thewest.travel A transformed convention center and inspiring local venues

Seattle

Hot spots Seattle has a number of large venues unique to the Northwest that always leave groups entertained, including the Space Needle, Seattle Art Museum, Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle Waterfront and piers, Seattle Aquarium, and much more. Seattle’s key ingredient for successful meetings and events is its combination of innovative facilities and natural wonders. Meeting planners can use visitseattle.org to explore unique hotel and venue options, as well as find restaurants, activities, and services.

A combination of natural wonders, popular attractions, and modern facilities are the key to why meetings in Seattle are such remark- able, successful experiences. Nowhere is this more evident than at the expansive Washing- ton State Convention 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 Con-

ference Center offers 71,000 square feet of LEED Silver–certified space in addition to the convention center’s 343,722 square feet of space. The complex is located in the heart of Seattle, just a few steps from some of the city’s biggest attractions, hotels, and restau- rants. Currently undergoing a $20-million transformation, the WSCC will debut a new look and additional eco-conscious enhance- ments this year. Seattle offers plenty of off-site venue

options for meetings and events as well. For small groups, Seattle’s private dining rooms

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and award-winning restaurants are famous for their fresh seafood, organic produce, and world-class wine. And for an even more immersive vino experience, groups can visit one of 90-plus wineries and tasting rooms in nearby Woodinville Wine Country. Two of Seattle’s most unique and lively

off-site venues include the Museum of Flight and the EMP Museum. The Museum of Flight offers a range of large and small meeting and dining spaces with historic aircraft sus- pended overhead, while the EMP Museum pays homage to contemporary popular cul- ture in a 140,000-square-foot, Frank Gehry– designed building. Beyond its vast collection of music memorabilia and hands-on exhibits, the live performance stage gives groups a chance to play out their ultimate rock-star fantasy.

For more information: Visit Seattle — (206) 461-5800; conventions@visitseattle.org; visitseattle.org

AT A GLANCE Conference facilities • The Washington State Convention Center features 205,700 square feet of exhibit space, 123,761 square feet of meeting and ballroom space, and a conference center with an additional 71,000 square feet of meeting space.

Hotel rooms • 8,404

Attractions • The Space Needle, Seattle Waterfront, Tillicum Village, Pike Place Market, Museum of History and Industry, Chihuly Gardens and Glass, Seattle Great Wheel, Olympic Sculpture Park, Argosy Cruises, Museum of Flight, Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, Woodinville Wine Country, and much more

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY TIM THOMPSON (LEFT) ; ERIC SHECKLER (RIGHT)