Corporate Event Venues

There are several staffing options for your gathering, and the decision greatly depends on the Los Angeles conference center, restaurant or other opulent venue chosen. For instance, if your gathering is at a private residence, you may not need security. And if your event is at a restaurant or hotel, you will not need to hire a cleaning crew or service staff. 

However, if your holiday party is at a gallery or other Los Angeles conference facility that you need to transform, you will need to consider hiring event staff including: Servers/Tray Passers, Bartenders/Barbacks, Roaming Security/Front Door Manager, and Cleaning Crew.

Plenty of conference centers and other special event venues include staff. But if not, here are a few of my favorite special event staffing companies:
The Party Staff
Argyle Event Staffing
Pacwest Security Services

Check back tomorrow for event rental suggestions for your holiday soiree!

Cvent Planner Insider Tip: Remember to make your support staff an extension of your event. They usually have several uniform options, so utilize these to set the mood and theme of your LA event.

December is coming and the chanting of "Sunday! Sunday! Sunday!"is getting more and more intense with each passed yard. For sports fanatics in the Orlando area, this time of year means fantasy frenzy and football parties.

Orlando, a huge tourist destination, has a lot of draw for professional fans as well as players. Luckily, the city has plenty of event venues to accommodate sports-themed events of any size. If you are looking to throw an O-town tailgating party, the Orlando party venues are close to limitless.

Consider these two top Orlando restaurants for your next affair:

TGI Friday's Front Row

This multi-level sports bar is a great Orlando dining facility, offering over 150 televisions airing sporting events from around the country. Friday's friendly team is ready and willing to make your tailgating event or cocktail hour a themed and highly enjoyable one.

ESPN Zone

Just outside of Orlando, ESPN Zone is unique Orlando venue is a sporting fanatic's dream. Complete with games and memorabilia in the open gaming arena, this casual dining destination at Disney's Boardwalk is sure to be a great place for young and old to gather for luncheons, casual receptions and more.

Find more special event facilities in Orlando on the Cvent Supplier Network.

Historic Navy Pier is a 3,300-foot pier that extends on the Chicago shoreline of Lake Michigan. Located in the Streeterville neighborhood of Chicago, Navy Pier was originally built to serve many different purposes including to serve as a cargo facility for freight shipments, docking space for passenger excursion steamers as well as a trendy place for public gatherings.

Today, Navy Pier is the number one tourist attraction in Chicago. It the location of numerous on-site sightseeing tour companies, four luxury dinner cruise ships, a huge Ferris wheel, the Chicago Children's Museum, the Shakespeare Theater, the Crystal Gardens as well as various restaurants, bars and shops.

Navy Pier is also home to a festival hall and numerous Chicago meeting spaces. Its two main exhibition spaces of a combined 170,100 square feet offer lots of flexibility and functionality. This space is able to accommodate up to 900 standard tradeshow booths; it's also a great Chicago party venue, capable of seating banquets or theater arrangements.

Navy Pier is also equipped with a Grand Ballroom; said to be one of the best Chicago ballrooms built. The Grand Ballroom is fashioned with an 80-foot domed ceiling lined with lights and affords panoramic views of Lake Michigan, making it incomparable with other venues around the city. Along with the rental of the ballroom, planners are offered the option to extend their function space into the Lakeview Terrace or Rooftop, both of which have unmatched views of the Chicago skyline. These can be used alone as function space or as an additional pre-function space for large Chicago events.

View more information about Navy Pier on the Cvent Supplier Network

This is a perfect time to book event space for a destination Atlanta wedding. Off-season usually occurs from October to January, during which time you can cut costs by 30 percent to 50 percent. For your budget-friendly brides who want to save money but spare their guests the frost of winter, Atlanta is the perfect destination. With its temperate climate and various indoor/outdoor venues, this city has plenty to offer for your client's 2009 winter wedding.

Rhodes Hall is a top Atlanta attraction that doubles as a museum and special event space. Luckily, this is a one-stop shop for this season's weddings. The ceremony can be held on the porch in front of the grand arches. The front lawn is also quite picturesque for the bridal party photos with its well-manicured lawn and seasonal floral arrangements.
 
Your Atlanta wedding reception will be the talk of the town when it's held at Rhodes' turn-of-the-century reception room. Seating up to 135 guests, this is a quaint yet classic event venue.

For a more modern feel, host your next winter reception at 103 West, Atlanta's newest private dining facility. It's a sophisticated but sexy setting, and your guests will appreciate this venue's attention to detail. There are five party areas varying in capacity, from an intimate dinner for 40 people in the Club Room to an elegant affair for 300 guests in the Grand Ballroom, which offers private lower-level access.

Special bonuses come with this Atlanta restaurant, including free room rental and the ability to have both the ceremony and reception in one location. Your event can be coordinated from beginning to end with complimentary white linens, audio-visual equipment and even wedding coordination services. No wedding is complete without the cake, and the on-site chef provides tasty flavors including hazelnut, white chocolate mousse and the Southern favorite red velvet.

View more information about the Rhodes Hall and 103 West on the Cvent Supplier Network

If you're hosting an event at a hotel, you have the upper hand in negotiations since hotels want to groups to stay inside as much as possible. Thus, if you bring a large crowd to their restaurants, feel free to inquire about special dining prices.

As the days get shorter and considerably colder, isn’t it time to consider taking your events to a slightly more tropical setting? If you’re looking for an elegant, professional event venue with plenty of opportunities for guests to have fun in the sun, then consider hosting your next meeting or event at the Fairmont Orchid hotel in Hawaii.

The Fairmont Orchid offers a variety of activity passes at the resort, including 15 minute introductions to snorkeling, surfing, or canoe paddling, educational sessions about the tide pool, seaside yoga classes, botanical tours of the 32-acre grounds, golf clinics, Hawaiian arts & crafts classes, sand volleyball, and, even stargazing every Friday night! With so many opportunities to take advantage of, how is one to choose? Fear not! Headquartered at the Beach Shack on the lagoon, the Orchid Beachboys are ready to guide your event guests through all these Hawaiian adventures, and more! Guests can embark on a Holoholo or Fishing Adventure, practicing local and Hawaiian shoreline fishing techniques, or sit in on a Honu (Turtle) Talk to learn about Hawaiian green sea turtles.

With over 30,000 square feet of meeting space, an on-site spa, 18-hole golf course, and seven on-site dining locations, this luxurious hotel is perfect for hosting a multi-day corporate retreat or incentive trip. The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii will also assist you with planning your event using their Group Gift Guide to help select gifts and amenities for your attendees and VIPs. You can choose from a wide variety of items tailored specifically for your group, from local Hawaiian treats to tropical island gifts.

View more information about the Fairmont Orchid Hawaii on the Cvent Supplier Network

 The Walters Art Museum is a hidden gem among private event venues in Baltimore. Imagine holding your small business meeting, banquet or cocktail reception among amazing works of art and paintings. Current exhibitions on display include Mummified and Art of the Ancient Americas.

In 2008, when The Expo Group was looking for a venue in Baltimore to host their Show Manager of The Years Award ceremony, they decided that the Walters fit their needs perfectly and had their dinner among the statues in the original Charles Street building. The Walters can accommodate up to 500 attendees for a reception.

In addition to banquets and meetings, the Walters is one of the most coveted wedding venues in Baltimore. Many a wedding reception has been held within the Walters’ Sculpture Courtyard.  Having handled so many weddings, the staff at the Walters can assist with the many details of organizing the reception and can recommend several caterers in Baltimore. The Peabody Court Hotel is located across the street from the museum and is one of the few boutique hotels in Baltimore.

View more information about the Walters Art Museum and other downtown Baltimore venues on the Cvent Supplier Network

Meeting planners often tell us that they don’t need to send requests for proposals (RFPs) through the Cvent Supplier Network because they hold events at the same venues year after year, and they already have established relationships with contacts at the property. While this loyalty and consistency can certainly help establish trust and improve your bottom line, repeatedly defaulting to the same venue and event agreements may be throwing precious company dollars out the window.

Why did you choose that venue for your event the first time around?  Was it in a convenient location?  Was it the only property with the amenities your group needed? Or did it all come down to the price? Whatever the reason, the hospitality industry is constantly in flux, and you could stand to benefit from all the changes. Perhaps several new hotels or restaurants have been built in your event destination in the last few years.  Maybe a run-down property has undergone a huge renovation. And - most importantly - maybe your preferred event venue has significantly changed its pricing.

One benefit to searching the 100,000+ global suppliers on the Cvent Supplier Network is that it’s a great way to learn about new venues in your area and stay up-to-date on what they have to offer. For instance, you can filter the search results in your metropolitan area to show only venues that are offering special Cvent promotions! Even if you insist on having your event at the same location every year, it’s good to know what else is available.  Sending an RFP using the Cvent Supplier Network is a great way to get some proposals from other area venues.  With these proposals in hand, you may find that you could negotiate a lower rate at your current venue! Just because they gave you a great deal two or three years ago doesn’t mean that it’s still the most competitive rate out there (especially given the recent changes in the marketplace). 

So, do a little homework on the Cvent Supplier Network today to make sure you’re getting the best deal at your next meeting or event!

Are you in the midst of planning a holiday party and have yet to find the perfect venue? Or perhaps you've been tasked with the planning for the first time and have no idea where to begin? Don't worry!

Here are five lesser-known, yet totally great, Dallas event venues that will knock everyone's socks off! Most of these unique Dallas venues have a list of preferred vendors from which to choose Dallas catering, entertainment, etc. If not, they'll still gladly make recommendations to help get the ornament ball rolling.

The Apartment

This ultra-hip, modern space located on Dallas' famous Oak Lawn Avenue features suede banquettes, Venetian mirrors, and a 26-foot bar that can be glammed up or pared down for up to 250 people. Not-for-profit organizations are automatically given a 15 percent discount on pricing!

threethreethreefirstavenue

Located in the heart of downtown Dallas, this multi-story venue boasts historical beauty mixed with contemporary cool. The 4,500-square-foot space features gorgeous original hardwood floors, exposed rafters with 12-foot ceilings, full-service restrooms and a service elevator.

Space Studios

Smack in the middle of Dallas' trendy Deep Ellum neighborhood, Space offers a unique, open flow that works with any design set-up or theme. The Dallas venue requires a three-hour minimum, but has no restrictions on catering.

Off the Grid

Formerly the Power & Light Substation for Dallas, this remodeled three-story building offers a hip industrial vibe that's perfect for companies with younger employees. With nearly 6,500 square feet of Dallas meeting space and a large outdoor patio,  Off the Grid promises an electrifying time to be enjoyed by all.

Bolt Space

Commercial photo shoot space by day, hip event venue by night. Bolt offers 10,000 square feet—divisible into three different studios—of flexible space just minutes from downtown Dallas. Bolt is currently running a meeting promotion on equipment rental based on studio rental.

To find more Dallas banquet halls and spaces for your events, visit the Cvent Supplier Network.

While they may not voice their complaints out loud, it's likely that attendees are crying inside at the thought of another meeting in the same conference room in the trusty hotel down the street. It's time to break outside the boardroom!

When was the last time you reconsidered the options of where to host your business events? The typical conference halls and convention centers don't sound like so much fun these days...but what about a local lounge? That's right - the one with the swanky pool tables in the back!

Reignite a sense of excitement in meeting and event attendees by hosting at a unique venue - somewhere that combines great food, wireless/multimedia capabilities, and a fun social atmosphere.

Doing a bit of research can help you find places that you never knew specialized in client entertainment, team-building, business lunches, breakfast meetings, staff celebrations, and other events.

So where do you start? The Special Event Venues section of Cvent's Supplier Network has many great ideas for you to try out and to get people smiling at your meetings again!

For your next destination event in Atlanta, remember that, although you may not know the city, you can order supplies online and have them shipped to your location. The city can be difficult to navigate through, so starting your supplier search online is a great idea for event planners unfamiliar with the area and local event suppliers.

These resources can help keep your headaches away and promote smooth transitions from event to event. Remember your time is money, so why not use available resources to assist in the event planning process?

• Smartyhadaparty.com has a wonderful idea for planners who need disposable and reusable items for a deal. Want the quality of silverware at the price of plastic, the appeal of cotton chair covers at the cost of paper, or even the appeal of glassware without the washing time? Then check out this company's website. The quality is exceptional and allows you to save your event budget for more important areas such as food and drinks.

• Want to get your items and be on your way? Check out Shindigz.com. They offer theme boxes in which you pay one set price and your party comes to you. The theme boxes include backdrops, props and other decorations depending on what your event theme may be.

• The Cvent Supplier Network features tens of thousands of event venues and suppliers, including over 200 in the metropolitan area of Atlanta. Find local and national providers of Atlanta catering services, audio-visual technology, floral decorations and more.

Many meeting planners prefer to see the items before coordinating their next event, however time is not always on our sides. The Internet has become a  wonderful resource to have in your event planning toolbox, so why not make the most of it?

Orlando event planners have two great advantages on their side: fantastic weather year-round, and a multitude event venues both in the city and in the region's various small towns. The city of Winter Park, for example, just seven miles from downtown Orlando, has one of the most desirable outdoor event venues located right in its central shopping district.

Central Park is directly across the street from some of the area's best boutique shops, wine bars and four-star restaurants, making it the ideal outdoor Orlando venue for a beautiful, memorable and stylized event. With its immaculate rose garden complete, the picturesque 11-acre park has been used as the location for free classic movie showings, Orlando wedding receptions, art shows, fundraising walks and more.

Convenient to not just Orlando locals, Central Park is also easily reached by out-of-towners. It's right next to the quaint Winter Park/Orlando Amtrak train station, which also imparts a nostalgic feel to the area.

Learn more about renting Central Park for your next Orlando meeting or event.

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.

M&T Bank Stadium, home of the National Football League’s Baltimore Ravens, is one of the most interesting event venues in Baltimore. In particular, the lounges on the Club Level of the stadium rival any other special event facility in the Baltimore metropolitan area.

The North Club Level Lounge can accommodate groups from 50 people to upwards of 2,000 people, while offering a fantastic view of the Baltimore skyline, including the nearby Sheraton Inner Harbor and Hilton Baltimore hotels. The two South Club Level lounges can accommodate up to 1,000 people each. In addition, there are several smaller areas on the Club Level that easily handle smaller meetings of 60 to 250 people.

Meetings, sit-down dinners and receptions can be accommodated in either the North or South Club Level Lounges. The folks at Aramark can create custom menus to match the theme of your meeting. Additional attractions for your special event can be arranged at the stadium, such as having the Baltimore Ravens cheerleaders or mascots attend, as well as behind-the-scenes tours of the suites, Press Box, and locker rooms. This is truly a unique venue in Baltimore and one that guests talk about after they leave.

View more information about M&T Bank Stadium on the Cvent Supplier Network

November marks the start of regular flu season. I recently blogged about what event planners can do to get prepared, and, luckily, it looks like plenty of other members of the travel industry are doing what they can to prevent flu outbreaks as well.

Hotels such as Marriott, Hilton, Starwood and InterContinental are focusing on day-to-day preventative measures, such as cleaning oft-touched items like phones and elevator buttons, according to The New York Times. Hotel employees are also being reminded to wash their hands often and sneeze into tissues, not hands. John Wolf, a spokesman for Marriott International, also told The Times that its properties were stocking hand sanitizers for conference and meeting groups.

Airports are taking similar steps, adding hand sanitizer dispensers near security checkpoints and using signs to highlight proper hygiene to passengers. However, the airplanes themselves can offer less protection, so business travelers such be prepared by packing antibacterial wipes, tissues, hand sanitizers, etc.

Have you noticed more flu precautions being taken at hotels and event venues? What are you doing to prepare your event guests?

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." Wonderful words spoken by a truly inspirational woman in history; a woman who would surely appreciate this a Dallas event venue such as the Women's Museum at Fair Park.

A Smithsonian affiliate, this cutting edge Dallas attraction is housed within 15,000 square feet of state-of-the-art space, accented by exhibits that range from female Rock 'n' Roll Photojournalists to Catholic Sisters in America.

Whether you are planning an evening soiree or a brilliant boardroom showdown, the Women's Museum offers several different spaces and packages:

• The AT&T Gathering. This great Dallas banquet space features three-story ceilings and an "Electronic Quilt" at one end that can be designed to fit your specific event. The Gathering area has space for receptions as large as 800 attendees.

• The AT&T Auditorium. With theater seating for nearly 200 guests, this Dallas meeting space is great for for speakers, seminars and education programming. The room is equipped with a rear-projection system for presentations, as well as staging and audio equipment.

• Inside and Outside Balconies. Dallas meeting planners can opt to include the the inside and/or outside balcony areas to the AT&T Gathering space. This addition adds space for up to up to 100 extra guests.

• The Cathy Bonner Boardroom. The boardroom is perfect for smaller meetings. It can comfortably accommodate up to 21 people in round table seating.

• Cafe. The museum's cafe a perfect spot for smaller gatherings of approximately 30 people. Guests are treated to an amazing aerial view of the first floor and surrounding balconies.

The Women's Museum is on the Fair Park grounds and is only a few blocks east of downtown. It offers easy access to several downtown Dallas hotels such as the Sheraton Hotel Dallas, Magnolia Hotel Dallas, The Adolphus, Hotel Indigo, and Hyatt Regency Downtown Dallas.

During the last week of October, Chicago celebrates Halloween with spooky events all across the city. From a midnight circus to a pooch parade, Chicago knows how to give a good scare! 

Chronicles of the Cursed

This haunted house is the largest in the city of Chicago. Located on Grand Avenue, the 20,000-square-foot facility is filled with monsters, ghouls and zombies who will scare you with a bone-chilling experience you will never forget!

Fall Fireworks Dinner Cruises

Many of Chicago's event venues on the water are hosting fall fireworks dinner cruises. The Odyssey, Mystic Blue and Spirit of Chicago are all welcoming guests aboard for a Halloween party unlike any other. Along with the beautiful fall fireworks display hosted by the city, these vessels will be decorated with cobwebs, ghosts and delicious food for guests to enjoy. Like what you see? All of these ships are available for private rentals for Chicago corporate events and social functions.

Franken Plaza

This year marks the 13th annual Franken Plaza Halloween celebration! On-site events hosted by the Special Events Department of Chicago (the hosts of the live taping of Oprah on Michigan Avenue) will include a midnight circus of "high flying aerial entertainers," Pyrotechniq—a show combined with dance, theater and fire—pumpkin decorating, and a farmers' market with fresh fall goodies. Don't forget the best part—it's free!

Seadog Haunted Tours

Experience the lights and freights of Chicago on this specialized city tour. While cruising down the river and viewing some of the most gorgeous architecture in the country, a professional docent will enlighten guests with stories of supernatural occurrences in some of Chicago's oldest structures, including the Fort Dearborn Massacre and the Eastland Disaster. During the regular season, Seadog hosts many types of tours for visitors. From river to lake cruises, Seadog is sure to get your adrenaline running on their clean and fast fleet!

Spooky Pooch Parade

The Chicago Botanic Garden opens its doors to the Chicago canine population on Halloween. Dogs from all over the city are invited to dress up in their scariest costumes and walk in a parade to celebrate the season. In addition to the parade, activities include a costume contest and a barking awards ceremony. 

Don't forget to check the Chicago events calendar before planning your meeting and events in Chicago. The city sponsors great events that are sure to get guests out of the meeting rooms and into the spirit!

Orlando is sitting on a treasure that many people overlook: a mass quantity of private and public vent spaces. One such Orlando event venue warrants its own spotlight: the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC), a versatile and successful option for any private event.

The space, located in the heart of the Orlando tourism area, is comprised of more than two million square feet of event space. In other words, Orlando's convention center has a floor plan and appropriate space for every event imaginable. In fact, it's home to most tradeshows and events in the Orlando area, from the Home and Garden to the Surf Expo every year.

If you're wondering how much such an event space could cost you, you'll be relieved to know this is a government owned and operated facility. So even though you are getting state-of-the-art services, the rental prices aren't exorbitant. Also, if you are looking for an event to either market with or be a part of, the Orange County Convention Center has a list of all of the events for the upcoming year, as well as a list of the companies slated to participate.

All in all, the Orange County Convention Center is a fantastic option for hosting your next Orlando event. If you need a location to showcase your event amidst other industry professionals, this location is a great spot!

View more information about the Orange County Convention Center on the Cvent Supplier Network

Got a sweet tooth? Luckily, Halloween is not the only holiday for sweet treats. There are plenty of holidays that call for celebrating. What about: Got A Promotion Day, Aced That Final Exam Day, or I Need some Chocolate in my Life day. Whatever the need for celebration (real or fantasy) may be, Atlantans have the secret recipe for successful celebratory events: the Chocolate Pink Cafe.

Located amongst many of downtown Atlanta special event venues, this cafe attracts the inner child in all of us. From the colorful pastry display case to the trendy urban design of the cafe's dining area, it's also a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach. Chocolate Pink's menu is a decadent array of gourmet chocolates, cookies, cakes and tarts, as well as beverages to complement each treat. Special favorites include the White Choc Raspberry Layer Cake, the Pink Lemonade Cupcake and the Apple Frangipane Tart.

The cozy event room at this unique Atlanta venue seats 32 of your closest friends and family for special occasions. Many brides, future moms and even little "divas" have been spotted sampling the "always dessert" menu. In fact, one recent patron was the ever-so-popular Bravo TV reality Real Housewives of Atlanta show star Kim Zolciak, who held her daughter Brielle's birthday party at the cafe last season.

Catering options are available for off-site Atlanta events. Executive chefs can tailor a delicious menu for your next Atlanta wedding, corporate meeting or even private in-home function. No matter whether you're taking a break from lunch or even from your diet, the Chocolate Pink Cafe in Atlanta is the premier choice for pastry delight.

View more information on Chocolate Pink Cafe, along with other Atlanta special event facilities, on the Cvent Supplier Network

With a rich history in exploration and maritime discovery, Lisbon is no stranger to welcoming guests from near and far. Offering a friendly population, competitive prices, and a unique landscape that combines sandy beaches, green mountains and a modern downtown area, Lisbon continues to attract both leisure and business travelers to its streets.

Host your next international event at the phenomenal International Fair of Lisboa (FIL) Meeting Centre, one of Europe's most well-equipped facilities. Or, get a unique taste of Portugal's capital at event venues such as the Maritime Museum or historic Castelo de Sao Jorge. Discover more Lisbon meeting venues, accommodations and more on the Cvent Destination Guide.