ul Meetings


Another advantage Baker cites at colleges and universities is the ability to obtain stu- dent labor and volunteers, noting that many conference planners have the opportunity to hire student staff to assist with their conferences.


Pamela V. Line is the director of marketing and the Conference Center at Shippensburg University. Line notes that her venue is a dedicated conference facil- ity offering a state-of-the-art meeting envi- ronment with access to excellent audio- visual services and equipment, along with high quality catering at a value price.


Line continues, "Companies who work with us can benefit from some of the addi- tional offerings of the university, such as our wonderful H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center."


Conference organizers who book their events at the university's conference cen- ter can incorporate programming from the performing arts center into their itin- erary, enriching the overall experience for attendees.


Academically speaking, she says that Shippensburg University's graduate stud- ies program is perfect for those recruiting potential employees, and those interested in continuing education themselves.


The university also offers an internship program that provides both students and businesses with another opportunity to connect.


For Steven Infanti, associate vice president of communications and marketing for Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, because of the nature of the university and the newness of its facilities, there is great emphasis placed on offering the latest technologies for meetings and events at the university.


"Our campus is home to the Select Medical Conference Center," notes Infanti, "which encompasses a remark- able auditorium along with three addi- tional meeting rooms. The 125-seat audito- rium truly is unlike anything else in the area. It offers tiered-seating, WiFi Internet access, data ports for computer and much more. The center has a series of breakout rooms, plus dedicated audio-visual equip- ment and services, and an IT staff on site.”


"The auditorium truly is in a class by itself," he adds.


The university is focused on science and technology in downtown Harrisburg, and, Infanti says, is "connected,” in effect, to a four star Hilton hotel. Guests of the Hilton can walk to and from the hotel to the uni- versity campus without ever having to step outside, he notes. "We have a great partnership with the Hilton.”


Infanti says that Harrisburg University of Science and Technology offers a great deal of versatility. Its academic center is a 16 story building with numerous spaces available throughout that can accommo- date meetings and events. In addition, he says that the Select Medical Conference Center has a lot of unique architecture and features a very wide open design that is very attractive to groups "The space includes an atrium and a swimming pool.. In addition, we offer plenty of parking, plus there are great restaurants and nightlife just moments away downtown.”


Richard A. Yednock II, associate director of conference services and facilities usage for Millersville University,


says that the


ability to provide meeting planners with an "all-inclusive" experience is a major benefit of selecting a college or university.


According to Yednock, Millersville offers technology like password protected wire-


less Internet, smart carts in all classrooms, computer labs, meeting facilities and large auditoriums.


In addition, planners can take advantage of "all you care to eat dining," safety and security, field space, athletic venues like the gym and swimming pool, and free parking. Housing on campus includes sev- eral styles of resident halls.


Yednock illustrates his university's hosting abilities and all-inclusive nature by offer- ing the following example.


"For the last few years, we have hosted the National History Day competition spon- sored by the Army Heritage Center," notes Yednock. "It's a state-wide competition that brings about 600 high school students and their families to campus for two days in May."


For this event, he says the university pro- vides classrooms, recreational facilities, housing and dining for about 900 guests. "As well as using our dining facility for meals, they also utilize our conference center to hold the judges' meetings and meals. They also use our other gymnasi- um for a dance on the first evening and a closing ceremony for about 1,200 on the second afternoon."


Offering so many resources and services together with tremendous value, meeting and event facilities at colleges and uni- versities provide planners with an intrigu- ing alternative for meetings.


Those who choose universities and col- leges will find that these venues offer a wealth of resources that extend far beyond the four walls of a conference room.


Mid-Atlantic EVENTS Magazine 87


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