Ohio University Conference & Event Center | Unique Venues
Ohio University

Ohio University

Event Types Welcomed

  • Adult Social Events
  • Corporate Social Events
  • Expo/Competitions
  • Family Reunions
  • Professional Meeting / Training / Conference / Retreats
  • Wedding Ceremonies
  • Wedding Receptions
  • Youth Retreat/Camps

Unique Venue Feature

The following ideas and events have been offered to conferences in the past and provide a glimpse what we can offer to enhance your conference experience in Athens!
• Kennedy Art Museum
• Copperhead’s baseball game
• Dairy Barn Cultural Arts Center
• Local Food Trucks for a Food Truck Festival
• Eclipse Company Mine store and banquet facility
• Stewart’s Opera House and Nelsonville’s Historic Square
• Hocking Hills and various state parks, guided tours available
• 9-hole golf course on campus and at the Athens Country Club
• Team building options such as zipline, high and low ropes course
• Private Train Excursions on the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway – wine train available!
• Ridges Bonfire and Star Gazing complete with horse drawn carriage rides and tour of the Ridges
• Ping Recreation Center: indoor track, workout facility, indoor hardwood courts, meeting rooms, climbing wall and outdoor patio great for events with a view of the golf course
 

About

Ohio University Conference and Event Services offers one-stop-shop conference planning at its best! 

Ohio University is well-known for its scenic Appalachian Hills, relaxed lifestyle, sense of cultural vibrancy, and variety of flexible meeting and event spaces that combine to make the venue the ideal conference location in the Athens area.

Conference and Event Services is available to help facilitate the planning of a variety of events on campus including academic, athletic, music, arts, faith, research, or technology-based conferences, camps, symposiums, and workshops. Our services are all encompassing and include comprehensive event and conference planning from start to finish, ensuring a positive all-around experience for our guests.

We are happy to assist with every aspect of planning including:

  • overnight accommodations
  • facility and venue reservations
  • culinary arrangements provided by Ohio University Culinary Services
  • online registration 
  • Wi-Fi and Technology
  • AV and Production 
  • parking and shuttle service
  • airport transportation
  • access to campus recreational facilities
Find Us Online

Meeting & Event Spaces

  • Max Capacity: 3500 guests
  • Largest Classroom Style: 400
  • Largest Theatre Style: 2,000
  • Largest Auditorium Seating: 2,000
  • Largest Arena Seating: 14,000
  • Largest Seated Reception: 350
  • Largest Standing Reception: 900
  • Academic Year Largest Group: yes
Baker University Center Grand Ballroom
Ideal for banquets and large events. Features two LCD projectors/screens, lighting, staging, dancefloor, and divides in two. Adjoining Prefunction and balcony areas for registrations and receptions.
  • 7940 Sq. Ft.
  • 400 Banquet Style
  • 300 Classroom Style
  • 900 Theatre Style
  • 1000 Conference Style
Margaret M. Walter Hall Rotunda
Margaret M. Walter Hall consists of four lecture halls, a rotunda with catering kitchen, and various service and support areas. The building is designed to support a wide array of academic and non-academic functions, including receptions, conferences, banquets, and other special events.
  • 4224 Sq. Ft.
  • 150 Banquet Style
  • 168 Classroom Style
  • 200 Theatre Style
  • 150 Conference Style
Baker University Center Theater
Standard seating capacity of 190 with an additional 50 chairs available to extend seating. Has a small green room, full lighting/sound capabilities with staffed sound booth, and large stage. Stage can be extended if needed.
Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium
Located on Ohio University's historic College Green, the Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium (commonly referred to as Memorial Auditorium, or simply MemAud) plays host to a wide variety of events- from nationally-touring concerts, plays, and musicals, to new student admission sessions and keynote speakers. MemAud offers seating for up to 2,000 guests. 
  • 2000 Theatre Style
Baker University Center Multipurpose Room
The Multipurpose Room features hardwood floors, two projectors, a sound system and a dividing wall. This space is ideal for breakout sessions, panel discussions, small banquets and receptions, and fairs/displays. It is conveniently located within the conference room hallway to allow for full conference style events.
  • 3077 Sq. Ft.
  • 150 Banquet Style
  • 120 Classroom Style
  • 220 Theatre Style
  • 100 Conference Style
  • 100 Hollow Square Space Style
  • Floorplan Layout
Galbreath Chapel
Built in 1957, The Helen Mauck Galbreath Memorial Chapel welcomes people of all faiths. There is no permanent furnishing that would be identified with one religion or denomination and there are no restrictions on the type of service that may be conducted.
  • 150 Theatre Style
Classrooms
Keeping in mind the logistics of your event, we have a variety of classrooms available across campus. Classroom capacities range from 20 – 400 and all rooms are equipped with computer, projector and sound. 
  • 20 - 400 Classroom Style
  • 100-400 Theatre Style
Conference Rooms
Baker University Center offers 14 conference rooms with seating capacities ranging from 12 - 35. 

Food & Beverage Options

Nelson Court
Nelson Court offers numerous food selections, including: Asian fusion, all-day breakfast, BBQ, Mediterranean cuisine, an extensive salad bar and more. Nelson Court also houses the South Side Espresso Bar and a Campus Market.
  • Seating Capacity: 800

Catering options

Ohio University Catering
Ohio University Catering offers an array of services to meet your needs. Whether planning and executing a full scale, high profile event, or helping create a memorable experience on a student budget, Catering Services will work with you to make a lasting impression. No matter how big or small the event or venue, we are pleased to consult with you regarding your event. We will gladly offer menu pairings that work with your event theme, season, and price point. Custom menus are available to meet your specific needs.

Accommodations

  • Total Number of Overnight Guests: 8,000
  • Number of Overnight Rooms: 8,000
  • Wi-Fi in Guest Rooms: Yes
  • Wi-Fi Guest Room Cost : free
Overnight Room Attributes
  • 24-hour check-in
  • Air-conditioned rooms available
  • Business Services
  • Linens Provided
  • Kitchen Available
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Television
  • Towels
  • Washer/Dryer
  • WiFi

 

Traditional Residence Halls
Traditional style residence hall rooms are available. Located in beautiful neighborhood settings. All residence halls offer private lounge space. Rooms consist of two extra-long twin beds, two desks and chairs, dressers, and a community bathroom. Linens are available upon request. 
  • 3800 Rooms
  • 1-4 bed rooms available Beds
Suite-style Residence Halls
Suite-style residence halls with suites of single rooms or double rooms. Bathrooms shared by 2 or 4 people depending on single or double occupancy.  Includes two twin beds, desk/chair, microwave/refrigerator unit, and shared bath. Linens are available upon request. 
  • 600 Rooms
  • 1-4 bed rooms available Beds

Featured Amenities

  • Accessible Facilities
  • Air Conditioning Air Conditioning
  • Bus - Shuttle, Public Bus Access Bus
  • Business Center
  • Car Charging Station Car Charging Station
  • Eco-Friendly
  • Fitness Center Fitness Center
  • Golf Course Golf
  • In-House Catering
  • Laundry
  • Linens
  • Near Public Transit
  • Outdoor Space
  • Overnight Rooms
  • Paid Parking
  • Pet Friendly
  • Rooftop Space
  • Running Trails
  • Spa
  • Sports Facilities
  • Taxi
  • Theater Seating
  • WiFi

Venue Location + Transportation

Address

 
One Park Place,
Baker University Center 347,
Athens, Ohio 45701-2979

Transportation

  • BusBus
  • LyftLyft
  • TaxiTaxi
  • UberUber

Nearby Airport

  • Columbus International Airport (CMH) - 75 minutes

Nearby International Airport

  • Columbus International Airport (CMH) - 75 minutes

Parking

  • Onsite Parking: Yes
  • Car Charging Stations: Yes

Nearby Cities

OHIO:
Columbus – 75 miles,
Cincinnati – 155 miles,
Cleveland – 215 miles
WEST VIRGINIA:
Parkersburg – 40 miles,
Huntington – 80 miles,
Charleston – 90 miles
PENNSYLVANIA:
Pittsburgh – 200 miles

Things to Know

Catering

  • Must Use In-house Catering: Yes
  • Cultural Catering Available: Yes
  • Food and Beverage Onsite: Yes

Technology

Ohio University Event Services offers a variety of state-of-the-art technology that can be tailored to suit the needs of large scale indoor/outdoor events, special programs, concerts, and productions. We offer intelligent audio/video/lightening systems in all of our venues as well as talented tech staff dedicated to your events.

Ohio University offers a high-speed wi-fi environment across campus and high speed internet connections within each residence hall. Tech Depot, located within Baker University Center, is a one-stop shop for all tech needs offering support, repairs, software, hardware, laptop rentals, etc. to all guests on campus.

  • Guest Wi-Fi: Free
  • Onsite Tech Support: Yes
  • Wi-Fi in meeting space: Yes
  • Equipment Available On-Site:
    • Projector Screen
    • Laptops
    • Microphones
    • Sound System
    • Custom Lighting

Venue Policies

  • Alcohol Consumption: Yes
  • Smoking Permitted: no
  • Cannabis Industry-Friendly: No
  • Cannabis Consumption: No
  • Eco Friendly: Yes
  • ADA Accessible: Yes
  • Family Friendly: Yes
  • Pet Friendly: Yes

Testimonials

We had the utmost privilege and joy of working with Cimmeron and the entire Conference Services team at Ohio University. From the time OHIO submitted their RFP to be the host campus for the first-ever It's On Us National Student Leadership Summit to the time the last student departed, we were treated with such care and respect that made us feel like we were at home. We could not have asked for a better host for our inaugural event. The staff was very attentive, responsive, and welcoming throughout the entire process. Our attendees felt the same and provided similar feedback. We would not hesitate to recommend OHIO University to anyone looking to host their conference or event at OHIO.

Thank you again so very much for EVERYTHING and the kindness and support of your team leading up to the event and throughout the weekend. We could not have imagined a more welcoming host campus for our inaugural national student leadership summit.
Its On Us, Elvin Bruno, Jr. Director of Campus Organizing
I was extremely impressed with the professionalism and attention to detail shown by the Conference Services Team. All of my symposium attendees commented on how well-run the conference was, which I attribute entirely to the work of Nikki Ohms and her staff. I was incredibly grateful for the service and would recommend it to anyone without reservation. I absolutely plan to work with this office again for all future event/conference planning. 
Dr. Myrna Perez Sheldon, Conference Coordinator
The words of our Principal Investigator (PI), Dr. Terrence Brown, say it best. "Customer service was exemplary and every need was met. Services were delivered as promised."
HCOP, Dr. Maia Randle, HCOP Project Coordinator
Cimmeron, our main point of contact, was fantastic. With larger universities, comes more departments and compartmentalized policies and procedures. Cimmeron reached out to any and all other departments we needed to work with and helped coordinate all other department's interactions with us. We look forward to working with Ohio University in the future! 
iBelieve, Kaitlin O'Hara, Director of Staff Development
We had the pleasure of working with Ohio University’s Event Services Team to coordinate our first-ever virtual conference in early 2021. The team was super knowledgeable and accommodating, ensuring that our conference was a huge success for all who attended. The team was able to quickly identify possible obstacles and provide solutions that allowed our 200+ attendees to log in and participate in the live Q&A sessions and trade show without any problems. The level of dedication, patience and professionalism this team displays would be hard to match.
Ohio Grape Industries Committee, Christy Eckstein, Executive Director

Services

Ohio University Conference Services offers:
  • Comprehensive Event Coordination 
  • Support and Management
  • Registration and Reporting 
  • Budget Development
  • Contract Management and Payments
  • VIP Presenter and Event Logistics 
  • Collaboration with hotel partners
  • Transportation, Parking and Shuttle Services
  • Extensive Technology and Production
  • In-house printing services 
  • Private use of D1 Athletic Facilities 
  • Web Registration
  • Event Decor: linens, tables, chairs, centerpieces, etc. 
  • Off-site Event Coordination