Super-sized Sites
Fenway Park in Boston, which can host more than 6,000 guests.
FENWAY PARK
ADDRESS: 4 Yawkey Way, Boston, MA 02215
WEB SITE: boston.redsox.mlb.com/bos/ballpark/events/index.jsp
LARGE AND IN CHARGE: The ballpark features fancy and fun venues for events, from the Budweiser Right Field Roof Deck with a view of the city to the Green Monster, Fenway's famous left field wall.
EVENT AREAS: There are 10 areas at the ballpark for events, including the 7,000-square-foot State Street Pavilion and the First Base Deck, which seats 300 with a view of the baseball field and the Boston skyline.
SERIOUSLY SPACIOUS: The largest space is the 40,000-square-foot Big Concourse. Located behind the right and center field bleachers, the open-air space is surrounded by brick walls and concession stands.
ROOM TO ROAM: Measuring 4,500 square feet, the EMC Club offers an extensive menu, open kitchen and wine bar for elegant events.
AIR FORCE ONE PAVILION
Air Force One Pavilion at the Reagan Library, which offers 90,000 square feet of event space.
ADDRESS: 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley, CA 93065
WEB SITE: www.reaganlibrary.com
LARGE AND IN CHARGE: The Pavilion holds a Boeing 707 — the plane served as Air Force One for seven U.S. presidents — and measures 90,000 square feet over three floors.
EVENT AREAS: The space holds 1,400 seated guests; the plane sits on pedestals so that guests can walk, dine and dance beneath it. The Ambassador's Terrace, an outdoor space, adds another 10,000 square feet.
SERIOUSLY SPACIOUS: The large open spaces and 60-foot-high ceiling at the Pavilion are big enough for acrobatic and fashion shows as well as large dance floors.
ROOM TO ROAM: The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library offers more options for events, including a 1,000-person auditorium.
WASHINGTON CONVENTION CENTER
ADDRESS: 801 Mount Vernon Place N.W., Washington, DC 20001
WEB SITE: www.dcconvention.com
LARGE AND IN CHARGE: With granite floors, glass walls and dramatic staircases, the Washington Convention Center offers style within its 2.3 million square feet of space.
EVENT AREAS: The Washington Convention Center's ballroom measures 52,000 square feet and can accommodate 3,000 guests at a banquet. Features of the room include 48-foot ceilings, a wood finish and a calming color scheme.
SERIOUSLY SPACIOUS: With 66 breakout rooms, the center offers 150,000 square feet of meeting space.
ROOM TO ROAM: Overall, the facility holds 30,000 people and can feed them with on-site eateries from Wolfgang Puck and Starbucks.
GILLEY'S DALLAS
ADDRESS: 1135 S. Lamar, Dallas, TX 75215
WEB SITE: www.gilleysdallas.com
LARGE AND IN CHARGE: With its rooms connected in a circular pattern, Gilley's can accommodate one large event of 5,000 guests or separate smaller parties.
EVENT AREAS: Wooden Texas stars and rustic brick accents decorate the 1,500-square-foot South Side Event Center, which includes the Lone Star, Brazos and Pasadena rooms. Gilley's also offers the venue the Loft and its 3,000-square-foot balcony.
SERIOUSLY SPACIOUS: The three-level Palladium Ballroom, with a 10,000-square-foot walnut hardwood dance floor, accommodates 2,600 guests.
ROOM TO ROAM: Titan, the venue's mechanical bull, gives guests a wild ride. Also, Gilley's is located two blocks away from the Dallas Convention Center.
CIRCLE R RANCH
ADDRESS: 5901 Cross Timbers Road, Flower Mound, TX 75022
WEB SITE: www.circlerranch.org
LARGE AND IN CHARGE: This rustic 100-acre ranch can accommodate up to 10,000 guests.
EVENT AREAS: Three separate event facilities offer different kinds of entertainment; Trail Camp features an outdoor grill and hay barn.
SERIOUSLY SPACIOUS: The Western Pavilion has space for 3,000 guests at a reception; past events held there include the Radio Shack company picnic and the Country Music Association awards gala.
ROOM TO ROAM: The 5,000-square-foot Chisolm Ranch House and the 30,000-square-foot Western Pavilion bring guests to the frontier yet retain modern amenities for meetings such as an elevated stage and conference lighting.
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