Idaho and Montana have natural beauty and modern meetings
By Morgan Saltz
Idaho and Montana have been evolving their modern meeting spaces without compromising the integrity of their historic western roots. Conference centers, hotels and other meeting/event spaces have been pursuing innovative ideas to stay modern while incorporating the surrounding natural elements—for examples, look to Snake River, the Boise Mountains and the states’ national parks, such as Montana’s Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park, which runs through both states and Wyoming.
Fun Fact
Nineteenth-century hunters named Boise, Idaho, after the French word for “wooded.”
Montana is home to around 70,000 Native Americans and eight Native Nations.
5 Reasons Meeting Profs Love It
National parks in Idaho and Montana will leave a lasting impression on group-bonding excursions. One of Idaho’s most popular is the City of Rocks in Almo. Molded by natural processes, the “silent city” offers a variety of outdoor activities, as does Montana’s Glacier National Park—a national must-see.
Water recreation at attractions such as Shoshone Falls, Idaho, and Flathead Lake, Montana, offer an adventurous opportunity for groups to participate in outdoor activities and off-site exploration. Guided tours can take groups on hikes up and over the falls or on kayaks on the lake.
The culinary scene in Idaho and Montana has been gaining national attention. With elevated twists on region-specific ingredients such as elk, Rocky Mountain oysters, huckleberries, and, of course, the classic Idaho potato, fine-dining chefs are putting these states on the foodie map with innovative ingenuity.
The natural hot springs just outside Boise and Bozeman, Montana, would be an enticing draw to offer for incentives, corporate retreats or event attendees looking to extend their stay for a personal vacation. Nature’s hot tubs are the ultimate luxury and are said to be places of physical and spiritual healing.
Indigenous culture is an important aspect of any region in America, and Idaho and Montana have many Indigenous tribes and communities that influence the way of life. Groups can meet at Idaho Heritage Museum, Museum of the Plains Indian or others to be educated and celebrate an important part of our nation’s history.
5 Places to Meet
Boise Centre enhances corporate meetings, events and conferences with premier views of the natural beauty of the Northwest and Boise Foothills. The exclusive in-house catering company, Front & Centre, can personalize a menu for any event.
86,000 sq. ft.; 31 meeting rooms.
The Resort at Paws Up in Greenough, Montana, is not only a unique destination for incentives, corporate retreats and smaller meetings but an homage to the state’s ranching identity. With rustic, Western-inspired meeting venues in The Village, it has the best of frontier nostalgia.
75,000 sq. ft. of event space, The Saddle Club; 2 restaurants at 7,243-square-foot Cook Shack.
Hilton Garden Inn Idaho Falls is the epitome of meeting space meeting nature. Just steps away from Snake River and the riverside Greenbelt Trail, the hotel offers modern corporate amenities and is in proximity to the shops, museums and restaurants of downtown Idaho Falls.
6,230 sq. ft. of event space; 6,050-square-foot largest room; 119 guest rooms.
AC Hotel Bozeman Downtown sits between the excitement of a vibrant, urban destination and the natural backdrop of the sprawling Montana Mountains. With a modern twist on rustic frontier charm, groups can get the best of both worlds.
2,419 sq. ft. of event space; 3 event rooms; 2 breakout rooms.
Hugging the lower Boise-Oregon border is the city of Nampa and Nampa Civic Center. The event space is easily accessible from Idaho, Oregon and Washington airports, and can host 110 booth spaces for trade shows and seat up to 640.
28,000 sq. ft. of event space; 14 meeting rooms; full-service facility.
Outdoor Dining in Boise
Enjoy the scenic mountains from the comfort of one of Boise’s many acclaimed restaurants, many of which boast outdoor patio dining options that allow patrons to take in the picturesque views..
One of the best areas to enjoy not only the food, wine and scenery of Boise but a cultural gem of the city is The Basque Block. Located in downtown Boise, The Basque Block is an unexpected European transport to the culture and culinary traditions of the people of the Basque community. Originally from the western Pyrenees straddling the border between Spain and France, many Basque people settled in Idaho as they profited in farming sheep. They have kept their heritage alive with The Basque Block, providing many outdoor patios for visitors to enjoy both European nuance and the American West as they eat, drink and enjoy.
Outdoor Activities in Bozeman
The rugged terrain of Montana provides a plethora of outdoor activities for groups to take advantage of while experiencing the beauty of the region. Bozeman offers visitors the option to have the best of both worlds—hiking and backpacking day trips, both short day hiking trips in Glacier National Park or more adventurous excursions, yet still staying close to bigger city.
As the state that inspired the hit television show Yellowstone, Montana prides themselves on the ranch culture, including traditional horseback riding. Proudly calling themselves “The Last Best Place” as an homage to their American Indian and American West history and more untouched land than many other states, groups can take a ride through the peaks and plains of Montana on majestic local horses.
Fishing is also one of Montana’s favorite outdoor activities. Paradise Valley and Flathead Lake are two of the biggest destinations for fishing in Big Sky Country, but if the group is in Bozeman the place to go is Gallatin River. Catch local trout or go further with whitewater rafting or ziplining tours.
This article appears in the July 2024 issue. You can subscribe to the magazine here.
