As lockdowns and quarantine measures over the last year have forced a large percentage of the workforce to the home office, companies continue to look for new ways to bring people together in innovative ways. Research shows over 50% of all meetings are currently remote causing thousands to suffer from the very unscientific term “Zoom Fatigue.” Most will agree the best work is done when people are in the same space feeling the energy circulating throughout a room. While we are still likely months away from traveling and meeting together in large groups, the rise of Hybrid Meetings is filling the need for in person collaboration. Hybrid meetings are more than just remote meetings full of individual faces on your laptop. Hybrid meetings combine in-room components and a virtual online components with live video streaming and online presentation of content. As we work our way towards “post-Covid” if such a term should exist, we anticipate the need for more hybrid meetings due to the necessary physical presence of key decision makers.
Unique Venues has worked closely with venues helping them to rebrand or stand out as Hybrid Capable meeting spaces. Below we walk through some of our Top Picks in this growing venue distinction.
AMA Conference Centers are meeting spaces tailored for the special requirements of training sessions, business meetings, board meetings or arbitration/mediation meetings. The Washington, D.C. venue is located in the heart of Crystal City adjacent to Reagan National Airport just five minutes from downtown. This flexible space can accommodate as few as 5 to as many as 90 individuals and is complete with all the amenities one would expect from a premier D.C. venue including Wi-Fi, executive chairs and complimentary continuous beverage service with optional catering.
In Atlanta, the AMA Conference Center is found in the heart of Midtown close to dining, hotels and entertainment venues. This center contains 13 executive meeting rooms and can hold groups up to 175 delivering high end amenities and state-of-the-art equipment. In New York, the AMA Conference Center is the city’s largest Conference Center, newly renovated and situated right in the heart of midtown Manhattan in the Times Square Theatre District. The center now has over 90,000 square feet of usable meeting space between its 43 rooms offering flexible setups that can accommodate a variety of meetings and events for over 200 people.
Maritime Conference Center, the 2020 runner up for Best Mid-Market Venue at Unique Venues 2020 Best Of Awards, is located on the beautiful campus of Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies just minutes from Baltimore-Washington International Airport. Guests will enjoy the history of this space as they walk through halls adorned with 7-foot models of seafaring vessels and centuries of Merchant Marine history. As for meetings, this space offers guests 232 guest rooms and 100,000 square feet of meeting space that also includes 55 classrooms, an auditorium with seating for 350 and dining for 500. Packages also include access to the fitness room, rec room, indoor swimming, Deck Club Lounge and vast outdoor space. Contact a sales & conference professional to discuss your next all-inclusive Day or Complete Meeting Package.
Long considered one of Washington, D.C.’s great corporate venues for conferences, receptions, banquets and board meetings, The National Housing Center has entered the Hybrid Meeting Capable space flawlessly. Located in the heart of downtown Washington, D.C. near world-class restaurants, shopping and tourist attractions, the NHC can host groups with 6 to 800 attendees in a space known for its ambience and character. Stunning views are available through floor to ceiling windows in the event space and the Atrium is outfitted with a 2-story glass wall. The venue is outfitted with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment for all your technological needs and is surrounded by hotels with ample parking and has three Metro stations all in walking distance – making commuting virtually hassle-free for your guests. The experienced meeting planners at NHC are there to offer full service support to ensure your next hybrid meeting or corporate event is a success in the Nation’s Capitol.
Our final stop is in beautiful Coral Gables, Florida at the University of Miami. This inspiring & innovative environment recognized the need for hybrid capable spaces early on adding to their resume as a destination for conference planners. With quality services, diverse facilities and knowledgeable staff, the University of Miami has created a welcoming educational environment for conferences, meetings and retreats. The university offers over 50 meeting and event spaces all outfitted with technology ranging from projectors and screens to more enhanced features such as microphones, cameras, podiums and more. Conveniently located just seven miles from downtown Miami and 15 minutes from the airport, THE U can host events of all sizes up to 600 and offer planners the ability to look beyond campus and offer guests the option to explore the many culturally diverse neighborhoods of the region. Let the professionals at University of Miami help you share your story at this incredible venue.
Unique Venues has more Hybrid Capable spaces throughout the United States. Check out more great options below to bring your team together.
| University of Miami Miami, FL  | The National Housing Center Washington, DC  |
| AMA Conference Centers Atlanta – DC – New York  | Maritime Conference Center Linthicum Heights, MD  |
| Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN  | Virginia Tech Executive Briefing Center Arlington, VA  |
| The National Press Club Washington, DC  | Infinity Park Event Center Glendale, CO  |
| ALX Community Alexandria, VA  | University of North Carolina at Wilmington Wilmington, NC  |