With destinations known for lakefront recreation, a world-famous zoo, and even fudge, the Midwest has a wide array of options to entice meeting planners and their guests. These locations offer ample meeting space to get down to business, as well as unique activities—think the Lilac Festival on Mackinac Island, Michigan, or visits to microbreweries in Davenport, Iowa—to keep attendees engaged in their downtime.
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Population: 500 permanent residents
If You Were Considering: Detroit; Milwaukee
Known For: Its genteel atmosphere; the annual Lilac Festival; reputation as America’s fudge capital
Largest Meeting Space: Mission Point Resort has 38,000 square feet of flexible function space; the largest event room spans 7,700 square feet.
Transport: The closest commercial airport is Pellston Regional Airport, about 17 miles from the ferry docks in Mackinaw City. Once on the island, horse-drawn taxis, bicycles, and walking are the only ways to get around since cars are not allowed.
Who's Met There: Detroit Chamber of Commerce; Michigan Hospital Association; Knights of Columbus
Selling Point: Located in Lake Huron, the island has been a national historic landmark for more than 50 years.
Population:Â 569,000
If You Were Considering: Chicago; Columbus, Ohio; Milwaukee
Known For: The state’s capital; the University of Wisconsin
Largest Meeting Space: The Alliant Energy Center consists of several venues including two exhibition pavilions covering a total of 290,000 square feet, a 255,000-square-foot exhibition hall, the Veterans Memorial Coliseum for concerts and sports events, and the 29-acre Willow Island for outdoor events.
Transport: Dane County Regional Airport has more than 95 daily flights, including nonstop service from major cities. It’s about a 90-minute drive from Milwaukee or 2.5 hours from Chicago.
Who's Met There: As one of just two of the nation’s cities to sit on an isthmus, Madison has access to lakefront parks and boating. The Veteran’s Museum, Historical Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Chazen Museum offer free admission.
Did You Know? Frank Lloyd Wright designed the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center.
Population: 550,000
If You Were Considering: Kansas City; St. Louis
Known For: Steak and farm-to-table dining options; its most famous resident, billionaire Warren Buffett; the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, home to the world’s largest indoor desert and largest indoor rainforest in North America
Largest Meeting Space: CenturyLink Center Omaha offers 346,000 square feet of meeting and convention space, including 194,000 square feet of contiguous exhibition space, 16 meeting rooms, and an 18,300-seat attached arena.
Transport: Omaha’s Eppley Airfield, less than five miles from the downtown convention district, offers nonstop service to 28 major airports.
Who's Met There: Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting; U.S. Olympic Swim Trials; Lions Club International
Selling Point: Centrally located, the city is easily accessible from both coasts and a cinch to navigate—12 blocks per mile means you can walk an Omaha block in a New York minute.
Population: 102,000
If You Were Considering: Des Moines; Indianapolis; Madison, Wisconsin
Known For: The award-winning Modern Woodmen Park stadium
Largest Meeting Space: The RiverCenter offers 100,000 square feet of flexible space, including two column-free exhibit halls, 10 expandable meetings rooms, an executive boardroom, and the historic Adler Theatre.
Transport: The area is a 2.5-hour drive from Des Moines or Chicago; its Quad City International Airport has nonstop flights to 11 destinations on four airlines.
Who's Met There: Pontiac Oakland International Convention; LIFE Leadership; Thru the Stones Conference
Selling Point: Davenport is a Mississippi Riverfront destination, which means groups have access to activities such as fishing, boating, kayaking, and riverfront bike trails. Also popular are microbreweries and the local music scene.
Did You Know? The RiverCenter sits two blocks away from the banks of the Mississippi River.
Population: 110,000
If You Were Considering: Milwaukee; Minneapolis
Known For: The world-famous Mayo Clinic; I.B.M. Rochester, also known as the “Blue Zoo”
Largest Meeting Space: Following an $84 million expansion, the Mayo Civic Center offers more than 200,000 square feet of space. It can hold two 1,000-attendee events simultaneously and features a 40,000-square-foot ballroom—the state’s largest.
Transport: Rochester International Airport provides direct flights from Chicago, Atlanta, and Minneapolis.
Who's Met There: Christian Congregation of Jehovah Witnesses; Fosters Lawn & Garden Event; Partnership for Youth
Selling Point: Rochester is a natural fit for medical and technology conventions. This year’s civic center expansion nearly doubled the size of the facility.
