One of the fastest growing areas of southwest Montana, Bozeman is also a gateway to the world-famous Yellowstone National Park and is bookended by world-class ski areas. The city is also home to Montana State University, to which a diverse number of meeting venues in Bozeman either belong or do business with. The city's blend of urban culture and Wild West beauty makes Bozeman a fantastic vacation and meeting destination.
Bozeman is easily reached via the Gallatin Field Airport. Located just 10 miles north of Bozeman, Gallatin Field is the only airport serving as a year-round gateway for two Yellowstone National Park entrances. Serving more than 700,000 annual passengers, the airport provides access to the southwest Montana region. Once in Bozeman, visitors may ride the Streamline bus system, a free service that connects Bozeman, Belgrade and the Big Sky Resort. The bus system also provides direct access to downtown Bozeman and Montana State University.
More than just a respected center of higher education, Montana State University is also a wonderful meeting and conference location, accommodating up to 8,000 meeting participants. Located just a 20-minute walk from downtown Bozeman and 15 miles from the Gallatin Field Airport, Montana State University meeting spaces can be found in the Strand Union Building, Bobcat Stadium and Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. Event spaces include a 2,700-square-foot theater, 13,010-square-foot ballroom and several meeting rooms. Meeting amenities include full-service conference coordination, catering services, audio-visual capabilities and on-campus accommodations from mid-May through August.
For smaller group functions and events, look no further than Bozeman's museums, ski resorts and other unique venues. The city's Museum of the Rockies tells the story of the development in the Northern Rockies over the past 4 billion years, complete with a world-famous paleontology exhibit. The museum welcomes private rentals in such spaces as the 215-seat Hager Auditorium and a fully-functional 19th -century Montana homestead. Private events may also be held at the Children's Museum of Bozeman, which boasts a new 110-gallon aquarium filled with native Montanan fish, as well as such hands-on activities and exhibits as a puppet theater.
Bozeman area ski resorts include the Bridger Bowl, located 20 minutes from downtown Bozeman. Home to world-class skiing and snowboarding, Bridger Bowl is renowned for its light, deep powder snow, large alpine bowls, natural terrain, gullies and forested slopes, as well as spaces for group rentals. Located 50 miles south of Bozeman, the sprawling Big Sky Resort is known for its skiing, golfing, ziplining, hiking, biking and rafting, with access to more than 5,000 acres. The resort also features 55,000 square feet of meeting space accommodating up to 750 guests.