!

To view more Starwood hotel properties in Chicago, make sure to visit Cvent's Chicago venue directory.

Looking for a luxury NYC hotel for your next business event? The contemporary Strand Hotel in New York City offers the utmost of style and class from its 20-floor property in Manhattan's Midtown Fashion District.

Just around the corner from the Empire State Building, Madison Square Garden, Bryant Park and other New York attractions, the Strand Hotel has 177 guest rooms and 18 junior suites. Room decor and furnishings are inspired by mid-century Bogart elegance. The entire New York hotel is also adorned by a collection of Conde Nast vintage photography.

One of the best NYC hotels for intimate and elegant meetings and special events, the hotel offers 2,500 square feet of New York event space. Together, its meeting facilities can host up to 250 guests. State-of-the-art audio-visual equipment, wi-fi access, easels and tables, and a business center are among the amenities available at this new New York hotel.

Read more about meeting hotels and special event facilities in New York City on the Cvent Destination Guide.

The Element Dallas Fort Worth Airport North opened recently, marking the brand's sixth hotel globally. This Starwood property is also the second Element hotel in Texas and among the first hotel in the Dallas area to pursue the U.S. Green building Council's LEED certification for high-performance buildings.

This new Dallas hotel, just minutes from the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, offers 123 serene guest rooms equipped with 32-inch LCD televisions, ergonomic desk chairs and complimentary wireless high-speed Internet access.

The hotel also has two Dallas meeting spaces for planners. Its largest meeting space measures in at 106.84 square feet. A productive yet unique Dallas event facility, the hotel offers a 50-inch plasma screen and audio-visual services with laptop connectivity and a DVD player in its multipurpose space.

Element delivers a no-compromise, eco-chic experience enhanced by comfortable and inspiring public spaces, modern touches and a smart design. Element Hotels is the first major hotel brand to mandate that all its properties pursue the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED certification.

View more information about Element Dallas Fort Worth Airport North on the Cvent Supplier Network

Now that it's October, I'm already thinking about Halloween! If you're hosting an event around the holiday, what better way to get attendees into the spirit than by selecting a haunted hotel as your venue of choice? Check out some of the top hotels across the nation where you may have to account for one or two uninvited guests:

Stanley Hotel

A Colorado tradition since 1909, the Stanley Hotel is tucked away in the gorgeous mountainous terrain of the Estes Valley, located about an hour from Denver and minutes from Rocky Mountain National Park. Its breathtaking setting belies the hotel's ghostly past, which includes serving as the hotel that inspired author Stephen King to write The Shining.

Supposedly, original owner F.O. Stanley and his wife Flora still haunt the hotel, being seen in the Billiard Room or playing the piano in the ballroom. Some guests have also reported hearing children playing in the hallway when none are present.

Today, guests can take one of the historic ghost tours offered by professional hotel guides, who cover the history of the hotel, its connection to King's novel, haunted rooms and more. The Stanley features eight meeting spaces for private events, including Billiard Room where Stanley so likes to make an appearance.


A National Historic Landmark, this San Diego hotel attracts guests with its distinct Victorian charm and modern luxury. An American treasure, it has welcomed greats such as Marilyn Monroe, Charles Lindbergh, eleven U.S. Presidents, and, now, even a ghost.

On November 25, 1892, hotel guest Kate Morgan checked into the Hotel del Coronado, but never checked out. Since then, guests and staff have noticed phantoms, chilly breezes, and strange noises thought to be the ghost of this "Beautiful Stranger," whose story you can read about in the hotel's published book about Kate—talk about a great corporate gift for your next event the hotel!

Hotel del Coronado features 679 recently remodeled rooms (ask for number 3327 to sleep in Kate's room) and 65,000 square feet of San Diego event space. Its function space just underwent a $2 million renovation with new carpeting, drapes, wallpaper, sound system, and audio-visual support provided by San Diego AV supplier Swank Audio Visual.

Carolina Inn

In 1948, Dr. William Jacocks, a physician with the International Health Division of the Rockefeller Foundation, retired to Chapel Hill and lived at the Carolina Inn until his death in 1965. However, legend has it he never really left. He still enjoys playing practical jokes on inn guests, such as locking them out of his former room every now and then. Other ghosts in the hotel have been known to wander the halls and jiggle door knobs.

Visitors can learn all about the inn's ghoulish past this Halloween, as the staff of Haunted North Carolina is hosting an evening of entertainment that includes dinner and a tour of the inn's most haunted areas. Book online using hotel promotion code "BOO" or call 1-800-962-8519.

In addition to a place on the National Register of Historic Places, the Carolina Inn boasts a fine resume including a AAA Four Diamond Award hotel and Mobil Four Star Award-Winning dining at its Carolina Crossroads Restaurant. Located on the campus of the University of Chapel Hill-North Carolina, it boasts 184 rooms and 13,000 square feet of meeting space, making it a popular North Carolina venue for events, weddings, academic conferences and more.

Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry is home of some of the most famous exhibits in the country including the Henry Crown Space Center, the U-505 Submarine, Navy: Technology at Sea, and the Genetics and Baby Chick Hatchery. This premier destination offers exceptional Chicago event spaces around its exhibits that are sure to be a dramatic backdrop for any event.

This popular Chicago attraction can host groups of 30 to 5,000 people among eight distinct event areas. Whether you dine under a submarine or on the beautiful outdoor terrace overlooking the front entrance, you are guaranteed a unique experience for all of your guests.

The museum's amenities serve as a perk to event and meeting coordinators. Access to coat check, event security, guides & exhibit staff, underground direct-access parking and valet, audio-visual equipment, china, linens, floral and simple decor are among the extras. This full-service Chicago venue is run by a team of experienced event staff who can help you coordinate every step of the way.

There well-known Chicago catering partner, Sodexo USA, works with the event planning team to create a menu that will suit you and your guests taste buds. The company has been known to create unique dining themes while maintaining high standards of quality service within a workable budget.

This holiday season, the Museum of Science and Industry is offering a "stimulus package" meeting promotion. If you host an event before President's Day, you will receive 10 percent off of the facility rental plus a $500 credit towards your food and beverage. Whether you are enjoying a reception inside a 727 jet plane or mingling in the Smart Home garden, this venue is sure to capture your guests' attention!

View more information about the Museum of Science and Industry on the Cvent Supplier Network

With state-of-the-art meeting space and luxurious amenities, the Tulalip Resort Casino & Spa is the Northwest's premier destination for business and pleasure. Among its 30,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, Tulalip welcomes everything from small meetings to large conferences of up to 1,500 attendees.

Host a cocktail reception in the 15,000-square-foot Orca Ballroom, the largest ballroom north of Seattle. Or, arrange a formal presentation in one of its two executive boardrooms, both of which offer ergonomic seating and advanced audio-visual equipment to foster a productive and successful meeting.

Meeting planners will have no trouble convincing guests that meetings are anything but boring at Tulalip, thanks to its full-service luxury spa, Oasis pool, high-energy lounge, over five on-site restaurants and more. During the summer, guests find two 18-hole golf courses just 20 minutes away, while winter months are a great time to enjoy the Stevens Pass ski area, just an hour's drive away. And of course, the Tulalip Casino features the best variety of games, including nearly 2,000 slot and video poker machines and a spacious, non-smoking poker room.

View more information about Tulalip Resort Casino & Spa on the Cvent Supplier Network

Chicago is home to many famous brands such as Wrigley Gum, Tootsie Rolls, Fischer Nuts and, let's not forget, Goose Island Beer Company. If you would like to give your groups a true taste of the city, Goose Island Brewpubs are the way to give them some authentic flavor!

For more than 20 years, Goose Island has consistently brewed Chicago's finest hand-crafted ales and lagers, and has built dining menus to highlight and complement their unique beer flavors. Treat your guests to a delicious buffet lunch paired with four custom selected beers at one of the two brewpub locations (one next to the famous Wrigley Field and one in Clybourne), each of which accommodate Chicago events of up to 500 guests.

Goose Island's Master Brewers produce an unmatched variety of seasonal beers, with over 10 drafts to choose from every day. Following a tasty lunch, guests have the opportunity to embark on an exclusive brewery tour to learn about the history of one of the most finely crafted, beloved beer brands in the nation. An on-site brewer guides guests through the brewing process, complete with samples of Chicago's finest beers.

Four-course custom dinners can also be scheduled to follow private group tours. Decor, entertainment and audio-visual services can be arranged. Goose Island also offers Chicago catering services to your office.

To find more Chicago special event facilities, make sure to check out Cvent's Chicago venue directory!

Metropolitan Pavilion is the perfect example of  classic New York City event space. The Pavilion offers clean lines and minimalist vision.

Its three separate spaces provide the perfect "clean slate" that so many event designers crave. With beautiful floors and white walls, the attention is given to what you want it to be given to: the guest of honor, the product you are launching, the fashions on the runway, etc. 

The in-house production staff is well trained and can help with any and all details. They even offer an in-house audio-visual company (Scharff Weisberg, a New York AV legend).

The Met Pavilion has hosted countless events and the next one should be yours—it's that good. 

View more information about the Metropolitan Pavilion on the Cvent Supplier Network

Looking to entertain a crowd but having trouble coordinating a concert venue, event space, and sleeping rooms all in one place? If so, The Radisson Hotel Sacramento is your answer. This Sacramento special event venue, home to the 1800-seat Radisson Grove amphitheater, is a perfect choice for outdoor concerts. If you have musical entertainment, a theatrical performance, or big-name keynote speaker on your next event’s agenda, the Grove can accommodate your needs. In the summer, guests can enjoy “Concerts in the Grove,” a concert series at the Radisson showcasing popular musical artists. Or, if you’d prefer to put on your own dinner show, the Grove can also seat up to 750 people for an outdoor reception under the stars.

In terms of meeting space, the Radisson Sacramento has a 21,000 square-foot trade show area. Within this area, the Edgewater Ballroom- Sacramento’s largest hotel ballroom- has 16,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, dividable into six separate function areas. The Radisson Sacramento also boasts a conference center with state-of-the-art audio/visual equipment, as well as executive board suites featuring wet bars, living rooms, and luxurious boardroom seating.
 
The sleeping rooms at this Sacramento venue are the ultimate in comfort, too.  Many rooms have tranquil views of the surrounding lake or the private hotel fountain from their balconies. Also, all rooms at the Radisson Sacramento hotel have Sleep Number ® Beds for a relaxing overnight stay. With upscale amenities in each guest room, ample meeting facilities, and special event space inside & out, the Radisson Sacramento is your one-stop-destination for entertaining events!

View more information about the Radisson Sacramento on the Cvent Supplier Network

The Langham Boston, a luxurious hotel and architectural masterpiece in the heart of Boston, is offering an exclusive “Day Delegate Power Pack” promotion to help organizations or companies “commit to get fit” at their next meeting. This promotional package includes the general session room rental cost; a continental breakfast; a morning stretch break with a snack of tropical fruits and raspberry dipping sauce, energy and granola bars, and assorted flavored yogurts; a light and healthy spa luncheon; and an afternoon energy release break with a personal fitness instructor to lead your attendees through interval morning and afternoon stretches. Chuan Body + Soul, the hotel’s fitness center and spa, will dedicate personal trainers to your meeting to lead your attendees through stretches to energize their mind and body. In addition to these great offers, all guests will enjoy a 15% savings on their next massage, facial or body scrub at Chuan Body + Soul. The cost of the Power Pack Package is $135 USD per person, per day.

Even if fitness is not the focus of your next event, the Langham is a luxurious destination for any group. As the former Federal Reserve Bank, this Boston venue is an architectural masterpiece set in the center of Massachusetts' economic and cultural heartland. The hotel offers the ability to accommodate events for as little as 8 or as large as 600 attendees. The Langham also has an in-house audio-visuals department, a professional conference services team, and an award winning culinary team to attend to every detail of your event.

View more information about the Langham Boston on the Cvent Supplier Network

It's a great time for travelers and meeting planners in terms of hotel promotions and deals. Complimentary room rentals, no attrition fees, reduced-price audio-visual services—we've seen hotels pulling out everything in their bag of tricks to entice business. It takes a lot to really make your hotel deal stand out, so that's why Rancho Bernardo's latest offering caught my eye.

This 200,000-acre luxury resort and hotel near San Diego was looking for a way to attract guests to its 287 recently redesigned guest rooms, tranquil spa, and 18-hole championship golf course.

"During a brainstorming session, we were talking about discounts and promotions and wanted to come up with something different than the same promotions and discounts," Rancho Bernardo general manager John Gates recently told CNN. "We wanted to do something fun and clever. It's a way of making the best of these bad economic times and trying to give customers an experience."

The solution? The "Survivor Package" in which guests can name their price. The package, which includes deluxe accommodations and breakfast for two, starts at $219 per night, but is customizable by price point. For $199, you get accommodations but no breakfast, for $109 you can enjoy a stay without pillows, or for the low price of $19, you can get a room with no bed—just an empty tent.

Some restrictions apply. The deal starts August 16 and runs through September 17, 2009. Visit the Rancho Bernardo website to get more details about each package option.

In need of a Toronto special event venue? The unique Bata Shoe Museum, an exploration of the history of footwear around the world, may be just the place.

With its light-filled atrium and four-story-high glass art window, the museum is a dramatic backdrop to events of all kinds. In fact, it has even won a City of Toronto Design Award for its stunning facilities. Housing one of the world's best collections of footwear, from 19th century Cherokee Tribe moccasins to a pair of Elton John's sky-high platforms, the museum's collections create a setting unlike any other attraction in Toronto.

Toronto events of all kinds—product launches, press conferences, social receptions, Toronto weddings, fashion shows—are welcome at the Bata Shoe Museum. A 1,200-square-foot main reception area with terrazzo floor, two intimate studios, and an enclosed patio are among the Toronto meeting spaces for rent at the museum. Audio-visual resources and staging services are also available.

View more information about the Bata Shoe Museum on the Cvent Supplier Network

Meeting planners know that sometimes it takes a little something extra to convince event attendees to register "Yes" for conferences and conventions. Your event agenda may be solid, full of educational seminars and networking opportunities, but what about activities outside the boardroom? An opportunity to visit a world-class museum exhibition, catch the latest Broadway play, or dine at the hottest new restaurant may be just what attendees need as an incentive.

Check out some of the current and upcoming Toronto events. In addition to being great activity suggestions for your meeting registrants and their guests, many of them are held at popular Toronto event venues, making it easy for planners to bring the fun right to their attendees!

• The Royal Ontario Museum, the largest museum in Canada, is hosting several once-in-a-lifetime exhibitions including Out of the Vaults: Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead (until October 18); Light & Stone: Gems from the Collection of Michael Scott (until November 15, 2009); and Dead Sea Scrolls: Words that Changed the World (until January 3, 2010). Toronto event planners can host private functions  for 10 to 2,000 people against the backdrop of these priceless collections.

• One of the top luxury hotels in Toronto, The Drake Hotel is also a great Toronto venue for dining and relaxation for both hotel guests and visitors. From October 27 to December 31, 2009, The Drake's signature Lounge, redesigned in 2007, is the place to see and be seen for Cocktail Hour, held Monday through Friday from 5 to 7 PM. Specials include $5 draft beer, $4 mixed drinks and appetizers such as fried shrimp and pork belly sliders for $5 to $7. After your event attendees enjoy a few drinks, invite them to a evening dinner at the hotel's Room 222, which offers full audio-visual amenities, custom teak wood ceilings and walls, and Toronto private dining space day and night.

• A celebration of Canada's most beloved sport, the Hockey Hall of Fame is one of the most popular attractions in Toronto. On November 8, it will certainly be the place to go, serving as host to the Hockey Hall of Fame Legends Classic. Part of the hall's Induction Weekend, which pays tribute to its newest inductees, this game matches the Canada Legends versus the World Legends in a battle of all-stars. Held at the Air Canada Centre, tickets start at C$26.

In a recent blog post about great baseball stadiums for your events, I mentioned how great it is to spend a summer usually day or night at the ballpark. However, I must admit that I have an ulterior motive when it comes to going to see a game: I love the food! Soft pretzels, bags of peanuts, ice cold beer—all that "so-bad-for-you-it's-good" stuff that baseball stadiums do so well.

But if you're just not in the mood for one of the classics usually being tossed out by seat vendors, you're still in luck. More and more baseball stadiums are stepping up their game, so to speak, when it comes to food options. From Mexican-themed hot dogs to Italian cannolis, these event-friendly baseball stadiums can offer your guests a wealth of food options to go along with their Cracker Jacks.

Petco Park

Opened in 2004, Petco Park's concessions include all the usual ballpark fare, such as burgers, pizza, and hot dogs. But what really makes its food options stand out are the border-influenced fare such as fish tacos, offered by Rubio's, and the Sonoran hot dog, wrapped in bacon, stuffed in a bun with salsa and pinto beans, and topped by jalapeno sauce.

For your San Diego events, Petco Park offers stunning views of the bay and city skyline, an array of venue options and state-of-the-art amenities. Event spaces on the Toyota Terrace, upper deck, and street, mezzanine, field and garden levels feature a number of meeting options ranging in size from 50 to 3,000 guests.

Safeco Field

Home of the Seattle Mariners, Safeco Field has been nominated by the Food Network for having the Best Ballpark Eats in America. Its 62 food stands, 26 kiosks, one restaurant and one pub run the gamut of baseball cuisine, from traditional picks such as nachos to unique options such as sushi rolls. One of the largest selling items is the Ivar Dog, sold by famed Ivar's seafood restaurant. A hot dog with a Seattle twist, Ivar Dogs are sliced pieces of cod served in a hot dog bun and topped with coleslaw.

One of the top attractions in Seattle, Safeco Field offers both venue space for rent as well as a number of unique packages for groups. With the Grand Slam Fantasy Baseball and Homerun Derby Batting Practice package, groups large and small can practice their swing and enjoy a catered lunch buffet.

PNC Park

Opened in 2001, this classic-style ballpark is more than just home to the MLB's Pittsburgh Pirates. It also features 31 permanent and 24 portable concession stands, including one just for children. Among the barbecue, ice cream, hamburgers, and popcorn, visitors find the famed sandwiches from Primanti Bros., which incorporate sides of French fries and coleslaw into the sandwich itself.

Capable of hosting anything from concerts to tradeshows to wedding rehearsals to fundraisers, PNC Park offers a number of indoor and outdoor event venues in Pittsburgh. The park's event staff can also provide catering services, furniture and equipment rental, audio-visual equipment, park tours and more.

Citi Field

The new home of the New York Mets, Citi Field features spacious concourses, contoured seating intended to bring spectators closer to the field, and a number of climate-controlled restaurants and bars with a wide range of menu options. Pulled pork sandwiches and Kansas City ribs from Blue Smoke, clam chowder and lobster rolls from Taste of the City, fresh-cut, Belgian-style fries with gourmet dipping sauces from Box Frites—the list goes on and on. Guests can even indulge their sweet tooth with a New York favorite: a cannoli topped by blue and orange sprinkles (Mets colors) from Leo's Latticini.

In addition to its great food, Citi Field boasts five-star service and top-notch New York event space. The stadium has over 200,000 square feet of hospitality space, capable of accommodating events from 25 to 6,000 people in size.