The Best of Wisconsin Meetings 2020

By Ronnie Wendt

We cap off every year with the holidays, but here at Wisconsin Meetings, the best part of our year-end is tallying the results of our Best of Wisconsin Meetings annual readers’ poll. Discovering our readers’ choices for the best the Dairy State has to offer is like opening a package at Christmas.

Competition in the meetings and events world is heating up. Today’s suppliers must be ever vigilant in their efforts to provide fresh ideas, products, services and amenities, while offering top-of-the-line customer support. And they must innovate and support while staying within the confines of their own budgets. It’s a tight line to walk.

The names that follow are your selections for vendors that meet and exceed customer expectations, while achieving their own business objectives. They have proven their dedication to their customers and the industry in 2019.

BEST LARGE CONVENTION CENTER:

Glacier Canyon Lodge at Wilderness Resort, Wisconsin Dells

Readers say Glacier Canyon Lodge offers massive and majestic facilities for memorable conferences, meetings and events. The gorgeous 56,000-square-foot conference center features private breakout rooms and banquet space for up to 1,200 guests. The resort also offers 1,151 lodging options, a championship golf course, award-winning spa services, and eight indoor and outdoor water parks, allowing groups to meet, eat and play in one location. Plus, the resort’s professional planning team is there to guarantee your attendees have a great experience in the meeting, on the golf course, at the spa or as they dine. wildernessresort.com

BEST CONFERENCE CENTER:

The Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor’s Club, Madison

When your conference requires nothing but the best, readers say The Madison Concourse Hotel — the largest convention hotel in Madison — is the way to go. In the heart of downtown Madison, just steps away from the State Capitol, this historic hotel delivers 373 spacious and well-appointed guest rooms, and 27,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, including 28 meeting rooms and six hospitality suites. The 100-room Governor’s Club level provides a private 12th floor lounge where guests can feast their eyes on breathtaking views of the Capitol as they enjoy top-shelf cocktails, delectable hors d’oeuvres, desserts and continental breakfast. concoursehotel.com

BEST BOUTIQUE HOTEL PROPERTY WITH MEETING SPACE:

The Iron Horse Hotel, Milwaukee

Readers gave The Iron Horse Hotel rave reviews. The century-old repurposed warehouse just redid its lobby area and restaurant, and created an outdoor patio that doubles as outdoor meeting space. The new patio, enclosed with hedges for privacy, has firepits to warm attendees and build an unbeatable ambiance. Customized catering menus and top-of-the-line audiovisual capabilities round out the event experience. The posh boutique hotel accommodates events of a variety of sizes, from 10 to 200 guests. The Iron Horse Hotel’s meeting facilities range from a well-appointed executive boardroom to a large-scale event space with custom artwork, wrought-iron chandeliers, pine timbers and exposed Cream City brick. Attendees cap off a busy day of meetings in lavish guest rooms with luxury bedding and bath products. theironhorsehotel.com

BEST RECEPTION FACILITY:

Lambeau Field Atrium, Green Bay

For eight consecutive years, Lambeau Field Atrium has won our award for best reception facility by a landslide. Readers cannot get enough of this award-winning space. The five-story-high atrium accommodates groups of up to 1,000 people, gathering for everything from a corporate luncheon, dinner, cocktail reception or meeting. A private stadium tour or stroll through the hallowed Hall of Fame will appeal to football lovers on your team, and add a little green and gold pizzazz after the event ends. packers.com

BEST GOLF COURSE/RESORT FOR AN OUTING:

Wild Rock Golf Club at the Wilderness, Wisconsin Dells

Golf outings held at Wild Rock Golf Club score a perfect round. A dedicated meeting planner and tournament coordinator on staff helps you set up an outstanding golf outing, book overnight accommodations, make dining arrangements, plan therapeutic spa services (like a golfer’s massage) and reserve meeting space. Golfers appreciate the course’s most notable topography: an old stone quarry with rocky mounds and extreme elevation changes. End a busy day with mouthwatering food prepared by the course’s dedicated catering staff and dine in the impressive rustic-style woodland lodge. wildrockgolf.com

BEST CASINO WITH MEETING SPACE:

Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, Milwaukee

Readers say Potawatomi Hotel & Casino delivers a winning hand for meetings and events. The venue recently completed an $80 million construction project, which included a second tower with additional hotel rooms, meeting space and a spa. The largest entertainment destination in the Midwest offers comfortable and flexible meeting spaces that can accommodate events up to 3,000 people. After hours, delicious dining options, gaming action and world-class entertainment keep attendees busy long into the night. paysbig.com

BEST GROUP OUTING:

Lake Geneva Cruise Line, Lake Geneva

Give your attendees a breath of fresh air as your group cruises past amazing estates while aboard one of Lake Geneva Cruise Line’s eight beautiful boats. The fleet of well-appointed boats accommodates groups of one to 200 or charter multiple boats for larger group outings. If teambuilding is your goal, try the company’s popular geo-challenge cruise. Plan a cocktail cruise that takes you to Pier 290 restaurant for a lakeside dining experience, and cruise back with dessert and an amazing sunset. Lake Geneva Cruise Line also transports groups to one of the lake’s fabulous mansions for a private tour, only available by boat. The cruise line’s climate-controlled fleet operates from April to November. Its event coordinator works closely with your group to develop an experience that meets the unique needs of your group. Our readers say a day on the water with Lake Geneva Cruise Line can’t be beat. cruiselakegeneva.com

BEST LAKESHORE RESORT:

The Abbey Resort, Fontana

Any resort can offer state-of-the-art meeting spaces and first-class accommodations. But readers say, at The Abbey Resort, the experience transcends the amenities. An event at this relaxed and inspired venue has ideas flowing like water as attendees take in fresh air, breathtaking harbor views of Geneva Lake and 90 acres of meticulously manicured grounds. The resort accommodates various sizes of groups with ease. Meeting space ranges from its eight-person Waterfront Boardroom to its 10,000-square-foot Harbor Ballroom. Outstanding culinary and planning staff on site can help you craft a meeting that goes from ordinary to extraordinary. Rest easy after hours in the resort’s 334 recently updated suites and guest rooms, plus 14 luxury villas. theabbeyresort.com

HOTEL WITH THE BEST SERVICE:

Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, Lake Geneva

Readers consistently rank Grand Geneva Resort & Spa at the top. This year, you recognized the Grand Geneva for its grand service. Whether planning an event or weekending at the resort, readers say the Lake Geneva resort always puts customers first, and staff go above and beyond to make every event personal and memorable. They are there to help you use the resort’s 62,000 square feet of meeting and event space to bring your meeting goals to life. The resort’s meeting space can accommodate from 10 to 1,500 guests in style. Its teambuilding opportunities include 3.5 miles of hiking trails, rock climbing, sand volleyball courts, a recreational area and a picnic spot. A variety of restaurant options suit every culinary taste, while an on-site spa provides relaxation after a busy day. grandgeneva.com

BEST PROPERTY FOR A CORPORATE RETREAT:

The Geneva Inn, Lake Geneva

The Geneva Inn is an ideal choice for an unforgettable corporate event. The boutique-style inn has 37 well-appointed rooms, including 17 suites and king rooms with lake views. It offers meeting space for 20 to 60 people indoors, as well as a lakeside patio for smaller cocktail receptions. And for teambuilding activities, The Geneva Inn can’t be beat. Its private piers serve as the launch point for kayaking and boating. The resort staff arranges for midday, dinner or sunset cruises on the lake, zip lining, cooking classes and golf outings. Readers report The Geneva Inn helps executives get work done, but also relax and have a good time. genevainn.com

VENUE WITH THE BEST OUTDOOR RECEPTION SPACE:

Monona Terrace, Madison

Not only does the Monona Terrace rooftop sport one of the best views in the city, but its William T. Evjue Rooftop Gardens bloom with gorgeous, landscaped bursts of color all summer long. The location’s Art on the Rooftop also injects a bit of whimsy atop the roof. This free exhibition of public sculpture showcases beautiful artwork from regional artists. Readers say these features combine to make the venue a planner’s paradise for an outdoor reception. mononaterrace.com