Planning a productive and memorable company getaway? These U.S. cities offer the perfect mix of meeting spaces, team-building activities, and relaxing backdrops for your next corporate retreat.
Highlights:
Unique U.S. Cities For a Corporate Retreat:
1. Soak Up Sun and Culture in San Diego
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What is San Diego known for?
- San Diego is California’s second-largest city and is known as the “Birthplace of California.” It is a major economic and cultural center for the southern California region.
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What are the key educational and medical institutions in San Diego?
- San Diego is home to the University of California and its affiliated USCD Medical Center, a leading biotechnology facility.
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What is San Diego’s climate like?
- The city is known for its year-round temperate climate, making it a desirable destination for outdoor activities.
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What makes San Diego’s waterfront special?
- San Diego’s expansive deep-water harbor serves as a hub for boating and water sports and is flanked by miles of beautiful beachfront.
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What are the major tourist attractions in San Diego?
- Popular attractions include the world-renowned San Diego Zoo, the massive oasis of Balboa Park, and various museums related to the region’s naval history.
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What does the San Diego Convention Center offer?
- The 2.6-million-square-foot San Diego Convention Center provides convenient access to more than 11,000 world-class hotel rooms and is located adjacent to the hip Gaslamp Quarter.
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What is the Gaslamp Quarter known for?
- The Gaslamp Quarter is home to a wide variety of nightlife venues and hosts annual festivals, making it one of the city’s most vibrant districts.
2. Dive Into Family Fun and Magic in Orlando
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How populous is Orlando?
- Orlando is the sixth most-populous urban region in the Southern United States.
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What is Orlando’s nickname?
- Orlando is nicknamed “The City Beautiful”.
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What is Orlando best known for?
- The city is best known for its massive theme park resorts, including Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, which attract more than 68 million annual visitors.
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Is Orlando a major conference city?
- Yes! Orlando is classified as a Gamma-level global city and is one of America’s busiest conference cities.
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What is the Orange County Convention Center?
- The Orange County Convention Center is a seven-million-square-foot facility, making it the second-largest convention center in the nation.
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What types of resort hotels can visitors find in Orlando?
- Orlando has an abundance of resort hotels, including the themed luxury hotels at Walt Disney World Resort. These resorts recreate the splendor of major world attractions, such as seaside boardwalks, national parks, and Hollywood creative studios.
3. Adventure Through Arts and Outdoors in Denver
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What makes Denver a great place to live?
- Denver is Colorado’s capital city and blends Old West charm with modern culture. It has been ranked as the United States’ best place to live by U.S. News and World Report.
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Where is Denver located?
- Known as The Mile High City, Denver is located within the South Platte River Valley and offers spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains’ Front Range.
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What cultural attractions does Denver offer?
- Denver boasts renowned cultural attractions such as the Denver Art Museum and the historic Larimer Square, which showcases 19th-century architecture.
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What business and convention facilities are in Denver?
- The city is an up-and-coming business hub and is home to the 2.2-million-square-foot Colorado Convention Center, one of the nation’s largest. It is directly serviced by the city’s extensive light rail system.
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What types of hotels are available in Denver?
- Denver offers more than 46,000 hotel rooms at luxury and boutique hotels such as the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel, the Grand Hyatt Denver, and the Four Seasons Hotel Denver.
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Is Denver a good location for accessing ski resorts?
- Yes! Denver serves as a major jumping-off point for nearby ski resort towns such as Aspen and Breckenridge.
4. Dance to the Beat of Music City in Nashville
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What is Nashville’s significance in Tennessee?
- Nashville is Tennessee’s state capital and its most populous city, with a metropolitan population of more than 1.9 million residents.
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Why is Nashville known as a major center for country music?
- Nashville is historically recognized as a major center of American country music, home to famous attractions such as the legendary Grand Ole Opry House, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the iconic Ryman Auditorium.
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What recognition has Nashville received for its food scene?
- Nashville’s recent urban revitalization has earned it a spot on National Geographic Traveller UK’s 2018 Cool List for its burgeoning food scene, which has been highlighted in Food & Wine and Condé Nast Traveler.
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What conference facilities are available in Nashville?
- Conference facilities are offered at the 2.1-million-square-foot downtown Music City Center and the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center.
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What makes the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center unique?
- Located less than 10 minutes from Nashville International Airport, the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center features nine acres of lush indoor gardens and waterways.
5. If You Love Western Charm, Explore Oklahoma City
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Why is Oklahoma City known as the "Horse Show Capital of the World"?
- Oklahoma City is one of America’s great metropolises, known for its rich cowboy heritage and culture, earning the title of "Horse Show Capital of the World".
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What makes Oklahoma City a great choice for corporate retreats?
- The diverse modern city offers unique corporate retreat opportunities focused on outdoor adventure, providing team-building experiences aboard riversport rafts in the city’s Boathouse District.
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What motivational sessions are available for corporate groups?
- In the Boathouse District, corporate groups can participate in motivational sessions led by former Olympic athletes, enhancing team-building experiences.
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What event spaces are available in Oklahoma City?
- The city’s Myriad Botanical Gardens facility is an elegant venue for corporate events, including gala fundraisers, holiday receptions, and corporate board meetings, accommodating up to 400 guests in a lavish natural setting.
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What other experiences can corporate groups enjoy in Oklahoma City?
- A wide variety of fine dining options are available throughout the city, along with ample arts and cultural attractions for corporate groups to explore.
6. Savor Big City Energy and Southern Flavors in Atlanta
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What is Atlanta known for?
- Atlanta is Georgia’s most populous city and a major cultural center. It is known as the “city in a forest” due to its tree-lined topography and numerous urban parks.
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How did the 1996 Olympic Summer Games impact Atlanta?
- Atlanta experienced a world-class revival in the late 20th century following its hosting of the 1996 Olympic Summer Games, further cementing its status as a global city.
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What are some major hotels and venues in Atlanta?
- Hotels and venues such as the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, the Omni Hotel at CNN Center, and the 1.4-million-square-foot Georgia World Congress Center are located in the heart of the city’s downtown.
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What major attractions are accessible from downtown Atlanta?
- Visitors have convenient access to major attractions such as the World of Coca-Cola, the Georgia Aquarium, the Atlanta Ballet, and Zoo Atlanta.
7. Keep It Weird and Wonderful in Austin
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What is Austin best known for?
- Austin is Texas’ state capital and is best known for its thriving, eclectic live music scene, earning it the nickname “The Live Music Capital of the World.”
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How fast is Austin growing?
- Austin is the United States’ fastest-growing major city and is home to a regional population of more than two million people. It has been named Forbes’ top “City of the Future.”
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What major conference facilities are available in Austin?
- The 246,000-square-foot Austin Convention Center is conveniently located near top downtown hotels.
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What are some top hotels near the Austin Convention Center?
- Nearby hotels include the Hilton Austin, JW Marriott Austin, and Fairmont Austin.
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What dining options are available in downtown Austin?
- Austin’s downtown region offers more than 200 unique and award-winning restaurants, catering to a variety of tastes.
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What are some popular neighborhoods in Austin?
- Hip neighborhoods such as the Sixth Street district are home to trendy bars, boutique shops, and special events such as the South by Southwest music and innovation festival.
- Other districts, such as South Congress and Hyde Park, showcase the local charm exemplified by the city’s “Keep Austin Weird” slogan.
8. Walk Through Revolutionary History in Boston
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How old is Boston and who founded it?
- Boston is one of the United States’ oldest cities, founded in 1630 by English Puritanical settlers.
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What is Boston’s population and ranking among U.S. urban areas?
- The metropolis is Massachusetts’ capital city and is home to more than 4.8 million people throughout its statistical region, making it the 10th-largest urban area in the country.
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What makes Boston a leader in education and business?
- Boston is world-renowned for its leadership in education, business, and innovation, home to top universities such as Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
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What historic attractions can visitors explore in Boston?
- Historic attractions abound, including the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail walking tour, which showcases American Revolution sites such as the Faneuil Hall marketplace.
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How many convention centers are in Boston’s downtown district?
- Boston offers three convention centers within its downtown district, catering to business events and conferences.
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What makes the Boston Convention and Exhibit Center unique?
- The Boston Convention and Exhibit Center is a state-of-the-art facility offering the fastest airport-to-convention-center commute in the country.
- It has been named the top high-tech convention facility by the Professional Convention Management Association.
9. If You Crave Big Skyscrapers and Deep-Dish Delights, Visit Chicago
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How populous is Chicago?
- Chicago is the United States’ third most populous city, home to more than 10 million people throughout its greater urban region.
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What is Chicago known for architecturally?
- Chicago is internationally renowned as the birthplace of the steel-framed skyscraper, which revolutionized architecture in the early 20th century.
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How is Chicago ranked globally and for business?
- The metropolis was ranked as the seventh most-influential world city on the 2017 Global Cities Index and was recognized as the top American city for business by Site Selection magazine.
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What is special about McCormick Place in Chicago?
- Chicago's 2.6-million-square-foot McCormick Place is consistently ranked as the nation’s top convention center.
- It is conveniently located within easy walking distance from more than 33,000 downtown hotel rooms.
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How important is O’Hare International Airport?
- Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport remains one of the largest airport hubs in the world today, serving millions of travelers annually.
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What cultural attractions does Chicago offer?
- The Windy City is home to a large number of cultural attractions, including the Art Institute of Chicago, the Navy Pier shopping and entertainment complex, and the international landmarks of the Magnificent Mile upscale district.
10. Experience Vibrant Arts and Innovation in Columbus
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How populous is Columbus?
- Columbus is Ohio’s most populous city and the United States’ 14th-largest, offering a diverse economy and serving as an international headquarters for top corporations.
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What major corporations are headquartered in Columbus?
- The city is home to the international headquarters of major brands, including Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, Wendy’s, White Castle, and Red Roof Inn.
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How is Columbus ranked among U.S. cities?
- As one of the Midwest’s fastest-growing cities, Columbus has been ranked as one of Money Magazine’s best American big cities and has received an A grade from Forbes as one of the country’s top business cities.
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What facilities does the Greater Columbus Convention Center offer?
- The Greater Columbus Convention Center offers 410,000 square feet of exhibit space and features the state’s largest meeting room.
- It is located within easy walking distance of more than 3,800 downtown hotel rooms and major attractions.
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What major attractions are near the convention center?
- Attractions near the convention center include the Short North Arts District and the North Market, both popular destinations in Columbus.
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What are some top attractions in Columbus?
- Other major attractions include the COSI Science Center, the Columbus Museum of Art, and German Village, which showcases restored 19th-century settler homes.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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How have corporate retreats evolved in the 21st century?
- While annual conventions and expositions have long been a staple of the business world, the corporate retreat has made a resurgence in the 21st century as a means of team morale building and brainstorming.
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Which American cities are ideal for corporate retreats?
- These American cities offer destinations for every corporate budget, showcasing internationally-renowned landmarks and world-class luxury hotels.
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