5 Brilliant Places to Meet

Wind Creek Bethlehem’s three ballrooms can accommodate 50-2,200 guests. A new resort tower includes a glass-enclosed pool and terrace Event attendees can always try their hand at the 1,700 popular games on the casino floor.

Over 12,000 sq. ft. of meeting space; six meeting rooms; 552 guest rooms. 

Mount Airy Casino Resort Spa serves small and large corporate meetings and retreats. Got golf on the brain? Mount Airy boasts 6,500 yards of fairways to get the group out in an Audubon-certified landscape in the Pocono Mountains.

30,000 sq. ft. of meeting space; 12 meeting rooms; 284 guest rooms. 

Lancaster Convention Center encompasses a preserved section of the Underground Railroad alongside the most modern AV and internet service and an indoor pool and fitness center.

90,000 sq. ft. of meeting space; 27 meeting rooms; 416 guest rooms. 

Nemacolin spans five locations: The Chateau, The Grand Lodge (recently reopened after a luxurious renovation), The Estates, The Homes and Falling Rock. The venues rest on a  total of 2,200 acres of scenic grounds.

35,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space; 35 meeting rooms; 280 guest rooms.

Greater Philadelphia Expo Center is 20 miles from Philadelphia. In 2022, the Center installed the largest solar rooftop array in a Pennsylvania convention center.

240,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space; 5 exhibit halls; 9 breakout rooms. 

 

5 Reasons Why Planners Love It

American Helicopter Museum & Education Center houses one of the world’s largest collections of rotorcraft. Guests can get up close and personal and climb into rotary-wing aircrafts like a real pilot. The museum offers dedicated meeting spaces, a theater and outdoor area.

West Chester Railroad for 150 years has provided a 90-minute round trip scenic Glen Mills, Delaware County. Planners can rent the train’s dining car for scheduled runs to add that wow factor.

Riverbend Environmental Education Center connects guests to nature, environmental literacy through STEM education and play in nature. Historic Snider Barn offers rustic-chic charm.

Transport your group up the zipline at Treetrails Adventures for team-building moments or leadership training. Groups can also opt for a private, 3-hour guided adventure. Attendees will be given free gloves, a warm or cold beverage, a collectable TreeTrails water bottle and a free group photo.

Jump back in time with a visit to Valley Forge Park and walk in the footsteps of George Washington and the Continental Army. See Washington Headquarters, National Memorial March and Artillery Park.

 

Grub from the Road

If your event is in Philadelphia, your attendees will want to grab a cheesesteak from the spot that is credited with the creation of the cheesesteak! Pat’s King of Steaks was founded in 1930 by Pat Olivieri. The restaurant is still owned and operated by the Oliveri family and is open 24/7! Guests can try Steak, Cheesesteak, Pizza Steak, The Widowmaker and many other sandwich options.

Cantina La Martina’s Executive Chef Dionicio has a fascinating story of bringing the influences of Mexico City to Philadelphia. In 1998, Chef Dionicio emigrated to the United States, which meant walking thousands of miles and many sleepless nights to make his way to the City of Brotherly Love. There, Dionicio worked his way up from a dishwasher, line cook, prep cook, chef and ultimately Executive Chef.

Cantina La Martina’s dinner selection includes watermelon ceviche, lamb shank marinated in a guajillo and Mexican herb paste, as well as chorizo, bacon, chicken octopus, white fish and prawns sauteed in a habanero lemongrass salsa, otherwise known as Tumbada. There is also a kid’s menu available with some tasty options like fried avocado and ketchup.

SOUTH Restaurant & Jazz Club is Philadelphia’s premier Jazz Club. Since its founding in 2015, SOUTH’s kitchen has served up dishes like gumbo, cornbread, Southern fried chicken, boneless beef short ribs, sweet potato cheesecake and pineapple brown sugar pudding. Dinner is served from 5 pm to 10 pm Sunday through Thursday and till 11 pm on Friday and Saturdays. Seating for the jazz club opens up at 5:30 pm but also includes the full dinner and bar menus. Planners can also book private events at SOUTH.

Vernick Fish is an American oyster bar. The restaurant focuses on curating its menu based on what is available seasonally, but what also is sustainable. Guests can eat from the raw bar, which includes East Coast oysters, torched king salmon and crudo fluke ceviche. Other menu plates include swordfish milanese sandwich and grilled branzino. Vernick is also able to host events from 12 to 28 guests.

This article appears in the September 2024 issue. You can subscribe to the magazine here.