Akron Travel and Things to Do Guide

When it comes to planning a meeting, Akron offers an attractive city package. Situated in America's heartland, Akron has long been a central gathering place for people from across the country. In fact, the city is located within a 500-mile radius of more than half the population of the United States. For those wishing to hit the open road, several interstates and the Ohio turnpike pass through the city. Meanwhile, for air travelers, the Akron-Canton Airport and the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport are less than an hour away. Once in Akron, the convenience continues with more than 2,300 hotel rooms, about 500 of which are within walking distance of the John S. Knight Center. As the city's leading convention and meeting venue, the recently renovated John S. Knight Center features a total of 60,000 square feet of space, including a phenomenal 30,000-square-foot exhibit hall. The center's 22,000-square foot lobby, marked by a soaring glass rotunda and spiral staircase, makes a great first impression on meeting attendees. For smaller groups, the Gateway Event and Conference Center is Akron's newest meeting facility. Just moments away from the Akron-Canton Airport, the Gateway can accommodate groups ranging from six to 130 people. With state-of-the-art multimedia, on-site catering and ample parking, the Gateway is an ideal addition to the city's family of traditional meeting venues. For planners looking for a more unique facility, Akron offers everything from historic homes and theaters to banquet halls and museums. Host a meeting in one of many architecturally stunning spaces at the recently renovated Akron Art Museum. Sure to impress, the museum's majestic Beatrice Knapp Grand Lobby is capable of accommodating 325 people for an elegant seated affair. Cater an intimate dinner for up to 90 guests at the 1871 Hower House, which features 28 lavish, antique-filled rooms. Or, go wild at the indoor and outdoor venues found at the 50-acre Akron Zoo. Once known as the "Rubber Capital of the World," Akron remains a powerhouse of industry. In fact, the Akron area is home to more than 150 Fortune 500 companies including the corporate headquarters of Goodyear Tire and Rubber, FirstEnergy, Schulman and Timken. In recent years, the city's polymer industry has taken flight with several companies dotted across the city, and the city's own Akron University is considered a world leader in polymer research.