“The bureau has its own dedicated, award-winning services department to assist meeting planners with
everything from site visits of facilities to welcome tables and name badges during meetings.”
K. Bailey Fucanan Valley Forge CVB
tunity to provide a more personal service compared to a large convention center in a big city,” Oakley adds.
Meeting facilities range from boutique properties to conference centers and a variety of unique venues. "The Comfort Suites in downtown Carlisle has a beauti- ful meeting facility attached to their hotel,” says Oakley. "They are within walk- ing distance of a variety of local restau- rants, shops, galleries and the historic Carlisle Theatre. Our unique venues range from a historic mountaintop mansion at one of our state parks to a restored hiker hostel mansion near the midway point of the Appalachian Trail.”
The Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau provides a range of services to groups to help with site selection and planning. "Our services include site inspections of properties and attractions, familiarization tours of the area, complimentary wel- come bags for guests, planning assistance with guest speakers, attractions, restau- rants, spousal programs, theme parties and children's activities, local vendor and
32 November December 2011
transportation service coordination and referrals, photos and videos, media con- tacts and promotional assistance, on site registration support, staffed hospitality table, and post-meeting surveys.”
Oakley notes that meeting planners will appreciate the walkable downtown com- munities with unique shopping and din- ing opportunities in the Cumberland Valley. "A special attraction that meeting planners will enjoy is Meadowbrooke Gourds. This is the largest gourd-crafting company in the world. They grow, clean and turn the gourds into one-of-a-kind art- works - all on location. They offer tours and special classes.”
K. Bailey Fucanan, the director of commu- nications for the Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau in Montgomery County, PA, discusses why Valley Forge is ideal for smaller meeting groups.
"The Valley Forge area and Montgomery County is best known as the historic win- ter encampment site of General George Washington and the Continental troops in 1777-78,” says Fucanan. "The destination is located just 18 miles outside Philadelphia, a mere 30 minutes from the Philadelphia International Airport, and at the crossroads of four major highways. With lower taxes, a beautiful suburban set- ting, free parking and an array of meeting facilities ranging from full-service hotels to unique historic meetings spaces to IACC-approved conference centers, the area is ideal for hosting small meetings.”
The Valley Forge CVB is happy to provide guests of these meetings with many serv- ices during their visit. "The bureau has its own dedicated, award-winning services department to assist meeting planners with everything from site visits of facilities to welcome tables and name badges dur- ing meetings,” says Fucanan.
"Pre-promotion, e-newsletters, welcome signage, information bags, area brochures, giveaway items, entertainment, spousal programs and more can be coordinated through them. Also, the bureau's popular 'Show Me Your Badge' program allows meeting attendees to simply show their lanyard to area restaurants and receive discounts during their stay,” she notes.
Montgomery County offers 15 full-service properties and more than a dozen state- of-the-art conference centers, of which five are IACC-certified. "These include: Normandy Farm Hotel and Conference Center in Blue Bell, a meticulously restored historic landmark with 17 meet- ing rooms and a new farm-to-table menu; and the ACE Hotel and Conference Center in Lafayette Hill, which offers 38 dedicated meeting rooms and a signature Gary Player championship golf course. Also, the Villanova Conference Center is set on 32 peaceful acres along Philadelphia's Main Line, offering meeting facilities for 300 guests. Its circa-1914 stone Montrose Mansion offers an elegant setting for private functions.”
Attractions for those attending meetings in Valley Forge and Montgomery County include: Valley Forge National Historical Park, the pivotal encampment site of General George Washington and the Continental troops during the winter of 1777-78; King of Prussia Mall, the nation's largest retail shopping complex; Philadelphia Premium Outlets; John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove, the artist and naturalist's first home in America and 175-acre wildlife sanctuary set along the Perkiomen Creek.
More attractions and activities in the county include: Arnold's Family Fun Center, the area's largest arcade and indoor go-kart racing venue; Temple Beth Sholom, the only Frank Lloyd Wright designed synagogue; zip lines, ropes courses and canopy tours at Spring Mountain Adventures; 40 public golf courses; plus 55 miles of interconnected bike trails. In addition, Valley Forge Casino Resort is set to open this spring at the site of the Valley Forge Convention Plaza.
Smaller meeting and event groups can enjoy a wide range of locations and ven- ues in the region that are well suited to their size. These groups will never have to feel like they are a "small fish in a big pond" when choosing these destinations.
Kristin Zeller is a freelance writer, and works in the Special Events Office for the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.
kzeller@phillies.com
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