Creekside Crossing and Homewood Suites: A Perfect Pairing

By Sue Sveum | Pictured: ©Creekside Crossing Conference Center

While there are large meeting spaces in Milwaukee and a smaller space inside the Oak Creek Community Center, the need for a larger space right in Oak Creek and its surrounding area became evident. That’s when the idea for the Creekside Crossing Conference Center materialized. And that dream became a reality last summer, alongside the brand-new Homewood Suites by Hilton Oak Creek Milwaukee.

“We saw a need for a space in Oak Creek that could hold larger events,” confirms Melissa Rasmussen, director of sales and marketing for the Creekside Crossing Conference Center. “So the hotel and attached conference center were built to satisfy that need.”

And it does. She says the more than 6,000-square-foot ballroom holds upwards of 300 guests, and can be used for one large event or divided into as many as four separate rooms to fit a variety of purposes. “There‘s also a small boardroom that holds as few as 10 and our Summit Room can fit 30 to 36,” adds Rasmussen. Plus, there’s already a plan to expand and build a second hotel.

And while the conference center and hotel fill the needs of local businesses, organizations and wedding parties, they also appeal to meeting and event planners and attendees from all around the state. The pair is now a popular destination for everything from holiday parties and weddings to annual meetings, regional conferences and fundraisers.

“It’s the perfect location,” Rasmussen explains. ”We’re just 10 minutes from downtown Milwaukee, yet close enough to General Mitchell International Airport that we can easily provide airport transportation for our guests — as well as to the Drexel Town Square for shopping or dining.”

And event planners can make use of the available space to suit their individual needs. For instance, sometimes the executive boardroom is used exactly as the name implies — for board meetings or small group activities. But that’s not all. Large conferences often use the room as pre-function space, or temporary office or administrative space.

Amenities include optional audiovisual equipment, uplighting, and decorations like table mirrors and votive candles for centerpieces. “We do all of the catering and staffing, and can set up a private bar with a bartender right in the ballroom for an event,” says Rasmussen. “People can bring in their own audiovisual, but otherwise, we take care of everything.”

There are also a hotel restaurant and large bar right outside the ballroom that are open to the public. “We additionally offer a wide variety of food as part of our catering,” she says, “but our chef is always willing to customize a menu if you want something different.”

Most people are already familiar with Hilton Hotels around the country in terms of hosting guests in town for various events, but according to Rasmussen, the idea of pairing the conference center with a Homewood Suites by Hilton hotel is unique.

“Every guest room is a full-service suite, with a living room, kitchen and separate bedroom space, making it especially appealing for longer-term conferences,” she says. “And the hotel has a pool, fitness center, in-house laundry and grills set up on the patio for guests to use.” Plus, the hotel is pet-friendly!

Rasmussen says the Creekside Crossing Conference Center’s focus is to do whatever the client is asking for. “We truly work to customize each event and experience,” she says. “Our goal is to make each guest feel at home, however long they’re here.”

Sue Sveum is a freelance writer based in the Madison area.