Destination Eau Claire

By Maura Keller | Photography by ©Visit Eau Claire

Looking for a bit of scenic beauty, unique venues, outdoor fun, historic sites and memorable team- building options – all packed into one location? Look no further than Eau Claire, a gem of a meeting, conference and trade sho w destination capturing the attention of planners near and far.

“The Eau Claire region offers a variety of meetings and event venues suitable for different types of gatherings,” says Dana Crosson, senior sales manager at Visit Eau Claire. “Whether you are planning a meeting for 12 or 1,200, the Eau Claire area offers outstanding meeting facilities, fabulous dining options, beautiful scenery, unique attractions and, most importantly, an overall safe, walkable city that will ensure a successful and memorable event.”

Visit Eau Claire also offers a variety of complimentary meeting services to incentivize booking in the area.

In addition to the solid standbys in the venues gracing the Eau Claire area, there are a couple of amazing new developments that meeting planners should consider. Sonnentag Complex is a brand-new multi-sport complex with an indoor arena that will hold more than 5,000 people. The complex, with more than 170,000 square feet of space, is ideal for larger meetings and events, and is estimated to be completed in spring 2024.

Eau Claire Event District is another brand- new facility that holds a large range of venues that are ideal for events of all sizes. As Crosson points out, events at the Eau Claire Event District will be extremely convenient for meeting planners, as it offers an on-site catering company.

Making the Most of Eau Claire

For meeting planners considering Eau Claire for their next event, Crosson shares some tips and advice to ensure a successful and memorable experience:

• Research venues: First and foremost, reach out to Visit Eau Claire in exploring the various event venues available in the region, including hotels, conference centers and unique spaces.
• Plan ahead: Crosson says it’s very important to start planning your event well in advance to secure the best venues, dates and accommodations. Eau Claire is a popular destination for events, especially during peak seasons, so early planning is essential to ensure availability and avoid last-minute complications.
• Utilize local resources: Visit Eau Claire wants meeting planners to take advantage of resources and expertise available through the organization. From start to finish, they will work with you to ensure a seamless event, collecting the necessary information and assistance in organizing and executing the event seamlessly.
• Explore entertainment and activities: As Crosson explains, you can really enhance your event experience by incorporating local entertainment, attractions, and activities into the itinerary. Eau Claire offers a variety of options, including outdoor recreation, historical tours, cultural experiences and outstanding culinary fare.
• Promote local culture and cuisine: Showcase the unique culture and culinary offerings of Eau Claire by incorporating local vendors, restaurants, and products into your event. “Whether it’s featuring locally sourced ingredients in catering menus or organizing off-site excursions to explore the city’s culinary scene; embracing the local flavor adds authenticity and enhances the overall experience for attendees,” Crosson says.

Planners Keep Coming Back

Heidi Warren, president of the Wisconsin Marketing Education Association and Chippewa Falls Area School District marketing and business educator, recently decided to host the organization’s annual conference, BEcoME IT (a collaboration of Wisconsin Educators in Business & Information Technology [WEBIT] in Eau Claire. The annual joint conference is held in October and attendees experience workshops in various marketing, business, finance, entrepreneurship and technology topics. The event also presents industry speakers, typically from the area in which the conference is held.

“Our conference typically moves about the state so we can see the areas in which our members teach,” says Warren. “The Eau Claire area is absolutely beautiful in the fall. Of course, all of Wisconsin is, however, there are wonderful places to appreciate the season all over Eau Claire.”

As Warren notes, the organization hosted a Friday evening social at 44 North and everyone commented on the area’s fall vibe. The entire River Prairie area offered the opportunity to walk around and unwind, and the sculptures and fall décor were all favorites of attendees.

“Helix Craft Bar and Cafe welcomed us to a pre-dinner social where we heard about the marketing efforts of the establishment from one of the owners,” Warren says. “We really appreciated how everyone involved in our conference planning, from the hotel staff, to the owner of Helix, treated our group with such hospitality and kindness.”

The Wisconsin Marketing Education Association also tries to host the event in more accessible areas of the state. Eau Claire has great hotels and restaurants so attendees who travel far can feel like they have everything they need.

“This past fall, we hosted our conference at the Holiday Inn South. The hospitality was fantastic, the food was amazing, and our attendees had wonderful things to say about their entire experience,” Warren says. “We decided that Eau Claire was such a success for our conference in 2023, that we’re hosting it in the area again this year. We’re looking forward to giving our members another chance to see the rest of what the Eau Claire region has to offer.”

For Patti Hosking, vice president of business development at TBEX, the largest conference and community of travel creators and influencers in the world, Eau Claire proved the ideal locale for the 2023 Travel Bloggers Exchange Conference — a two- day conference with evening parties on four nights and pre-tours for two days prior.

“The friendliness of the people in the township and region, as well as the professionalism and creativity of the tourism board and the quality of the Pablo Center were ideal,” Hosking says. “We enjoyed the beauty and walkability of the riverfront areas, and proximity to downtown, and the ease of flying into Chicago airports and readily arriving in Eau Claire via car in two to 2.5 hours.”

Hosking recommends meeting planners take advantage of the Eau Claire farmers market held on the river banks and encourage people to ride their bikes along the pathways.

“Be sure to explore the surrounding townships within 15 to 20 minutes for off-site activities and get people to the Leinenkugel Lodge,” she adds. Referred to by many as the “Leinie Lodge,” this unique venue is situated directly across the river from Leinenkugel’s brewery and offers spaces for small gatherings. The new Pilot Brewery section of the Leinie Lodge gives industrial vibes and features a private bar and audio visual equipment.

Another unique space within Eau Claire that has proven successful for meetings and events is the Brewing Projekt. According to event coordinator Carolyn Wardell, the venue includes the “Garage,” which is complete with tables, chairs, gray linens, and a large glass garage door that looks out on the lower-level patio and can be opened weather permitting. The Garage holds up to 50 guests (60 is doable but tight). It provides the perfect for corporate meetings and smaller events. The third floor event space holds up to 200 guests, and pricing is dependent on date and guest count.

For large-scale events, The Lismore Hotel Eau Claire, a DoubleTree by Hilton property, offers more than 14,000 square feet of event space and can accommodate up to 1,000 attendees within the hotel’s two expansive ballrooms. The newly rebuilt venue is ideally situated in downtown Eau Claire, offering ample opportunities to explore the many attractions in the city’s vibrant central business district.

Nearby, the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire offers a wealth of meeting and event venues on its expansive campus. From the Zorn Arena, a multi-purpose facility that can accommodate up to 3,300 attendees, to myriad of meeting rooms in the Davies Center to the fixed seating options in the Schofield Auditorium, the campus can meet the needs of both large and small gatherings.

The spacious accommodations at the new Chippewa Valley Expo Center are much-celebrated by planners looking for ample space for large-scale groups, while also having access to state-of-the-art amenities that today’s attendees have come to expect at trade shows, conferences and exhibitions. In addition to an expansive exposition area, the Expo Center also boasts an auditorium and dining area for groups.

Playful Venues and Natural Surroundings Abound

For groups looking to work some, play some, Eau Claire’s Metropolis Resort is the ideal spot. Featuring an indoor water park, lazy river, trampoline park, indoor and outdoor go-karts, laser tag and many other activities, meeting attendees and their families can enjoy everything that the Metropolis Resort has to offer. When it comes time to get down to business, the resort includes over 10,000 square feet of meeting space, including large and small meeting spaces for up to 250 attendees.

Looking for a unique team-building experience in Eau Claire? Check out Forage, which offers a state-of-the-art commercial kitchen where groups can enjoy a cooking class. For those looking for more adventurous experiences for teams, UW – Eau Claire offers the Environmental Adventure Center, where trained leaders can work with groups in a variety of experiences and team-building activities.

And as more and more of today’s attendees seek events that incorporate natural elements in their conference or meeting experiences, the Florian Gardens Conference Center in Eau Claire is a perfect option. Surrounded by awe-inspiring landscapes and lush garden vistas, the Florian Gardens touts three expansive ballroom, as well as a stunning outdoor patio space overlooking the gardens.

“There are also so many incredible developments happening in Eau Claire, from new restaurants to brand-new events and festivals for meeting and conference attendees to enjoy while they are in our incredible city,” Crosson says.