When it comes to planning regional meetings and events, sometimes the Midwest is best. Compromising a large quadrant of the United States—12 states to be exact—the Midwest is considered the heartland of America, where its roots in agriculture are contrasted by modern metropolitan cities like Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis, Madison, Columbus, Cincinnati, and Omaha, among others.
It’s where the famous Route 66 started (near downtown Chicago), connecting opposite sides of the country, and it’s also where major headquarters exist for companies like Google, major banking institutions, and automobile and robotics manufacturers that connect humans to the future. Whether you’re planning a business meeting and reception that needs a dose of inspiration on a Top Ten campus like the University of Notre Dame in Indiana or a scenic wedding in a quaint locale such as a vineyard in Galena, Illinois, there’s no shortage of Midwestern charm available.
Lied Lodge & Conference Center in Nebraska City makes it into our favorite picks for its stunning capabilities as a retreat and full-service meeting option. It’s located on the 260 acres of Arbor Day Farm (which is less than one hour away from Omaha, Nebraska) offering sweeping views, team-building activities, and luxury guest rooms and suites, plus 14,000-plus square feet of adjustable meeting and banquet space. That includes fresh-air barns and a historic state park that make an ideal spot for receptions.
There’s also the McNamara Alumni Center at the University of Minnesota, which has hosted a national car commercial, MTV music video, and U.S. presidential campaign stops in recent years. The building offers 10 uniquely designed event and meeting rooms, plus recepetion space. There are also some pretty special amenities including award-winning D’Amico Catering plus tunnel connections to an adjacent 500-car parking ramp and the on-site Graduate Hotel for overnight accommodations.
Here are more of our favorite Midwest spots:
| Lied Lodge & Conference Center Nebraska City, NE  |
Boulders Conference Center Denison, IA  |
| McNamara Alumni Center, University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN  |
Galena Country Tourism Pekin, IL  |
| The Marcum Hotel & Conference Center Oxford, OH  |
52EIGHTY at the Cambria Chicago Chicago, IL  |
| Washington County Fair Park & Conference Center West Bend, WI  |
Sky Garden at Embassy Suites Magnificent Mile Chicago, IL  |
| Monroe Convention Center Bloomington, IN  |
University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN  |
