Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/105245
ICI•Pg_64-74__BMT_pg86-162 1/22/13 4:16 AM Page 70 AREA GUIDES WISCONSIN BADGER STATE OFFERS PERFECT BLEND OF WORLD-CLASS MEETING FACILITIES AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES BY GERAD CLAYMORE America's Dairyland certainly knows its cheese (and its beer, and its bratwurst), but there's so much more waiting to be discovered in Wisconsin. This is a state of immense natural beauty, genuinely fun towns, and some of the nicest people you're likely to meet in America. Wisconsin isn't particularly known for its urban attractions, but Milwaukee and Madison are both fantastic cities for dining, drinking, and holding convention/meeting events. They both make excellent bases for excursions into natural wonderlands like the Wisconsin Dells, the Great Lakes, and unique highlights like the Apostle Islands. With the capital Madison up north and the big city Milwaukee down south, it's easy to explore both ends of the state without getting too far from civilization. Lake Superior and Lake Michigan form the eastern border of Wisconsin, offering superb water recreation. If you prefer your water fun more controlled, the Wisconsin Dells is known as the water park capital of the world. Apart from these big stars, there are hundreds of glacial lakes, rivers, and wooded state parks all over Wisconsin for easy access to the beautiful outdoor environment that dominates the state. Like most states in America, you really need to have your own wheels if you want to see much of Wisconsin. A big part of this state's appeal is its landscape, a splendid blend of dairy farms, waterspeckled woodlands, and sandstone cliffs. Driving around Wisconsin is both easy and beautiful, with good towns for a base near all of the natural highlights. The wealth of outdoor recreation and state parks here plays a major role in most Wisconsin residents' lives. Add to that a genuine interest to consume locally made products and it's obvious that this is a state that takes great pride in 70 Photo Credit: Milwaukee CVB Wisconsin State Capitol Building itself. This quiet unassuming personality makes Wisconsin a real treat to travel around. •MILWAUKEE• Your meeting is one-of-a-kind, so why should your attendees settle for anything less than extraordinary when it comes to an impressive convention complex, off-site venues you won't find anywhere else, a safe, walkable downtown and spectacular lakefront location? You'll find plenty of options in Milwaukee that elevate your meetings from mundane to memorable. The state-of-the-art Delta Center offers the ultimate in versatility, functionality and style, including 188,695 sq. ft. of contiguous exhibit space, a 37,506-sq. ft. Grand Ballroom with capacity for 2,530 banquet-style or 4,440 theater-style, an additional 39,640 sq. ft. of meeting space that can be divided into as many as 28 meeting and breakout rooms, and some $1.2 million in public art as well as advanced technology capabilities. This meeting facility is the complete package when it comes to all around convention services. Planners are sure to be pleased by the ambiance as well. Located just behind the convention center is the Milwaukee Theatre, the subject of a recent $42 million renovation. The magnificent, historic building houses a 4,100-seat theater, complete with a sweeping grand staircase and rotunda, plus meeting rooms and banquet halls large enough to host pre-event gatherings and small receptions. The third building included in the convention complex is the U.S. Cellular Arena, which first opened its doors in 1950. In recent years, several major renovations have refurbished the arena's seats and scoreboard, concession areas were upgraded, a new portable basketball floor has been installed and its original ice-making capacity has been restored enabling ice shows and hockey to return to its floors. Milwaukee's two major full-service convention hotels, the Hilton Milwaukee City Center (729 rooms) and the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee (481 rooms) are just a skywalk away from the adjoined Delta Center. The two hotels have a combined total of 38 meeting rooms. They join upscale boutique hotels and value-priced offerings to round out a full range of accommodations to choose from in Milwaukee. Set in the heart of Milwaukee, Potawatomi Bingo Casino has everything you would want: table games, slots, bingo, poker and off-track betting. And if you need to take a break from gambling, check out one of the B M & T ••• November/December 2012 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com