Midwest US Meeting & Event Planning City Guide

In Branson, a vacation destination made famous Roy Clark and a host of country entertainers, meeting and event planning includes dozens of theaters and a Hollywood Wax Museum.

Chicago meeting and event planning sites aren't all business: green spaces, green initiatives and thriving culture give guests plenty to gush about. Two airports and superb public transport make it easy to get here and get around.

A riverside city ringed by seven hills, Cincinnati is a Midwest mecca for meeting and event planning. From giant Music Hall to private dining rooms in the Contemporary Arts Center, this city has all that planners need and more.

Rock and roll was born in Cleveland, and this musical town – lapped by Lake Erie – is a favored destination for planning meetings and events. Hotels abound, restaurants serve exotic dishes and nightlife resounds.

A vibrant metropolis with a Midwest flavor, Columbus combines tall skyscrapers with meandering parkland and lively public markets. Planning meetings and events – for guest lists from 20 to 20,000 – is a breeze.

The insurance capital of the west, Iowa's Des Moines is fast becoming a destination for meeting and event planning. A four-mile skywalk links downtown meeting venues with hotels, shops and restaurants.

Accessible and affordable, Detroit's meeting and event planning sector is increasingly attractive. This modern riverside city is home to several global corporations, including General Motors and KPMG.

Meeting and event planning in Fort Wayne mean having access to half the U.S. population, two convention centers, and multiple hotels and event venues.

Wisconsin's Green Bay is an attractive option for regional meeting and event planning, since its major sports stadium, wineries and microbreweries double as venues for group special events.

Revitalization efforts in Indianapolis have upped the ante for those planning meetings and events in this Midwest city. With this turnaround, hotels, shopping and entertainment are booming.

Recent renovations and an expanded Convention Center have elevated Kansas City in the meeting and event planning world. Suddenly, the city’s impressive spaces and non-traditional meeting venues are harder than ever to book. Plan early!

As home to Purdue University, Lafayette meeting and event planning includes many of the university’s meeting spaces. However, groups can also experience the Gothic Revival Moses Fowler House and other unique spaces.

Convenient for meeting and event planning from nearby Midwestern cities, Lincoln boasts the large Lancaster Event Center and multiple hotels surrounded by the Nebraska prairie.

The home of the Kentucky Derby and the largest collection of Victorian homes in the country, Louisville has also been called a culinary paradise.

In addition to the natural beauty of two grand lakes that border Madison, the city also boasts two large convention venues and unique downtown arts venues that make meeting and event planning easy.

When planning meetings and events in America’s heartland, Milwaukee offers a Great Lake, the Milwaukee Art Museum, Miller Brewing Company and elegant venues.

Convention-friendly Minneapolis makes planning meetings and events easy, with a vibrant theater scene, hip nightlife, fine dining, parks and downtown skyways for year round comfort.

When meeting and event planning in Minot - “the Magic City” – groups have a choice of convening in excellent conventional meeting venues, then breaking at North Dakota’s first commercial vineyard or the Scandinavian Heritage Park.

Omaha offers a ground-breaking cultural & music scene, a lively downtown entertainment district & a seamless meeting package designed to make a planner's life easy.

Whether enjoying a ribeye at Jim’s Steakhouse or wine tasting at Kickapoo Creek Winery, Peoria event and meeting planning options have much to offer attendees.

Meeting and event planning in Quincy is easy: With more than 1,500 hotel rooms, an expansive convention center and over 25 unique venues, the city is perfect for small to medium-sized groups.

Planning meetings and events in Rapid City means access to an abundance of shopping, dining, entertainment and cultural attractions; nearby are outdoor recreational opportunities, wildlife and more than a million acres of Black Hills scenery.

Sioux Falls is a cosmopolitan destination, where meeting and event planning can include the four-season, year-round Falls Park, which combines historical features with the natural beauty of the falls.

When meeting and event planning in South Bend, groups may wish to visit world-famous Notre Dame. Luckily, the university has its conference center, McKenna Hall.

Planning meeting and events in Springfield, the land of Lincoln, is historically rich and truly inspiring; Be sure to see the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum that offers event spaces.

With breathtaking natural beauty and great cultural attractions, Springfield offers meeting and event like the beautiful Jordan Valley Park and the spacious Discovery Center.

With rich cultural history and modern architecture, St. Louis meeting and event planning venues are among America's finest, including the gorgeous Missouri Botanical Garden and the famous Saint Louis Zoo.

Located on the beautiful Maumee River with many top-notch attractions, Toledo meeting and event planning include the postmodern Glass Pavilion and the scenic Toledo Botanical Garden.

On Lake Michigan, meeting and event planning in Traverse City can comprise a selection of 20 stellar golf courses, dozens of award-winning vineyards and a cosmopolitan range of dining and entertainment.

Meeting and event planning in Wausau means taking advantage of the great outdoors, of which there is plenty: 57 parks, eight beaches, eight golf courses, more than 100 miles of nature trails and 14 indoor/outdoor ice rinks.

In the heartland of America, Wichita provides meeting and event planning professionals with a plethora of accommodations and event space, world-renowned steaks and the impressive Arkansas River.

Meeting and event planning in Sioux City features prime Lewis & Clark country, the 131-seat Frederick & Alice Stark Lecture Hall and Grandview Park, which has a band shell, seating and a rose garden with more than 300 varieties.

The industrial Ohio city that gave us The Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde also boasts more than 150 Fortune 500 companies. Meeting and event planning programs include the newly expanded Akron Art Museum.

Meeting and event planning in Ann Arbor, home of U. of Michigan and its Wolverines teams, can range from the Gerald R. Ford Presidential to The Ark folk club.

Meeting and event planning in Battle Creek means a winning combination of top-notch facilities, natural surrounding and healthy, engaging activities.

Meeting and event planning in Beavercreek, a suburb of Dayton, means having access to a charming venues in an arts and entertainment culture, with all the accoutrements of a larger city.

Meeting and event planning in Bismarck? Schedule a visit to the last home of George and Libby Custer at the 7th Cavalry, or plan a ride on the Lewis & Clark Riverboat.

Bloomington, nicknamed Tree City, boasts students at U. of Indiana Bloomington as 50 percent of its population; meeting and event planning includes Buskirk-Chumley Theatre.

Boasting more hotel rooms than Minneapolis and Saint Paul combined, Bloomington sits close to the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers and is home to the Mall of America, which is a key attraction to meeting and event planning in Bloomington.

Meeting and event planning in the Brainerd Lakes area means revealing the best-kept secret of Minnesotans, who have known about this beautiful natural gem for decades.

Planning meetings and events means having access to the best of Milwaukee, the beauty of the Kettle Moraine countryside, with the amenities, value and friendliness of a small town

Meeting and event planning in Carmel is a bit of a surprise; yes, there’s the small-town feel, but there’s also the Carmel Arts & Design District, the Midwest’s premier arts and design destination. Groups will love it.

Planning meetings and events in Cedar Rapids, Iowa's second-largest city, means having a choice of cultural venues like the Rapid City Museum of Art.

Meeting and event planning in Champaign is kept youthful by its containing the University of Illinois, which is a member of the Big 10 Conference. Meeting venues in Champaign may also bear the name of Urbana, a city that is frequently paired

Meeting and event planning in Columbia can be a dream, as this heartland destination is filled with a plethora of hotels, conference facilities and restaurants.

Meeting and event planning in Dayton? Count on great air access and more than 200,000 square feet of dedicated convention/expo space, over 20 meeting hotels and some great event venues.

Meeting and event planning in Duluth, the fourth-largest city in Minnesota, is made easy by a supportive, winter-proofed meetings infrastructure. Groups will be further impressed by world-class attractions like the Great Lakes Aquarium.

Meeting and event planning in Eagan is surprisingly simple, as it’s minutes from the Twin Cities, the Mall of America and the Minnesota Zoo. Home-grown venues include Cascade Bay waterpark.

When planning meetings and events in Eau Claire, be sure to save time for the Paul Bunyan Logging Camp Museum – an American original.

Meeting and event planning in Elizabethtown provides many insights into the American character, from Abe Lincoln’s log cabin to the Patton Museum of Leadership to the Jim Beam distillery.

Planning meetings and events in Evansville? Check out its accessibility to Midwest cities its, 3,900-plus hotel rooms and more than 500,000 square feet of meeting space. There’s even riverboat gaming.

Those planning meetings and event in Fargo will discover a quirky college town with a collector’s mania for history – embracing even the infamous woodchipper from the namesake film.

Meeting and event planning in Flint offers up a town that’s eager to put away the image conjured by Michael Moore and put out the welcome mat for group meeting business.

Listing text: When meeting and event planning in Gary, choices include lavish casinos, historic and sports attractions, as well as a pristine wilderness.

Meeting and event planning in Georgetown offers a quaint horse-country atmosphere, great fishing and some awesome venues, from historic mansions to jail.

Meeting and event planning in Grand Forks means having access to the facilities of the University of North Dakota, a leader in health issues and aerospace studies.

Planning meetings and events Grand Rapids has gotten easier, thanks to the DeVos Place, but as the headquarters for Amway International, this small town is used to entertaining groups of all sizes.

Meeting and event planning in Iowa City metropolitan statistical area also includes Coralville, once a important stop on the Mormon migration.

Planning meetings and events in Joliet? You'll find a vibrant, growing city with a choice of home-grown venues like historic mansions to easy proximity to the Chicago Loop.

Meeting and event planning in Joplin, a small that's recently triumphed over diversity, is easy, thanks to the "can do" spirit of its residents.

Meeting and event planning in Junction City reminds groups that Kansas was the place where the American West began. Names like Hickok, Custer and the Santa Fe Trail are still remembered here.

Got a group going to Kalamazoo? Meeting and event planning doesn’t get much better than championship golf, world-class attractions and lots of good food.

Options in meeting and event planning in Kansas City, Kansas, include such diverse venues as the Kansas Speedway, the Gallery of Rural Art, and Farm Town USA.

Meeting and event planning in Kearney generally focuses on regional meetings – but there is airlift from Denver, making it viable for Western-based groups.

Balancing sophistication and small town humbleness, La Crosse is a great city to consider when meeting and event planning. But be sure to bring a friend! The International Friendship Garden is housed here.

A prime year-round tourism destination in the Midwest, meeting and event planning in Lake Erie Shores consists of abundant venues, from the largest indoor waterpark resort in the U.S. to a tranquil nature-themed property.

Home to a Big 10 conference university, the state capital and Supreme Court and four national insurance companies, means ample venue choices when planning meetings and events in Lansing.

When meeting and event planning in Lawrence, allow groups to enjoy the college ambiance - and the night spots.

Planning meetings and events in Lima, Ohio? Discover its small-town ambiance, historical venues and g-o-o-o-o-d Heartland cooking.

When meeting and event planning in Mankato, check out its campus-like arrangement of meeting facilities and diverse banquet venues.

When planning meeting and events in Marquette, give thanks to the city’s student population of 10,000, which keeps venues in business and brings in name acts for everyone’s enjoyment.

When meeting and event planning in McHenry County, look for the Woodstock Opera House, which was seen in the movie, Groundhog Day. Or get out into the country to the Sanfilippa Estate.

Meeting and event planning in Nisswa means outdoor activities and family time. Amid beautiful scenery and family-friendly resorts, pre-or post-stays with family are popular.

Northern Kentucky offers a relaxed atmosphere near Cincinnati; meeting and event planning should include the Newport Aquarium and Carnegie Visual & Performing Arts Center.

<p>Meeting and event planning in Olathe? From unusual venues like Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm Historic Site and William Marra Museum of Deaf History and Deaf Culture, groups are in for a treat. </p>

Planning meetings and events in Ottawa? Then get ready to enjoy its Victorian style Main Street while sampling Kansas-style barbecue.

Coal was once its driving force in Ottumwa, the seat of Wapello County; in recent times, arts and culture has taken the place of manufacturing, producing new Ottumwa event venues that welcome groups with open arms.

With world-class BBQ catering from Brobecks and Jack Stack, and only 3 hours from both coasts, Overland Park meeting and event planning offers many stylish options.

Quad Cities is actually five cities, the entire better for event and meeting planners. Events at the Isle Casino Hotel benefit from using Iowa’s largest hotel.

Right in the middle of America’s heartland, Rochester gives those planning meetings and events the option of small-town charm at venues like the Mayowood Mansion or spectacular opulence at places like the lushly designed Mayo Civic Center.

Meeting and event planning in Rockford combines accessibility (O’Hare International Airport), great space and value amenities that are in proximity to a large attraction – Chicago.

While the key to meeting and event planning in Roseville may be its proximity to the Twin Cities, groups will enjoy the unusual Heartland destination.

Saint Paul meeting and event planning features unique cultural attractions, world-class shopping, as well as special event venues and an indoor skyway system downtown comprising more than 25 city blocks.

Planning meetings and events in Salina yield a surprising wealth of venues and midwestern cooking. With year-round festivals, there is usually something for groups to experience.

Meeting and event planning in Skokie? This North Shore town boasts excellent event venues, full-service meeting properties and a downtown dining revolution.

Meeting and event planning in St. Joseph is remarkably versatile, thanks to a variety of venues that include conference center, educational facilities, casinos and more.

Those planning meetings and events in Stevens Point, a central Wisconsin destination, will enjoyed its proximity to Green Bay, Madison and Wausau. It is also just under four hours from Minneapolis.

Meeting and event planning in Terre Haute offers some real Heartland choices for off-site meetings, such as the Clabber Girl Headquarters and Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.

As the capital city of Kansas with a population of over 127,000 people, meeting and event planning in Topeka offers up a lively, vibrant destination with charming Midwest attitude and big city amenities.

Meeting and event planning in West Chester features upscale meeting facilities with down-home venues that create a sense of place.

From the "manliest restaurant" to the Victorian Jordan House, meeting and event planning in West Des Moines cuts a wide swath among fascinating venues. Strong industry ensures plenty to choose from.

Wisconsin Dells is unique in that it is home to the most waterpark resorts anywhere and those planning meetings and events will find that gatherings can be accompanied by family fun.

Meeting and event planning in Youngstown, Ohio, should take advantage of the area's amazing off-site venues: Stambaugh Auditorium, the B&O Banquet Hall and more.

Meeting and event planning in Paducah is like having your own home town. Known as "Quilt City, USA," for its signature annual event, Paducah boasts a charming historic downtown and a small-town feel, entertainment and social events.