By Selena Fragassi
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Think you have your brackets ready? Consider these big league universities that are competitive in more ways than one. For meeting planners, they offer a wealth of unique spaces, services and activities that makes them a slam dunk every time.
University of Colorado Boulder (Boulder, Colorado)

In January, another grand reopening celebrated the Glen Miller Ballroom in the University Memorial Center. “At 9,400 square feet it’s the largest ballroom in the city of Boulder,” says Thomas. Both are open to incoming groups, which normally range from 50-2,000 guests have enjoyed dealing with a certified One-Shop Stop department. “The majority of our conference coordinators have 10-plus years of experience on this campus,” says Thomas, “so they are experts beyond just coordinating logistics.”
Oregon State University (Corvallis, Oregon)

Onsite, though, the campus is unparalleled with a number of meeting spaces for 5 to 1,400 people including 80,000 square feet of combined, year-round conference space, the LaSells Stewart performing arts center and a private Hilton Garden Inn offering 153 beds. “In a few years we could have a second hotel onsite too,” says Arthenayake. As well, a $65 million classroom building currently in the works also promises state-of-the-learning spaces.
UCLA (Los Angeles, California)

“We’ll be feeding and housing 3,700 athletes and coaches who will also be using our meeting spaces and athletic venues,” says Jason Walley, director of conference services. “In a way it’s like putting together a very complex meeting.”
At the forefront will be Pauley Pavilion, the home of UCLA’s basketball team available for large-scale events, meeting and entertainment for crowds up to 12,000 people. Elsewhere the campus has 70,000 square feet of meeting space (including the Palisades Ballroom) and 6,000 sleeping rooms with a boutique guesthouse for summer visitors.
Off-campus there’s plenty to see and do, too. “We’re close to the shopping and entertainment of Beverly Hills and Santa Monica and walking tours of the arts district and historic tours of Hollywood,” says Walley. For the sports-minded folks, “we can build active programs, too,” he says noting an onsite ropes course and sailing and kayaking at the marina.
University of Utah (Salt Lake City, Utah)

When there is time to slow down, the university hosts the state’s natural history museum and the state arboretum for reflective moments, and the exclusive 180-room University Guest House has hotel-style accommodations for further relaxation. The attached 30,000-square-foot conference center also provides hotel-level service for business clients. “We can do full video and sound recording, full A/V and rooms are wired for anything you can imagine,” says Hacker. “There are few places that operate the same way we do.”
In the early part of 2016, Hacker’s team will expand on that mission again by offering the high-end Wall Mansion that will be used as a retreat center for meetings up to 300 people. Says Hacker, “It continues to show the diversity in facilities we manage.”
University of Washington (Seattle, Washington)

For conference guests with stricter budgets or those looking for a more communal atmosphere, the “North Campus” is also available offering more traditional style residence halls and an all-you-care-to-eat dining facility. In addition to the One-Stop Shop certified service, the university’s location is also a big draw for many tech-heavy clients.
“We’re close to downtown so guests can go to the city and see where Starbucks and Nordstrom’s first started,” says White. “And for guests that are here for a longer period they can go to the San Juan Islands or wine country and see what the northwest is really known for.”
U.C. Berkeley (Berkeley, California)
The university will also offer its first exclusive in-house caterer, Chartwells, later this fall. “They’ll do everything from boxed lunches to plated dinners,” says Nordahl. Or for those guests who want a taste of the town, she says, “we are right in the heart of the downtown area where there’s a multitude of different ethnic food options.” If you’re looking for a show after, check out the movie theatre and karaoke nearby or head back to campus for one of the musical performances or TED Talks. Says Nordahl, “There’s always something happening here.”
Get Connected
Oregon State University
UniqueVenues.com/OregonState
(541) 737.2401
Event Services at U.C. Berkeley
UniqueVenues.com/UCBerkeley
(510) 643.9149
University of California, Los Angeles
UniqueVenues.com/ucla
(866) 825.5305
University of Colorado Boulder
UniqueVenues.com/CU
(303) 492.5151
University of Utah
UniqueVenues.com/UnivUtah
(801) 587.2980
University of Washington
UniqueVenues.com/UnivWashington
(206) 543.7636