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•Pg_68-82__BMT_pg86-162 1/9/14 1:23 AM Page 72 AREA GUIDES WISCONSIN MEETING IN THE BADGER STATE BY GERAD CLAYMORE From the Great Lakes to the Mighty Mississippi and the land in-between, Wisconsin is home to a vast landscape of beauty that includes woods, waters, prairies and cityscapes. In Wisconsin you'll find small towns and back-roads filled with charming hidden gems and deep history connected to nature. The resort communities offer a relaxing oasis while the urban cities pulse with excitement and take fun to the next level. Explore these cities, towns and counties as a starting point to plan your Wisconsin meeting or convention. With new, expanded and green meeting and convention space, hotels and resorts around the state, there has never been a better time to meet in Wisconsin for both business and leisure alike. One might ask, "Why Wisconsin? What makes this state so great?". For starters, the environment is uniquely inspiring – did I mention the waterparks? The meeting facilities are top notch. The accommodations are plentiful, more spacious than most, and often all under one roof. ••MILWAUKEE•• Nestled along a magnificent bluff overlooking one of Lake Michigan's most beautiful bays, Milwaukee is the largest city in Wisconsin and the 22nd-largest nationwide. The city is known for its cleanliness and safety. Heralded as the "City of Festivals," Milwaukee celebrates its melting-pot heritage throughout the year with a delightful procession of ethnic and cultural events. Because of its diversity socially and in the business setting the city provides a comfortable atmosphere for meetings of all sizes and types. Milwaukee offers meeting planners some of the most hospitable venues to hold meetings both indoors and outdoors. The city's state-of-the-art Wisconsin 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 as well as an addi72 tional 39,640 sq. ft. of meeting space is fun for conference attendees as well that can be divided into as many as 28 as the whole family. Discover the places meeting and breakout rooms. and activities that make this city unique Located just behind the convention with the Milwaukee Bucket List itinerary. center is the Milwaukee Theatre, the Work off the wiggles with outdoor subject of a recent $42 million renova- adventures. Listen to live music at one tion. The magnificent, historic building of this city's many festivals. And find lots houses a 4,100-seat theater, complete of ways to spend time with your kids with a sweeping grand staircase and without spending a fortune with the famrotunda, plus meeting rooms and ban- ily friendly activities. quet halls large enough to host preLocated in Milwaukee, the General event gatherings and small receptions. Mitchell International Airport offers air The convention facilities here are a travel from prominent airlines like Air perfect selection for any meeting plan- Canada, AirTran Airways, America West, ner looking for a safe and interesting city American Eagle, ATA Connection, in which to host their next event. Comair, Continental Express, Delta, Located in the heart of the city, blocks Frontier, Midwest Airlines, Northwest, from the RiverWalk, shopping, retail, United Express and US Airways Express. and hotels, there's no need for a taxi. Just a short walk will also take visitors to ••POTAWATOMI BINGO the lakefront, art museum and many CASINO•• other popular attractions. The "City of Festivals" two major fullSet in the heart of Milwaukee, service convention hotels, the Hilton Potawatomi Bingo Casino has everyMilwaukee City Center (729 rooms) and thing you would want: table games, the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee (481 slots, bingo, poker and off-track betting. rooms) are just a skywalk away from the And if you need to take a break from adjoined Wisconsin Center. The two gambling, check out one of the five hotels have a combined total of 38 restaurants or the stunning 500-seat meeting rooms. They join upscale bou- theater. Thrilling action 24 hours a day, tique hotels and value-priced offerings seven days a week and offering some of to round out a full range of accommoda- the highest payouts of any casino in the tions to choose from in Milwaukee. area, Potawatomi Bingo Casino is Some other hotels guests can choose from within a half-mile distance from the convention center are Aloft Hotel Downtown Milwaukee, Courtyard by Marriott Milwaukee Downtown, Doubletree by Hilton Milwaukee Downtown, as well as the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Milwaukee Downtown. With so much to do, experience, explore and enjoy, a trip to Milwaukee Potawatomi Bingo Casino Photo Credit: Milwaukee CVB B M & T ••• November/December 2013 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com