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It’s a common scenario—you plan a destination meeting in a city like Memphis hoping that in the downtime you and your guests will be able to visit the jazz and blues clubs on Beale Street, eat some world-famous barbecue, and get a tour of Elvis Presley’s Graceland. But with jam-packed itineraries and commitments to after-meeting networking receptions, there’s little time to even leave the meeting venue and experience the tourist attractions. Unless your meeting venue is Graceland… Yes, not far from Elvis’ jumpsuits and gold records, guests can gather for meetings and events in one of 14 spaces on the famous grounds. The Graceland Soundstage has 20,000 square feet of space for luncheons, conferences, receptions, trade shows, and live concerts, and the Presley Motors Automobile Museum can be a fan’s dream for cocktail receptions set amongst the entertainer’s incredible collection of cars. When it’s time to choose a venue for your next meeting or event, choose one that people can’t say no to, like Graceland or Chicago’s Navy Pier set along Lake Michigan with its iconic Ferris Wheel and Shakespeare Theatre. Not only will popular destinations like these increase attendance but they will also give you a reputation for knowing the best venues and retaining clients in the future. According to USA Today, another benefit of tourist-friendly venues is focus. “Out-of-town corporate events and meetings slowed down during the economic downturn when companies were closely watching their purse strings,” says a recent article, “but they’ve begun to rebound in large part because they are viewed as key to networking and education.” But you don’t always have to go far to find a famous meeting venue, either—discover our short list of favorites including Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, and the Olympic Oval in Richmond, British Columbia. |
| Richmond Olympic Oval Richmond, BC  | Arrowhead Stadium Kansas City, MO  |
| Elvis Presley’s Graceland Memphis, TN  | Navy Pier Chicago Chicago, IL  |