special section Innovative Centers and Unique Venues Seattle
Innovative venues in the Emerald City
A combination of natural wonders and mod- ern facilities is the answer to why meetings in Seattle are such remarkable, successful experiences. Nowhere is this more evident than the expansive Washington State Con- vention Center (WSCC), where visitors will feel an immediate connection to the beauty of the Pacific Northwest inside its light-filled, eco-friendly spaces. Directly connected to the WSCC, the LEED Silver–certified Con- ference Center offers 71,000 square feet of flexible space in addition to the convention center’s 343,722 square feet. The complex is located in the heart of Seattle, and some of the city’s biggest attractions, hotels, res- taurants, theaters, museums, and shops are just a few steps away. Currently undergoing a $20-million transformation, the WSCC will
debut a whole new look and even more eco- conscious enhancements by 2013. From budget-friendly to luxurious, Seattle
has event spaces in every category. Planners can opt for a private dining room tucked inside an award-winning restaurant serving locally caught seafood, organic produce, and wine from area vineyards. A number of larger venues, many unique to the Northwest, pro- vide flexible space and keep groups enter- tained, such as the Space Needle, Safeco Field
— home to the Seattle Mariners — CenturyLink Field, Seattle Art Museum, Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle Aquarium, Downtown Seattle Waterfront, and more than 90 wineries in the Woodinville Wine Country. At Seattle’s Museum of Flight, planners can hold banquets and receptions under sus-
pended aircrafts while guests can explore historic fighter jets and ride in aviation flight simulators. Another lively Seattle venue, the EMP Museum, pays homage to contempo- rary popular culture in a 140,000-square-foot, Frank Gehry–designed building. The muse- um also highlights Seattle as the birthplace of jazz, blues, and folk, with a vast collection of music memorabilia, hands-on exhibits, and a live performance stage where groups can even play their favorite rock stars.
Great space In addition to the Washington State Convention Center and Conference Center's beautiful and expansive meeting space, Seattle’s most famous icon, the Space Needle, has multiple event spaces and catering facilities for groups of up to 500, offering 360-degree panoramic views of Puget Sound.