SITE: UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY
ADDRESS: 1833 Crowchild Trail N.W., Calgary, Alberta T2M 4S7 Canada
PHONE: 403/220-7101
WEB SITE: www.ucalgary.ca/specialevents
VISUALS & VIBE: The university, which celebrates its 40th year as an independent institution next year, sits on 526 acres of rolling lawns in northwest Calgary. The university's event spaces have been used for meetings, receptions and trade shows by clients such as Ebay, Home Depot and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
EVENT AREAS: The university's event and meeting spaces include classrooms, lecture halls and outdoor areas. The Olympic Volunteer Centre offers 10 rooms that can accommodate groups of eight to 900 people. The Rozsa Centre includes the 384-seat Eckhardt-Grammate recital/lecture hall, which features first-rate acoustics and complete sound and lighting systems.
BIG SPACE ON CAMPUS: The 13,400-square-foot Red & White Club, located in the Olympic Volunteer Centre, accommodates 850 for receptions and seats 600 banquet-style and 900 theater-style.
“The University of Calgary offers flexible meeting and event space that is managed by a team of professionals and is affordable to those on a budget. Our professional staff and range of services make it possible for groups with any level of organizational infrastructure to hold a professionally run, successful conference or event.”
— Marnie Pallesen, conference manager
SITE: BALL STATE UNIVERSITY
ADDRESS: 2000 W. University Ave., Muncie, IN 47306
PHONE: 765/285-1396
WEB SITE: www.bsu.edu/conferences
VISUALS & VIBE: The public university began life as a private school before being purchased by the Ball brothers, Muncie industrialists who bequeathed the campus and its buildings to the state of Indiana in 1918. The institution became a university in 1965; famous alumni include “Late Show” host David Letterman and “Garfield” cartoonist Jim Davis.
EVENT AREAS: The 700-seat Prius performance and lecture hall; 50,000-square-foot Alumni Center with a 300-capacity assembly hall, several meeting rooms and a boardroom; brand-new 600-seat Sursa Performance Hall; and E.B. Ball Center, a house built in 1907 with a ballroom and dining room for 75.
BIG SPACE ON CAMPUS: The L.A. Pittenger Student Center's Cardinal Hall is a 17,500-square-foot multipurpose room that can be configured as a smaller hall with breakout rooms or a single large space with views of the campus from the adjoining lounge; the hall can accommodate 600 guests for conferences or receptions.
“Universities are becoming a popular destination due to the unique atmosphere of a campus venue and the affordability of facilities and services, combined with the advanced technological capabilities needed for the planning and management of events today.”
— Rita Stewart, director of conferences and special events
SITE: UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO
ADDRESS: 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, CA 92110
PHONE: 619/260-4600
WEB SITE: www.sandiego.edu
VISUALS & VIBE: The University of San Diego's campus features Spanish Renaissance-style architecture and views of the city and Pacific Ocean. The private university is located near popular attractions such as SeaWorld and the San Diego Zoo.
EVENT AREAS: The Jenny Craig Pavilion contains a 5,500-seat arena with state-of-the-art sound, lighting and acoustics; the JCP Warren Hospitality Suite, a 1,000-square foot, 124-capacity reception space overlooking the arena; and the 2,500-square-foot JCP Foyer, which has 25-foot ceilings and space for up to 250 guests. The Douglas F. Manchester Executive Conference Center has five event/meeting rooms and can accommodate groups of up to 150 people.
BIG SPACE ON CAMPUS: The Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice features nine rooms for events of up to 300 attendees; outside, the serene Garden of the Sea features a reflection pool and lush landscaping.
“The No. 1 feature that sets the university apart is our location — we're situated on a prominent hilltop with 180 degree commanding views of the Pacific Ocean, Mission Bay and the surrounding mountains. Each facility has event staff dedicated to making [events] a success; in addition, we have an award-winning in-house catering department.”
— Deanna Wittman, special event planner
