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Akron, OH Event Planning

Key Highlights

Hotels 19
Total Sleeping Rooms 7,101
Committable Sleeping Rooms* 274
Committable Meeting Rooms* 15
Convention Center Space 60,000 Sq. Ft.
Largest Exhibit Space 28,640 Sq. Ft.
Largest Ballroom 11,678 Sq. Ft.
Average Hotel Room Rate USD $91
Average Daily Meal Cost USD $51
Average Weekly Car Rental USD $265
*Maximum for a single hotel

Akron, OH Meeting Planning Overview

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.

About Akron, OH / Additional Info

Spanning 62.4 square miles amid the rolling hills and lush valleys of northeastern Ohio, Akron is the county seat of Summit County and the principal city in the Akron metropolitan area. Perched high in the Western Reserve's Cuyahoga Valley, Akron is Ohio's 5th largest city, with approximately 207,934 people within the city limits alone. With its long history of innovation, thriving art scene and landscape characterized by serene, tree-lined streets, this three time "All-America City" is the rising star of America's heartland.

Founded in 1825, Akron was one of the first canal towns built around the Ohio and Erie Canal, making it an ideal spot for manufacturing. It wasn't long before Akron attracted enterprises such as the city's first rubber company, established by B.F. Goodrich. Distinguished companies Goodyear and Firestone joined the rubber ranks in Akron, giving it the nickname of the "Rubber Capital of the World."

Today, Akron's history of innovation lives on at attractions such as the Goodyear World of Rubber Museum. Here, visitors can get a first-hand look at how Charles Goodyear discovered the vulcanization process. Guests can also explore the former home of Goodyear founder Frank Seiberling at Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens. This majestic 65-room Tudor Revival mansion features ornate French and Italian reproduction furniture and immaculately landscaped grounds.

Akron's rich heritage outside of the rubber industry can also be experienced at the many historic homes and attractions. Visitors can peruse the rooms of an elaborate 1871 mansion at the historic Hower House, or get a taste of Akron's bygone days at the Hale Farm & Village, where costumed interpreters show what life was like at a mid-1800s Western Reserve township. Civil War buffs will not want to miss a trip to the famous John Brown Home, which traces the life of this Akron resident and ardent abolitionist. Also an interesting stop for guests, Dr. Bob's House on Ardmore Avenue is the location where two friends conceived the idea for Alcoholics Anonymous.

In addition to history, the arts and entertainment are alive and well in Akron. Stop by the renovated Akron Art Museum, where guests can see works by such notable artists as Andy Warhol, Robert Frank and Harry Callahan, just to name a few. Explore the historic Quaker Square, former home of the Quaker Oats mill and now a hotel, dining and shopping destination. Another exquisite shopping experience awaits at the nearby town of Peninsula. Situated in the heart of the lush Cuyahoga Valley, this small village is dotted with quaint shops, fine craft galleries and attractions such as the Cuyahoga Scenic Railroad.

To cap off an unforgettable day, Akron offers plenty of ways to enjoy a night out on the town. Enjoy the delectable dining scene populated by favorites such as Ken Stewart's Grille or the celebrated Tangier & Cabaret Restaurant. After dinner, Akron features a number of theaters and performance halls where guests can enjoy a front row seat for live entertainment. Catch a world-class production at the Coach House Theater or enjoy a show at the historic Akron Civic Theatre, one of only five remaining atmospheric theaters in the country. Blending rich history, exciting attractions and lush landscapes, Akron encourages guests to think twice before bypassing this Midwestern treasure.

 
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