Illinois State University

Illinois State University

Event Types Welcomed

  • Corporate Social Events
  • Expo/Competitions
  • Professional Meeting / Training / Conference / Retreats
  • Youth Retreat/Camps

About

The Alumni Center at Illinois State University is located in the heart of Illinois, halfway between Chicago and St. Louis and is accessible by 3 major interstates. This central location makes the Alumni Center a desirable event space for conferences or meetings in the area. It has five meeting rooms of varying sizes and a Great Hall that can be booked for receptions by alumni, university, and the public. The Alumni Center also has several amenities for guests, and contains on-site catering, and state-of-the-art technology that includes video, projection, virtual conferencing, and amplified hearing for your conference or social event.

Another large venue at Illinois State Univeristy is the newly renovated Bone Student Center. It has 15 meeting rooms for groups ranging in size from 10-3,400 people and has access to restaurants, a bowling and billiards center, and on-site catering. The Brown Ballroom inside Bone Student Center contains 13,590 square feet of meeting space, a large stage and screen, and theatrical lighting for ambience, making it the ideal event space for your banquet, reception, or other large event. Book your next conference or event at Illinois State University, featuring several meeting and conference rooms for any event. View the list of the amenities below for more of the reasons Illinois State University is the premier event venue outside of Chicago and St. Louis.

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Meeting & Event Spaces

  • Max Capacity: 7500 guests
  • Largest Classroom Style: 700
  • Largest Theatre Style: 3,400
Alumni Center Great Hall
The Alumni Center provides an official gateway to campus with four state-of-the-art meeting rooms.
  • 160 Banquet Style
Alumni Center Room 116
The most versatile room of the Illinois State Alumni Center, this space is great for a medium to large classroom setting, meetings, lectures, and banquets.
  • 128 Banquet Style
  • 108 Classroom Style
  • 216 Theatre Style
  • 48 Hollow Square Space Style
Carl E. Kasten Board Room
A great room for intimate meetings and trainings.
  • 22 Hollow Square Space Style
Alumni Center Room 118
The largest room in the facility, this space is a great location for larger lectures, meetings, trainings, and formal events.
  • 184 Banquet Style
  • 144 Classroom Style
  • 324 Theatre Style
  • 54 Hollow Square Space Style
Alumni Center Room 119
A great room for intimate meetings and trainings.
  • 36 Classroom Style
  • 18 Hollow Square Space Style
Bone Student Center Brown Ballroom
The Brown Ballroom is one of the largest rooms in the Bone Student Center. With a large stage, theatrical lighting, large screen, and luxury vinyl plank floor surface, it's perfect for large seminars, banquets, wedding receptions, bridal shows, concerts, and other large events.
  • 14,000 Sq. Ft.
  • 600 Banquet Style
  • 468 Classroom Style
  • 1,200 Theatre Style
Braden Auditorium
Braden Auditorium is a premier performance venue seating 3,483.
  • 3,457 Theatre Style
Bone Student Center Praire Room
The Prairie Room is a large, carpeted space with an attached outdoor patio/balcony. It is perfect for receptions, banquets, seminars, and exhibitions. The room may be partitioned into three separate areas to create smaller breakout rooms. Individually, the rooms are great for small group discussions and board meetings.
  • 6,766 Sq. Ft.
  • 200 Banquet Style
  • 132 Classroom Style
  • 400 Theatre Style
Bone Student Center Activity Room
The Activity Room, located in the Bowling and Billiards Center (BBC), is the perfect room for any medium to large size gathering. It is ideal for parties, celebrations, meetings, and more. You'll appreciate the small built-in stage, large projection screen and multiple electric outlets.
  • 3,660 Sq. Ft.
  • 200 Banquet Style
  • 200 Classroom Style
  • 416 Theatre Style
Bone Student Center Old Main Room
The Old Main Room is a warm and inviting room with wall-to-wall carpeting. It is the perfect setting for your next luncheon, reception, meeting, presentation or exhibit.
  • 3,660 Sq. Ft.
  • 175 Banquet Style
  • 164 Classroom Style
  • 300 Theatre Style
Bone Student Center Circus Room
The Circus Room's classic look is ideal for meetings, weddings, and other gatherings.
  • 3,690 Sq. Ft.
  • 165 Banquet Style
  • 94 Classroom Style
  • 175 Theatre Style
Bone Student Center Lounges (1 of 3)
  • 1,000 Sq. Ft.
  • 60 Banquet Style
  • 40 Classroom Style
  • 70 Theatre Style
Bone Student Center Founder's Suite
Named in honor of the founders of Illinois State University, this suite is private and comfortable. It is comprised of a welcome foyer with coat closet, ornate lounge area and a private meeting room. The lounge area contains a relaxing couch, lounge chairs and end tables; while the chandelier lighting and oil paintings of former Illinois State University presidents add to the professional and private atmosphere. The meeting room continues the ambience with space appropriate for your next board meeting, executive retreat, intimate reception, or discussion forum.
  • 994 Sq. Ft.
  • 32 Banquet Style
  • 21 Classroom Style
  • 55 Theatre Style
Bone Student Center Spotlight Room
The Spotlight Room provides the perfect atmosphere for productivity. The fully carpeted space is set-up as a hollow square for 28.
  • 682 Sq. Ft.
  • 30 Banquet Style
  • 28 Hollow Square Space Style
Bone Student Center Private Dining Room
  • 294 Sq. Ft.
  • 14 Banquet Style

Food & Beverage Options

West Campus - Linkins Dining Center
A wide variety of selections are available including salad bar, deli, grilled sandwiches, pizza, fresh fruit, and desserts.
  • Seating Capacity: 490
Watterson Dining Center
  • Seating Capacity: 1100

Accommodations

  • Total Number of Overnight Guests: 5,000
  • Wi-Fi in Guest Rooms: Yes
Illinois State University residence halls
Illinois State University residence halls provide comfortable, convenient, air-conditioned housing during the summer months.
  • 8,000 Beds

Featured Amenities

  • Bus - Shuttle, Public Bus Access Bus
  • In-House Catering
  • Near Public Transit
  • Outdoor Space
  • Taxi
  • Theater Seating
  • WiFi

Venue Location + Transportation

Address

 
Conference Services,
1101 North Main Street,
Normal, Illinois 61790-8610

Transportation

  • BusBus
  • LyftLyft
  • TaxiTaxi
  • TrainTrain
  • UberUber

Nearby Airport

  • Central Illinois Regional - 10 minutes

Nearby International Airport

  • Peoria International Airport - 45 minutes

Nearby Cities

Chicago – 140|St Louis – 165|Indianapolis – 170

Things to Know

Catering

  • Must Use In-house Catering: Yes
  • External Catering Allowed: Yes

Technology

State of the art computers and technology – internet access, distance learning labs, satellite uplink and downlink & complete A/V service.

  • Guest Wi-Fi: Free
  • Onsite Tech Support: Yes
  • Wi-Fi in meeting space: Yes
  • Equipment Available On-Site:
    • Projector Screen
    • Laptops
    • Microphones
    • Sound System
    • Custom Lighting

Services

Coordination
We take pride in our extensive knowledge of conference planning and providing exceptional customer service, using our one-stop-shop services.
Registration
Whether your group has 30 or 2,000 participants, we can assist you! Providing professional and cost effective registration is our specialty.
Marketing
Conference Services offers customized event marketing and communication expertise. We can design, produce, and distribute informational materials to maximize attendance.

Technology

Meeting Room Equipment
State of the art technology and presentation equipment available in all meeting rooms. Video conferencing available.
Classroom Technology
Classrooms have small touch panels allowing for simple operation of presentation equipment. Instructor podium includes sound system, projector, DVD, VCR, overhead, and computer.
Computer labs
Labs are located throughout campus. All include an instructor technology lectern with computer. The Alumni Center is equipped to host a 20-station laptop configuration for training.