unique event venues save time and money with built-in decor
May 20, 2013 — Think about how much you invest into making a hotel not look like a hotel. The windowless boardrooms you try to cover up with big graphic posters. The generic ballrooms you spend countless dollars sprucing up with rental flair, only to pay more dollars to break it down at the end of the day. If you've never considered a museum or zoo, arena or scenic college campus for your next event location, now may be the time to do so for this reason alone: built-in décor. 
Paula Katz, director of tourism and event sales at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, states, "Our venue can help with the planner's budget since the spaces all offer beautiful views and therefore can cut down on décor that might be required at other, traditional sites." Some estimates suggest a savings of $1,000-2,000 per event. Examples of the National Aquarium's ambient event settings include the Underwater Viewing Area with views of swimming dolphins, Main Aquarium with four levels of aquatic life exhibits and the Aquarium Tent that offers views of the outlying harbor.
Christine Bourquin of the Vancouver Art Gallery says, "It's rare to find elegant, unique venues in downtown Vancouver that offer a 'turnkey' setup," especially one with such unique décor. Housed in a turn-of-the-century building that was formerly a provincial courthouse, Bourquin says the event settings at the gallery are limitless. "The building itself presents a dramatic exterior backdrop for photography and film shoots. Inside, locations include the grand foyer and rotunda-with a soaring dome and twin marble staircases-and two of the building's original historic courtrooms, complete with judge's stands and rich hardwoods." Bourquin estimates that the built-in backdrops save planners $1,000-2,000 per event on décor and rentals.
And these are just two examples. All of the unique venues we call members have spectacular, unique and memorable event spaces that come as is. Sure you can still add your personal touches to a unique event location, but that's all it takes-touches-to make your gathering a memorable affair.