A prime year-round tourism destination in the Midwest, with nearly 7 million visitors each year, the Lake Erie Shores and Islands consists of several communities boasting close to 150 miles of coastline, including the islands of South Bass (Put-in-Bay), Kelleys, and Middle Bass. Meeting venues in the Lake Erie Shores and Islands are abundant and range from the largest indoor waterpark resort in the United States to a tranquil nature-themed property with breathtaking views and an award-winning Tom Fazio-designed golf course. (Not to mention the area's top attraction, Cedar Point Amusement Park, voted Best Amusement Park 14 years straight.)
The Lake Erie Shores and Islands are centrally located between Cleveland and Toledo, and are asily accessible by the Ohio Turnpike and the Cleveland Hopkins International (CLE), only 55 miles to the east, and the Toledo Express, 55 miles to the west.
The Lake Erie Shores and Islands offers 100 hotels including Kalahari Waterpark Resort & Convention Center, in Sandusky, features 884 rooms and 215,000 square feet of meeting space; Great Wolf Lodge, in Sandusky, features 271 rooms and 17,000 square feet of meeting space; Cedar Point’s Castaway Bay, in Sandusky, features 237 rooms and 8,000 square feet of meeting space; Sawmill Creek Resort & Conference Center located in Huron, features 240 rooms and 50,000 square feet of meeting space; The Islander and Grand Islander Inn/Niagra Event Center located on South Bass Island (Put-in-Bay), features 156 rooms and 8,184 square feet of meeting space.
Unique venues for group functions include The Culinary Vegetable Institute, in Milan, which can host banquets of 100 and offers exclusive group team building options; The Brown Welcome Center at Schedel Arboretum and Gardens, in Elmore, which features state-of-the-art audio-video technology and is surrounded by a magnificent 17-acre arboretum and gardens; and The Sandusky State Theatre, in Sandusky, offers banquet seating for 210 and 300 theater-style in the State Room. Two other unique sites are the Merry-Go-Round Museum, in Sandusky, featuring its Parker Room with seating for up to 50 with free rides on the carousel, and the Firelands Campus of Bowling Green State University, in Huron, which allows for up to 500 persons.
Dining venues with space to accommodate groups include Chez Francois, in Vermilion, a French inspired, Zagat rated, restaurant which can host functions in its Parisian, Riverfront and Touche rooms; Mon Ami Restaurant & Historic Winery, in Port Clinton, allows groups of up to 250 and can host events on the lawn, in the loft, or in the wine cellar; Lyman Harbor Waterfront Restaurant, in Sandusky, has seating for up to 186 but also includes four additional rooms for meetings; Crush Wine Bar, in Sandusky, is a full service restaurant with a wine bar concept, great for intimate meetings with seating for up to 80.
